Forest on fire

Mahabharata Adiparva Khandava dahana parva section 225-237

Sri Sadgurubhyoh Namah

Arjuna, Krishna, Draupadi, Subhadra and their friends go to the banks of Yamuna and sport there. When the two warriors Arjuna and Krishna were sitting and talking, a Brahmana with golden hued body, yellow beard, effulgent in radiance approaches them. He requests them to feed him, saying that his hunger cannot be satisfied. He introduces himself as Agni (Fire-god). Arjuna asks him what kind of food he wants. Agni replies that he wants to eat the forest 'Khandava', where the serpent king Takshaka resides. Indra, king of angels, is a friend of takshaka , so Indra sends rain whenever Agni wanted to eat Khandava forest.

Arjuna agrees to assist Agni, but he asks for a bow, chariot, and weapons to counter Indra. Agni then requests Varuna (Water-god), to give the mighty bow 'Gandiva' to Arjuna and the weapon ' Sudarsana chakra' (discuss) to Krishna.

While Arjuna and Krishna are keeping vigil so that none of the inhabitants escape the fire, Agni assumes his seven flames form and starts to consume the forest from all sides.

King Janamejaya asks Sage Vaisampayana, "Why did Agni consume the forest ?".

Sage tells him the story of a King Swetaki, who performed many yajnas (fire sacrifices). The brahmanas who performed the yajna became fatigued due to the longevity of the ritual. They then told King to request Rudra to be his priest, and they cannot continue. King Swetaki does severe penance near mount kailas. Lord Rudra (God Shiva) appears before him, and says "I cannot be a priest for a yajna for you, but if you continuously pour clarified butter into fire for 12 years without break, I will show a way. King Swetaki, for 12 years pours clarified butter (Ghee) into fire. Lord Rudra then summons Sage Durvasa to officiate as priest to King. Due to the continuous pouring of ghee, Agni develops indigestion, loses his glory, and prays to creator to cure him. Creator Brahmaji, tells him to consume the forest Khandava with the help of Krishna and Arjuna.

Indra wanting to protect his friend Takshaka, sends rain over Khandava forest. But Arjuna fills up the sky with his arrows. There ensues a battle between them. Indra, and other gods on one side, Krishna and Arjuna on one side while Agni is consuming the forest. Indra unable to defeat Arjuna, retreats.

An asura by name 'Maya' pleads Arjuna to allow him to escape fire. Arjuna gives him assurance.

Takshaka's son Aswasena was saved by his mother, and escapes the fire.

Agni consumes entire Khandava forest in 15 days. Only beings that escaped were Maya-asura, Aswasena, and four tiny birds of the species Sarangaka.

My Commentary :

Fire of knowledge consumes the forest of ignorance and wild animals (evil thoughts). But the root cause, the asura 'Maya' gets the protection of Arjuna and escapes. Arjuna (Individual self / jiva) is not yet ready for destruction of Maya (Ignorance). That will happen later during Mahabharata war, when Krishna sings his glory in Bhagavad Gita.

Hari Om

In Guruseva