Gratified with large quantities of flesh, blood, and fat, the flames rose
up to a great height without a curling wreath of smoke. Hutasana (fire-
god) with blazing and coppery eyes, and flaming tongue and large mouth,
and the hair on the crown of his head all fiery, drinking, with the help
of Krishna and Arjuna, that nectar-like stream of animal fat, became
filled with joy. Gratified greatly, Agni derived much happiness.
"And it so happened that the slayer of Madhu suddenly beheld an Asura of
the name of Maya escaping from the abode of Takshaka. Agni having Vayu for
his car-driver, assuming a body with matted locks on head, and roaring
like the clouds, pursued the Asura, desirous of consuming him. Beholding
the Asura, Vasudeva stood with his weapon upraised, ready to smite him
down, seeing the discus uplifted and Agni pursuing from behind to burn him,
Maya said 'Run to me, O Arjuna, and protect me!' Hearing his affrighted
voice Arjuna said, 'Fear not!' That voice of Arjuna, O Bharata, seemed to
give Maya his life. As the merciful son of Pritha said unto Maya that
there was nothing to fear, he of the Dasarha race no longer desired to
slay Maya who was the brother of Namuchi, and Agni also burned him not.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Protected from Indra by Krishna and Partha, Agni
gifted with great intelligence, burned that forest for five and ten days.
And while the forest burned Agni spared only six of its dwellers, viz.,
Aswasena, Maya, and four birds called Sarngakas.
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