Shloka 7
Śārṅgaka-stuti to Agni during the Khāṇḍava Conflagration (शार्ङ्गक-स्तुतिः / अग्नि-स्तुतिः)
अब्रवीच्च तदा ब्रह्मा यथा त्वं धक्ष्यसेडनल । खाण्डवं दावमद्यैव मिषतो5स्य शचीपते:,उस समय ब्रह्माजीने कहा--'अनल! अब जिस प्रकार तुम इन्द्रके देखते-देखते अभी खाण्डववन जला सकोगे, वह उपाय सुनो
abravīc ca tadā brahmā yathā tvaṁ dhakṣyase 'nala | khāṇḍavaṁ dāvam adyaiva miṣato 'sya śacīpateḥ ||
Then Brahmā spoke: “O Anala (Fire), listen to the means by which you will be able to burn the Khāṇḍava forest—this very day—while Śacīpati (Indra) looks on.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as alignment with one’s ordained function (Fire’s role to burn and transform) while acknowledging that even rightful action may face resistance from other powers (Indra). It introduces the idea that ethical action can require wise means (upāya) rather than mere force.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that Brahmā addresses Fire (Anala/Agni) and promises to explain the method by which Fire can burn the Khāṇḍava forest immediately, even as Indra watches—setting up the ensuing plan to overcome Indra’s obstruction.