Shloka 32
Adhyāya 31: Rājasūya-samāgama — The Gathering of Kings and the Ordering of Hospitality
प्रजज्वाल तत: कोपाद् भगवान् हव्यवाहन: । त॑ दृष्टवा विस्मितो राजा जगाम शिरसावनिम्,तब क्रोधसे भगवान् अग्निदेव अपने रूपमें प्रज्वलित हो उठे। उन्हें इस रूपमें देखकर राजाको बड़ा आश्चर्य हुआ और उन्होंने पृथ्वीपर मस्तक रखकर अग्निदेवको प्रणाम किया
prajajvāla tataḥ kopād bhagavān havyavāhanaḥ | taṃ dṛṣṭvā vismito rājā jagāma śirasā vanim ||
Da loderte der göttliche Havyavāhana (Agni), vom Zorn entflammt, in hellem Brand auf. Als der König ihn in jenem furchtbaren Glanz erblickte, ergriff ihn staunendes Entsetzen, und er warf sich nieder, das Haupt auf die Erde legend, in ehrfürchtiger Unterwerfung.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the proper human response to overwhelming divine power: humility and reverence. When confronted with a manifestation of sacred force—especially one arising from anger—one should restrain oneself, acknowledge higher authority, and seek alignment with dharma through respectful submission rather than defiance.
Agni, described as Havyavāhana, suddenly flares up in wrath. The king, amazed at this formidable form, prostrates by placing his head on the ground, offering respectful obeisance to the fire-god.