Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 336
Pitṛ-śrāddha-haviḥ-phala-nirdeśa
Offerings for Ancestors and Their Stated Results
परीयुज्वलनस्यार्थे न चाविन्दन् हुताशनम् । मेढकोंसे ऐसा कहकर देवता पुनः अग्निकी खोजके लिये इस पृथ्वीपर विचरने लगे; किंतु वे अग्निदेवको कहीं उपलब्ध न कर सके
parīyujvalanasyārthe na cāvindan hutāśanam |
Wika ni Bhishma: “Sa paghahanap ng paraan upang muling pag-alabin ang sagradong apoy, hindi nila matagpuan si Agni (ang Diyos ng Apoy).” Kaya matapos kausapin ang palaka, muling naglakbay ang mga diyos sa ibabaw ng daigdig upang hanapin si Agni, ngunit hindi nila siya natuklasan saanman—ipinapakita na kapag nagambala ang kaayusan, maging ang banal na kapangyarihan ay maaaring magtago kahit sa harap ng mga diyos.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the indispensability of Agni for yajña and dharmic order: when the sacred fire is absent or concealed, even well-intentioned efforts to restore ritual and harmony can be thwarted, urging humility and persistence in upholding dharma.
After addressing the frog, the gods resume their search across the earth to recover Agni so that the fire may be rekindled; however, they fail to locate him, indicating Agni’s withdrawal or concealment at this point in the story.