Mandapala

The sage Mandapala, denied heaven because he has no children, becomes a bird to quickly father sons. He abandons his young family, but when Agni advances to burn the forest where they live, he desperately prays to the fire god, praising him with every sacred name. Pleased, Agni grants his plea and promises to spare the children.

After the forest fire passes, Mandapala goes to his first wife Jarita and their sons, expecting reunion. Instead, he is met with a wall of silence. When he breaks it, Jarita's rebuke is swift: go back to your other wife.

Even after securing the fire god Agni's promise to spare his sons, the sage Mandapala cannot quell his anxiety as the forest blaze rages. His current wife, Lapita, responds not with comfort but with sharp jealousy, accusing him of loving his first wife more and telling him to go to her.

Mandapala returns to his sons, who have been anxiously awaiting him in the burning forest. He explains why he did not come sooner and why they were never in any real danger.