Chapter 226

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Then Havyavahana (Agni) in anger and disappointment,with his ailment uncured, went back to the Grandsire.

And he representedunto Brahman all that had happened: The illustrious deity, reflecting fora moment, said unto him, ‘O sinless one. I see a way by which thou mayestconsume the forest of Khandava today in the very sight of Indra. Thoseold deities, Nara and Narayana, have become incarnate in the world of mento accomplish the business of the celestials. They are called on earthArjuna and Vasudeva. They are even now staying in the forest of Khandava.Solicit them for aiding thee in consuming that forest. Thou shalt thenconsume the forest even if it be protected by the celestials. They willcertainly prevent the population of Khandava from escaping, and thwartIndra 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 illustriouspair. O tiger among kings, hearing those words of Agni who was desirousof consuming the forest of Khandava against the will of Indra, Vibhatsusaid unto him these words well-suited to the occasion, I have numberlessexcellent celestial weapons with which I can fight even many wielders ofthe thunderbolt. But, O exalted one, I have no bow suited to the strengthof 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 thatmust never be exhausted. My car also is scarcely able to bear load ofarrows that I would desire to keep by me. I desire celestial steeds ofpure white, possessing the speed of the wind; and a car possessing thesplendour of the sun and the clatter of whose wheels should resemble theroar of the clouds. Then, there is no weapon suited to Krishna’s energyand with which Madhava can slay Nagas and Pisachas. O exalted one, itbehoveth thee to give us the means by which success may be achieved andby which we may thwart Indra in pouring his showers upon that extensiveforest. O Pavaka, we are ready to do all that manliness and prowess cando. But, O exalted one, it behoveth thee to give us the adequate means.'”