The Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa by Kisari Mohan Ganguli (Translator)

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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 subjugator 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 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 the 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.'