The Mahabharata/Book 1: Adi Parva/Section 226

Section CCXXVI. ( Khāndava-daha Parva continued. )

Vaisampayana said, "Then Havyavāhana (Agni) in anger and disappointment, with his ailment uncured, went back to the Grand-sire. And he represented unto Brahmā all that had happened. And the illustrious deity, reflecting for a moment, said unto him, 'O sinless one, I see a way by which thou mayst consume the forest of Khándava to-day in the very sight of Indra! O Vivāvasu, those old deities, Nara and Nārāyana, have become incarnate in the world of men to accomplish the business of the celestials. And they are called on earth Arjuna and Vāsudeva. They are even now staying in the forest of Khāndava. Solicit them for aiding thee in consuming that forest. Thou shalt then consume the forest even if it be protected by the celestials. They will certainly prevent the population of Khāndava from escaping, and thwart Indra also (from aiding any one in the escape). I have no doubt in this.' And hearing these words, Agni came with haste unto Krishna and Pārtha. And, O king, I have already told thee what he said having approached the illustrious pair. And, O tiger among kings, hearing those words of Agni who was desirous of consuming the forest of Khāndava against the will of Indra, Vivatshu said unto him these words well suited to the occasion. 'I have numberless excellent celestial weapons with which I can fight even many wielders of the thunder-bolt. But, O exalted one, I have no bow suited to the strength of my arms, and capable of bearing the strength I may put forth in battle. In consequence of the lightness of my hand also, I require arrows that must not be exhausted. But my car is scarcely able to bear the load of arrows that I would desire to keep by me. I desire also celestial horses of pure white, possessing the speed of the wind; and a car possessing the splendour of the Sun and the roar of whose wheels should be as that of the clouds. Then again, there is no weapon suited to Krishna's energy and with which Māhadeva can slay Nāgas and Pisāchas. O exalted one, it behoveth thee to give us the means by which success may be achieved and by which we may thwart Indra from pouring his showers upon that extensive forest. O Pāvaka, we are ready to do all that manliness and prowess may do. But, O exalted one, it behoveth thee to give us the adequate means!'"

Thus endeth the two hundred and twenty-sixth Section in the Khāndava-dāha of the Adi Parva.