Kiratarjuneeya: Arjuna obtains divine weapons

While the sons of Pandu were thus conversing with each other, there came to that spot the great ascetic Vyasa. As he came, the Pandavas worshipped him duly. Then Vyasa addressing Yudhishthira, said: “O Yudhishthira! Knowing by spiritual insight what is passing in your heart, I have come to you! The fear that is in your heart, arising from Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Drona's son, prince Duryodhana, and Duhshasana, I will dispel, by means of an act enjoined by the ordinance. Hearing it from me, accomplish it you with patience, and having accomplished it, quell this fever of yours soon.”

The son of Parasara then, taking Yudhishthira to a corner, began to address him in words of deep import, saying: “O best of the Bharatas! The time has come for your prosperity, when, indeed Arjuna will slay all your foes in battle. Uttered by me and like unto success personified, accept from me this knowledge called Pratismriti that I impart to you, knowing you are capable of receiving it. Receiving it from you, Arjuna will be able to accomplish his desire. Let Arjuna go unto Rudra, Indra, Varuna, Kubera and Yama for receiving weapons from them. He is competent to behold the gods for his asceticism and prowess. He is even a Rishi of great energy, the friend of Narayana; ancient, eternal a god himself, invincible, ever successful, and knowing no deterioration. Of mighty arms, he will achieve mighty deeds, having obtained weapons from Rudra, Indra and the Lokapalas. Think also of going from this to some other forest that may be fit for your abode. To reside in one place for any length of time is scarcely pleasant. In your case, it might also bring anxiety to the ascetics. As you maintain numerous Brahmanas versed in the Vedas and the several branches thereof, continued residence here might exhaust the deer of this forest, and be destructive of the creepers and plants.”

Having addressed him thus, that illustrious and exalted ascetic Vyasa, of great wisdom, acquired with the mysteries of the world, then imparted unto the willing Yudhishthira, who had meanwhile purified himself, that foremost of sciences. Bidding farewell unto him, Vyasa disappeared then and there.

The virtuous and intelligent Yudhishthira, however, having obtained that knowledge carefully retained it in his mind and always recited it on proper occasions. Glad of the advice given him by Vyasa, he then, leaving the wood Dvaitavana went to the forest of Kamyaka on the banks of the Sarasvati. Numerous Brahmanas of ascetic merit followed him like the Rishis following the chief of the celestials. Arrived at Kamyaka, those Pandavas took up their residence there along with their friends and attendants. Possessed of energy, those heroes lived there for some time, devoted to the exercise of the bow and hearing all the while the chanting of the Vedas. They went about those woods every day in search of deer, armed with pure arrows. They duly performed all the rites in honour of the Pitris, the celestials and the Brahmanas.

After some time, Yudhishthira, remembering the command of Vyasa and calling Arjuna, addressed him in private. Taking hold of Arjuna's hands, with a smiling face and in gentle accents, Yudhishthira, apparently after reflecting for a moment, spoke these words in private: “O Bharata! The whole science of arms dwell in Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, and Drona's son. They fully know all sorts of Brahma, celestial, human and Vayavya weapons, together with the modes of using and warding them off. All of them are conciliated, honoured and gratified by Dhritarashtra's son who behaves unto them as one should behave unto his preceptor. Towards all his warriors Dhritarashtra's son behaves with great affection; and all the chiefs honoured and gratified by him, seek his good in return. Thus honoured by him, they will not fail to put forth their might. The whole earth, besides, is now under Duryodhana's sway, with all the villages and towns, and all the seas, woods and mines! You alone are our sole refuge. On you rests a great burden. I shall, therefore tell you what you are to do now. I have obtained a science from Krishna Dvaipayana. Used by you, that science will expose the whole universe to you. Attentively receive that science from me, and in due time attain the grace of the celestials. Devote yourself to fierce asceticism. Armed with the bow and sword, and cased in mail, betake yourself to austerities and good vows, and go you northwards, without giving way to anybody. All celestial weapons are with Indra. The celestials, from fear of Vritra, imparted at the time all their might to Indra. Gathered together in one place, you will obtain all weapons. Go you unto Indra, he will give you all his weapons. Taking the bow set out this very day in order to behold Purandara.”

Having said this, the exalted Yudhishthira imparted that science unto Arjuna. The elder brother having communicated with due rites the knowledge unto his heroic brother, with speech and body and mind under perfect control, commanded him to depart. At the command of Yudhishthira, the strong-armed Arjuna, taking up the Gandiva as also his inexhaustible quivers, and accoutred in mail and gauntlets and finger-protectors made of the skin of the guana, and having poured oblations into the fire and made the Brahmanas to utter benedictions after gifts, set out with the objects of beholding Indra. Armed with the bow, the hero, at the time of setting out, heaved a sigh and cast a look upwards for achieving the death of Dhritarashtra's sons. Beholding Kunti's son thus armed and about to set out, the Brahmanas and Siddhas and invisible spirits addressed him, saying: “O son of Kunti! Obtain you soon what you wish.” The Brahmanas, also uttering benedictions said: “Achieve the object you have in view. Let victory be truly yours.” Beholding the heroic Arjuna, of thighs stout as the trunks of the Sala, about to set out taking away with him the hearts of all, Draupadi addressed him saying: “O strong-armed one! Let all that Kunti had desired at your birth, and let all that you desire, be accomplished, O Dhananjaya! Let no one amongst us ever again be born in the order of Kshatriyas. I always bow down unto the Brahmanas whose mode of living is mendicancy. This is my great grief that the wretch Duryodhana beholding me in the assembly of princes mockingly called me a cow! Besides this he told me in the midst of that assembly many other hard things. But the grief I experience at parting with you is far greater than any I felt at those insults. Certainly, in your absence, your brothers will while away their waking hours in repeatedly talking of your heroic deeds! If, however, you stay away for any length of time, we shall derive no pleasure from our enjoyments or from wealth. Nay, life itself will be distasteful to us. Our weal, woe, life and death, our kingdom and prosperity, are all dependent on you. I bless you, let success be yours. Your task you will be able to achieve even against powerful enemies. Go to win success with speed. Let dangers be not yours. I bow to Dhatri and Vidhatri! I bless you. Let prosperity be yours. O Dhananjaya! Let Hri, Shree, Kirti, Dhriti, Pushti, Uma, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, all protect you on your way, for you ever worshipped your elder brother and ever obeyed his commands. I bow to the Vasus, the Rudras, Adityas, the Manilas, the Vishvedevas, and the Sadhyas, for procuring your welfare. Be safe from all spirits of mischief belonging to the sky, the earth, and the heaven, and from such other spirits generally.”

Draupadi having uttered these benedictions, ceased. The strong-armed son of Pandu then, having walked round his brothers and round Dhaumya also, and taking up his handsome bow, set out. All creatures began to leave the way that Arjuna of great energy and prowess, urged by the desire of beholding Indra, took. That slayer of foes passed over many mountains inhabited by ascetics, and then reached the sacred Himavat, the resort of the celestials. The high-souled one reached the sacred mountain in one day, for like the winds he was gifted with the speed of the mind, in consequence of his ascetic austerities. Having crossed the Himavat, as also the Gandhamadana, he passed over many uneven and dangerous spots, walking night and day without fatigue. Having reached Indrakila, Arjuna stopped for a moment. Then he heard a voice in the skies, saying, “Stop!” And hearing that voice, he cast his glances all around. And Arjuna, capable of using his left hand with skill equal to that of his right hand, then beheld before him an ascetic under the shade of a tree, blazing with Brahma brilliancy, of a tawny colour, with matted locks, and thin. The mighty ascetic, beholding Arjuna stop at that place, addressed him, saying: “Who are you that arrived here with bow and arrows, and cased in mail and accoutred in scabbard and gauntlet, and evidently wedded to the customs of the Kshatriya? There is no need of weapons here. This is the abode of peaceful Brahmanas devoted to ascetic austerities without anger or joy. There is no use for the bow here, for there is no dispute in this place of any kind. Therefore throw away, O child! this bow of yours. You have obtained a pure state of life by coming here. O hero! there is no man who is like you in energy and prowess.”

That Brahmana thus addressed Arjuna, with a smiling face, repeatedly. But he succeeded not in moving Arjuna, firmly devoted to his purpose. The regenerate one, glad at heart, smilingly addressed Arjuna once more, saying, “O slayer of foes! blessed be you! I am Indra: ask you the boon you desire.” Thus addressed, Arjuna bending his head and joining his hands, replied unto him, saying: “This is the object of my wishes; grant me this boon, O illustrious one! I desire to learn from you all the weapons.” The chief of the celestials, then, smiling, replied unto him cheerfully, saying: “O Dhananjaya! when you have reached this region, what need is there of weapons? You have already obtained a pure state of life. Ask you for the regions of bliss that you desire.” Thus addressed, Arjuna replied unto him saying: “I desire not regions of bliss, nor objects of enjoyment, nor the state of a celestial; what is this talk about happiness? I do not desire the prosperity of all the gods. Having left my brothers behind me in the forest, and without avenging myself on the foe, shall I incur the opprobrium for all ages of all the world." Thus addressed, Indra, consoling him with gentle words, spoke to Arjuna, saying: “When you are able to behold the three-eyed trident-bearing Shiva, the lord of all creatures, it is then, O child! that I will give you all the celestial weapons. Therefore, strive you to obtain the sight of the highest of the gods; for it is only after you have seen him that you will obtain all your wishes.” Having spoken thus unto Arjuna, Indra disappeared then and there, and Arjuna, devoting himself to asceticism, remained at that spot.

Arjuna obtains Pasupata weapon from Shiva

After seeing Indra, the strong-armed Arjuna of great might set out armed with his celestial bow and a sword with golden hilt, for the success of the object he had in view, northwards, towards the summit of the Himavat. That first of all warriors in the three worlds, the son of Indra, with a calm mind, and firmly adhering to his purpose, then devoted himself, without the loss of any time, to ascetic austerities. He entered, all alone, that terrible forest abounding with thorny plants and trees, flowers and fruits of various kinds, and inhabited by winged creatures of various species, and swarming with animals of diverse kinds, and resorted to by Siddhas and Charanas. When Arjuna entered that forest destitute of human beings, sounds of conchs and drums began to be heard in the heavens. A thick shower of flowers fell upon the earth, and the clouds spreading over the firmament caused a thick shade. Passing over those difficult and woody regions at the foot of the great mountains, Arjuna soon reached the breast of the Himavat; and staying there for sometime began to shine in his brilliancy. He beheld there numerous trees with expanding verdure, resounding with the melodious notes of winged warblers. He saw there rivers with currents of the lapis lazuli, broken by the fierce eddies here and there, and echoing with the notes of swans and ducks and cranes. The banks of those rivers resounded with the mellifluous strains of the male Kokilas and the notes of peacocks and cranes. The mighty warrior, beholding those rivers of sacred and pure and delicious water and their charming banks, became highly delighted. The delighted Arjuna of fierce energy and high soul then devoted himself to rigid austerities in that delightful and woody region.

Clad in rags made of grass and furnished with a black deerskin and a stick, he commenced to eat withered leaves fallen upon the ground. He passed the first month, by eating fruits at the interval of three nights; and the second by eating at the interval of the six nights; and the third by eating at the interval of a fortnight. When the fourth month came, he began to subsist on air alone. With arms upraised and leaning upon nothing and standing on the tips of his toes, he continued his austerities. The illustrious hero's locks, in consequence of frequent bathing took the hue of lightning or the lotus.

Then all the great Rishis went together unto Shiva, the god of the Pinaka, for representing unto him about the fierce asceticism of Arjuna. Bowing unto that god of gods, they informed him of Arjuna's austerities saying: “This son of Pritha possessed of great energy is engaged in the most difficult of ascetic austerities on the breast of the Himavat. Heated with his asceticism, the earth is smoking all round, O god of gods! We do not know what his object is for which he is engaged in these austerities. He, however, is causing us pain. It beholds you to prevent him!”

Hearing these words of those munis with souls under perfect control, the lord of all creatures, the husband of Uma said: “It beholds you not to indulge in any grief on account of Arjuna! Return cheerfully and with alacrity to the places whence you have come. I know the desire that is in Arjuna's heart. His wish is not for heaven, nor for prosperity, nor for long life. I will accomplish, today, all that is desired by him.” The truth-speaking Rishis, having heard these words of Mahadeva, became delighted, and returned to their respective abodes.

After all those illustrious ascetics had gone away, that wielder of the Pinaka and cleanser of all sins, the illustrious Hara, assuming the form of a Kirata resplendent as a golden tree, and with a huge and stalwart form like a second Meru, and taking up a handsome bow and a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison, and looking like an embodiment of fire, came quickly down on the breast of Himavat. The handsome god of gods was accompanied by Uma in the guise of a Kirata woman, and also by a swarm of merry spirits of various forms and attire, and by thousands of women in the form and attire of Kiratas. That region suddenly blazed up in beauty, in consequence of the arrival of the god of gods in such company. Soon enough a solemn stillness pervaded the place. The sounds of springs, and water-courses, and of birds suddenly ceased. As the god of gods approached Arjuna, he beheld a wonderful sight, even that of a Danava named Muka, seeking, in the form of a boar, to slay Arjuna. Arjuna, at the sight of the enemy seeking to slay him, took up the Gandiva and a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison. Stringing his bow and filling the air with its twang, he addressed the boar and said, “I have done you no injury. As you seek to slay me, I shall certainly send you to the abode of Yama.”

Beholding Arjuna about to slay the boar, Shankara in the guise of a Kirata suddenly bade him stop saying, “The boar like the mountain of Indrakila in hue has been aimed at by me first”; Arjuna, however, disregarding these words, struck the boar. The Kirata also blazing splendour, let fly an arrow like flaming fire and resembling the thunderbolt at the same object. The arrows thus shot by both fell at the same instant of time upon the wide body of Muka, hard as adamant. The two shafts fell upon the boar with a loud sound, like that of Indra's thunderbolt and the thunder of the clouds falling together upon the breast of a mountain. Muka, thus struck by two shafts which produced numerous arrows resembling snakes of blazing mouths, yielded up his life, assuming once more his terrible Rakshasa form.

Arjuna then beheld before him that person, of form blazing as god, and attired in the dress of a Kirata and accompanied by many women. Beholding him, the son of Kunti with a joyous heart addressed him smilingly and said: “Who are you that thus wanders in these solitary woods, surrounded by women? You of the splendour of gold! Are you not afraid of this terrible forest? Why, again, did you shoot the boar that was first aimed at by me? This Rakshasa that came here, listlessly or with the object of slaying me, had been first aimed at by me. You shall not, therefore, escape from me with life. Your behaviour towards me is not consistent with the customs of the chase. Therefore, O mountaineer! I will take your life.”

Thus addressed by the son of Pandu, the Kirata, smilingly replied unto his capable of wielding the bow with his left hand, in soft words, saying: “O hero! You need not be anxious on my account. This forest land is proper abode for us who always dwell in the woods. Respecting yourself, however, I may inquire, why have you selected your abode here amid such difficulties. We have our habitation in these woods abounding in animals of all kinds. Why do you, so delicate and brought up in luxury and possessed of the splendour of fire, dwell alone in such a solitary region?”

Arjuna said: “Depending on the Gandiva and arrows blazing like fire, I live in this great forest. You have seen how this monster, this terrible Rakshasa, that came here in the form of an animal, has been slain by me.”

The Kirata replied: “This Rakshasa, first struck with the shot from my bow, was killed and sent to the regions of Yama by me. He was first aimed at by me. It is with my shot that he has been deprived of life. Proud of your strength, it beholds you not to impute your own fault to others. You are yourself in fault, O wretch! and, therefore, shall not escape from me with life. Stay you: I will shoot at you shafts like thunderbolts. You too strive and shoot, to the best of your power, your arrows at me.”

Hearing these words of the Kirata, Arjuna became angry, and attacked him with arrows. The Kirata, however, with a glad heart received all those shafts upon himself, repeatedly saying: “Wretch! Shoot the best arrows capable of piercing into the very vitals.”

Thus addressed, Arjuna began to shower his arrows on him. Both of them then became angry and, engaging in fierce conflict, began to shoot at each other showers of arrows, each resembling a snake of virulent poison. Arjuna rained a perfect shower of arrows on the Kirata, Shankara, however, bore that downpour on him with a cheerful heart. But the wielder of the Pinaka, having borne that shower of arrows for a moment, stood unwounded, immovable like a hill. Arjuna, beholding his arrowy shower become futile, wondered exceedingly, repeatedly saying, “Excellent! Excellent! Alas! This mountaineer of delicate limbs, dwelling on the heights of the Himavat, bears, without wavering, the shafts shot from the Gandiva! Who is he? Is he Rudra himself, or some other god, or a Yaksha, or an Asura? The gods sometimes do descend on the heights of the Himavat. Except the god who wields the Pinaka, there is none that can bear the impetuosity of the thousands of arrows shot by me from the Gandiva. Whether he is a god or a Yaksha, in fact, anybody except Rudra, I shall soon send him, with my shafts, to the regions of Yama.”

Thus thinking, Arjuna, with a cheerful heart, began to shoot arrows by hundreds, resembling in splendour the rays of the sun. That downpour of shafts, however, the illustrious Creator of the worlds, the wielder of the trident, bore with a glad heart, like a mountain bearing a shower of rocks. Soon, however, the arrows of Arjuna were exhausted. Noticing this fact, Arjuna became greatly alarmed. The son of Pandu then began to think of the illustrious god Agni who had before, during the burning of the Khandava, given him a couple of inexhaustible quivers. He began to think, “Alas! My arrows are all exhausted. What shall I shoot now from my bow? Who is this person that swallows my arrows? Slaying him with the end of my bow, as elephants are killed with lances, I shall send him to the domains of the mace-bearing Yama.”

The illustrious Arjuna then, taking up his bow and dragging the Kirata with his bow-string, struck him some fierce blows that descended like thunderbolts. When, however, Arjuna commenced the conflict with the end of the bow, the mountaineer snatched from his hands that celestial bow. Beholding his bow snatched from him, Arjuna took up his sword, and wishing to end the conflict, rushed at his foe. Then the Kuru prince, with the whole might of his arms, struck that sharp weapon upon the head of the Kirata, a weapon that was incapable of being resisted even by solid rocks. But that first of swords, at touch of the Kirata's crown, broke into pieces. Arjuna then commenced the conflict with trees and stones. The illustrious god in the form of the huge-bodied Kirata, however, bore that shower of trees and rocks with patience. The mighty son of Pritha then, his mouth smoking with wrath, struck the invincible god in the form of a Kirata, with his clenched fists, blows that descended like thunderbolts. The god in the Kirata form returned Arjuna's blows with fierce blows resembling the thunderbolts of Indra. In consequence of that conflict of blows between Arjuna and the Kirata, there arose in that place loud and frightful sounds. That terrible conflict of blows, resembling the conflict of yore between Vritra and Vasava, lasted but for a moment. The mighty Arjuna, clasping the Kirata, began to press him with his breast; but the Kirata, possessed of great strength pressed the insensible Arjuna with force. In consequence of the pressure of their arms and of their breasts, their bodies began to emit smoke like charcoal in fire. The great god then, smiting the already smitten Arjuna, and attacking him in anger with his full might, deprived him of his senses. Then, Arjuna, thus pressed by the god of the gods, with limbs, besides, bruised and mangled, became incapable of motion and was almost reduced to a ball of flesh. Struck by the illustrious god, he became breathless and, falling down on earth without power of moving, looked like one that was dead.

Soon, however, he regained consciousness, and, rising from his prostrate position, with body covered with blood, became filled with grief. Mentally prostrating himself before the gracious god of gods, and making a clay image of that deity, he worshipped it, with offerings of floral garlands. Beholding, however, the garland that he had offered to the clay image of Shiva, decking the crown of the Kirata, Arjuna became filled with joy and regained his ease. He prostrated himself thereupon at the feet of Shiva, and the god also was pleased with him. Hara, beholding the wonder of Arjuna and seeing that his body had been emaciated with ascetic austerities, spoke unto him in a voice deep as the roaring of the clouds, saying: “O Arjuna! I have been pleased with you for your act is without a parallel. There is no Kshatriya who is equal to you in courage, and patience. Your strength and prowess are almost equal to mine. I have been pleased with you. Behold me! I will grant you eyes to see me in my true form. You were a Rishi before. You will vanquish all your foes, even the dwellers of heaven; I will, as I have been pleased with you, grant you an irresistible weapon. Soon shall you be able to wield that weapon of mine."

Arjuna then beheld him, Mahadeva, that god of blazing splendour, that wielder of the Pinaka, that one who had his abode on the mountains, accompanied by Uma. Bending down on his knee and bowing with his head, Arjuna worshipped Hara and inclined him to grace. Arjuna said: “O Kapardin! O chief of all gods! O destroyer of the eyes of Bhaga! O god of gods! O Mahadeva! O you of blue throat! O you of matted locks! I know you as the Cause of all causes. O you of three eyes! O lord of all! You are the refuge of all the gods! This universe has sprung from you. You are incapable of being vanquished by the three worlds of the celestials, the Asuras, and men. You are Shiva in the form of Vishnu, and Vishnu in the form of Shiva. You destroyed of old the great sacrifice of Daksha. O Hari! O Rudra! I bow to you. You have an eye on your forehead. O Sharva! O you that rains objects of desire! O bearer of the trident! O wielder of the Pinaka! O Surya! O you of pure body! O Creator of all! I bow to you. O lord of all created things! I worship you to obtain your grace. You are the lord of the Ganas, the source of universal blessing, the Cause of the causes of the universe. You are beyond the foremost of male beings, you are the highest, you are the subtlest, O Hara! O illustrious Shankara! It beholds you to pardon my fault. It was to obtain a sight of yourself that I came to this great mountain, which is dear to you and which is the excellent abode of ascetics. You are worshipped of all worlds. O lord! I worship you to obtain your grace. Let not this rashness of mine be regarded as a fault – this combat in which I was engaged with you from ignorance. O Shankara! I seek your protection. Pardon me all I have done.”

Endued with great might, the god whose sign was the bull, taking into his the handsome hands of Arjuna, smilingly replied unto him, saying: “I have pardoned you.” The illustrious Hara, cheerfully clasping Arjuna with his arms, once more consoling Arjuna said as follows.

Mahadeva said: “You were in your former life Nara, the friend of Narayana. In Badari you were engaged in fierce ascetic austerities for several thousands of years. In you as well as in Vishnu, that first of male beings, dwell great might. You both, by your might, hold the universe; taking up that fierce bow whose twang resembled the deep roar of the clouds, you, as well as Krishna, chastised the Danavas during the coronation of Indra. This Gandiva bow which fits for your hands. I snatched it from you, helped by my powers of illusion. This couple of quivers, fit for you, will again be inexhaustible! Your body will be free from pain and disease. Your prowess is incapable of being baffled. I have been pleased with you. Ask of me the boon that you desire. Not even in heaven is there any male being who is equal to you, nor any Kshatriya who is your superior.”

Arjuna said: “O illustrious god! If you will grant me my desire, I ask of you, O lord! that fierce celestial weapon wielded by you and called Brahmashira, that weapon of terrific prowess which destroys, at the end of the Yuga the entire universe, that weapon by the help of which, O god of gods! I may under your grace, obtain victory in the terrible conflict which shall take place between myself, and Karna, Bhishma, Kripa and Drona, that weapon by which I may consume in battle Danavas and Rakshasas and evil spirits and Pishachas, Gandharvas and Nagas, that weapon which when hurled with Mantras produces darts by thousands and fierce-looking maces and arrows like snakes of virulent poison, and by means of which I may fight with Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Karna of ever abusive tongue. O illustrious destroyer of the eyes of Bhaga! This is my foremost desire, that I may be able to fight with them and obtain success.”

Shiva replied: “O powerful one! I will give to you that favourite weapon of mine called the Pasuputa. You are capable of holding, hurling, and withdrawing it. Neither the chief himself of the gods, nor Yama, nor the king of the Yakshas, nor Varuna, nor Vayu, knows it. How could men know anything of it? But, this weapon should not be hurled without adequate cause; for if hurled at any foe of little might, it may destroy the whole universe. In the three worlds with all their mobile and immobile creatures, there is none who is incapable of being slain by this weapon. It may be hurled by the mind, by the eye, by words, and by the bow.”

Hearing these words, Arjuna purified himself. Approaching the lord of the universe with rapt attention, he said, “Instruct me!” Mahadeva then imparted unto that best of Pandu's son the knowledge of that weapon looking like the embodiment of Yama, together with all the mysteries about hurling and withdrawing it. That weapon thence began to wait upon Arjuna as it did upon Shankara, the lord of Uma. Arjuna also gladly accepted it. At the moment the whole earth, with its mountains, woods, trees, seas, forests, villages, towns and mines, trembled. The sounds of conchs, drums and trumpets by thousands began to be heard. At that moment hurricanes and whirlwinds began to blow. The gods and the Danavas beheld that terrible weapon in its embodied form stay by the side of Arjuna of immeasurable energy. Whatever of evil there had been in the body of Arjuna was all dispelled by the touch of the three-eyed deity. The three eyed god then commanded Arjuna, saying: “Go into heaven.” Arjuna then, worshipping the god with bent head, gazed at him, with joined hands. Then the lord of all the dwellers of heaven, the deity of blazing splendour having his abode on mountain-breasts, the husband of Uma, the god of passions under complete control, the source of all blessings, Bhava gave unto Arjuna, the great bow called Gandiva, destructive of Danavas and Pisachas. The god of gods, then leaving that blessed mountain with snowy plateaus and vales and caves, favourite resort of sky-ranging great Rishis, went up, accompanied by Uma into the skies, in the sight of that foremost of men.

The wielder of the Pinaka thus disappeared in the very sight of the gazing son of Pandu, like the sun setting in the sight of the world. Arjuna wondered much at this, saying: “O! I have seen the great god of gods. Fortunate, indeed I am, and much favoured, for I have both beheld and touched with my hand the three-eyed Hara the wielder of the Pinaka, in his boon-giving form. I shall win success. I am already great. My enemies have already been vanquished by me. My purposes have been already achieved.” While the son of Pritha, endued with immeasurable energy, was thinking thus, there came to that place Varuna the god of waters, handsome and of the splendour of the lapis lazuli accompanied by all kinds of aquatic creatures, and filling all the points of the horizon with a blazing effulgence. Accompanied by Rivers both male and female, and Nagas, Daityas, Sadhyas and inferior deities, Varuna, the controller and lord of all aquatic creatures, arrived at that spot. There came also the lord Kubera of body resembling pure gold, seated on his car of great splendour, and accompanied by numerous Yakshas. The lord of treasures, possessed of great beauty, came there to see Arjuna, illuminating the firmament with his effulgence. There came also Yama himself, of great beauty, the powerful destroyer of all the worlds, accompanied by those lords of the creation, the Pitris, both embodied and disembodied. The god of justice, of inconceivable soul, the son of Surya, the destroyer of all creatures, with the mace in hand, came there on his car, illuminating the three worlds with regions of the Guhyakas, the Gandharvas and the Nagas, like a second Surya as he rises at the end of the Yuga. Having arrived there, they beheld, from the effulgent and variegated summits of the great mountain, Arjuna engaged in ascetic austerities. There came in a moment the illustrious Indra also, accompanied by his queen, seated on the back of Airavata, and surrounded also by all the deities. In consequence of the white umbrella being held over his head, he looked like the moon amid fleecy clouds. Eulogised by Gandharvas, and Rishis endued with wealth of asceticism, the chief of the celestials alighted on a particular summit of the mountain, like a second sun.

Then Yama possessed of great intelligence, and fully conversant with virtue, who had occupied a summit on the south, in a voice deep as that of the clouds, said these auspicious words: “Arjuna! Behold us, the protectors of the worlds, arrive here! We will grant you vision, for you deserve to behold us. You were in your former life a Rishi of immeasurable soul, known as Nara of great might. At the command, O child! of Brahma, you have been born among men! By you shall be vanquished in battle the highly virtuous grandsire of the Kurus, Bhishma of great energy, who is born of the Vasus. You shall also defeat all the Kshatriyas of fiery energy commanded by the son of Bharadwaja in battle. You shall also defeat those Danavas of fierce prowess that have been born amongst men, and those Danavas also that are called Nivatakavachas. O Dhananjaya! You shall also slay Karna of fierce prowess, who is even a portion of my father Surya, of energy celebrated throughout the worlds. You shall also slay all the portions of celestials, Danavas and the Rakshasas that have been incarnate on earth. Slain by you, these shall attain to the regions earned by them according to their acts. O Arjuna! The fame of your achievements will last for ever in the world: you have gratified Mahadeva himself in conflict. You shall, with Vishnu himself, lighten the burden of the earth. Accept this weapon of mine, the mace I wield incapable of being baffled by any body. With this weapon you will achieve great deeds.” The son of Pritha then received from Yama that weapon duly, along with the Mantras and rite, and the mysteries of hurling and withdrawing it.

Then Varuna, the lord of all aquatic creatures, blue as the clouds, from a summit he had occupied on the west, uttered these words: “O son of Pritha! You are the foremost of Kshatriyas, and engaged in Kshatriya practices. Behold me! I am Varuna, the lord of waters. Hurled by me, my nooses are incapable of being resisted. Accept of me these Varuna weapons along with the mysteries of hurling and withdrawing them. With these in the battle that ensued of your on account of Taraka, thousands of mighty Daityas were seized and tied. Accept them of me. Even if Yama himself by your foe, with these in your hands, he will not be able to escape from you. When you will armed with these, range over the field of battle, the land, beyond doubt, will be destitute of Kshatriyas.”

After both Varuna and Yama had given away their celestial weapons, the lord of treasures having his home on the heights of Kailasa, then spoke: “O son of Pandu! I too have been pleased with you. This meeting with you gives me as much pleasure as a meeting with Krishna. You were a god before, eternal. In ancient Kalpas, you had every day gone through ascetic austerities along with us. I grant you celestial vision. You will defeat even invincible Daityas and Danavas. Accept of me also without loss of time, an excellent weapon. With this you will be able to consume the ranks of Dhritarashtra. Take then this favourite weapon of mine called Antarddhana. Endued with energy and prowess and splendour, it is capable of sending the foe to sleep. When the illustrious Shankara slew Tripura, this was the weapon which he shot and by which many mighty Asuras were consumed. I take it up for giving it to you. Endued with the dignity of the Meru, you are competent to hold this weapon.” After these words had been spoken, the Kuru prince Arjuna endued with great strength, duly received from Kubera that celestial weapon.

Then the chief of the celestials addressing Pritha's son of ceaseless deeds in sweet words, said, in a voice deep as that the clouds or the kettle-drum “O you mighty-armed son of Kunti! You are an ancient god. You have already achieved the highest success, and acquired the statue of a god. But, you have yet to accomplish the purposes of the gods. You must ascend to heaven. Therefore prepare! My own car with Matali as charioteer, will soon descend on the earth. Taking you, O Kaurava! to heaven, I will grant you there all my celestial weapons.”

Beholding those protectors of the worlds assembled together on the heights of Himavat, Arjuna wondered much. Endued with great energy, he then duly worshipped the assembled Lokapalas, with words, water, and fruits. The celestials then returning that worship, went away. The gods capable of going everywhere at will, and endued with the speed of the mind, returned to the places whence they had come. Arjuna, having obtained weapons thus, was filled with pleasure. He regarded himself as one whose desires had been fulfilled and who was crowned with success.