Brihaspati Curses the Embryo, Dirghatamas is Born
Brihaspati, priest of the gods, desires his elder brother’s pregnant wife. When the embryo in her womb objects to the intrusion, Brihaspati curses it to a long darkness.
The desire was for a brother’s wife. Utathya was a famous and wise rishi, and his wife was Mamata, whom he loved dearly. His younger brother was Brihaspati, the immensely energetic priest of the gods. Brihaspati desired Mamata and sought to unite with her.
Mamata told her eloquent brother-in-law, “I am pregnant through your older brother. Therefore, desist. O illustrious Brihaspati! Utathya’s son is in my womb and has studied the Vedas and the Vedangas there. Your semen is infallible, and therefore, this is not possible. Do not desire me today.”
At these words, the immensely energetic Brihaspati could not suppress his desire, though he had achieved self-control. The desiring one united with her, though she did not desire him in return.
When he spilt his semen, a voice came from inside Mamata’s womb. It was the embryo, already learned, who spoke: “O father! There is no room inside for two of us. I was here first and you have unnecessarily wasted your semen.”
At this, the illustrious rishi Brihaspati was angry and cursed Utathya’s son, who was in the womb. “You have spoken at a time that all beings crave for. Therefore, you will enter a long period of darkness.”
From this curse was born the rishi Dirghatamas — “long darkness.” He would be Brihaspati’s equal in great deeds and great energy, and would later have sons like Goutama to extend Utathya’s lineage.