When the Pandavas went to Khandava, they had to burn the forest to build the city of Indraprastha there. In the fire the wife of Takshaka, the serpent, was burnt to death. Takshaka and his son Aswasena escaped. Indra was Takshaka’s friend and was very angry. He came to battle but a voice from heaven told him that Takshaka was safely outside the forest. So, he made peace with Krishna and Arjuna. Among the demons that came out of the forest was Mayasura. Krishna was sure to kill him so he sought shelter with Arjuna. Once the fire was over, Mayasura thanked Arjuna and prepared a beautiful assembly hall for the court of Yudhishthira at Indraprastha. For Bhima, he gave a heavy mace and to Arjuna he presented Devadatta, a conch that was to create such terror in the hearts of warriors at Kurukshetra.
Arjuna and Mayasura
