Once, a pious king performed a continuous fire sacrifice to Lord Shiva for one month, offering huge amounts of ghee. Lord Agni, who consumed all the ghee, became saturated and pale, losing all his luster. Seeking to regain his strength, Agni wanted to burn something substantial to consume all the ghee and restore his radiance. Agni approached Lord Brahma for help, who advised him to burn the Khandava forest, destined by Providence to be burnt.
The Khandava forest was home to many poisonous snakes and demons, all of whom were destined to be vanquished by the fire. Feeling relieved, Agni began to set the forest ablaze. However, Indra, the king of the gods, was upset by this act because his close friend Takshaka, a serpent, lived in the forest. To protect Takshaka, Indra summoned powerful rain clouds to douse the fire, and the snakes and demons of the forest attacked Agni.
Unable to withstand the combined assault, Agni once again sought Lord Brahma’s help. Brahma advised him to seek the assistance of Krishna and Arjuna, the dual warriors who could help him overcome this predicament. Agni approached Krishna and Arjuna, who agreed to help on the condition that they be provided with the necessary weapons.
Krishna and Arjuna to the Rescue
Agni presented Krishna with the Sudarshana Chakra (an eternal companion of the Lord, symbolically given to please His devotees) and a magnificent chariot. He gave Arjuna the Gandiva bow. With these divine weapons, Krishna and Arjuna prepared to assist Agni. Krishna used the Sudarshana Chakra to fend off the demons and snakes, while Arjuna built a roof of arrows over the forest, preventing even a single drop of Indra’s rain from falling on the fire.
Despite Indra’s best efforts, his rain clouds were shattered by Arjuna’s Vayu Astra (wind weapon), and Agni was able to burn the forest as intended. Pleased with Krishna and Arjuna’s valor, Indra realized that fighting them was futile and admitted his defeat. At that moment, a voice from the sky informed Indra that Takshaka had moved to Kurukshetra with his family before the forest fire, ensuring his safety. Relieved, Indra ceased his efforts to stop Agni and acknowledged Krishna and Arjuna’s prowess.
Krishna’s Unique Benediction
Indra, pleased with Krishna and Arjuna, offered them any benedictions they desired. Arjuna requested many divine weapons and the knowledge to control them, which Indra granted. When Krishna was asked for His boon, He made a beautiful and profound request:
vaasudevo 'pi jagraaha / preetim paarthena shaasvateem
dadau ca tasmai devendras / tam varam preetimaams tadaa
“The all-intelligent Lord Vasudeva asked for the benediction, ‘Let My love (Preeti) for Arjuna be eternal and uninterrupted.’ Devendra was so pleased with this benediction and he granted that.”
Moral of the Story
The story highlights the significance of pure devotional service and the Lord’s reciprocal love for His devotees. Krishna, despite being self-sufficient and all-powerful, desires to have unlimited love for His pure devotees. This teaches us that the ultimate goal of spiritual life is to cultivate pure, unmotivated love for the Lord, free from material desires.
In Srimad Bhagavatam 9.4.64, the Lord expresses this sentiment:
naaham aatmaanam aashaase / mad-bhaktaih saadhubhiri vinaa
shriyam caatyantikeem brahman / yeshaam gatir aham paraa
“O best of the brahmanas, without saintly persons for whom I am the only destination, I do not desire to enjoy My transcendental bliss and My supreme opulences.”
Srila Prabhupada explains that the Supreme Lord, although self-sufficient, seeks the company of His devotees to experience transcendental bliss. Pure devotees, who engage in increasing the Lord’s happiness, are most dear to Him. The Lord’s desire is to increase His devotees, as He wants to share His bliss with more souls.
Conclusion
This narrative teaches us the importance of devotion and the Lord’s unconditional love for His devotees. It shows us that while the Lord fulfills the desires of His devotees, the ultimate benediction is the eternal love and devotion shared between the Lord and His pure devotees.
Let us strive to deepen our devotion and love for the Lord, following the examples set by His pure devotees like Arjuna and Hanuman, and make sincere efforts to engage in the Lord’s service without any material desires.
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
PS: I humbly request all devotees to share this moral and instructive story so that everyone can benefit from hearing about Krishna and His dear devotees.
