Shloka 44
Uddhava’s Counsel: The Jarāsandha Resolution and Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Indraprastha
तर्पयित्वा खाण्डवेन वह्निं फाल्गुनसंयुत: । मोचयित्वा मयं येन राज्ञे दिव्या सभा कृता ॥ ४४ ॥ उवास कतिचिन्मासान् राज्ञ: प्रियचिकीर्षया । विहरन् रथमारुह्य फाल्गुनेन भटैर्वृत: ॥ ४५ ॥
tarpayitvā khāṇḍavena vahniṁ phālguna-saṁyutaḥ mocayitvā mayaṁ yena rājñe divyā sabhā kṛtā
राजा युधिष्ठिराला प्रसन्न करण्याच्या इच्छेने भगवान काही महिने इंद्रप्रस्थात राहिले। तेथे फाल्गुन (अर्जुन) याच्यासह खांडव वन अग्निदेवाला अर्पून त्यांना तृप्त केले आणि मय दानवाला वाचवले; त्या मयानेच राजासाठी दिव्य सभा बांधली। तसेच भगवान अर्जुनासह रथावर आरूढ होऊन, सैनिकांनी वेढलेले, विहार करत राहिले।
Śrīla Prabhupāda writes in Kṛṣṇa: “It was during this time that Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, with the help of Arjuna, for the satisfaction of the fire-god, Agni, allowed Agni to devour the Khāṇḍava forest. During the forest fire, Kṛṣṇa saved the demon Mayāsura, who was hiding in the forest. Upon being saved, Mayāsura felt obliged to the Pāṇḍavas and Lord Kṛṣṇa, and he constructed a wonderful assembly house within the city of Hastināpura. In this way, Lord Kṛṣṇa, in order to please King Yudhiṣṭhira, remained in the city of Hastināpura for several months. During His stay, He enjoyed strolling here and there. He used to drive on chariots along with Arjuna, and many warriors and soldiers used to follow them.”
FAQs
This verse recalls that Kṛṣṇa, together with Arjuna, satisfied Agni by enabling the burning of Khāṇḍava—an event that also led to rescuing Maya, who later served the Pāṇḍavas by building a wondrous sabhā.
Maya is Maya Dānava, an expert architect who was rescued during the Khāṇḍava episode; in gratitude, he constructed a marvelous royal assembly hall for King Yudhiṣṭhira.
Devotional friendship and service to dharma bear lasting fruits—helping the Lord’s devotees and supporting righteous leadership can create enduring benefits for society.