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 ||
到达那里时,他们看见火神阿耆尼亲自现身为人,像山一般立在前方,阻断去路。随后,那位以七条火舌辉耀的天神对般度五子说道:“般度之英勇子孙啊,当知我即是婆婆迦——火。”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
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.