Shloka 6
Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)
इदमिन्द्र: सदा दावं खाण्डवं परिरक्षति । न च शवक्नोम्यहं दग्धुं रक्ष्यमाणं महात्मना,इन्द्र सदा इस खाण्डववनकी रक्षा करते हैं। उन महामनासे सुरक्षित होनेके कारण मैं इसे जला नहीं पाता
idam indraḥ sadā dāvaṃ khāṇḍavaṃ parirakṣati | na ca śaknomy ahaṃ dagdhuṃ rakṣyamāṇaṃ mahātmanā ||
The Brahmin said: “Indra constantly protects this Khāṇḍava forest from being consumed by fire. And since it is guarded by that great-souled one, I am unable to burn it.”
ब्राह्मण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one is intent on accomplishing a powerful act, higher forces—here symbolized by Indra’s protection—can restrain or redirect that intention. The verse underscores the ethical and practical reality that actions meet resistance when opposed by a stronger guardian or principle.
A Brahmin speaker explains that the Khāṇḍava forest cannot be burned because Indra continually protects it. The attempted burning (dāva/dagdhuṃ) is thwarted by Indra’s guardianship, setting up a conflict between the would-be destroyer and the divine protector.