O king, the reason why Agni, the carrier of offerings, burned Khandava so wrathfully is no minor matter. I, too, am eager to hear in detail how, in ancient times, the burning of Khandava came to pass. Please, O sage, recount the tale faithfully. Listen, O lord of the earth, as I relate the story exactly as it was, the reason Agni set fire to Khandava. Now I shall tell you this ancient tale, praised by sages—the story of the destruction of Khandava. It is said, O king, that long ago there lived a renowned ruler named Shvetaki, whose power and valor equaled that of Hari and Haya. Shvetaki was wise, unmatched in performing sacrifices and giving gifts. He undertook a twelve-year vow of sacrifice, during which countless great sages and thousands of Brahmins learned in the Vedas gathered at his rituals. He worshipped with grand sacrifices and rites, accompanied by generous gifts. Day after day, the king’s sole thought was the commencement of sacrificial rites and the giving of various gifts. Thus, Shvetaki, wise and steadfast, performed the rites together with the officiating priests. But as time passed, the priests’ eyes became afflicted by smoke, and wearied by the long duration, they abandoned the king. Shvetaki sought to appease them, but their sight impaired, they could no longer perform the sacrifice. With their consent, he completed the session with other Brahmins and officiating priests. Yet, as he continued his sacrificial endeavors, desiring to perform a great sacrifice in every season for a hundred years, the priests did not consent to gather again for the great-souled king. Despite his fame, Shvetaki made tremendous efforts, along with his friends, using reverence, conciliation, and gifts. He persistently entreated the priests, tirelessly, but those of immeasurable energy did not fulfill his intention. Filled with anger, the royal sage spoke to the ascetics: “If I have failed in service, O Brahmins, then quickly abandon me and regard me with contempt. Yet you should not destroy my faith in sacrifice today. To cast me aside without cause, O best of twice-born, is not fitting. Since I have taken refuge with you, O Brahmins, you ought to show me favor. With words of conciliation, gifts, and the like, in accordance with truth and propriety, I shall declare what is to be done, O best of Brahmins. Otherwise, if I am abandoned by you out of enmity, I shall go to other priests for the purpose of sacrifice.” Having spoken thus, Shvetaki fell silent, scorcher of foes, when they were unable to officiate at his sacrifice. Then the priests, angered, spoke to him: “Your sacrificial work, O foremost of kings, is unceasing. We are exhausted, constantly engaged in ritual work; being worn out from this labor, you ought not to abandon us. With deluded understanding and undue haste, O faultless one, go to Rudra yourself; let him officiate your sacrifice, if he can endure you.” Hearing these reproachful words, the white-haired king, enraged, journeyed to Mount Kailāsa and undertook severe austerity. Restrained and firm in his vows, Shvetaki worshipped Mahādeva, devoted to fasting, and remained in penance for a long time. Sometimes on the twelfth day, sometimes even on the sixteenth, he took food—only roots and fruits. With arms raised, unblinking, standing motionless like a pillar, King Shvetaki remained fully concentrated for six months. As this tiger among kings performed such great austerity, O Bhārata, Śaṅkara, greatly pleased, revealed himself to Shvetaki. The Blessed Lord spoke to him with a gentle and deep voice: “I am pleased with your austerity, O tiger among men, scorcher of foes. Choose a boon, O fortunate one, whatever you desire.” Having heard these words of Rudra, the royal sage bowed to the great-souled one and replied: “If the Blessed Lord, revered by all worlds, is pleased with me, O Lord of gods, O ruler of the immortals, please yourself cause me to perform the sacrifice.” The Blessed Lord, pleased, first smiled and spoke: “It does not fall within our domain to officiate at sacrifices. But you, O king, seeker of boons, have performed great austerity. I will cause you to be initiated into the sacrifice at the proper time, scorcher of foes. For twelve years, O king, if you, steadfast in discipline, continually satisfy the fire with streams of clarified butter, whatever desire you seek from me, you shall obtain.” Thus addressed by Rudra, Shvetaki did all as commanded by the trident-wielder. When twelve years were complete, Mahādeva returned again. Seeing the king, Śaṅkara, benefactor of the worlds, spoke with great satisfaction to Shvetaki, the best of kings.