The Four Sharngaka Birds Praise Agni to Save Themselves
The Khandava forest fire, ignited by the god Agni, advances toward the nest of four young Sharngaka birds. With their wings not yet grown and no parent to protect them, each brother in turn must find the words to praise the approaching god and remind him of a forgotten promise.
The fire was coming. The Khandava forest was being consumed by Agni, the god of fire, who had been set loose by Krishna and Arjuna to satisfy his hunger. The flames advanced on every side, and in their path was a nest holding four young birds — the Sharngaka brothers, Jaritari, Sarisrikva, Stambamitra, and Drona. Their mother had left them. They did not know their father. Their wings had not yet grown.
As the heat grew and the roar of the blaze drew nearer, the brothers spoke to each other, their voices cutting through the panic.
Jaritari, the eldest, spoke first with the calm of one trying to master fear through reason. "The intelligent man stays awake before difficult times. When the difficult time arrives, there is no suffering at all. But he who is not intelligent and is not sensible knows nothing and suffers because of difficulties when a difficult time arrives."
Sarisrikva answered, acknowledging the truth of their situation. "You are implacable and intelligent. The time has come when our lives are endangered. There is no doubt that only one among many is wise and brave."
Stambamitra, looking to his eldest brother, said, "The eldest is the protector, because the eldest saves in times of difficulty. If the eldest one does not know, what can the younger ones do?"
Then Drona, the youngest, described what he saw. "The one with the golden seed is swiftly advancing towards our abode in flames. The seven tongues of the fire are lean and are eagerly licking."
At these words, Jaritari understood what had to be done. He folded his hands on his forehead in salutation and began to praise the advancing fire.
Jaritari said, "You are the soul of the wind, the purifier. You are the body of the creepers. O virile one! You are the source of the water. The water is also your source. O most powerful one! Your flames are like the rays of the sun and they go above and below, and on every side."
Then Sarisrikva took his turn, his praise turning to a direct plea for refuge. "O you with the clouds in your banner! Our mother has ignored us and we do not know our father. Our wings have still not grown. O Agni! We have no protector but for you. You are the only hero and, therefore, protect us. O Agni! We are seeking refuge with you. In your benevolent form and in your seven flames, therefore, protect us. O Jataveda! You alone are the one that heats. O god! You alone are the one who heats the heavens. O bearer of sacrificial offerings! Protect us young rishis today and bypass this place."
Stambamitra spoke next, his hymn expanding to describe Agni's cosmic nature. "O Agni! You alone are everything. The entire universe is established in you. You sustain all beings and you hold up everything that exists. O Agni! You are the bearer of all sacrificial offerings. You alone are the supreme sacrificial offering. The learned ones offer sacrifices to you, knowing you to be one and many. O bearer of sacrificial offerings! You are the creator of the three worlds. When the time arrives, you kindle them and cook afresh. You are the mother of the entire universe. O Agni! You are the one in whom everything is established again. O lord of the universe! You remain inside and digest the food that beings eat. Everything is established in you and you are always cooking and always expanding."
Finally, Drona, who had first named the danger, offered his praise. "O Jataveda! You are the sun with its rays. You suck up the water from the earth and the juices that are born in the ground. O Shukra! You take them all and return them again in the form of rain when it is time and cause everything to grow. O Shukra! It is from you that the verdant creepers grow again. The ponds, the seas and the giant oceans are born. O you whose rays are piercing! We are always dependent on Varuna. Be benevolent and be our protector. Do not destroy us today. O fire! Your eyes have the colour of copper. Your neck is red and your trail is black. Save us, like the houses on the shores of the ocean."
When Drona of the unsullied deeds had finished, Agni — Jataveda, the all-knowing fire — spoke to him. The hymns had pleased him, and they had stirred a memory. "O Drona! You are a rishi. What you have uttered is the Brahman. I will do what you desire and you have nothing to fear. Mandapala had mentioned all this to me earlier and had asked me to spare his sons when I consumed the forest. The word that I gave him and the words that you have just spoken are both of great importance. Therefore, tell me what I should do. O fortunate one! O brahmana! O illustrious one! I am extremely pleased with your praise."
Drona did not ask only for their own lives. He saw an opportunity. "O Shukra! These cats cause us trouble all the time. O bearer of sacrificial offerings! Place them and all their relatives between your teeth."
Agni granted the Sharngaka brothers leave. Then, blazing up, he consumed the cats that had troubled them and turned back to devour the rest of the Khandava forest, leaving the four young birds untouched in their nest.