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Pancharatra: Agni seeks Arjuna and Krishna's help to burn Kandava forest.
Vaiśampāyana said.
He spoke to Arjuna and to Vāsudeva, the Sātvata, the two greatest heroes in the world, who were standing near Khāṇḍava.
I am a brāhmaṇa who eats much and always enjoys unlimited food. O Vārṣṇeya and Pārtha, I beg you both, please grant me a single satisfaction.
After these words were spoken, Kṛṣṇa and Pāṇḍava said to him: "By what food would you be satisfied? Of that food, as you wish, we will bring it."
Thus addressed, the venerable one then said to both: "While the two heroes were speaking, what food should be prepared?"
I do not desire food; know me as fire. Give me that food which is suitable for me, you both.
Indra always protects the Khandava forest. I am unable to burn it while it is being guarded by the great-souled one.
Here, Takshaka the serpent, his friend, always resides; Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, along with his attendants, protects the forest fire for his sake.
There, many beings are incidentally protected. I, desiring to burn him, am not able to burn him due to the energy of Śakra (Indra).
He, seeing me blazing, pours down with rain from the clouds. Therefore, though I wish to burn the desired forest fire, I am unable to do so.
He has come together with you two, who are helpers and knowers of weapons; I should burn the Khandava forest, for this food has been chosen by me.
You two, being excellent knowers of weapons and water-bearers, will properly ward off all those beings from every side.
When these words were spoken, Arjuna (Bībhatsu) replied to Agni (Jātavedas), who wished to burn the Khāṇḍava forest, which Indra (Śatakratu) was unwilling to allow.
I possess many excellent and divine weapons, by which I could even fight many wielders of the thunderbolt.
O Lord, there is no bow equal to the strength of my arm; in battle, while exerting effort, there is no force which could withstand me.
By my many inexhaustible arrows, quickly shot, the chariot is not indeed capable of bearing as many arrows as I desire.
I desire divine horses, white and swift as the wind, and a chariot that thunders like a cloud and shines with the brilliance of the sun.
Likewise, by the strength of Kṛṣṇa, there is no weapon equal to his, by which Mādhava could slay serpents and demons in battle.
O revered one, please tell me the means by which I may accomplish the act of restraining Indra, who is causing rain in the great forest.
O Pāvaka (Agni), by courage, whatever is to be accomplished, your two agents, being capable, O Lord, you ought to provide the necessary means.
