Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c4.1048

c4.1048

Once when Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa were sitting on the banks of the river Yamunā, Agni approached them and requested them to help him burn the forest of Khāṇḍavadāha. They agreed to help him and Agni started burning the forest. Indra poured rains over the fire; Arjuna created a canopy of arrows and prevented the rains from falling down. Aśvasena, son of Takṣaka tried to escape from the fire but Arjuna obstructed his way by arrows. Then Aśvasena's mother swallowed him and kept him in her stomach. Arjuna cut off her head. Seeing this Indra sent a cyclone to smash the canopy of arrows and Arjuna fell fainting. Taking the opportunity Aśvasena escaped. When Arjuna woke up from his unconscious state he found Aśvasena missing. Then Arjuna cursed him thus : "Let not you get refuge anywhere." (Chapter 226, Ādi Parva, M.B.).