Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Volume 1).pdf/509



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 suffi. cient food: Thus addressed by the Brahmana, Krishna and the son of Pandu answered him, saying,-'0 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 Khanda va 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 Takstaka, 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 Kbandava, 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 1 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 I"

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 1"

Vaisampayana said, -"O chief of men, I will narrate to the story of the conflagration of Khandava as told by Rishia 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