The Mahabharata of
Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1
ADI PARVA
SECTION CCXXIV
(Khandava-daha Parva)

"Vaisampayana said, 'The Pandavas, after they had taken up their abode at

Indraprastha at the command of Dhritarashtra and Bhishma began to bring

other kings under their sway. All the subjects (of the kingdom) lived

most happily depending upon Yudhishthira the just, like a soul living

happily depending upon a body blest with auspicious marks and pious

deeds. And, O bull in Bharata's race, Yudhishthira paid homage unto

virtue, pleasure, and profit, in judicious proportion, as if each were a

friend dear unto him as his own self. It seemed as if the three

pursuits--virtue, pleasure, and profit--became personified on earth, and

amongst them the king shone as a fourth. The subjects having obtained

Yudhishthira as their king, obtained in their monarch one that was

devoted to the study of the Vedas, one that was performer of the great

sacrifices, and one that was protector of all good people. In consequence

of Yudhishthira's influence, the good fortune of all the monarchs of the

earth became stationary, and their hearts became devoted to the

meditation of the Supreme Spirit, and virtue itself began to grow every

way all round. And in the midst of and assisted by his four brothers, the

king looked more resplendent (than he would have done if he were alone),

like a great sacrifice depending upon and assisted by the four Vedas.

Many learned Brahmanas with Dhananjaya at their head, each like unto

Vrihaspati, waited upon the monarch, like the celestials waiting upon the

Lord of the creation. From excess of affection, the eyes and hearts of

all the people equally took great delight in Yudhishthira who was even as

the full moon without a stain. The people took delight in him not only

because he was their king but also from sincere affection. The king

always did what was agreeable to them. The sweet-speeched Yudhishthira of

great intelligence never uttered anything that was improper or untrue or

unbearable or disagreeable. The best of monarchs of the Bharata race,

endued with great energy, passed his days happily for the welfare of all

as his own. His brothers also bringing by their energy other kings under

their sway, passed their days in happiness, without a foe to disturb

their peace.

"After a few days, Vibhatsu, addressing Krishna, said, 'The summer days

have set in, O Krishna! Therefore, let us go to the banks of the Yamuna.

O slayer of Madhu, sporting there in the company of friends, we will, O

Janardana, return in the evening'. Thereupon Vasudeva said, 'O son of

Kunti, this is also my wish. Let us, O Partha, sport in the waters as we

please, in the company of friends.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then, O Bharata, having consulted thus with

each other, Partha and Govinda, with Yudhishthira's leave, set out,

surrounded by friends. Reaching a fine spot (on the banks of the Yamuna)

suitable for purposes of pleasure, overgrown with numerous tall trees and

covered with several high mansions that made the place look like the

celestial city and within which had been collected for Krishna and Partha

numerous costly and well-flavoured viands and drinks and other articles

of enjoyment and floral wreaths and various perfumes, the party entered

without delay the inner apartments adorned with many precious gems of

pure rays. Entering those apartments, everybody, O Bharata, began to

sport, according to his pleasure. The women of the party, all of full

rotund hips and deep bosoms and handsome eyes, and gait unsteady with

wine began to sport there at the command of Krishna and Partha. Some

amongst the women sported as they liked in the woods, some in the waters,

and some within the mansions, as directed by Partha and Govinda. Draupadi

and Subhadra, exhilarated with wine, began to give away unto the women so

sporting, their costly robes and ornaments. And some amongst those women

began to dance in joy, and some began to sing; and some amongst them

began to laugh and jest, and some to drink excellent wines. Some began to

obstruct one another's progress and some to fight with one another, and

to discourse with one another in private. Those mansions and the woods,

filled with the charming music of flutes and guitars and kettledrums,

became the scene of Prosperity personified.

"When such was the state of things there, Arjuna and Vasudeva went to a

certain charming spot (in those woods) not far from the place where the

others were. O monarch, the high-souled Krishna, and that subjugators of

hostile cities, viz., Arjuna, going thither, sat down upon two very

costly seats. Vasudeva and Partha amused themselves there with

discoursing upon many past achievements of prowess and other topics. Unto

Vasudeva and Dhananjaya happily sitting there like the Aswins in heaven,

a certain Brahmana came. The Brahmana that came there looked like a tall

Sala tree. His complexion was like unto molten gold; his beard was bright

yellow tinged with green; and the height and the thickness of the body

were in just proportion. Of matted locks and dressed in rags, he

resembled the morning sun in splendour. Of eyes like lotus-petals and of

a tawny hue, he seemed to be blazing with effulgence. Beholding that

foremost of Brahmanas blazing with splendour approach towards them both

Arjuna and Vasudeva, hastily rising from their seats, stood, waiting (for

his commands).'"

SECTION CCXXV

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then that Brahmana addressed Arjuna and Vasudeva of

the Satwata race, saying, 'Ye who are now staying so near unto Khandava

are the two foremost of heroes on earth. I am a voracious Brahmana that

always eateth much. O thou of the Vrishni race, and O Partha, I solicit

you to gratify me by giving me sufficient food.' Thus addressed by the

Brahmana, Krishna and the son of Pandu answered him, saying, 'O, tell us

what kind of food will gratify thee so that we may endeavour to give it

thee.' The illustrious Brahmana, thus replied to, said unto those heroes

who were enquiring after the kind of food he sought, 'I do not desire to

eat ordinary food. Know that I am Agni! Give me that food which suiteth

me. This forest of Khandava is always protected by Indra. And as it is

protected by the illustrious one, I always fail to consume it. In that

forest dwelleth, with his followers and family, a Naga, called Takshaka,

who is the friend of Indra. It is for him that the wielder of the

thunderbolt protecteth this forest. Many other creatures also are thus

protected here for the sake of Takshaka. Desiring to consume the forest I

succeed not in my attempts in consequence of Indra's prowess. Beholding

me blazing forth, he always poureth upon me water from the clouds.

Therefore, I succeed not in consuming the forest of Khandava, although I

desire very much to do so. I have now come to you--you who are both

skilled in weapons! If you help me I will surely consume this forest: for

even this is the food that is desired by me! As ye are conversant with

excellent weapons, I pray you to prevent those showers from descending

and any of the creatures from escaping, when I begin to consume this

forest!'

"Janamejaya said, 'Why did the illustrious Agni desire to consume the

forest of Khandava that was filled with various living creatures and

protected by the chief of the celestials? When Agni consumed in wrath the

forest of Khandava, it is evident there was a grave cause. I desire, O

Brahmana, to hear all this in detail from thee. Tell me, O sage, how the

Khandava forest was consumed in days of yore.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'O chief of men, I will narrate to you the story of

the conflagration of Khandava as told by Rishis in the Purana. It hath

been heard, O king, in the Purana that there was a celebrated king of the

name of Swetaki who was endued with strength and prowess and who was

equal unto Indra himself. No one on earth has equalled him in sacrifices,

charity, and intelligence. Swetaki performed the five great sacrifices

and many others, at all of which the presents unto Brahmanas were large.

The heart of that monarch, O king, was always set upon sacrifices,

religious rites, and gifts of all kinds. And king Swetaki of great

intelligence, assisted by his Ritwiks performed sacrifices for many long

years, till those sacrificial priests with eyes afflicted by the

continued smoke and becoming very weak, left that monarch, wishing never

more to assist at his sacrifices. The king, however, repeatedly asked

those Ritwiks to come to him. But they came not to his sacrifice in

consequence of the painful state of their eyes. The king, therefore,

invited at the command of his own Ritwiks, others like unto them, and

completed the sacrifice that he had begun. After some days had elapsed,

king Swetaki desired to perform another sacrifice which should extend for

a hundred years. But the illustrious monarch obtained not any priest to

assist him in it. The celebrated king then, with his friends and

relatives, casting off all sloth, repeatedly courted his priests with

great persistence, by bowing down unto them, by conciliatory speeches,

and by gifts of wealth. All of them, however, refused to accomplish the

purpose which that king of immeasurable energy had in view. Then that

royal sage, getting angry, addressed those Brahmanas sitting in their

asylums, and said, 'If, ye Brahmanas, I were a fallen person, or, if, I

were wanting in homage and service to you, I should then deserve to be

abandoned without scruple by you and by other Brahmanas at the same time.

But as I am neither degraded nor wanting in homage to you, it behoveth

you not to obstruct the performance by me of my sacrifice or to abandon

me thus, ye foremost of Brahmanas, without adequate reason. I seek, ye

Brahmanas, your protection! It behoveth you to be propitious unto me.

But, ye foremost of Brahmanas, if you abandon me from enmity alone or any

improper motive, I shall go unto other priests for their assistance in

this sacrifice of mine, and conciliating them by sweet words and gifts, I

shall represent unto them the business I have on hand, so that they may

accomplish it.' Having said this, the monarch became silent. And, O

chastiser of foes, when those priests well knew that they could not

assist at the king's sacrifice, they pretended to be angry, and

addressing that best of monarchs said, 'O best of kings, thy sacrifices

are incessant! By assisting thee always, we have all been fatigued. And

as we have been wearied in consequence of these labours, it behoveth thee

to give us leave. O sinless one, from loss of judgment thou canst not

wait (but urgest us repeatedly). Go unto Rudra! He will assist at thy

sacrifice!' Hearing those words of censure and wrath, king Swetaki became

angry. And the monarch wending to the mountains of Kailasa, devoted

himself to asceticism there. And, O king, the monarch began to worship

Mahadeva, with fixed attention, and by observing the most rigid vows. And

foregoing all food at times, he passed a long period. The monarch ate

only fruits and roots sometimes at the twelfth and sometimes at the

sixteenth hour of the whole day. King Swetaki stood for six months, rapt

in attention, with arms upraised and steadfast eyes, like the trunk of a

tree or a column rooted to the ground. And, O Bharata, Sankara at last

gratified with that tiger among kings, who was undergoing such hard

penances, showed himself unto him. And the god spake unto the monarch in

a calm and grave voice, saying, 'O tiger among kings, O chastiser of

foes, I have been gratified with thee for thy asceticism! Blest be thou!

Ask now the boon that thou, O king, desirest.' Hearing these words of

Rudra of immeasurable energy, the royal sage bowed unto that deity and

replied, saying, 'O illustrious one, O thou that art worshipped by the

three worlds, if thou hast been gratified with me, then, O god of gods,

assist me thyself, O lord of the celestials, in my sacrifice!' Hearing

these words spoken by the monarch, the illustrious god was gratified, and

smilingly said, 'We do not ourselves assist at sacrifices: but as thou, O

king, hast undergone severe penances, desirous of obtaining a boon, I

will, O chastiser of foes, assist at thy sacrifice, upon, O king, this

condition.' And Rudra continued, 'If, O king of kings, thou canst, for

twelve years, pour without intermission libations of clarified butter

into the fire, thyself leading all the while the life of a Brahmacharin

with rapt attention, then thou shalt obtain from me what thou askest.'

King Swetaki, thus addressed by Rudra, did all that he was directed to do

by the wielder of the trident. And after twelve years had elapsed, he

again came unto Maheswara. And Sankara, the Creator of the worlds upon

seeing Swetaki, that excellent monarch, immediately said, in great

gratification, 'I have been gratified by thee, O best of kings, with this

thy own act! But, O chastiser of foes, the duty of assisting at

sacrifices properly belongeth to Brahmanas. Therefore, O oppressor of

foes, I will not myself assist at thy sacrifice today. There is on earth

an exalted Brahmana who is even a portion of my own self. He is known by

the name of Durvasa. Even that Brahmana endued with great energy will

assist you in thy sacrifice. Let, therefore, every preparation be made.'

Hearing these words uttered by Rudra, the king, returning to his own

capital, began to collect all that was necessary. After everything had

been collected, the monarch again presented himself before Rudra and

said, 'Every necessary article hath been collected, and all my

preparations are complete, through thy grace, O god of gods! Let me,

therefore, be installed at the sacrifice tomorrow.' Having heard these

words of that illustrious king, Rudra summoned Durvasa before him and

said. 'This, O Durvasa, is that best of monarchs called Swetaki. At my

command, O best of Brahmanas, assist even this king in his sacrifice.'

And the Rishi Durvasa said unto Rudra, 'So be it.' Then the sacrifice for

which king Swetaki had made those preparations, took place. And the

illustrious monarch's sacrifice was performed according to the ordinance

and in proper season. And the gifts, on that occasion, unto the Brahmanas

were large. And after that monarch's sacrifice had come to an end, all

the other priests who had come to assist at it went away with Durvasa's

leave. All other Sadasyas also of immeasurable energy, who had been

installed at that sacrifice, then went away. That exalted monarch then

entered his own palace, worshipped by exalted Brahmanas conversant with

the Vedas, eulogised by chanters of panegyrical hymns and congratulated

by the citizens.

"Such was the history of that best of monarchs, the royal sage Swetaki,

who, when the time came, ascended to heaven, having won great renown on

earth, and accompanied by the Ritwiks and the Sadasyas that had helped

him in life.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'At that sacrifice of Swetaki, Agni had drunk

clarified butter for twelve years. Indeed, clarified butter had been

poured into Agni's mouth in a continuous stream for that period. Having

drunk so much butter, Agni, satiated, desired not to drink butter again

from the hand of anybody else at any other sacrifice. Agni became pale,

having lost his colour, and he could not shine as before. He felt a loss

of appetite from surfeit, and his energy itself decreased and sickness

afflicted him. Then when the drinker of sacrificial libations perceived

that his energy was gradually diminishing, he went to the sacred abode of

Brahman that is worshipped by all. Approaching the great Deity seated on

his seat, Agni said, 'O exalted one, Swetaki hath (by his sacrifice)

gratified me to excess. Even now I am suffering from surfeit which I

cannot dispel. O Lord of the universe, I am being reduced both in

splendour and strength. I desire to regain, through thy grace, my own

permanent nature.' Hearing these words from Hutavaha, the illustrious

Creator of all things smilingly replied unto him, saying, 'O exalted one,

thou hast eaten, for twelve years, a continuous stream of sacrificial

butter poured into thy mouth! It is for this that illness hath seized

thee. But, O Agni, grieve not for it. Thou shalt soon regain thy own

nature. I shall dispel this surfeit of thine and the time for it is even

come. The dreadful forest Khandava, that abode of the enemies of the

gods, which thou hadst of old once consumed to ashes at the request of

the gods, hath now become the home of numerous creatures. When thou will

have eaten the fat of those creatures, thou shalt regain thy own nature.

Proceed thither in haste to consume that forest with its living

population. Thou wilt then be cured of thy malady.' Hearing the words

that fell from the lips of the Supreme Deity, Hutasana proceeded with

great speed and soon reached the forest of Khandava in great vigour.

Arrived there, he suddenly blazed forth in anger, assisted by Vayu.

Beholding Khandava on fire the dwellers (in the forest) that were there,

made great efforts to extinguish the conflagration. Elephants by hundreds

of thousands, speeding in anger, brought water in their trunks and

scattered it upon the fire. Thousands of many-hooded snakes, mad with

anger, hastily began to scatter upon fire much water from those many

hoods of theirs. And so, O bull of Bharata's race, the other creatures

dwelling in that forest, by various appliances and efforts, soon

extinguished the fire. In this way, Agni blazed forth in Khandava

repeatedly, even for seven times. And it was in this way that the blazing

fire was extinguished there as often by the denizens of that forest.'"

SECTION CCXXVI

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Havyavahana (Agni) in anger and disappointment,

with his ailment uncured, went back to the Grandsire. And he represented

unto Brahman all that had happened: The illustrious deity, reflecting for

a moment, said unto him, 'O sinless one. I see a way by which thou mayest

consume the forest of Khandava today in the very sight of Indra. Those

old deities, Nara and Narayana, have become incarnate in the world of men

to accomplish the business of the celestials. They are called on earth

Arjuna and Vasudeva. They are even now staying in the forest of Khandava.

Solicit them for aiding thee in consuming that forest. Thou shalt then

consume the forest even if it be protected by the celestials. They will

certainly prevent the population of Khandava from escaping, and thwart

Indra also (in aiding any one in the escape). I have no doubt of this!'

Hearing these words, Agni came in haste unto Krishna and Partha. O king,

I have already told thee what he said, having approached the illustrious

pair. O tiger among kings, hearing those words of Agni who was desirous

of consuming the forest of Khandava against the will of Indra, Vibhatsu

said unto him these words well-suited to the occasion, I have numberless

excellent celestial weapons with which I can fight even many wielders of

the thunderbolt. But, O exalted one, I have no bow suited to the strength

of my arms, and capable of bearing the might I may put forth in battle.

In consequence of the lightness of my hands also I require arrows that

must never be exhausted. My car also is scarcely able to bear load of

arrows that I would desire to keep by me. I desire celestial steeds of

pure white, possessing the speed of the wind; and a car possessing the

splendour of the sun and the clatter of whose wheels should resemble the

roar of the clouds. Then, there is no weapon suited to Krishna's energy

and with which Madhava can slay Nagas and Pisachas. O exalted one, it

behoveth thee to give us the means by which success may be achieved and

by which we may thwart Indra in pouring his showers upon that extensive

forest. O Pavaka, we are ready to do all that manliness and prowess can

do. But, O exalted one, it behoveth thee to give us the adequate means.'"

SECTION CCXXVII

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana, said, 'Thus addressed by Arjuna, the smoke-bannered

Hutasana, desirous of an interview with Varuna, recollected that son of

Aditi,--that deity protecting one of the points of the heavens and having

his home in the water and ruling that element. Varuna, knowing that he

was thought of by Pavaka, immediately appeared before that deity. The

smoke-bannered celestial welcoming with reverence the ruler of the

waters, that fourth of the Lokapalas, said unto that eternal god of gods,

'Give me without loss of time that bow and quiver, and that ape-bannered

car also, which were obtained from king Soma. Partha will achieve a great

task with Gandiva, and Vasudeva also with the discus! Give both,

therefore, unto me today.' Hearing these words, Varuna replied unto

Pavaka, saying, 'Well, I am giving them.' He then gave that wonderful

jewel of a bow that was endued with great energy. That bow was the

enhancer of fame and achievements, and was incapable of being injured by

any weapon. It was the chief of all weapons, and the grinder of them all.

And it was the smiter of hostile armies and was alone equal to a hundred

thousand bows. It was the multiplier of kingdoms, and was variegated with

excellent colours. It was well-adorned, and beautiful to behold, and

without a mark of weakness or injury anywhere. And it was always

worshipped both by the celestials and the Gandharvas. Varuna also gave

two inexhaustible quivers, and he also gave a car furnished with

celestial weapons and whose banner bore a large ape. Yoked unto that car

were steeds white as silver of the fleecy clouds, and born in the region

of the Gandharvas, and decked with golden harness, and resembling in

fleetness the wind or the mind. And it was equipped with implement of

war, and was incapable of being vanquished by the celestials or the

Asuras. Its splendour was great and the sounds of its wheels was

tremendous. It delighted the heart of every creature that looked at it.

It had been made by Viswakarman, the architect of the universe and one of

the lords of creation, after severe ascetic meditation. Its splendour,

like that of the sun, was so great that no one could gaze at it. It was

the very car from which the lord Soma had vanquished the Danavas.

Resplendent with beauty, it looked like an evening cloud reflecting the

effulgence of the setting sun. It was furnished with an excellent

flag-staff of golden colour and great beauty. And there sat upon that

flag-staff a celestial ape of form fierce like that of a lion or a tiger.

Stationed on high, the ape seemed bent upon burning everything it beheld.

And upon the (other) flags were various creatures of large size, whose

roars and yells caused the enemy's soldiers to faint. Then Arjuna,

accoutred in mail and armed with the sword, and his fingers cased in

leathern gloves, walking round that excellent car adorned with numerous

flags and bowing unto the gods, ascended it like a virtuous man riding in

the celestial car that bears him to heaven. And taking up that celestial

and first of bows created by Brahman of old and called Gandiva, Arjuna

was filled with joy. And bowing unto Hutasana, Partha endued with great

energy, took up the bow and strung it forcibly. Those who heard the noise

that was made while the mighty Pandava strung that bow, quaked with fear.

And having obtained that car and that bow, and the two inexhaustible

quivers, the son of Kunti became glad and thought himself competent to

assist at the task. And Pavaka then gave unto Krishna a discus with an

iron pole attached to a hole in the centre. And it was a fiery weapon and

became his favourite. Having obtained that weapon, Krishna also became

equal to the task. Pavaka then, addressing Krishna, said, 'With this, O

slayer of Madhu, thou shalt be able without doubt to vanquish in battle

even foes that are not human. With this weapon, without doubt, thou shalt

be superior in battle to men and gods, and Rakshasas and Pisachas, and

Daityas and Nagas. And thou shalt certainly be able with this to smite

all. And, O Madhava, hurled by thee in battle at thy foes, this weapon

will irresistibly slay the enemy and again come back into thy hands.' And

the lord Varuna, after this, gave unto Krishna a mace, of name Kaumodaki,

capable of slaying every Daitya and producing, when hurled, a roar like

that of the thunder. Then Arjuna and Achyuta, filled with joy said unto

Pavaka, 'O exalted one, furnished with weapons and knowing their use,

possessed of cars with flags and flagstaffs, we are now able to fight

with even all the celestials and the Asuras (together), let alone the

wielder of the thunderbolt desirous of fighting for the sake of the Naga

(his friend Takshaka).' Arjuna also said, 'O Pavaka, while Hrishikesa,

endued with abundant energy, moves on the field of battle with this

discus in hand, there is nothing in the three worlds that he will not be

able to consume by hurling this weapon. Having obtained the bow Gandiva

and this couple of inexhaustible quivers I also am ready to conquer in

battle the three worlds. Therefore, O lord, blaze thou forth as thou

likest, surrounding this large forest on every side. We are quite able to

help thee.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed both by Dasarha and Arjuna, the

illustrious god then put forth his most energetic form, and prepared to

consume the forest. Surrounding it on all sides with his seven flames, he

began to consume the forest of Khandava, exhibiting his all-consuming

form like that at the end of the Yuga (cycle). And, O bull of Bharata's

race, surrounding that forest and catching it from all sides with a roar

like that of the clouds, Agni made every creature within it tremble. And,

O Bharata, that burning forest then looked resplendent like the king of

mountains, Meru, blazing with the rays of the sun fallen thereupon.'"

SECTION CCXXVIII

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then those foremost of car-warriors (Krishna and

Arjuna), riding in their cars and placing themselves on opposite sides of

that forest, began a great slaughter, on all sides, of the creatures

dwelling in Khandava. At whatever point any of the creatures residing in

Khandava could be seen attempting to escape, thither rushed those mighty

heroes (to prevent its flight). Indeed those two excellent cars seemed to

be but one, and the two warriors also therein but one individual. And

while the forest was burning, hundreds and thousands of living creatures,

uttering frightful yells, began to run about in all directions. Some had

particular limbs burnt, some were scorched with excessive heat, and some

came out, and some ran about from fear. And some clasping their children

and some their parents and brothers, died calmly without, from excess of

affection, being able to abandon these that were dear to them. And many

there were who biting their nether lips rose upwards and soon fell

whirling into the blazing element below. And some were seen to roll on

the ground with wings, eyes, and feet scorched and burnt. These creatures

were all seen to perish there almost soon enough. The tanks and ponds

within that forest, heated by the fire around, began to boil; the fishes

and the tortoises in them were all seen to perish. During that great

slaughter of living creatures in that forest, the burning bodies of

various animals looked as if fire itself had assumed many forms. The

birds that took wings to escape from that conflagration were pierced by

Arjuna with his shafts, and cut into pieces, they fell down into the

burning element below. Pierced all over with Arjuna's shafts, the birds

dropped down into the burning forest, uttering loud cries. The denizens

of the forest, struck with those shafts, began to roar and yell. The

clamour they raised was like unto the frightful uproar heard during the

churning of the ocean (in days of yore). The mighty flames of the blazing

fire reaching the firmament, caused great anxiety to the celestials

themselves. Then all the illustrious dwellers in heaven went in a body

unto him of a hundred sacrifices and thousand eyes, viz., their chief,

that grinder of Asuras. Approaching Indra, the celestial said, 'Why, O

lord of immortals, doth Agni burn these creatures below? Hath the time

come for the destruction of the world?'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Hearing these words of the gods, and himself

beholding what Agni was doing, the slayer of Vritra set out for the

protection of the forest of Khandava. And Vasava, the chief of the

celestials soon covering the sky with masses of clouds of every kind

began to shower upon the burning forest. Those masses of clouds by

hundreds and thousands, commanded by Indra began to pour rain upon

Khandava in showers thick as the flag-staffs of battle-cars. But the

showers were all dried up in the sky itself by the heat of the fire and

could not, therefore, reach the fire at all! Then the slayer of Namuchi,

getting angry with Agni, collected huge masses of clouds and caused them

to yield a heavy downpour. Then with the flames contending with those

heavy showers, and with masses of clouds overhead, that forest, filled

with smoke and flashes of lightning, became terrible to behold.'"