Maya’s gift

We have seen how Maya the Silpi ( the architect builder )of demons was trapped in the Khandava forest and how he was saved by Arjuna. Maya was extremely grateful to Arjuna and wanted to do a favour to him in return. But, Arjuna turned down the offer. Arjuna, when he insisted, suggested that Maya could make the offer to Krishna.

Krishna thought for a while and suggested that the Architect of demons could build an assembly hall for the Pandavas. Maya was quite happy to do that.

Work started soon on a hall in Indraprastha that could excel any in the three worlds. An auspicious day was chosen and liberal gifts were offered to Brahmins for their blessings.
Indra was also highly pleased with Krishna and Arjuna and asked them for any boon that they desired. Krishna simply said that he would like his friendship with Arjuna to remian with the two of them for ever. Indra gave his blessing to Krishna for that.

Arjuna asked for special weapons in the possession of Indra. The king of god agreed to give him what he asked for, but, at a later date.

Vaisampayana, the narrator of the Bharata story to Janamejaya, also told the king of the long story of the Sarngaka birds and how they escaped the fire in the Khandava forest.

With that ends the “Chapter on the encounter with Maya or Maya Darshana Parvam”.. Also ends with this “The First Book” of Mahabharata or “Aadi Parvam”.