Indraprastha - Clearing of The Surrounding Forest

Clearing of The Surrounding Forest

Mahabharata also has another passage where describing how the surrounding forest of Khandava was burnt by Krishna and Arjuna(Mbh 1.229):- Arjuna covered the forest of Khandava with innumerable arrows like a thick fog. When the sky above that forest was thus covered with the arrows of Arjuna no living creature could then escape from below. It so happened that while that forest was burning, Takshaka, the chief of the Nagas, was not there, having gone at that time to the field of Kurukshetra. But Aswasena, the mighty son of Takshaka, was there. He made great efforts to escape from that fire; but confined by Arjuna’s shafts he succeeded not in finding a way.

The inhabitants of this forest were mentioned as Nagas, Asuras and Rakshasas. They made stiff resistance to Arjuna:- Armed with machines vomiting from their mouths. Iron balls and bullets, and catapults for propelling huge stones, and rockets, they approached to strike Krishna and Arjuna, their energy and strength increased by wrath. But though they rained a perfect shower of weapons, Arjuna, addressing them reproachfully, struck off their heads with his own sharp arrows.

Some of them were displaced and some others were destroyed by this act of Arjuna. Some like the Naga Takshaka became a great enemy of the Kurus due to this incident, culminating in the assassination of Kuru king Parikshit, who was the grandson of Arjuna and subsequently leading to the partial destruction of the race of Nagas at the hands of Kuru king Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit. Some others like Asura, Maya, became an ally of the Pandavas. Maya, to show gratitude to Arjuna for not killing him, made the great palatial sabha (hall) for king Yudhisthira, on the land cleared after burning the Khandava forest.

The following passage in Mahabharata narrates how a wonderful palatial hall was constructed by Asura architect Maya in the area cleared by burning the forest (MBh 2.1,3)

Maya Danava, repeatedly spoke to Arjuna‘O son of Kunti, I am saved by you. I want to return a favor to you'. Arjuna said,‘O great Asura, everything hath already been done by thee (even by this offer of thine). Blest be thou. Go whithersoever thou likest. Be kind and well-disposed towards me, as we are even kind to and well-pleased with thee!’ When Maya persisted Krishna told him:- -‘Let a palatial sabha (meeting hall) as thou choosest, be built (by thee), if thou, O son of Diti, who art the foremost of all artists, desirest to do good to Yudhishthira the just. Indeed, build thou such a palace that persons belonging to the world of men may not be able to imitate it even after examining it with care, while seated within. And, O Maya, build thou a mansion in which we may behold a combination of godly, asuric and human designs.’”

Then Krishna and Partha (Arjuna) after having narrated everything unto king Yudhishthira the just, introduced Maya unto him. Yudhishthira received Maya with respect, offering him the honour he deserved. And, O Bharata, Maya accepted that honour thinking highly of it. That great son of Diti then recited unto the sons of Pandu the history of the Danava Vrisha-parva, and that foremost of artists then, having rested awhile, set himself after much thoughtful planning to build a palace for the illustrious sons of Pandu. Having performed on an auspicious day the initial propitiatory rites of foundation and having also gratified thousands of well-versed Brahmanas with sweetened milk and rice and with rich presents of various kinds, measured out a plot of land five thousand cubits square, which was delightful and exceedingly handsome to behold and which was favourable for construction of a building well-suited to the exigencies of every season.

Then Maya Danava addressed Arjuna, saying ‘I now go with thy leave, but shall come back soon. On the north of the Kailasa peak near the mountains of Mainaka, while the Danavas were engaged in a sacrifice on the banks of Vindu lake, I gathered a huge quantity of delightful and variegated vanda (a kind of rough materials) composed of jewels and gems. This was placed in the mansion of Vrishaparva ever devoted to truth. If it be yet existing, I shall come back, O Bharata, with it. I shall then commence the construction of the delightful palace of the Pandavas, which is to be adorned with every kind of gems.

Maya brought all these materials and built the hall. The palace that Maya built consisted of columns of gold, and occupied, an area of five thousand cubits. The palace, possessing an exceedingly beautiful form, like unto that of Agni or Suryya, or Soma, shone in great splendour, and by its brilliance seemed to darken even the bright rays of the sun. And with the effulgence it exhibited, which was a mixture of both celestial and terrestrial light, it looked as if it was on fire. Like unto a mass of new clouds conspicuous in the sky, the palace rose up coming into view of all. Indeed, the palace that the dexterous Maya built was so wide, delightful, and refreshing, and composed of such excellent materials, and furnished with such golden walls and archways, and adorned with so many varied pictures. And eight thousand Rakshasas called Kinkaras, fierce, huge-bodied and endued with great strength, of red coppery eyes and arrowy ears, well-armed and capable of ranging through the air, used to guard and protect that palace. Within that palace Maya placed a peerless tank, and in that tank were lotuses with leaves of dark-coloured gems and stalks of bright jewels, and other flowers also of golden leaves. And aquatic fowls of various species sported on its bosom. Itself variegated with full-blown lotuses and stocked with fishes and tortoises of golden hue, its bottom was without mud and its water transparent. There was a flight of crystal stairs leading from the banks to the edge of the water. The gentle breezes that swept along its bosom softly shook the flowers that studded it. The banks of that tank were overlaid with slabs of costly marble set with pearls. And beholding that tank thus adorned all around with jewels and precious stones, many kings that came there mistook it for land and fell into it with eyes open. Many tall trees of various kinds were planted all around the palace. Of green foliage and cool shade, and ever blossoming, they were all very charming to behold. Artificial woods were laid around, always emitting a delicious fragrance. And there were many tanks also that were adorned with swans and Karandavas and Chakravakas (Brahminy ducks) in the grounds lying about the mansion. And the breeze bearing the fragrance of lotuses growing in water and (of those growing on land) ministered unto the pleasure and happiness of the Pandavas.