Shloka 128
समन्तपञ्चक-आख्यानम् तथा अक्षौहिणी-प्रमाणनिर्णयः
Samantapañcaka Narrative and the Measure of an Akṣauhiṇī
सम्प्राप्तिश्नक्रधनुषो: खाण्डवस्य च दाहनम् | मयस्य मोक्षो ज्वलनाद् भुजड़स्य च मोक्षणम्,इसके पश्चात् द्रौपदीके पुत्रोंकी उत्पत्तिकी कथा है। तदनन्तर जब श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुन यमुनाजीके तटपर विहार करनेके लिये गये हुए थे, तब उन्हें जिस प्रकार चक्र और धनुषकी प्राप्ति हुई, उसका वर्णन है। साथ ही खाण्डववनके दाह, मयदानवके छुटकारे और अग्निकाण्डसे सर्पके सर्वथा बच जानेका वर्णन हुआ है
samprāptiḥ śakradhanuṣoḥ khāṇḍavasya ca dāhanam | mayasya mokṣo jvalanād bhujaṅgasya ca mokṣaṇam |
Here is recounted how Arjuna came to obtain Indra’s bow, and how the Khāṇḍava forest was set ablaze; how Maya (the Dānava) was rescued from the fire; and how a serpent escaped completely from the conflagration. The passage serves as a narrative bridge, pointing to the consequences of divine weapons and human alliance—power used within a larger cosmic design, yet accompanied by protection and rescue amid destruction.
राम उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power and destruction in epic narrative are not presented as mere spectacle: they are tied to cosmic purpose and moral complexity. Even amid a sanctioned conflagration, the text highlights rescue and deliverance (mokṣa), suggesting that dharma includes protection where possible, not only victory or annihilation.
The verse summarizes upcoming/related events: the obtaining of Indra’s bow, the burning of the Khāṇḍava forest, the saving of Maya from the fire, and the escape of a serpent from the blaze—key elements connected with the broader Khāṇḍava episode involving Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna.