Vaisa mpayana continued,"Thus addressed by Drona-that utterer of Brahma-Agni, well-pleased at what he beard, and remembering also the promise he had made to Mandapala, replied unto him, saying, "Thou art a Rishi, O Drona ! For what thou hast said is Brahma (Vedic truth). I shall do your pleasure. Fear not! Indeed, Mandapala had spoken to me of you to the effect that I should spare bis sons, while consuming the forest. The words he spoke and thy speech also are entitled to great weight to me. Say what I am to do. O best of Brahma. pas, I have been greatly pleased with thy hymn. Blest be thou, O Brahmana!'
"Drona said, 'O Sukra, these cats trouble us every day. O Hutashana ; consume them with their friends and relatives !
Vaisampayana continued, -"Then Agni did what the Sharngas asked him to do, telling them of his intentions. And, O Janamejaya, growing in strength, he began then to consume the forest of Khandava.'
Thus ends the two hundred and thirty-fourth section in the Khandava-daha Parva of the Adi Parva.
SECTION CCXXXV
(Khandava-daha Parva continued)
Vaisampayana said, thou of Kuru's race, the Rishi Mandapala became very anxious about his children, although he had spoken of them to the god of Gierce rays. Indeed, his mind was not in peace. Distressed on account of bis sons, he addressed Lapita (his second wife with whom he then was), saying.--'O Lapita as my children are incapable of the power of moving, how are they? When the fire will grow in strength and the wind begin to blow violently, my children will scarcely be able to save themselves! How shall their mother be able to rescue them? That innocent woman will be afflicted with great sorrow when she will find herself unable to save her offspring! Oh, how she will, compose herself, uttering various lamentations on account of my children who are all incapable of taking wing or rising up into the air! Oh, how is Jaritari my son and how is Sarisrikka, and how is Stam vamitra, and how is Drona, and how also is their helpless mother!'
"Unto the Rishi Mandapala thus weeping in the forest, Lapita, O Bharata, thus replied, under the influence of jealousy.--Thou hast no anxiety on account of thy children who, as thou hast assured me, are all Rishis endued with energy and prowess! They can have no fear from fre. Didst thou not speak to Agni in my presence, in their behalf ?
