01.225
Pancharatra: Partha’s boon and Shakra’s advice to please Mahadeva.
Mandapāla said.
For your protection, I informed the Fire. Agni too, in this way, had already promised so before. (1-225-1)
Having heard Agni's words, your mother's righteousness, and your great strength, I had not come here before. (1-225-2)
O sons, you should not grieve regarding death. The sages and even Agni know Brahman, and that knowledge is also yours. (1-225-3)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, O Bhārata, after consoling his sons and taking his wife, Mandapala then left that land and went to another country. (1-225-4)
The Sun god, along with the two Krishnas, set the Khandava forest ablaze, thereby granting fearlessness to the world. (1-225-5)
Having drunk from the fat-carrying channels there, Agni attained supreme satisfaction and showed it to Arjuna. (1-225-6)
Then the lord of the gods, attended by the Maruts, descended from the sky and spoke these words to Pārtha and Mādhava. (1-225-7)
You two have accomplished a deed that even the gods find difficult. I am pleased—choose your boons, even those rare and beyond human reach. (1-225-8)
But Arjuna requested all the weapons from Indra; and Indra then set the time for him to receive them. (1-225-9)
When Lord Mahadeva is pleased, I will then give you all the weapons of the Pāṇḍavas. (1-225-10)
O Kurunandana, I alone shall know that time, and by great austerity I shall also give those to you. (1-225-11)
O Dhananjaya, you will take all the weapons belonging to Agni, all those belonging to Vāyu, and all those belonging to me as well. (1-225-12)
Vāsudeva also accepted the everlasting affection from Pārtha. Then, Indra, filled with love, granted that boon to him. (1-225-13)
Pleased after granting a boon to the two, the lord of the Maruts, along with the gods, permitted Agni and then returned to heaven. (1-225-14)
The fire, having consumed that forest along with its beasts and birds, continued for five days and one more, and then, being fully satisfied, it ceased. (1-225-15)
After eating the flesh and drinking the fats and blood, and being filled with supreme delight, he spoke to them, O lord of men. (1-225-16)
I am satisfied by you two noble youths, the foremost of men, as much as one could wish. I permit you, O heroes, to go wherever you desire. (1-225-17)
Thus, having received permission from Pāvaka, the great-souled one, Arjuna, Vāsudeva, and the Dānava Maya also (departed). (1-225-18)
O best of the Bharatas, after circumambulating, all three of them together sat down on the beautiful riverbank. (1-225-19)
