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 ।।
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 ||
そこに至ると、彼らは人の姿を取ったアグニ神そのものが、山のように道を塞いで前に立つのを見た。すると七つの炎の舌に輝くその神は、パーンダヴァたちに告げた。「パーンドゥの勇士たちよ、我をパーヴァカ――火と知れ。」
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.