GEMS from KHANDAV episode.
1] Fire versus Water:
Agni (Fire God) sought Arjun’s assistance to burn Khandav forest. His main opponent was Indra (Rain God) who could have saved Khandav from burning. Yet Arjun kept Indra at bay even as Agni consumed Khandav.
Thus, a mortal human being Arjun won the battle for one demi-God against another demi-God. Infact, against several demi-Gods, considering Indra was assisted by Yama, Kubera etc with their deadly celestial weapons.
A fascinating parallel occurs in TROJAN WAR. Compare this to Achilles’ aristeia (great heroic moment).
In Trojan war, the angry river Skamandros attacked Achilles for filling its water with corpses. When Poseidon & Athena intervened on behalf of Achilles, Skamandros called upon his tributaries to drown Achilles. Goddess Hera then asked her son to bring FIRE to combat the WATER force of the rivers. Finally, fire defeated river.
In Trojan war, ACHILLES won because of fire.
In Khandav, fire won because of ARJUN.
Achilles episode seems to say, ‘Gods are stronger than mortals.’ Khandav episode aims to say, ‘Mortal heroes can triumph over demi-Gods’.
2] The FATHER-SON conflict: Khandav episode begins with a fierce battle between father Indra and son Arjun. It ends with Indra vanquished by his son – and delighted by his defeat! The battle establishes Arjun’s heroism in Indra’s eyes - and what can give greater joy to a father?
This episode perhaps lays the foundation for the future, when Indra would need Arjun’s skillful valor to defeat Nivatkavacha and Kalakeya armies.
The closest parallel echoes later on in Arjun’s life, when his own son Babruvahan challenged Arjun to a duel during the Ashwamedha campaign.
3] The Khandav episode also highlights the NON-DIVINE aspect of KRISHNA.
In this battle, Krishn is very much a mortal. He too needs and obtains weapons (Sudarshan-chakra) from Agni. Unlike Kurukshetra Krishn is not a divine charioteer guide but Arjun’s equal partner in Khandav battle. The only boon he seeks from Indra is ‘Eternal friendship with Arjuna.’
4] Fascinating PERSONALITY of Arjun: While the ablaze Khandav is testimony to Arjun’s warrior skills, it also reveals his chivalrous nature. He shows generosity and mercy when he spares the life of Mayasura. Subsequently Mayasura builds Mayasabha for the Pandavas.
Thus Indra’s son plays a pivotal role in creating Indraprastha for his family.
Source - ‘ARJUNA IN THE MAHABHARATA’ a PhD thesis conducted by Ruth Cecily Katz at Harvard University 1980.
- SVS
1] Fire versus Water:
Agni (Fire God) sought Arjun’s assistance to burn Khandav forest. His main opponent was Indra (Rain God) who could have saved Khandav from burning. Yet Arjun kept Indra at bay even as Agni consumed Khandav.
Thus, a mortal human being Arjun won the battle for one demi-God against another demi-God. Infact, against several demi-Gods, considering Indra was assisted by Yama, Kubera etc with their deadly celestial weapons.
A fascinating parallel occurs in TROJAN WAR. Compare this to Achilles’ aristeia (great heroic moment).
In Trojan war, the angry river Skamandros attacked Achilles for filling its water with corpses. When Poseidon & Athena intervened on behalf of Achilles, Skamandros called upon his tributaries to drown Achilles. Goddess Hera then asked her son to bring FIRE to combat the WATER force of the rivers. Finally, fire defeated river.
In Trojan war, ACHILLES won because of fire.
In Khandav, fire won because of ARJUN.
Achilles episode seems to say, ‘Gods are stronger than mortals.’ Khandav episode aims to say, ‘Mortal heroes can triumph over demi-Gods’.
2] The FATHER-SON conflict: Khandav episode begins with a fierce battle between father Indra and son Arjun. It ends with Indra vanquished by his son – and delighted by his defeat! The battle establishes Arjun’s heroism in Indra’s eyes - and what can give greater joy to a father?
This episode perhaps lays the foundation for the future, when Indra would need Arjun’s skillful valor to defeat Nivatkavacha and Kalakeya armies.
The closest parallel echoes later on in Arjun’s life, when his own son Babruvahan challenged Arjun to a duel during the Ashwamedha campaign.
3] The Khandav episode also highlights the NON-DIVINE aspect of KRISHNA.
In this battle, Krishn is very much a mortal. He too needs and obtains weapons (Sudarshan-chakra) from Agni. Unlike Kurukshetra Krishn is not a divine charioteer guide but Arjun’s equal partner in Khandav battle. The only boon he seeks from Indra is ‘Eternal friendship with Arjuna.’
4] Fascinating PERSONALITY of Arjun: While the ablaze Khandav is testimony to Arjun’s warrior skills, it also reveals his chivalrous nature. He shows generosity and mercy when he spares the life of Mayasura. Subsequently Mayasura builds Mayasabha for the Pandavas.
Thus Indra’s son plays a pivotal role in creating Indraprastha for his family.
Source - ‘ARJUNA IN THE MAHABHARATA’ a PhD thesis conducted by Ruth Cecily Katz at Harvard University 1980.
- SVS
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