(Khandava-daha Parva continued)
"Vaisampayana said, 'Then Havyavahana (Agni) in anger and disappointment,
with his ailment uncured, went to the Grandsire. And he represented unto
Brahman all that had happened: The illustrious deity, reflecting for a
moment, said unto him, "O sinless one, I see a way by which thou mayest
consume the forest of Khandava today in the very sight of Indra. Those old
deities, Nara and Narayana, have become incarnate in the world of men to
accomplish the business of the celestials. They are called on earth Arjuna
and Vasudeva. They are even now staying in the forest of Khandava. 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 Khandava from escaping, and thwart Indra also
(in aiding any one in the escape). I have no doubt of this!" Hearing these
words, Agni came in haste unto Krishna and Partha. O king, I have already
told thee what he said, having approached the illustrious pair. O tiger
among kings, hearing those words of Agni who was desirous of consuming the
forest of Khandava against the will of Indra, Vibhatsu 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 thunderbolt. But,
O exalted one, I have no bow suited to the strength of my arms, and
capable of bearing the might I may put forth in battle. In consequence of
the lightness of my hands also I require arrows that must never be
exhausted. My car also is scarcely able to bear the load of arrows that I
would desire to keep by me. I desire celestial steeds of pure white,
possessing the speed of the wind; and a car possessing the splendour of
the sun and the clatter of whose wheels should resemble the roar of the
clouds. Then, there is no weapon suited to Krishna's energy and with which
Madhava can slay Nagas and Pisachas. O exalted one, it behoveth thee to
give us the means by which success may be achieved and by which we may
thwart Indra in pouring his showers upon that extensive forest. O Pavaka,
we are ready to do all that manliness and prowess can do. But, O exalted
one, it behoveth thee to give us the adequate means."'"