This episode from [Maha:2.25-2.31] details an important event in the Mahabharata where Agni, the god of fire, approaches Arjuna and Krishna with a peculiar request. Agni, suffering from a stomach ailment, desires to consume the Khandava forest to regain his health. However, his attempts are thwarted by Indra, who sends rain to protect the forest, as Takshaka, the serpent king and a friend of Indra, resides there. Agni turns to Arjuna and Krishna for protection so that he can burn the forest undisturbed.
Request and Divine Armament:
When Agni reveals his identity and explains his need, Arjuna immediately vows to help, but he acknowledges that he would need superior weapons and a fast chariot to face the might of Indra. Agni provides him with the divine bow Gandiva, which rivals even Lord Shiva’s Pinaka. Additionally, he gives a chariot that moves as fast as thought, yoked to divine horses, and arms Krishna with his famous Sudarsana Chakra and the Kaumodaki mace.
The Burning of the Khandava Forest:
With their divine weapons, Arjuna and Krishna proceed to defend Agni as he sets the Khandava forest ablaze. The creatures of the forest try to escape, but Arjuna’s arrows create a barrier that traps them, and Krishna prevents any escape by ground. The forest is full of life, from birds to snakes, and the scene becomes one of devastation as the creatures fall prey to the fire.
Indra’s Intervention:
Indra, learning of the burning forest, sends down torrential rains in an attempt to extinguish the fire. Arjuna uses his arrows to form a shield, ensuring that no water reaches the forest. Furious, Indra descends from the heavens with his divine allies, including Varuna, Yama, and Kubera, prepared to battle Krishna and Arjuna. A fierce battle ensues, but the duo holds their ground. Arjuna, with his mastery of divine weapons, counters Indra’s attacks, while Krishna, being the incarnation of Narayana, remains invincible.
The Resolution:
Despite their efforts, the gods cannot prevail against Arjuna and Krishna. A divine voice from the heavens halts Indra’s assault, revealing that Arjuna and Krishna are none other than Nara and Narayana, whose power is unmatched. Indra ceases his attempts to stop the burning.
During this event, the Asura architect Maya seeks refuge from the fire. He appeals to Arjuna for protection, and Arjuna grants him asylum. Krishna, respecting Arjuna’s decision, spares Maya. In gratitude, Maya promises to construct the Maya Sabha, the grand hall of illusions for the Pandavas, which later plays a pivotal role in the events leading to the infamous game of dice.
The Survival of the Saranga Birds:
An intriguing subplot involves Mandapala, a sage who, to ensure his passage to heaven, transformed into a Saranga bird and fathered children with his bird-wife Jaritha. When the forest burns, the young birds are left behind. Through their prayers to Agni, the god spares their lives. This act of mercy highlights the complex nature of the divine beings in Hindu mythology, who can be both fearsome and compassionate.
Connections to Indian Mythology:
This episode ties into many other stories and entities from Hindu mythology:
- Takshaka, the serpent king, reappears later in the epic when he avenges his family by killing Parikshit, Arjuna’s grandson.
- The Gandiva bow and Sudarsana Chakra are divine weapons that repeatedly play pivotal roles in battles throughout the Mahabharata.
- The Khandava-dahana (burning of Khandava forest) parallels the cleansing fires of destruction and creation, a recurring theme in Indian mythology, where fire symbolizes both destruction and renewal.
Thus, this episode serves as a bridge between cosmic power struggles, divine intervention, and the human-like relationships between gods and mortals in the Mahabharata.