Shloka 13
Śārṅgaka-stuti to Agni during the Khāṇḍava Conflagration (शार्ङ्गक-स्तुतिः / अग्नि-स्तुतिः)
त॑ ते कथितवानस्मि पूर्वमेव नृपोत्तम | तच्छुत्वा वचन त्वग्नेर्बीभत्सुर्जातवेदसम्,नृपश्रेष्ठ॒ यह सुनकर हव्यवाहनने तुरंत श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनके पास आकर जो कार्य निवेदन किया, वह मैं तुम्हें पहले ही बता चुका हूँ। जनमेजय! अग्निका वह कथन सुनकर अर्जुनने इन्द्रकी इच्छाके विरुद्ध खाण्डववन जलानेकी अभिलाषा रखनेवाले जातवेदा अग्निसे उस समयके अनुकूल यह बात कही
Vaiśampāyana uvāca | tat te kathitavān asmi pūrvam eva nṛpottama | tac chrutvā vacanaṃ tv agner bībhatsur jātavedasam |
Vaiśampāyana said: “O best of kings, I have already told you this earlier. Having heard the words of Agni, Bībhatsu (Arjuna) then addressed Jātavedas (the Fire-god) in a manner suited to that moment.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights responsible action within a complex moral landscape: even when divine powers urge or oppose an act, the human agent (Arjuna) must respond with situational discernment (yathākāla) and deliberate speech, acknowledging competing claims and consequences.
Vaiśampāyana reminds King Janamejaya that he has already recounted the episode. After hearing Agni’s words/request, Arjuna (Bībhatsu) addresses Agni (Jātavedas), setting up the next part of the Khaṇḍava-forest narrative where Agni seeks assistance despite Indra’s resistance.