Shloka 77
Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)
गच्छ शीघ्र प्रदग्धुं त्वं ततो मोक्ष्यसि किल्बिषात् | एतच्छुत्वा तु वचन परमेष्ठिमुखाच्च्युतम्,“उस वनको जलानेके लिये तुम शीघ्र ही जाओ। तभी इस ग्लानिसे छुटकारा पा सकोगे।' परमेष्ठी ब्रह्माजीके मुखसे निकली हुई यह बात सुनकर अग्निदेव बड़े वेगसे वहाँ दौड़े गये। खाण्डववनमें पहुँचकर उत्तम बलका आश्रय ले वायुका सहारा पाकर कुपित अग्निदेव सहसा प्रज्वलित हो उठे
gaccha śīghraṃ pradagdhuṃ tvaṃ tato mokṣyasi kilbiṣāt | etac chrutvā tu vacanaṃ parameṣṭhi-mukhāc cyutam |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Go quickly and burn it; only then will you be released from your sin.” Hearing these words that had issued from the mouth of Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā), Agni rushed there with great speed. Reaching the Khāṇḍava forest, relying on excellent strength and supported by the wind, the enraged Fire-god suddenly blazed forth.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a moral-ritual idea common in epic literature: release from moral taint (kilbiṣa) can come through fulfilling a divinely sanctioned duty. It highlights obedience to cosmic authority (Brahmā’s command) as a pathway to purification, even when the duty involves fierce, destructive action.
Brahmā instructs Agni to go quickly and burn (the forest). Agni, having heard the command, rushes to the Khāṇḍava forest and, aided by the wind, flares up in anger and begins to blaze intensely—setting the stage for the famous Khāṇḍava-dāha episode.