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

 

The Mahabharata of
Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 1
ADI PARVA SECTION CCXXIX

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Vibhatsu, the son of Pandu, invoking his

excellent weapons, prevented that shower of rain by Indra, by means of a

shower of his own weapons. And Arjuna of immeasurable soul soon covered

the forest of Khandava with innumerable arrows like the moon covering the

atmosphere with a thick fog. When the sky above that forest was thus

covered with the arrows of Arjuna no living creature could then escape

from below. And it so happened that while that forest was burning,

Takshaka, the chief of the Nagas, was not there, having gone at that time

to the field of Kurukshetra. But Aswasena, the mighty son of Takshaka,

was there. He made great efforts to escape from that fire; but confined

by Arjuna's shafts he succeeded not in finding a way. It was then that

his mother, the daughter of a snake, determined to save him by swallowing

him first. His mother first swallowed his head and then was swallowing

his tail. And desirous of saving her son, the sea-snake rose (up from the

earth) while still employed in swallowing her son's tail. But Arjuna as

soon as he beheld her escaping, severed her head from her body by means

of a sharp and keen-edged arrow. Indra saw all this, and desiring to save

his friend's son, the wielder of the thunderbolt, by raising a violent

wind, deprived Arjuna of consciousness. During those few moments,

Aswasena succeeded in effecting his escape. Beholding that manifestation

of the power of illusion, and deceived by that snake, Arjuna was much

enraged. He forthwith cut every animal seeking to escape by the skies,

into two, three, or more pieces. And Vibhatsu in anger, and Agni, and

Vasudeva also, cursed the snake that had escaped so deceitfully, saying,

'Never shalt thou be famous!' And Jishnu remembering the deception

practised upon him, became angry, and covering the firmament with a cloud

of arrows, sought to fight with him of a thousand eyes. The chief of the

celestials also, seeing Arjuna in anger, sought to fight with him, and

hurled his own fierce weapons, covering the wide expanse of the

firmament. Then the winds, making a loud roar and agitating all the

oceans, brought together masses of clouds in the sky, charged with

torrents of rain. Those masses of clouds began to vomit thunder and

terrible flashes of lightning charged with the thunderclap. Then Arjuna

possessing a knowledge of means, hurled the excellent weapon called

Vayavya with proper mantras to dispel those clouds. With that weapon the

energy and force of Indra's thunderbolt and of those clouds were

destroyed. And the torrents of rain with which those clouds were charged

were all dried up, and the lightning that played amongst them was also

destroyed. Within a moment the sky was cleared of dust and darkness, and

a delicious, cool breeze began to blow and the disc of the sun resumed

its normal state. Then the eater of clarified butter (Agni), glad because

none could baffle him, assumed various forms, and sprinkled over with the

fat exuded by the bodies of creatures, blazed forth with all his flames,

filling the universe with his roar. Then numerous birds of the Garuda

tribe bearing excellent feathers, beholding that the forest was protected

by Krishna and Arjuna, descended filled with pride, from the upper skies,

desirous of striking those heroes with their thunderlike wings, beaks and

claws. Innumerable Nagas also, with faces emitting fire descending from

high, approached Arjuna, vomiting the most virulent poison all the while.

Beholding them approach, Arjuna cut them into pieces by means of arrows

steeped in the fire of his own wrath. Then those birds and snakes,

deprived of life, fell into the burning element below. And there came

also, desirous of battle, innumerable Asuras with Gandharvas and Yakshas

and Rakshasas and Nagas sending forth terrific yells. Armed with machines

vomiting from their throats (mouths?) iron balls and bullets, and

catapults for propelling huge stones, and rockets, they approached to

strike Krishna and Partha, their energy and strength increased by wrath.

But though they rained a perfect shower of weapons, Vibhatsu, addressing

them reproachfully, struck off their heads with his own sharp arrows.

That slayer of foes, Krishna, also, endued with great energy, made a

great slaughter of the Daitya and the Danava with his discus. Many Asuras

of immeasurable might, pierced with Krishna's arrows and smitten with the

force of his discus, became motionless like waifs and strays stranded on

the bank by the violence of the waves. Then Sakra the lord of the

celestials, riding on his white elephant, rushed at those heroes, and

taking up his thunderbolt which could never go in vain, hurled it with

great force. And the slayer of Asuras said unto the gods, 'These two are

slain.' Beholding the fierce thunderbolt about to be hurled by their

chief, the celestials all took up their respective weapons. Yama, O king,

took up the death-dealing mace, and Kuvera his spiked club, and Varuna

his noose and beautiful missile. And Skanda (Kartikeya) took up his long

lance and stood motionless like the mountain of Meru. The Aswins stood

there with resplendent plants in their hands. Dhatri stood, bow in hand,

and Jaya with a thick club. Tvashtri of great strength took up in wrath,

a huge mountain and Surya stood with a bright dart, and Mrityu with a

battle-axe. Aryaman stalked about with a terrible bludgeon furnished with

sharp spikes, and Mitra stood there with a discus sharp as a razor. And,

O monarch, Pusha and Bhaga and Savitri, in wrath, rushed at Krishna and

Partha with bows and scimitars in hand. And Rudras and the Vasus, the

mighty Maruts and the Viswedevas and the Sadhyas, all resplendent with

their own energy,--these and many other celestials, armed with various

weapons rushed against those exalted of men, Krishna and Partha, for

smiting them down. Then were seen in that great conflict wonderful

portents all around robbing every creature of his sense, and resembling

those that appeared at the time of the universal dissolution. But Arjuna

and Krishna, fearless and invincible in battle, beholding Sakra and the

other celestials prepared for fight, calmly waited, bows in hands.

Skilled in battle, those heroes in wrath assailed the advancing host of

celestials with their own thunderlike arrows. The celestials repeatedly

routed by Krishna and Arjuna, at last left the field of battle for fear

and sought the protection of Indra. The Munis who were witnessing the

battle from the skies, beholding the celestials defeated by Madhava and

Arjuna, were filled with wonder. Sakra also repeatedly witnessing their

prowess in battle, became exceedingly gratified, and once more rushed to

the assault. The chastiser of Paka then caused a heavy shower of stones,

desiring to ascertain the prowess of Arjuna who was able to draw the bow

even with his left hand. Arjuna, in great wrath, dispelled with his

arrows that thick shower. Then he of a hundred sacrifices beholding that

shower baffled, once more caused a thicker shower of stones. But the son

of the chastiser of Paka (viz., Arjuna) gratified his father by baffling

that shower also with his swift arrows. Then Sakra, desirous of smiting

down the son of Pandu, tore up with his hands a large peak from Mandara,

with tall trees on it, and hurled it against him. But Arjuna divided that

mountain-peak into a thousand pieces by his swift-going and fire-mouthed

arrows. The fragments of that mountain, in falling through the skies,

looked as if the sun and the moon and the planets, displaced from their

positions fell down on earth. That huge peak fell down upon that forest

and by its fall killed numerous living creatures that dwelt in Khandava.'"

SECTION CCXXX

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Then the inhabitants of the forest of Khandava, the

Danavas and Rakshasas and Nagas and wolves and bears and other wild

animals, and elephants with rent temples, and tigers, and lions with

manes and deer and buffaloes by hundreds, and birds, and various other

creatures, frightened at the falling stones and extremely anxious, began

to fly in all directions. They saw the forest (burning all around) and

Krishna and Arjuna also ready with their weapons. Frightened at the

terrible sounds that were audible there those creatures lost their power

of movement. Beholding the forest burning in innumerable places and

Krishna also ready to smite them down with his weapons, they all set up a

frightful roar. With that terrible clamour as also with the roar of fire,

the whole welkin resounded, as it were, with the voice of portentous

clouds. Kesava of dark hue and mighty arms, in order to compass their

destruction, hurled at them his large and fierce discus resplendent with

its own energy. The forest-dwellers including the Danavas and the

Rakshasas, afflicted by that weapon, were cut in hundreds of pieces and

fell unto the mouth of Agni. Mangled by Krishna's discus, the Asuras were

besmeared with blood and fat and looked like evening clouds. And, O

Bharata, he of the Vrishni race moved able like death itself, slaying

Pisachas and birds and Nagas and other creatures by thousands. The discus

itself, repeatedly hurled from the hands of Krishna, that slayer of all

foes, came back to his hands after slaughtering numberless creatures. The

face and form of Krishna that soul of every created thing--became fierce

to behold while he was thus employed in the slaughter of the Pisachas,

Nagas and Rakshasas. No one among the celestials, who had mustered there

could vanquish in battle Krishna and Arjuna. When the celestials saw that

they could not protect that forest from the might of Krishna and Arjuna

by extinguishing that conflagration, they retired from the scene. Then, O

monarch, he of a hundred sacrifices (Indra), beholding the immortals

retreat, became filled with joy and applauded Krishna and Arjuna. And

when the celestials gave up the fight, an incorporeal voice, deep and

loud, addressing him of a hundred sacrifices, said, 'Thy friend Takshaka,

that chief of snakes, hath not been slain! Before the conflagration

commenced in Khandava he had journeyed to Kurukshetra. Know from my

words, O Vasava, that Vasudeva and Arjuna are incapable of being

vanquished in battle by any one! They are Nara and Narayana--those gods

of old heard of in heaven! Thou knowest what their energy is and what

their prowess. Invincible in battle, these best of old Rishis are

unconquerable by any one in all the worlds! They deserve the most

reverential worship of all the celestials and Asuras; of Yakshas and

Rakshasas and Gandharvas, of human beings and Kinnaras and Nagas.

Therefore, O Vasava, it behoveth thee to go hence with all the

celestials. The destruction of Khandava hath been ordained by Fate!' Then

the chief of the immortals, ascertaining those words to be true abandoned

his wrath and jealousy, and went back to heaven. The dwellers in heaven,

O monarch, beholding the illustrious Indra abandon the fight, followed

him with all their soldiers. Then those heroes, Vasudeva and Arjuna, when

they saw the chief of the celestials retreat accompanied by all the gods,

set up a leonine roar. And, O monarch, Kesava and Arjuna, after Indra had

left the scene, became exceedingly glad. Those heroes then fearlessly

assisted at the conflagration of the forest. Arjuna scattered the

celestials like the wind scattering the clouds, and slew with showers of

his arrows, numberless creatures that dwelt in Khandava. Cut off by

Arjuna's arrows, no one amongst the innumerable creatures could escape

from the burning forest. Far from fighting with him, none amongst even

the strongest creatures mustered there could look at Arjuna whose weapons

were never futile. Sometimes piercing hundred creatures with one shaft

and sometimes a single creature with hundred shafts, Arjuna moved about

in his car. The creatures themselves, deprived of life, began to fall

into the mouth of Agni (god of fire), struck down as it were by death

itself. On the banks of rivers or on uneven plains or on crematoriums, go

where they did, the creatures (dwelling in Khandava) found no ease, for

wherever they sought shelter there they were afflicted by the heat. And

hosts of creatures roared in pain, and elephants and deer and wolves set

up cries of affliction. At that sound the fishes of the Ganges and the

sea, and the various tribes of Vidyadharas dwelling in that forest all

became frightened. O thou of mighty arms, let alone battling with them,

no one, could even gaze at Arjuna and Janardana of dark hue. Hari slew

with his discus those Rakshasas and Danavas and Nagas that rushed at him

in bands. Of huge bodies, their heads and trunks were cut off by the

swift motion of the discus, and deprived of life they fell down into the

blazing fire. Gratified with large quantities of flesh, blood, and fat,

the flames rose up to a great height without a curling wreath of smoke.

Hutasana (fire-god) with blazing and coppery eyes, and flaming tongue and

large mouth, and the hair on the crown of his head all fiery, drinking,

with the help of Krishna and Arjuna, that nectar-like stream of animal

fat, became filled with joy. Gratified greatly, Agni derived much

happiness.

"And it so happened that the slayer of Madhu suddenly beheld an Asura of

the name of Maya escaping from the abode of Takshaka. Agni having Vayu

for his car-driver, assuming a body with matted locks on head, and

roaring like the clouds, pursued the Asura, desirous of consuming him.

Beholding the Asura, Vasudeva stood with his weapon upraised, ready to

smite him down, seeing the discus uplifted and Agni pursuing from behind

to burn him, Maya said 'Run to me, O Arjuna, and protect me!' Hearing his

affrighted voice Arjuna said, 'Fear not!' That voice of Arjuna, O

Bharata, seemed to give Maya his life. As the merciful son of Pritha said

unto Maya that there was nothing to fear, he of the Dasarha race no

longer desired to slay Maya who was the brother of Namuchi, and Agni also

burned him not.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Protected from Indra by Krishna and Partha,

Agni gifted with great intelligence, burned that forest for five and ten

days. And while the forest burned Agni spared only six of its dwellers,

viz., Aswasena, Maya, and four birds called Sarngakas.'"

SECTION CCXXXI

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Janamejaya said, 'O Brahmana, tell me why and when that forest burnt in

that way, Agni consumed not the birds called Sarngakas? Thou hast, O

Brahmana, recited (to us) the cause of Aswasena and the Danava Maya not

having been consumed. But thou hast not as yet said what the cause was of

the escape of the Sarngakas? The escape of those birds, O Brahmana,

appeareth to me to be wonderful. Tell us why they were not destroyed in

that dreadful conflagration.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'O slayer of all foes, I shall tell thee all as to

why Agni did not burn up those birds during the conflagration. There was,

O king, a great Rishi known by the name of Mandapala, conversant with all

the shastras, of rigid vows, devoted to asceticism, and the foremost of

all virtuous persons. Following in the wake of Rishis that had drawn up

their virile fluid, that ascetic, O monarch, with every sense under

complete control, devoted himself to study and virtue. Having reached the

opposite shores of asceticism, O Bharata, he left his human form and went

to the region of the Pitris. But going thither he failed to obtain the

(expected) fruit of his acts. He asked the celestials that sat around the

king of the dead as to the cause of his treatment, saying, 'Why have

these regions become unattainable by me,--regions that I had thought had

been acquired by me by my ascetic devotions? Have I not performed those

acts whose fruits are these regions? Ye inhabitants of heaven, tell me

why these regions are shut against me! I will do that which will give me

the fruit of my ascetic penances.'

"The celestials answered, 'Hear, O Brahmana, of those acts and things on

account of which men are born debtors. Without doubt, it is for religious

rites, studies according to the ordinance, and progeny, that men are born

debtors. These debts are all discharged by sacrifices, asceticism, and

offspring. Thou art an ascetic and hast also performed sacrifices; but

thou hast no offspring. These regions are shut against thee only for want

of children. Beget children, therefore! Thou shalt then enjoy

multifarious regions of felicity. The Vedas declared that the son

rescueth the father from a hell called Put. Then, O best of Brahmanas,

strive to beget offspring.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Mandapala, having heard these words of the

dwellers in heaven, reflected how best he could obtain the largest number

of offspring within the shortest period of time. The Rishi, after

reflection, understood that of all creatures birds alone were blest with

fecundity. Assuming the form of a Sarngaka the Rishi had connection with

a female bird of the same species called by the name of Jarita. And he

begat upon her four sons who were all reciters of the Vedas. Leaving all

those sons of his with their mother in that forest, while they were still

within eggs, the ascetic went to (another wife called by the name of)

Lapita. And, O Bharata, when the exalted sage went away for the company

of Lapita, moved by affection for her offspring, Jarita became very

thoughtful. Though forsaken by their father in the forest of Khandava,

Jarita, anxious in her affection for them, could not forsake her

offspring, those infant Rishis encased in eggs. Moved by parental

affection, she brought up these children born of her, herself following

the pursuits proper to her own species. Some time after, the Rishi, in

wandering over that forest in the company of Lapita, saw Agni coming

towards Khandava to burn it down. Then the Brahmana Mandapala, knowing

the intention of Agni and remembering also that his children were all

young moved by fear, gratified the god, of the burning element, that

regent of the universe, endued with great energy. And he did this,

desiring to put in a word for his unfledged offspring. Addressing Agni,

the Rishi said, 'Thou art, O Agni, the mouth of all the worlds! Thou art

the carrier of the sacrificial butter! O purifier (of all sins), thou

movest invisible with the frame of every creature! The learned have

spoken of thee as an One, and again as possessed of triple nature. The

wise perform their sacrifices before thee, taking thee as consisting of

eight (mouths). The great Rishis declare that this universe hath been

created by thee. O thou that feedest on sacrificial butter, without thee

this whole universe would be destroyed in a single day. Bowing to thee,

the Brahmanas, accompanied by their wives and children, go to eternal

regions won by them by help of their own deeds. O Agni, the learned

represent thee as the clouds in the heavens charged with lightning. O

Agni, the flames put forth by thee consume every creature. O thou of

great splendour, this universe hath been created by thee. The Vedas are

thy word. All creatures, mobile and immobile, depend upon thee. Water

primarily dependeth on thee, so also the whole of this universe. All

offerings of clarified butter and oblations of food to the pitris have

been established in thee. O god, thou art the consumer, and thou art the

creator and thou art Vrihaspati himself (in intelligence). Thou art the

twin Aswins; thou art Surya; thou art Soma; thou art Vayu.

"Vaisampayana continued, 'O monarch, thus praised by Mandapala, Agni was

gratified with that Rishi of immeasurable energy; and the god,

well-pleased, replied, 'What good can I do to thee?' Then Mandapala with

joined palms said unto the carrier of clarified butter, 'While thou

burnest the forest of Khandava, spare my children.' The illustrious

bearer of clarified butter replied, 'So be it.' It was, therefore, O

monarch, that he blazed not forth, while consuming the forest of

Khandava, for the destruction of Mandapala's children.'"

SECTION CCXXXII

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'When the fire blazed forth in the forest of

Khandava, the infant birds became very much distressed and afflicted.

Filled with anxiety, they saw not any means of escape. Their mother, the

helpless Jarita, knowing that they were too young to escape, was filled

with sorrow and wept aloud. And she said, 'Oh, the terrible

conflagration, illuminating the whole universe and burning the forest

down, approacheth towards us, increasing my woe. These infants with

immature understanding, without feathers and feet, and the sole refuge of

our deceased ancestors, afflict me. Oh, this fire approacheth, spreading

fear all around, and licking with its tongue the tallest trees. But my

unfledged children are incapable of effecting their escape. I myself am

not capable of escaping, taking all these with me. Nor am I capable of

abandoning them, for my heart is distressed on their account. Whom

amongst my sons, shall I leave behind, and whom shall I carry with me?

What (act) should I do now that is consistent with duty? What also do

you, my infant sons, think? I do not, even by reflection, see any way of

escape for you. I shall even cover you with my wings and die with you.

Your cruel father left me some time before, saying, 'Upon this Jaritari,

because he is the eldest of my sons, will my race depend. My second

Sarisrikka will beget progeny for the expansion of my ancestors' race. My

third, Stamvamitra, will be devoted to asceticism, and my youngest,

Drona, will become the foremost of those acquainted with the Vedas.' But

how hath this terrible calamity overtaken us! Whom shall I take with me?

As I am deprived of judgment what should I do that is consistent with

duty? I do not see, by the exercise of my own judgment, the escape of my

children from the fire!'

"Vaisampayana said, 'Unto their mother indulging in these lamentations,

the infant ones said. 'O mother, relinquishing thy affection for us, go

thou to a place where there is no fire. If we are killed here, thou

mayest have other children born to thee. If thou, O mother be killed, we

can have no more children in our race. Reflecting upon both these

calamities, the time hath come for thee, O mother, to do that which is

beneficial to our race. Do not be influenced by affection for thy

offspring, which promises to destroy both us and thee. If thou savest

thyself, our father, who is even desirous of winning regions of felicity,

may have his wishes gratified.'

"Hearing what the infants said. Jarita replied, 'There is a hole here in

the ground near to this tree, belonging to a mouse. Enter this hole

without loss of time. You shall have then no fear of fire. After ye have

entered it, I shall, ye children, cover its mouth with dust. This is the

only means of escape that I see from the blazing fire. Then when the fire

will be put out, I shall return hither to remove the dust. Follow my

advice if you are to escape from the conflagration.'

"The infant birds replied, 'Without feathers we are but so many balls of

flesh. If we enter the hole, certain it is that the carnivorous mouse

will destroy us all. Beholding this danger before us, we cannot enter

this hole. Alas, we do not see any means by which we may escape from the

fire or from the mouse. We do not see how our father's act of procreation

may be prevented from becoming futile, and how also our mother may be

saved. If we enter the hole, the mouse will destroy us; we remain where

we are and the sky-ranging fire will destroy us. Reflecting upon both the

calamities, a death by fire is preferable to a death by being eaten up.

If we are devoured by the mouse within the hole, that death is certainly

ignoble, whereas the destruction of the body in fire is approved by the

wise.'"

SECTION CCXXXIII

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing those words of her sons Jarita continued,

'The little mouse that had come out of this hole was seized by a hawk

with his claws and carried away hence. Therefore, ye may fearlessly enter

this hole now.' The young ones replied, 'We are not by any means certain

of that mouse having been taken away by the hawk. There may be other mice

living here. From them we have every fear. Whereas it is doubtful whether

fire will at all approach us here. Already we see an adverse wind blowing

the flames away. If we enter the hole, death is certain at the hands of

the dwellers in the hole. But if we remain where we are, death is

uncertain. O mother, a position in which death is uncertain is better

than that in which it is certain. It is thy duty, therefore, to escape

thyself, for, if thou livest thou mayest obtain other children as good.'

"Their mother then said, 'Ye children, I myself saw the mighty hawk, that

best of birds, swoop down and fly away with the mouse from the hole. And

while he was flying away swiftly, I followed him behind and pronounced

blessing on him for his having taken away the mouse from the hole. I said

unto him. 'O king of hawks, because thou art flying away with our enemy,

the mouse, in thy claws, mayest thou, without a foe, live in heaven with

a golden body.' Afterwards when that hawk devoured the mouse, I came

away, obtaining his leave. Therefore, ye children, enter this hole

trustfully. Ye have nothing to fear. The mouse that was its inmate was

seized and taken away by the hawk in my sight.' The young ones again

said, 'O mother, we do not by any means know that the mouse hath been

carried away by the hawk. We cannot enter this hole in the ground without

being certain of the fact.' Their mother said, 'I know to a certainty

that the mouse hath been carried away by the hawk. Therefore, ye

children, ye have nothing to fear; do what I say.' The young ones again

said, 'We do not, O mother, say that thou art dispelling our fears with a

false story. For whatever is done by a person when his reason hath been

disturbed can scarcely be said to be that person's deliberate act. Thou

hast not been benefited by us, nor dost thou know who we are. Why dost

thou, therefore, strive to protect us at so much cost to thyself? Who are

we to thee? Thou art young and handsome, and capable of seeking out thy

husband. Go unto thy husband. Thou shalt obtain good children again. Let

us by entering the fire attain to regions of felicity. If, however, the

fire consume us not, thou mayest come back and obtain us again.'

"Vaisampayana said, 'The parent bird then, thus addressed by her sons,

left them in Khandava and hastily went to the spot where there was no

fire and there was safety. Then Agni in haste and with fierce flames

approached the spot where the sons of Mandapala were. The young birds saw

the blazing fire come towards them. Then Jaritari, the eldest of the

four, in the hearing of Agni, began to speak.'"

SECTION CCXXXIV

(Khandava-daha Parva continued)

"Jaritari said, 'The person that is wise remaineth wakeful in view of

death. Accordingly, when the hour of death approacheth, he feeleth no

pangs. But the person of perplexed soul, who remaineth not awake, when

the hour of death comes, feeleth the pangs of death and never attaineth

salvation.'

"The second brother Sarisrikka, said, 'Thou art patient and intelligent.

The time is come when our lives are threatened. Without doubt, one only

amongst many becometh wise and brave.'

"The third brother, Stamvamitra, said, 'The eldest brother is called the

protector. It is the eldest brother that rescueth (the younger ones) from

danger. If the eldest himself faileth to rescue them, what can the

younger ones do?'

"The fourth and the youngest brother, Drona said, 'The cruel god of fire,

with seven tongues and seven mouths quickly cometh towards our

habitation, blazing forth in splendour and licking up everything in his

path.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having addressed one another thus, the sons of

Mandapala then each devotedly addressed an eulogistic hymn to Agni.

Listen now, O monarch, to those hymns as I recite them.'

"Jaritari said, 'Thou art, O fire, the soul of air! Thou art the body of

the Earth's vegetation! O Sukra, water is thy parent as thou art the

parent of water! O thou of great energy, thy flames, like the rays of the

sun, extend themselves above, below, behind, and on each side.'

"Sarisrikka said, 'O smoke-bannered god, our mother is not to be seen,

and we know not our father! Our feathers have not grown as yet. We have

none to protect us save thee. Therefore, O Agni, infants that we are

protect us! O Agni, as we are distressed, protect us with that auspicious

form thou hast and with those seven flames of thine! We seek protection

at thy hands. Thou alone, O Agni, art the giver of heat (in the

universe). O lord, there is none else (save thee) that giveth heat to the

rays of the sun. O, protect us who are young and who are Rishis. O

Havyavaha (carrier of sacrificial butter), be pleased to go hence by some

other route.'

"Stamvamitra said, 'Thou alone, O Agni, art everything! This whole

universe is established in thee! Thou sustainest every creature, and thou

supportest the universe! Thou art the carrier of the sacrificial butter,

and thou art the excellent sacrificial butter itself! The wise know thee

to be one (as cause) and many (as effects)! Having created the three

worlds, thou, O Havyavaha, again destroyest them when the time cometh,

swelling thyself forth! Thou art the productive cause of the whole

universe, and thou also art the essence in which the universe dissolveth

itself!'

"Drona said, 'O lord of the universe, growing in strength and remaining

within their bodies, thou causest the food that living creatures eat to

be digested. Everything therefore, is established in thee. O Sukra, O

thou from whose mouth the Vedas have sprung, it is thou who assumests the

form of the sun, and sucking up the waters of the earth and every liquid

juice that the earth yields, givest them back in time in the form of rain

and causest everything to grow! From thee, O Sukra, are these plants and

creepers with green foliage! From thee have sprung these tanks and pools,

and the great ocean also that is ever blessed! O thou of fierce rays,

this our (human) body dependeth on Varuna (the water-god)! We are unable

to bear thy heat. Be thou, therefore, our auspicious protector! O,

destroy us not! O thou of copper-hued eyes, O thou of red neck, O thou

whose path is marked by a black colour, save us by going along any remote

route, as indeed, the ocean saveth the house on its banks!'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Drona--that utterer of

Brahma--Agni, well-pleased at what he heard, and remembering also the

promise he had made to Mandapala, replied unto him, saying, 'Thou art a

Rishi, O Drona! For what thou hast said is Brahma (Vedic truth). I shall

do your pleasure. Fear not! Indeed, Mandapala had spoken to me of you to

the effect that I should spare his sons, while consuming the forest. The

words he spoke and thy speech also are entitled to great weight to me.

Say what I am to do. O best of Brahmanas, I have been greatly pleased

with thy hymn. Blest be thou, O Brahmana!'

"Drona said, 'O Sukra, these cats trouble us every day. O Hutasana;

consume them with their friends and relatives.'

"Vaisampayana continued, 'Then Agni did what the Sarngakas; asked him to

do, telling them of his intentions. And, O Janamejaya, growing in

strength, he began then to consume the forest of Khandava.'"