"[Entering], the rakshasa saw blazing Agni (Jatavedas) in the house of fire. Then the rakshasa asked the blazing Pavaka (Fire): 'Tell me, Agni, whose wife is this; since you are asked, answer truly. You are truth itself; tell me, then, who ask you, the truth, O Pavaka. For this lovely woman I formerly chose for my wife, but afterward her father, acting falsely, gave her to Bhrigu. If this fair-hipped woman has indeed become Bhrigu's wife and belongs to him alone, then tell me the truth in good conscience, for I wish to abduct her from the hermitage. Wrath now burns in my heart as if consuming it, because Bhrigu has taken this slender-waisted woman, my former betrothed wife.' Thus questioning the blazing Jatavedas and suspecting her to be Bhrigu's wife, the rakshasa asked again and again: 'You, Agni, dwell forever within all beings as witness to their good and evil deeds; speak, then, a truthful word, O wise one. My former betrothed wife has been carried off by the lying Bhrigu; if this woman is she, you must tell me the truth. Having heard from you that she is Bhrigu's wife, I shall carry her off from the hermitage; tell me, then, Jatavedas, a truthful word before your very eyes.' Having heard his words, the Seven-Flamed [Agni] was deeply grieved, fearing both falsehood and Bhrigu's curse, and spoke softly [as will be told]."