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 ||
Pagdating nila roon, nakita nila si Agni mismo, na nag-anyong tao, na nakatindig sa harap at humaharang sa daan na parang bundok. Pagkaraan, ang diyos na yaon—nagniningning sa pitong dila ng apoy—ay nagsalita sa mga Pāṇḍava: “O mga magigiting na anak ni Pāṇḍu, kilalanin ninyo ako bilang Pāvaka, ang Apoy.”
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.