Shloka 40
तमग्नि: प्रार्थयामास दिशधरक्षुर्वातसारथि:,कृष्णमशभ्युद्यतास्त्रं च नादं मुमुचुरुल्बणम् | उन्होंने उस जलते हुए वनको और मारनेके लिये अस्त्र उठाये हुए श्रीकृष्ण तथा अर्जुनको देखा। उत्पात और आर्तनादके शब्दसे उस वनमें खड़े हुए वे सभी प्राणी संत्रस्त- से हो उठे थे। उस वनको अनेक प्रकारसे दग्ध होते देख और अस्त्र उठाये हुए श्रीकृष्णपर दृष्टि डाल भयानक आर्तनाद करने लगे
tam agniḥ prārthayāmāsa diśadharakṣur-vātasārathiḥ | kṛṣṇam abhyudyatāstraṃ ca nādaṃ mumucur ulbaṇam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Agni—whose eyes were the guardians of the directions and whose charioteer was the wind—began to entreat them. Seeing Kṛṣṇa and (Arjuna) with weapons raised, the creatures standing in that forest, terrified by portents and cries of distress, let out a dreadful roar as the woodland burned in many ways.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how actions driven by divine purpose and heroic resolve can still generate widespread fear and suffering; it invites reflection on the ethical tension between necessity (a cosmic or vowed aim) and compassion for living beings caught in the event.
As the forest burns, Agni approaches and entreats (Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna). The creatures within the forest, seeing the heroes with weapons raised and overwhelmed by ominous signs and distress, cry out with a terrible roar.