Shloka 38
Kaurava Court Hears of the Pāṇḍavas’ Forest Hardship (वैचित्रवीर्यवंशीयस्य राज्ञः करुणाविचारः)
इस प्रकार बहुत देरतक वहाँ टिके रहकर अग्निदेव कामके वशमें हो गये। वे अपना हृदय उन सुन्दरियोंपर निछावर करके उनसे मिलनेकी कामना कर रहे थे ।। कामसंतप्तह्दयो देहत्यागविनिश्चित: । अलाभे ब्राह्मणस्त्रीणामग्निर्वनमुपागमत्
kāma-santapta-hṛdayo deha-tyāga-viniścitaḥ | alābhe brāhmaṇa-strīṇām agnir vanam upāgamat ||
Mārkaṇḍeya sprach: Vom Begehren im Herzen gequält und entschlossen, den Leib aufzugeben, da er die Frauen der Brahmanen nicht erlangen konnte, brach Agni auf und ging in den Wald.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unrestrained kāma can disturb even the powerful, leading to loss of composure and harmful resolutions; the ethical emphasis is on mastery of desire and steadiness of mind as supports of dharma.
Agni, having lingered and become overwhelmed by desire for the Brahmins’ wives, fails to obtain them; distressed and determined to give up his body, he leaves and goes into the forest.