Dāvāgni Grashaṇa

Twice in the 10th Skanda of the Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, in Chapters 17 and 19, Kṛshṇa saves the whole community of Gokula from a great forest fire. Each time the fire breaks out suddenly in the Vṛndāvana forest. Dry growth and wind feed it, and it closes in on the gopas (cowherds) and their cows so that no path is left. Kṛshṇa tells everyone to close their eyes. When they open them, the fire is gone. Bhagavān Kṛshṇa has swallowed it, and for him it was a small act that needed no effort.

The first forest fire (Chapter 17)

The gopas and their cattle had gone deep into the Vṛndāvana forest, farther than usual, looking for fresh grass. They stopped to drink at a pond in the forest.

While they were resting, a fierce forest fire (dāvāgni) broke out suddenly, fanned by the summer wind. In a moment it had closed around them completely. A ring of fire cut off every path. The flames roared, the heat was unbearable, and the smoke blinded and choked them.

The gopas and the cattle pressed together in the middle, afraid, with no way out. They cried out to Kṛshṇa: “O Kṛshṇa! Save us! We have taken shelter in you.”

Kṛshṇa told everyone to close their eyes, and they did. While their eyes were closed, Kṛshṇa swallowed the whole fire. The blazing ring was gone. When the gopas opened their eyes, they stood safe. The fire was gone and the forest was quiet.

They looked at one another, bewildered. Some laughed nervously. Some were filled with wonder they could not put into words. They had not seen what happened. They knew only that the impossible had taken place. (Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skanda, Chapter 17)

The second forest fire (Chapter 19)

The same thing happened a second time in much the same way. The gopas had again gone deep into the forest, and again a fire surrounded them and left no way out. They made the same plea to Kṛshṇa. He gave the same order to close their eyes and swallowed the fire in the same way. They woke to safety in the same bewilderment.

The Bhāgavata tells of this repeat, within the same time of Kṛshṇa’s youth, without comment. (Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skanda, Chapter 19)

Sources

• Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skanda, Chapter 17
• Bhāgavata Mahā Purāṇa, 10th Skanda, Chapter 19