Visit to the Khandava forest

The Pandavas were living happily in Indraprastha. Yudhishthira ruled the land as an able king. He was an embodiment of Dharma or righteous living. Everyone enjoyed life under his rule. There was peace and prosperity throughout the kingdom.

Krishna had come to spend a few days with his cousins, specially, with his dear friend, Arjuna. It was peak summer and it was hot. Arjuna one day suggested to Krishna that they go to river Yamuna to engage in various water sports. Krishna was in full agreement. They took permission from Yudhishthira and the two set out with their close
friends.

The Khandava forest

There was a forest by name Khandava on one side of Yamuna. Huge trees with intertwining creepers made the forest almost impenetrable. All sorts of wild animals lived in the depth of the forest. There was a temporary shelter in the forest close to the shores of the river. The party roamed about the forest and enjoyed themselves. They would retire to the shelter for refreshments. Then, they swam in the cool waters of the river and spent time happily.

It was then that a Brahmin approached them. He had an aura around him and shone like the rising sun. Krishna and Arjuna got up in respect and received him cordially.

The Brahmin asked for alms from Arjuna and Krishna. Brahmins lived those days mainly by begging for their daily food and that was a time honoured practice. The Kshatriyas, or the royals, protected them and offered help whenever necessary and possible.

A distinguished guest

What type of food would satisfy him? Asked, Arjuna and Krishna. Then the Brahmin introduced himself and told them of his mission. He was Agni, the guardian god of fire. Agni’s duty is to swallow anything that is burnt. He is a busy god rushing to places where rituals are performed in fire. Whatever that is offered in the fire is first consumed quickly by Agni. Only the essence, after digesting, reaches the god to whom the offering is directed. Agni is always the intermediary. He has to quickly reach the next sacrificial fire and do his duty there, too.

With an extraordinary taste

He now wanted to consume the whole of the Khandava forest. They were his alms.
Why should he be so keen to burn the entire forest down ? To that question, Agni told his story. Long ago there was a king named Swetaki. He performed years of sacrifices in fire with the help of sage Durvasa. There was so much that was offered that Agni developed an indigestion ! Nothing would cure the god of his disease. He grew pale day by day and lost interest in food altogether.

Agni , finally, approached Brahma and told him of his condition. It was in the interest of all gods that the god of fire maintained good appetite and health. Brahma thought for a while and came up with the solution. Agni should consume the whole of the Khandava forest. That forest was unique in its variety of medicinal plants. The marrow of the animals who found shelter there also served as excellent cure for his acute indigestion.

Agni’s problem

Agni tried. Every time he started the sky would break down with torrential rain. The problem was that the serpent Takshaka lived in that forest. Indra, the rainmaker god, was his intimate friend. No sooner had Agni started enjoying his diet of the Khandava forest, than Indra would start heavy downpour. He tried many times with the same result.

It was Brahma, who himself, suggested to Agni to approach Arjuna and Krishna for help.

Special equipment

Arjuna and Krishna agreed to help. The two made a plan. But, they would need extraordinary weapons for a task like that. Arjuna would need a quiver with inexhaustible supply of arrows. He would also need a bow strong enough to dispatch arrows in quick succession. Krishna needed a weapon to finish off the escaping animals. The two also needed a chariot that would take them from place to place instantaneously.

Gift from Varuna

Agni, the god of fire remembered his friend, Varuna, who was the god of death and had a stock of special weapons. Agni approached him through a prayer. Varuna appeared and listened to Agni’s reqirement. He brought out the divine bow called Gandiva and a quiver of infinite number of arrows. He also produced a chariot with four white horses of unparallel prowess. The chariot was adorned with a banner with a monkey as its symbol. He gave these to Arjuna. These became his hallmark in all the wars Arjuna waged thenceforth. He also came to be known by names like Gaandeevi, or one with the Gandiva bow and Kapidhwaja or one whose chariot has a monkey on the banner.

Varuna also gave Krishna a disc called Sudarshana. Krishna, similarly, became famous by the name of Chakrapani or one who holds a disc in hand as weapon. With these weapons in hand Arjuna and Krishna set out on the task of helping Agni in burning the forest.