Talk:Khandava Forest

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It is writen that the inhabitants of the forest were displaced before the burning of the forest, Which is not correct. Infact God Agni had to burn the entire forest along with all those who are living in the forest like human beings, Nagas,serpents, birds and fish etc. Banda.krishna (talk)BV.K.Satyanarayana( Mahabharat,adiparva, KhandavaDah)

The Mythological Reason behind the burning of the forest:

Once there was a great royal sage by name Swethaki. He conducted a great sacrifice (Homa) for twelve years, during which period large Quantities of clarified butter (ghee) was poured into the sacrificial fire. Thus Lord Agni who had consumed large quantities of clarified butter was satiated.

 He could not consume any more butter. He lost his colour and became pale. His energy decreased. He went to Lord Brahma the creator and asked for a cure for his affliction. Brahma said  “If You could   consume  the entire forest of Khandava which is a home of numerous creatures and if you could eat the fat of all the creatures  you will regain  your true nature.”

So, God Agni went straight to the forest and started burning the trees. But all the big snakes and elephants of the forest showered water and extinguished the fire. So He went back to Lord Brahma and explained his helplessness. Then Brahma told him that he should go to Krishna and Arjuna who are in the vicinity of the forest at that time and seek their help. Lord Agni went to them in the guise of an old Brahmin and blessed them. Then Arjuna told him that he will help him even if the gods oppose. Then Agni came into his real appearance and explained his problem. Then Arjun said “o' sir I have numberless excellent, celestial weapons with which I can fight even many wielders of thunderbolts.' But o' exalted one I have no bow suited to the strength of my arms and capable of bearing the might I may put forth in the battle.” Then Arjuna requested Lord Agni to provide him with a. celestial bow (called Gandiva), arrows that must never be exhausted and a celestial chariot with celestial steeds of pure white in colour which can run with the speed of wind. Lord Agni went to his friend Lord Varuna (the God of water) and requested Him to give him the bow and quivers and f the celestial. chariot which were obtained from king Soma. Lord Agni presented all these items to Arjun along with two inexhaustible quivers. He also gave Lord Krishna a celestial Sudarshan Chakra which he borrowed from Lord Vishnu.

The burning of the forest

Then Arjuna asked Agni to burn the forest from all sides. Krishna and Arjun placed their chariots on either sides of the forest and began a great slaughter of all the living things that tried to escape from e the forest. Lord Indra who is the protector of the forest saw the devastation and covered the forest with clouds and began to shower on the burning forest. But the showers were all dried up in the sky due to the excessive heat created.. Indra collected huge masses of clouds and they began to pour heavy rain. Arjuna covered the whole forest with innumerable arrows so that no living creatures could escape. Lord Indra was very much happy to witness the courage of his son, Arjuna and left the battle field. Thus the whole of the forest was burnt to ashes except for six living  things-. -

Aswasena the son of the Naga king Takshaka, An Asura named Maya ,and four Srangaka (Ref: Mahabharat, Adiparva, Khandavavana Dah-Section CCXXXIV) B.K.S7 (talk) 17:39, 17 October 2020 (UTC)B.K.S8

Re:Geographical existence of forest

Can someone specify the region of khandava on the map? 171.76.156.93 (talk) 04:04, 10 March 2022 (UTC)