Shloka 36
अध्याय १: महाप्रस्थानारम्भः
The Commencement of the Great Departure
वहाँ पहुँचकर उन्होंने पर्वतकी भाँति मार्ग रोककर सामने खड़े हुए पुरुषरूपधारी साक्षात् अग्निदेवको देखा ।। ततो देव: स सप्तार्चि: पाण्डवानिदमब्रवीत् । भो भो: पाण्डुसुता वीरा: पावकं मां निबोधत,तब सात प्रकारकी ज्वालारूप जिह्लाओंसे सुशोभित होनेवाले उन अग्निदेवने पाण्डवोंसे इस प्रकार कहा--“वीर पाण्डुकुमारो! मुझे अग्नि समझो
tatra prāpya te śailam iva mārgaṁ ruddhvā puruṣarūpadharaṁ sākṣād agnidevaṁ dadṛśuḥ || tato devaḥ sa saptārciḥ pāṇḍavān idam abravīt | bho bho pāṇḍusutā vīrāḥ pāvakaṁ māṁ nibodhata ||
Having reached that place, they saw Agni himself, assuming a human form, standing before them and blocking the path like a mountain. Then that god, radiant with seven tongues of flame, addressed the Pāṇḍavas: “O heroic sons of Pāṇḍu—know me to be Pāvaka, the Fire.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
A dharmic journey includes moments where the divine interrupts human momentum; the right response begins with recognition—seeing the higher authority (Agni) and preparing to act with restraint and obedience rather than force or pride.
On the Pāṇḍavas’ great departure, they reach a point where Agni appears in human form and blocks their way like a mountain, then identifies himself as Pāvaka, the Fire, initiating a consequential exchange.