Shloka 14
अब्रवीन्नपशार्दूल तत्कालसदृशं वच: । दिधक्षुं खाण्डवं दावमकामस्य शतक्रतो:,नृपश्रेष्ठ॒ यह सुनकर हव्यवाहनने तुरंत श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनके पास आकर जो कार्य निवेदन किया, वह मैं तुम्हें पहले ही बता चुका हूँ। जनमेजय! अग्निका वह कथन सुनकर अर्जुनने इन्द्रकी इच्छाके विरुद्ध खाण्डववन जलानेकी अभिलाषा रखनेवाले जातवेदा अग्निसे उस समयके अनुकूल यह बात कही
abravīn napaśārdūla tatkālasadṛśaṃ vacaḥ | didhakṣuṃ khāṇḍavaṃ dāvam akāmasya śatakratoḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana sprach: „O Tiger unter den Menschen, er sprach Worte, die jener Stunde entsprachen — über den Entschluss, den Khāṇḍava-Wald in Waldbrand zu setzen, obgleich Śatakratu (Indra) es nicht wollte.“
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the importance of speaking and acting in a way that is ‘tatkāla-sadṛśa’—appropriate to the moment—especially when duty-driven action creates ethical tension, even against divine resistance. It frames discernment and timely counsel as crucial in navigating contested dharma.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that a timely statement was made regarding the intention to burn the Khāṇḍava forest, despite Indra’s unwillingness. This sets the stage for the Khāṇḍava-dahana episode, where human heroes and divine powers come into conflict over the fate of the forest.