Burning of Khandava vana!

         One day, Krishna and Arjuna were taking a stroll in the banks of river Yamuna. While they were passing by the Khandava vana, Lord Agni appeared in front of them in the form of a Brahmin and spoke, “I am Agni Deva, the God of Fire. I need food. I like to consume this forest wholly. But Takshaka, the King of serpents resides in this forest and he is a friend of Indra. Whenever I set this forest on fire, Lord Indra comes to rescue Takshaka with a heavy rainfall. And so I remain hungry, unable to consume this forest. I request you both to help me burn Khandhava vana.”

Lord Agni giving the Gandiva

      Sri Krishna replied, “Arjuna, Khandhava vana is a dense forest. It has become a hiding place for many dangerous creatures and also to robbers and thieves. It is necessary to eliminate this forest for the welfare of the people of Indraprastha.” And he turned towards Agni Deva and spoke, “Agni Deva, we will help you to burn the forest but you must provide us with divine weapons so that we can fight against Lord Indra.”

     On listening to Krishna’s words, Lord Agni agreed and provided the Sudharshana Chakra and the mace called Kaumodaki to Krishna. He gave the Gandiva bow with quiver which would always be full of arrows to Arjuna and also gave a divine chariot called Nandighosh.

Lord Agni burning the forest

         Arjuna and Krishna stood at the entrance of the forest. Arjuna encircled the forest with his arrows to prevent the creatures from escaping when the forest is set on flame. With all set, Arjuna gave signal to Agni Deva and Lord Agni started to consume the forest. Huge flames engulfed the forest. Lord Agni was too furious that the flames reached the sky and the day sky was looking red. Countless birds, animals and insects were burnt alive in the forest fire.

Arjuna using Vayavastra

         Lord Indra came to know of the fire in Khandhava vana and came rushing to the forest with Lord Varuna, the god for rain. Lord Indra ordered for rain clouds to rain heavily that will stop the fire. But Arjuna saw the rain clouds approaching towards the forest and he blew the clouds away using the Vayavastra. Furious, Lord Indra severed the peak of Mount Mandar and tossed it at Arjuna. With the help of his divine Gandiva, Arjuna broke it into pieces.

         At that time Krishna spoke to Lord Indra, “Indra! Your friend Takshaka has left the forest when the flames started. He is safe. Let Agni Deva devour this forest for it is supporting criminal activities. Allow Agni Deva to burn it down to ashes.”

         Listening to Krishna’s words, Lord Indra apologized for his work, gave his blessings to Arjuna and Krishna and left for Indralok. Agni Deva burnt the Khandhava vana for fifteen days continuously, till it was burnt to ashes completely. While Agni Deva was burning the forest a demon named Maya escaped from the fire. Krishna noticed the demon and was about to kill him when the demon fell at Arjuna’s feet and pleaded to save him. Arjuna and Krishna asked Agni Deva to leave Maya. After burning the entire forest, Agni Deva thanked Krishna and Arjuna and left for his palace.

Mayasura with Krishna and Arjuna

         Maya spoke to Arjuna, “Thank you both of you for saving my life. Give me an opportunity to return my favor. Let me know how I can be of help to you. I possess an exceptional talent and skill in architecture.”

           Arjuna asked Maya to build a palace for the Pandavas. Maya constructed a magnificent palace with extraordinary interior decorations. The palace floors were crystal clear looking like mirror. The Pandavas and Draupathi were amazed at the work of Maya and thanked him for his efforts. Honored, Maya gave a golden mace with extraordinary weight to Bhīma and the conch with extremely loud sound, Devadatta to Arjuna. On an auspicious day, the Pandavas moved to the palace with Draupathi and lived there happily.