thus replied to, said unto those heroes who were enquiring after the kind of food he sought, ’I do not desire to eat ordinary food.  Know that I am Agni!  Give me that food which suiteth me.  This forest of Khandava is always protected by Indra.  And as it is protected by the illustrious one, I always fail to consume it.  In that forest dwelleth, with his followers and family, a Naga, called Takshaka, who is the friend of Indra.  It is for him that the wielder of the thunderbolt protecteth this forest.  Many other creatures also are thus protected here for the sake of Takshaka.  Desiring to consume the forest I succeed not in my attempts in consequence of Indra’s prowess.  Beholding me blazing forth, he always poureth upon me water from the clouds.  Therefore, I succeed not in consuming the forest of Khandava, although I desire very much to do so.  I have now come to you—­you who are both skilled in weapons!  If you help me I will surely consume this forest:  for even this is the food that is desired by me!  As ye are conversant with excellent weapons, I pray you to prevent those showers from descending and any of the creatures from escaping, when I begin to consume this forest!’

“Janamejaya said, ’Why did the illustrious Agni desire to consume the forest of Khandava that was filled with various living creatures and protected by the chief of the celestials?  When Agni consumed in wrath the forest of Khandava, it is evident there was a grave cause.  I desire, O Brahmana, to hear all this in detail from thee.  Tell me, O sage, how the Khandava forest was consumed in days of yore.’

“Vaisampayana said, ’O chief of men, I will narrate to you the story of the conflagration of Khandava as told by Rishis in the Purana.  It hath been heard, O king, in the Purana that there was a celebrated king of the name of Swetaki who was endued with strength and prowess and who was equal unto Indra himself.  No one on earth has equalled him in sacrifices, charity, and intelligence.  Swetaki performed the five great sacrifices and many others, at all of which the presents unto Brahmanas were large.  The heart of that monarch, O king, was always set upon sacrifices, religious rites, and gifts of all kinds.  And king Swetaki of great intelligence, assisted by his Ritwiks performed sacrifices for many long years, till those sacrificial priests with eyes afflicted by the continued smoke and becoming very weak, left that monarch, wishing never more to assist at his sacrifices.  The king, however, repeatedly asked those Ritwiks to come to him.  But they came not to his sacrifice in consequence of the painful state of their eyes.  The king, therefore, invited at the command of his own Ritwiks, others like unto them, and completed the sacrifice that he had begun.  After some days had elapsed, king Swetaki desired to perform another sacrifice which should extend for a hundred years.  But the illustrious monarch obtained not any priest to assist him in it.  The celebrated