Shloka 20
कृष्णाभ्यां रक्षितं दृष्टवा तं च दावमहंकृता: । खमुत्पेतुर्महाराज सुपर्णद्या: पतत्त्रिण:,महाराज! उस खाण्डववनको श्रीकृष्ण और अर्जुनसे सुरक्षित देख अहंकारसे युक्त सुन्दर पंख आदि अंगोंवाले पक्षी आकाशमें उड़ने लगे
kṛṣṇābhyāṃ rakṣitaṃ dṛṣṭvā taṃ ca dāvam ahaṅkṛtāḥ | kham utpetur mahārāja suparṇadyāḥ patattriṇaḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing that forest-conflagration (Khāṇḍava) was being guarded by Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, the birds—proud of their splendid wings and strength—rose up into the sky, O King. The scene underscores how even creatures driven by vanity and instinct respond to overwhelming protection and power, retreating from a force they cannot oppose.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how pride (ahaṅkāra) collapses before superior protection and power: when Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna guard the scene, even confident creatures withdraw. Ethically, it suggests humility and discernment—knowing when resistance is futile and when to step back from destructive forces.
During the Khāṇḍava episode, the forest-fire is being secured/controlled by Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna. Observing this, the birds—described as proud and splendid-winged—take flight into the sky, reacting to the guarded, perilous situation.