Khandavadaha, Khāṇḍavadāha: 1 definition
Introduction:
Khandavadaha means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Source: archive.org: Puranic EncyclopediaKhāṇḍavadāha (खाण्डवदाह).—Introduction. Long ago a King named Śvetakī began to perform a sacrifice of duration of 100 years. Many Brahmins took part in the sacrifice as priests conducting the rituals and ceremonies. These Brahmin priests began to depart after a few years turning blind due to the smoke coming out of the sacrificial fire. Thus the sacrifice was stopped for want of priests. Śvetakī was grieved at this and performed penance to Śiva for getting a priest. Śiva appeared before him and pointed out hermit Durvāsas as the priest. Śvetakī recommenced the sacrifice and under the supervision of Durvāsas the sacrifice was completed. But Fire god caught dysentery due to the continuous eating of oblations offered in the sacrificial fire for a long period. His face became pale, body became lean, and he had no taste for food. At last Fire-God went to Brahmā and complained about his disease. Brahmā said that in the forest of Khāṇḍava there lived so many creatures which were enemies of the devas (gods) and that by eating their fat the disease of Agni would be cured. Accordingly Agni came to the Khāṇḍava forest.
The serpent Takṣaka, a friend of Indra, lived in this forest with his wife and children. Indra knew that Agni had come to burn the Khāṇḍava forest and resolved to save Takṣaka at any cost. When Agni (fire) began to catch the forest, Indra had already begun rain. So it was not possible for Agni to consume the forest. Agni tried seven times to consume the forest and in all these seven attempts he failed. Agni again approached Brahmā, who told him that the Nara-Nārāyaṇas would take birth in the earth as Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna and that at that time it would be possible for fire to consume the forest Khāṇḍava. (See full article at Story of Khāṇḍavadāha from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Sharngakopakhyana, Jaritari, Sarisrikka, Jarita, Mandapala, Drona, Shvetaki, Sarpabali, Ashvasena, Indraprastha, Bhaga.
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Search found 2 books and stories containing Khandavadaha, Khāṇḍavadāha; (plurals include: Khandavadahas, Khāṇḍavadāhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
The Brahmanda Purana (by G.V. Tagare)
Chapter 69 - The birth of Kārttavīrya < [Section 3 - Upodghāta-pāda]