Shloka 77
Jarītā–Śārṅgā-saṃvāda: Ākhu-haraṇa and the Approach of Agni (आखुहरणं अग्न्यागमनश्च)
गच्छ शीघ्र प्रदग्धुं त्वं ततो मोक्ष्यसि किल्बिषात् | एतच्छुत्वा तु वचन परमेष्ठिमुखाच्च्युतम्,“उस वनको जलानेके लिये तुम शीघ्र ही जाओ। तभी इस ग्लानिसे छुटकारा पा सकोगे।' परमेष्ठी ब्रह्माजीके मुखसे निकली हुई यह बात सुनकर अग्निदेव बड़े वेगसे वहाँ दौड़े गये। खाण्डववनमें पहुँचकर उत्तम बलका आश्रय ले वायुका सहारा पाकर कुपित अग्निदेव सहसा प्रज्वलित हो उठे
gaccha śīghraṃ pradagdhuṃ tvaṃ tato mokṣyasi kilbiṣāt | etac chrutvā tu vacanaṃ parameṣṭhi-mukhāc cyutam |
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “Go quickly and burn it; only then will you be released from your sin.” Hearing these words that had issued from the mouth of Parameṣṭhin (Brahmā), Agni rushed there with great speed. Reaching the Khāṇḍava forest, relying on excellent strength and supported by the wind, the enraged Fire-god suddenly blazed forth. The passage frames a stern ethical logic: a divinely commanded act is presented as a means of expiation, even when it entails destructive force.
वैशम्पायन उवाच