Devalok
From the epics · 1 telling · Pan-India

Agni carries Indra's message to Marutta

Who is in it

Texts: Mahabharata

The story, beat by beat

  1. Brihaspati is jealous that Samvarta will officiate at King Marutta's sacrifice.
  2. Indra sends Agni to offer Brihaspati as priest in exchange for immortality.
  3. Marutta receives Agni with honour but keeps Samvarta.
  4. Samvarta threatens to burn Agni with his eyes if he returns.
  5. Agni comes back trembling like ashvattha leaves and refuses to go again.
  6. Indra mocks the idea that fire can be burnt; Agni reminds him how Chyavana once overpowered him.

messenger fear brahmin power

How it is told, place by place

Base telling · Primary text (translation)

Mahabharata, Ashvamedhika Parva 9

Pan-India All traditions

Indra sends Agni to King Marutta to press Brihaspati on him as priest. Marutta declines, and the sage Samvarta warns Agni that he will burn him with his glance if he comes again. Agni returns shaking and will not go a second time, telling Indra that the might of brahmins is greater than a god's and recalling Chyavana and the monster Mada.

The Mahabharata, tr. K. M. Ganguli (1883-96), sections read for the Vedic layer § ashvamedhika.9

Sources: The Mahabharata, tr. K. M. Ganguli (1883-96), sections read for the Vedic layer

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