Shloka 19
Vyāsa’s Boon-Offer and Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Remorse in the Forest Assembly (आश्रमवासिक पर्व, अध्याय ३६)
अथ वायु: समुद्भूतो दावाग्निरभवन्महान् | ददाह तद् वन सर्व परिगृह् समनन््ततः
atha vāyuḥ samudbhūto dāvāgnir abhavan mahān | dadāha tad vana sarvaṃ parigṛhya samanantataḥ ||
तभी एक प्रचण्ड वायु उठी और उससे महान् दावाग्नि प्रकट हो गई। उसने चारों ओर से उस वन को घेरकर समूचे वन को भस्म कर डाला।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights impermanence: even a settled refuge like a forest-āśrama can be suddenly consumed. It supports the Mahābhārata’s ethical mood of vairāgya—non-attachment and readiness to meet change without clinging.
Nārada narrates that a strong wind arises and a great wildfire breaks out, spreading in all directions and burning the entire forest, signaling a decisive and dangerous shift in the situation of those dwelling there.