Shloka 83
Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)
अनेन तु प्रकारेण भूयो भूयश्व प्रज्वलन् | सप्तकृत्व: प्रशमित: खाण्डवे हव्यवाहन:,इस तरह खाण्डववनमें अग्निने बार-बार प्रज्वलित होकर सात बार उसे जलानेका प्रयास किया; परंतु प्रतिबार वहाँके निवासियोंने उन्हें बुझा दिया
anena tu prakāreṇa bhūyo bhūyaś ca prajvalan | saptakṛtvaḥ praśamitaḥ khāṇḍave havyavāhanaḥ ||
وعلى هذا النحو، في غابة خاندافا، كان إله النار (هَفْيَواهَنا) يشتعل مرة بعد مرة. غير أنّه خُضِع سبع مرات—وفي كل مرة كان سكان الغابة ينجحون في إخماده.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the interplay of force and counter-force: even divine power (Agni) can be repeatedly restrained when circumstances and opposing agents align. Ethically, it foreshadows questions about when destruction is justified, and how resistance can delay—even if it cannot always prevent—an impending outcome.
Vaiśampāyana states that Agni repeatedly tried to blaze and burn the Khāṇḍava forest, but on seven occasions he was extinguished by those residing there, indicating strong opposition within the forest and setting up the later events leading to the burning of Khāṇḍava.