Arjuna, ever gracious in speech and bearing, displayed a courtesy so rare that even the wandering celestials marvelled at his conduct and joined mortals in their praise. When the tale reached King Janamejaya, he turned to the sage Vyāsampāyana and said, “O treasure-house of wisdom, tell me how the sons of the sage Mandapāla were saved from the consuming fire.”
The sage began: “In a time long past, Mandapāla, firm in celibacy, performed austere penance through countless years. So intense was his discipline that he cast aside the gross body and, by the subtle power of yoga, ascended to the celestial regions. Yet the gods denied him lasting stay. Astonished, he asked, ‘What hinders me from the bliss of the higher worlds?’ The immortals replied, ‘O holy one, the path to heaven is not won by asceticism alone. You must continue the line of life. Beget children, for thus is the ancient Vedic order fulfilled.’
“Discerning their command, the sage returned to earth and pondered how to gain sons swiftly. He saw that among the winged creatures fruitfulness is quick and sure. Taking the form of a male bustard-quail, he sought the gentle bird Jārithā and from their union were born four sons—Jaritari, Sarisṛkka, Sthambamitra, and Droṇa—each destined to be rich in divine knowledge. Mandapāla bade them dwell in the Khandava forest, and one day, with his mate Lapitā, he beheld Agni preparing to set that forest aflame.
“Then the sage lifted his voice in flawless chant of the Agni-sūkta: ‘O Giver of warmth and comfort to all worlds, embodiment of pure Dharma, preserve my fledglings that rest in this wood.’ Agni, moved by the Vedic praise, gave his word to spare the tender brood. Their wings unformed, their limbs still weak, they quailed before the coming blaze. The mother, her heart torn, cried, ‘How can I bear you away? How you leave to this fate?’
“But Mandapāla counselled her: ‘The fire comes swiftly. Hide them in a hollow of the earth; I shall seal it with sanctified dust, beyond the reach of flame.’ Jārithā’s young, though soft orbs of flesh, spoke with wisdom beyond their age: ‘Mother, if we creep into the hole, wild rats will devour us alive; if we remain, the fire may consume us, yet by the grace of the gods, the wind may beat the flame and save us. Better a brief agony with the hope of deliverance than the certain cruelty of the rat. Go you hence; if we perish, you shall yet bring forth other children. If we are spared, your merit shall protect us still.’
“With eyes brimming, the mother took wing. The four nestlings raised their voices in solemn hymn, as though Brahmā himself chanted with his four faces, and prayed to Agni for mercy. Remembering the promise given to Mandapāla, the Fire-God passed over the tree where the young Sarangavas rested, leaving it untouched. Jārithā returned and found her children unharmed.
“Meanwhile, Mandapāla, knowing that Agni had consumed the forest, feared for his wife and sons. He said to Lapitā, ‘How shall the tender fledglings without wings escape the pitiless flame? Perhaps Agni has forgotten his vow, or remembers yet neglects to keep it; for fire, relentless in its nature, devours all.’ Lapitā gently reproved him: ‘My lord, have you forgotten? Agni pledged to spare them. Your heart is captive to the bird-mother and you suffer needless sorrow. She can fly where she will; dismiss this doubt.’ Mandapāla smiled: ‘Even the wisest women are touched by sudden jealousy. Not even Arundhati was free of it toward the great Vasistha. Such is the way of nature.’
“Leaving Lapitā, he hastened to Khandava and found Jārithā and the children safe. Thus, freed from care, he ascended once more to the higher worlds. Agni, his indisposition ended, bestowed abundant blessings upon Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna. Then mighty Indra, lord of the heavens, came with the host of gods. He embraced Kṛṣṇa and his heroic son Arjuna, and in delight he gave to Arjuna the divine missiles—Agneya, Vāruṇa, Vāyavya, and many another celestial weapon. To Kṛṣṇa he said, ‘Never withhold thy favour from my son.’ Having spoken, Indra returned to his radiant realm.
“Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa came back to Dharmarāja and told of the burning of Khandava, of Maya the great architect whom they had befriended, and of all the wonders they had beheld. Thus, they dwelt in Hastināpura in serene content. For every trial, when met with steadfast mind and harmony of purpose, becomes itself a hidden blessing; and so, did Arjuna turn each challenge into the very gateway of future triumph.”
