Chapter 236

“Vaisampayana said, ‘Mandapala then addressed his children, saying, ‘Ihad spoken unto Agni for the safety of you all. The illustrious deity hadassured me that he would grant my wish.

At those words of Agni, andknowing the virtuous disposition of your mother, as also the great energythat is in yourselves, I came not here earlier. Therefore, ye sons, donot harbour in your hearts any resentment towards me. Ye are all Rishisacquainted with the Vedas. Even Agni knoweth you well.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Having given such assurances unto his sons, theBrahmana Mandapala took with him his wife and sons, and leaving thatregion, went away to some other country.

“It was thus that the illustrious god of fierce rays, having grown instrength consumed the forest of Khandava with the help of Krishna andArjuna, for the good of the world. And Agni having drunk several riversof fat and marrow, became highly gratified, and showed himself to Arjuna.Then Purandara, surrounded by the Maruts, descended from the firmamentand addressing Partha and Kesava said, ‘Ye have achieved a feat that acelestial even could not. Ask ye each a boon that is not obtainable byany man. I have been gratified with you.’

“Vaisampayana continued, ‘Then Partha asked from Indra all his weapons.At this Sakra of great splendour, having fixed the time for giving them,said, ‘When the illustrious Madhava becomes pleased with thee, then, Oson of Pandu, I will give thee all my weapons! O prince of Kuru’s race, Ishall know when the time cometh. Even for thy austere asceticism I willgive thee all my weapons of fire and all my Vayavya weapons, and thoualso wilt accept them all of me.’ Then Vasudeva asked that his friendshipwith Arjuna might be eternal. The chief of the celestials granted untothe intelligent Krishna the boon he desired. And having granted theseboons unto Krishna and Arjuna, the lord of the Maruts, accompanied by thecelestials, ascended to heaven, having also spoken to Hutasana (one whosefood is sacrificial butter). Agni also, having burnt that forest with itsanimals and birds for five and ten days, became gratified and ceased toburn. Having eaten flesh in abundance and drunk fat and blood, he becamehighly gratified, and addressing Achyuta and Arjuna said, ‘I have beengratified by you two tigers among men. At my command, ye heroes, ye shallbe competent to go wheresoever ye choose!’ Thus addressed by theillustrious Agni, Arjuna and Vasudeva and the Danava Maya also–thesethree,–having wandered a little at last sat themselves down on thedelightful banks of a river.'”