Section CCXXXIV - Sons of Mandapala Eulogize Agni for Protection
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CCXXXIV including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
The four brothers, Jaritari, Sarisrikka, Stamvamitra, and Drona, discussed the importance of being wise and fearless in the face of death. Each brother praised Agni, the god of fire, with hymns seeking his protection and help. As the brothers were threatened by their lives, they sought Agni's assistance in their time of need. Agni, pleased with their hymns and remembering their father's request, agreed to help them by consuming the forest of Khandava, where they were facing danger from the cats.
Agni, pleased with Drona's hymn, agreed to help them by consuming the forest. The brothers requested Agni to destroy the cats that were causing them trouble every day. Agni, growing in strength, began to consume the forest of Khandava as per the brothers' request. Agni's flames blazed forth, consuming everything in its path, including the cats and their friends and relatives. The brothers were saved from danger with Agni's help.
The brothers had praised Agni and sought his protection through hymns, which pleased the god of fire. Agni remembered their father Mandapala's request to spare his sons while consuming the forest. Agni fulfilled his promise to the brothers and consumed the forest of Khandava, saving them from the imminent danger they were facing. The brothers' faith and devotion to Agni ultimately led to their salvation and protection from harm.
Through their prayers and hymns, the brothers established a strong connection with Agni, the god of fire. Agni recognized their sincerity and devotion, which moved him to fulfill their request for protection. Agni's power and strength were evident as he consumed the forest of Khandava, eliminating the threat that the brothers were facing. The brothers' belief in Agni's ability to save them proved to be well-founded as they were safely rescued from harm.
In times of trouble and danger, the brothers turned to Agni for help and protection. Agni, pleased with their hymns and devotion, answered their prayers and saved them from the impending threat they were facing. The brothers' faith and trust in Agni's power ultimately led to their safety and deliverance from harm. Agni's intervention and consumption of the forest of Khandava showcased his strength and ability to protect those who seek his assistance.
Full English translation:
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Section CCXXXIV, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 31,635 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CCXXXIV:
What did the brothers pray to Agni for, and how did Agni respond?
The brothers prayed to Agni for protection from impending danger, and Agni agreed to spare them. He was pleased by their hymns and promised to fulfill their request.
Why did the brothers offer eulogistic hymns to Agni?
The brothers offered hymns to Agni as they believed he could protect them from danger. They revered Agni as the giver of heat and sustainer of the universe, seeking his divine intervention.
What was Agni asked to do by Drona, and how did Agni respond?
Drona asked Agni to consume the cats that were troubling them. Agni agreed to Drona's request and began to burn the forest of Khandava as a solution to their problem.
Daily life: Sons of Mandapala Eulogize Agni for Protection:
The story shared above offers profound insights that can be applied to our daily lives, emphasizing wisdom, protection, and the essence of life's cyclical nature. It teaches us the importance of staying aware and prepared for life's inevitable end, suggesting that such preparedness brings peace at life's final moments. By highlighting how only a few among many become truly wise and brave, it encourages a pursuit of wisdom and courage in our own lives.
The narrative also underlines the role of the eldest or those in leadership in providing protection and guidance, a reminder of the responsibility that comes with being a caretaker or a leader. The plea to the fire god by the youngest is a powerful metaphor for seeking protection and help from a higher power or community in times of danger or need.
From this, we can derive that in our everyday life, staying conscious of our mortality can motivate us to live more fully and wisely. It also stresses the importance of community and leadership in providing support and guidance. Furthermore, the act of seeking help and showing gratitude towards those who aid us is vital.
The story concludes with a reminder of the power of words and the importance of fulfilling promises. It shows that even in desperate times, expressing our needs respectfully can lead to support and protection from unexpected quarters. In summary, life is a blend of self-preparation, responsibility towards others, and the necessity of seeking and appreciating help, all underpinned by the natural cycles of creation and destruction.