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Mahabharata
Kairata Parva
The colloquy between the Rishis and Shiva. The Arjuna's hymn to Shiva. Shiva's departure. The departure of Indra and other deities.
Janamejaya said:
O exalted one, I desire to hear in detail the account of the acquisition of weapons by Partha (Arjuna) of spotless deeds.
How did that foremost of men, the mighty-armed and the greatly energetic Dhananjaya enter that solitary forest without having felt (any) fear?
O foremost of all men, learned in the Vedas, what did he do when he lived there? O exalted one, how did he gratify Sthanu (Shiva) and the chief of the celestials (Indra)?
O best of the twice-born, I desire to hear all this through your favour. O omniscient one, you are acquainted with everything regarding men and gods.
O Brahmana, the battle that was formerly fought between that best of smiters, who had never been defeated in war and Bhava (Shiva) was without a parallel and was extraordinary and was also hair-stirring. Having heard which the hearts of those foremost of men, the sons of Pritha, trembled in wonder and joy, thinking of their own inferiority. Tell me what other acts Partha (Arjuna), performed.
I do not find the most trivial thing in Jishnu (Arjuna) which might be called censurable. (Therefore) narrate the history of that hero to me.
Vaishampayana said:
O foremost of the Kurus, O child, I shall narrate to you the excellent, the extensive and greatly unrivalled history of that illustrious hero.
O sinless, one, hear in detail the account of Partha's meting with the three-eyed, god of gods and his contact with his body.
At the command of Yudhishthira that immeasurably powerful hero set out to meet the chief of the celestials, Shakra and the god of gods, Shankara (Shiva). Taking up the excellent bow and the sword with the golden hit, in order to accomplish his purpose, the greatly powerful and the mighty-armed Arjuna. That descendant of Kuru, set out northward towards the summit of the Himalayas. O king, that son of Indra (Arjuna) of calm mind, that greatest car-warrior of all the world.
Firmly adhering to his purpose, soon engaged himself in austere asceticism. He entered that fearful and thorny forest alone.
It abounded in various flowers and fruits, it was inhabited by birds of various species, it was full of various animals and it was frequented by the Siddhas and Charanas.
When the son of Kunti, Arjuna, entered that forest, which was destitute of human beings, conchs and drums from heaven were sounded.
Great showers of flowers fell on the earth; and the clouds spreading out covered every place with a shade. Passing the forest-paths at the foot of the great mountain Arjuna shone in his own effulgence by dwelling on the breast of the Himalayas.
He saw there many trees blooming in green verdure and resounding with the sweet notes of the birds, abounding in great rivers with great eddies and currents of the color of Vaidurya gems.
And echoing with the sweet notes of the swans, ducks and cranes. The banks of those rivers were resounded with melodious strains of male Kokilas, of peacocks and of cranes.
Seeing those rivers of sacred, pure and delicious water and also their charming banks, the great car-warrior Arjuna became very much delighted.
The greatly energetic and high-minded Arjuna then engaged himself in asceticism in that charming forest.
Clad in cloth made of grass and with deer-skin and holding the Danda (stick), he ate withered leaves fallen on the ground.
He ate fruits in the first month (of his asceticism) at the interval of three nights, in the second (month) at the interval of six nights.
In the third (month) at the interval of a fortnight. When the fourth month came, that foremost of the Bharata race. That mighty-armed son of Pandu lived (simply) on air, with his arms upraised and with nothing to lean upon, standing only on the tips of his toes.
In consequences of frequent bathing the hair of that high-souled and immeasurably energetic hero became as bright as the lightning or the lotus.
Thereupon all the great Rishis went to the god, the wielder of trident (Shiva) and told him that the son of Pritha (Arjuna) was engaged in austere asceticism.
Bowing to the great god (Shiva), they told him all about the action of Partha. (They said), “The greatly effulgent Partha is engaged in austere asceticism on the breast of the Himalayas. Heated with his asceticism the earth is sending forth smokes. O chief of gods, we do not know with what object he undergoes this asceticism.
He causes us pain. O exalted one, you ought to stop him." Having heard these words of those self-controlled Rishis. The husband of Uma, the lord of creatures, thus spoke.
Shiva said:
You all ought not feel any anxiety on account of Falguni (Arjuna). Go away soon with cheerfulness and alacrity to the place whence you have come. I know what is the determination of his mind.
His desire is not for heaven, not for prosperity, nor for long life. What is desired by him, will be done by me even today.
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard all this, the truthful Rishis with cheerful heart returned to their respective abodes.
When all those high-souled ascetics went away, the wielder of trident, the exalted lord Hara, the destroyer of all sins. Assuming the form of a Kirata (hunter), blazing like a golden tree, appearing like a second huge Meru mountain.
And taking a handsome bow and many virulently poisonous snake - like arrows, came down with great speeds an embodiment of fire.
The auspicious deity was accompanied by Uma who was in the same custom and with the same purpose (as those of her husband Shiva) and also by many merry goblins of various forms and attires. And also by thousands of female (goblins). O king, O descendant of Bharata, the place blazed forth with beauty (as Shiva appeared).
And in a moment all the forest was pervaded with silence. The sounds of springs, water-falls and birds ceased.
Coming near Partha of spotless deeds, he (Shiva) saw that a son of a Danava, named Muka of wonderful appearance. Assuming the form of a boar, intended to kill Arjuna. Seeing him in the attempt to kill him. (At once) taking up his Gandiva bow and virulently poisonous snake-like arrows and also stringing them to the bow and having filled all sides with its twang, Falguni said to him.
Arjuna said:
I have come here, but, done you no harm. As you seek to kill me, I shall certainly today send you to the abode of Yama.
Vaishampayana said:
Seeing that firm wielder of bow Falguni (Arjuna) about to kill him, (the Danava), Shankara (Shiva) in the disguise of the Kirata suddenly asked him to stop.
(He said), “This boar like the Indrakila in colour has been first aimed by me." But disregarding his word, Falguni (Arjuna) struck it.
At that very moment the greatly effulgent Kirata also shot an arrow like the flaming fire or the blazing thunderbolt.
The two arrows thus shot by the two (men) fell at the same time on the huge and adamantine body of Muka.
The two arrow fell on him with a loud sound as that of lightning or as that of the thunder falling on a mountain.
Thus struck by the two arrows which were like flaming-mouthed snakes, Muka, assuming his fearful Rakshasas form, gave up his life.
Thereupon Jishnu (Arjuna), that slayer of foes, saw before him the person with the form of blazing gold, disguised as a Kirata and accompanied by many women. The son of Kunti then with a cheerful heart smilingly asked him. "Who are you wandering in this solitary forest surrounded by women?
O golden-splendoured one, are you not afraid of this fearful forest? Why have you pierced the boar that was first aimed by me.
This Rakshasas either listlessly or with the intention of killing me came here and he was first aimed by me, therefore you cannot escape from me with your life.
What you have done towards me is quite contrary to the usage of the chase. O mountaineer, therefore, I shall take your life."
Having been thus addressed by the Pandava, the Kirata spoke to the son of Pandu, Savyasachi (Arjuna), in these sweet words.
"O hero, you need not be anxious for my dwelling in the forest. This forest-land is the proper abode for us who (always) dwell in the forest.
O ascetic, why have you selected to live here amidst these difficulties and dangers? We always live in these forests full of various sorts of animals.
You are delicate; you are brought up in luxury; and you are as effulgent as the fire, why do you wander alone in this solitary forest?"
Arjuna said:
Depending on my Gandiva (bow) and my arrows as blazing as the fire, I live in this great forest like a second son of fire (Kartikeya).
See, this great beast, this fearful Rakshasas, who came here in the form of an animal, has been killed by me.
The Kirata said:
This one (the Rakshasas) was first struck with the arrow shot from my bow. He was killed and sent to the abode of Yama by me.
He was first aimed by me, he was first claimed by me and it is from my shot that he has lost his life.
Being proud of your strength, you should not blame others for your own fault. O wicked-minded wretch, you are yourself in fault and therefore you will not escape from me with life.
Stop, I shall shoot at you arrows like the thunder. Try your best if you can and shoot at me your arrows.
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard these words of the Kirata, Arjuna, grew angry and began to strike him with numerous arrows.
Thereupon he (the Kirata) received upon himself all those arrows with a cheerful heart. He again and again said "O wretch, O wretch,
Shoot at me your best arrows that are capable of piercing to the very heart." Having been thus addressed, Arjuna poured a shower of arrows upon him.
Thereupon both of them became angry. Engaging in a fearful fight, they hurled again and again at each other showers of poisonous snake-like arrows.
Arjuna poured a shower of arrows on the Kirata, but Shankara (Shiva) received them all upon him with a cheerful heart.
Having born that shower of arrows for a moment, the wielder of Pinaka, (Shiva) stood there in unwoundcd body like an immovable mountain.
Seeing his shower of arrows had no effects (on his adversary), Dhananjaya (Arjuna) became greatly surprised; and he exclaimed "Excellent" "Excellent."
"Alas, this delicate bodied mountaineer of the Himalayas bear unmoved the arrows shot from the Gandiva.
Who is he? Is he the deity Rudra (Shiva) himself? Is he a Yaksha or a celestials or a Asura? The celestials often come to this best of mountains.
Except the deity, the wielder of Pinaka, there is none else that can with stand the force of the thousands of arrows shot by me from the Gandiva.
Whether he is a celestials or a Yaksha, any body except Rudra (Shiva), I Shall soon send him to the abode of Yama with my these sharp arrows."
O king, thereupon Jishnu, (Arjuna) with a cheerful heart began to hurl thousands of arrows, (each) capable of piercing to the very heart, as the sun spreads his rays (all over the world).
The exalted Creator of the world, the wielder of trident, with a cheerful heart bore that shower of arrows, as a mountain does a shower of rocks.
The arrows of Falguni were soon exhausted; and seeing that all his arrows were exhausted, he was seized with great fear.
Jishnu (Arjuna) then thought of the exalted Agni who had formerly given him two inexhaustible quivers at the burning of the Khandava.
(He mentally said), "Alas, my arrows are exhausted! What shall I shoot now from my bow? Who is this person who swallows up my arrows. Killing him by striking with the end of my bow as elephants are killed by clubs, I shall then send him to the wielder of mace, Yama."
Taking up the bow and dragging him (the Kirata) with his bow-string, the greatly effulgent (Arjuna) struck him some fearful blows which descended upon him as thunder-bolts.
When that slayer of hostile heroes the son of Kunti, began to fight with the end of the bow, that mountaineer snatched (from his hand) that excellent bow.
His bow having been snatched away from his hand, Arjuna, with the desire of ending the fight, rushed with great force at his adversary with sword in hand.
Then that prince of the Kuru race struck that sharp weapon in his (Kirata's) head with the whole strength of his arms, a weapon which could not be resisted even by solid rocks.
But that best of swords on falling on his head broke into pieces. Thereupon Falguni began to fight with trees and stones.
Then the exalted deity in the disguise of the huge-bodied Kirata bore that shower of trees and stones too. The greatly strong Partha (Arjuna).
His mouth smoking with wrath, struck (again) that irrepressible (deity) in the form of the Kirata with fists which were like thunder-bolts.
The exalted deity in the form of the Kirata then struck at Falguni with fists which were (also) like the thunder-bolt of Indra.
In consequence of the fight with fists between the son of Pandu (Arjuna) and the Kirata, great sounds arose in that place.
That fearful and hair-stirring fight with fists, resembling that of Vasava (Indra) and Vitra, lasted only for a moment.
The powerful Jishnu (Arjuna), clasping the Kirata (with his both arms) began to press him with his breast. The greatly strong Kirata (also) pressed the insensible son of Pandu.
In consequence of pressure of their arms and of their breasts, their bodies emitted smokes, as charcoal does in fire.
Thereupon the great god pressed his (Arjuna's) body and attacking him in anger with all his might, he deprived him of his consciousness.
O descendant of Bharata, Falguni (Arjuna) thus pressed by the god of gods and his body bruised, became almost like a ball of flesh.
Pressed by the high-souled deity, he became breathless and falling on the ground without the power of moving, he looked like one who was dead.
He soon however regained consciousness. Rising up from the ground, his body being covered with blood, the Pandava (Arjuna) became overwhelmed with sorrow
Mentally bowing before the exalted deity of the Pinaka and making a clay image of that deity, he worshipped it with garlands of flowers.
Seeing the garlands that he had offered to the (clay image) adorning the head of the Kirata, that best of the Pandava, Partha (Arjuna), was filled with joy and he then regained his ease.
Thereupon he prostrated himself at his feet and Vava (Shiva) became gratified. Seeing his astonishment and his body emaciated with ascetic austerities, the deity thus spoke to his in the voice as that of the roaring clouds.
Shiva said:
O Falguni, I am pleased with you for your matchless deeds. There is no Kshatriya who is equal to you in courage and patience.
O mighty-armed hero, O best of the Bharata race, O sinless one, your strength and prowess are almost equal to mine. I have been pleased with you. Behold me.
O large-eyed hero, I will give you eyes, (so that you may see me in my real form). You were formerly a Rishi. You will vanquish all your enemies, even (if they be) the dwellers of heaven.
Being pleased with you, I shall give you an irrerestible weapon; you shall soon acquire (great) weapons.
Vaishampayana said:
Thereupon Falguni (Arjuna) saw that greatly effulgent deity, the great god, the dweller of the mountain, the wielder of the Pinaka, with his wife.
Kneeling (before him) and bowing down his head to him, that conqueror of enemy's cities, Partha, gratified Hara (Shiva).
Arjuna said:
O Kapardin, O chief of all the celestials, O destroyer of Vaga's eyes, O god of gods, O great god, O blue throated deity of matted-locks.
O three-eyed god, O lord of all, I know you to be the cause of all causes. You are the refuge of all the celestials. The universe has sprung from you.
You are incapable of being vanquished by the three worlds of the celestials, of the Asuras and of men. You are Shiva in the form of Vishnu and Vishnu in the form of Shiva.
You destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha. O Hari, O Rudra, I bow to you. You have an eye on your forehead. O Sharva, O Medrusha, O wielder of trident.
O wielder of the Pinaka, O Surya, O pure bodied deity, O exalted one, O lord of all creatures, I adore you.
O lord of the Ganas, O source of Universal blessings, O (first) cause of the causes of the universe, the foremost of Purusha, the highest and the sublimes Hara.
O exalted one, O Shankara, you should pardon my fault. It was to get a sight of yourself that I came to this great mountain.
Which is dear to you and which is the excellent abode of ascetics. O chief of the celestials, you are adored by all the Worlds and I adore you.
Let not my rashness in the combat that I have fought with you from ignorance be considered by you as a fault. O Shankara, I ask your protection. Pardon me for all I have done.
Vaishampayana said:
The greatly effulgent Vrishabdhvaja (Shiva), taking hold of the handsome hands of Arjuna, smilingly said to him, "I have pardoned you."
The exalted Hara, whose sign was the bull, (Shiva), cheerfully embracing Arjuna with his arms, again consoled him and thus spoke to him.
Shiva said:
You were in your former life Nara, the friend of Narayana, You passed many thousands of years in fearful and austere asceticism.
Great prowess exists in you and in Vishnu, that foremost of Purushas. You two by your prowess hold the Universe.
O lord, taking up that fearful bow whose twang resembled the deep roars of clouds, you as well as Krishna chastised the Danavas at the coronation of Indra.
O Partha this Gandiva which is fit for (only) your hands is that very bow (with which you chastised the Danavas). O foremost of men. I snatched it from you by means of my power of illusion.
O Partha, these two quivers which is fit only for you, will again be inexhaustible. O descendant of Kuru, your body will be free from pain and disease.
O Partha, your prowess will be incapable of being ever baffled. I have been pleased with you. O foremost of men, ask from me, what you desire to get.
O giver of proper respect (to all men), O chastiser of foes, there is no man either here on earth or in heaven who is equal to you (in prowess). Nor there is any Kshatriya who is superior to you.
Arjuna said:
O exalted one, O Vrishabdhvaja. O lord, if you will grant me what I desire to possess, I ask from you that fearful weapon which is wielded by you and which is called Brahmashira, that weapon of fearful prowess, which destroys at the end of Yuga the entire universe.
That weapon, with the help of which, O great god, I may through your grace obtain victory in the great battle that will be fought by me with Karna, Bhishma, Kripa and Drona,
The weapon by which I may destroy in battle the Danavas, the Rakshasas, the evil spirits, the Pishachas, the Gandharvas and the Nagas. The weapon which when hurled with Mantras produces thousands of darts, maces and virulently poisonous snake-like arrows.
The weapon by the help of which I may fight with Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and the ever abusive son of Suta (Karna).
O exalted destroyer of Vaga's eyes, my chief desire is that I may be able to fight with them and finally obtain victory.
Shiva said:
O exalted Pandava, I shall give you my favourite weapon called Pashupata. You are capable of holding, hurling and withdrawing it.
Neither Indra, nor Yama, nor the king of the Yakshas, nor Varuna, nor Vayu knows it, how could it (then) be known to human beings?
O Partha, this weapon should not be discharged without proper reason, for if discharged at a weak enemy, it would destroy the whole universe.
There is none in the three worlds of mobile and immobile creatures who is incapable of being killed by this weapon. It might be discharged by the mind, by the eyes, by words or by-the bow.
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard this, the son of Pritha (Arjuna) purified himself. Coming to the lord of the universe with rapt attention, he said,
"Instruct me."
He (Shiva) then imparted to that best of Pandavas the knowledge of that weapon which looked like the embodiment of Yama and (also) all the mysteries as regards its method of discharging and withdrawing. That weapon then waited upon Partha as it did before upon Traksha, the lord of Uma. Arjuna with cheerful heart accepted it.
Thereupon the whole earth with its mountains, forests, trees, seas, woods, villages, towns and mines, began to tremble.
Sounds of thousands of conchs, drums and trumpets were heard. Hurricanes and whirl-winds began to blow.
The celestials and the Danavas saw that fearful weapon in its embodied from standing at the side of. the immeasurably energetic and heroic Pandava.
Whatever evil there was in the body of the immeasuraely energetic Falguni (Arjuna) was all dispelled by his touch with the three-eyed deity.
Then Arjuna was commanded by the three-eyed deity to "Go to heaven." O king, bowing down his head, he gazed at him with joined hands.
Then the lord of all the dwellers of heaven, the deity of blazing splendour, the dweller of mountain, the husband of Uma, Shiva, the source of all blessings. Bhava, gave to Arjuna, that foremost of men, the great bow called Gandharva, capable of destroying the Danavas and the Pishachas.
The god of gods, accompanied by Uma then leaving that blessed mountain of snowy plateaus and valleys and caves, the favourite resort of the sky-ranging Rishis, went up to the skies in the very sight of that foremost of men (Arjuna).
Vaishampayana said:
The wielder of Pinaka, having the bull for his emblem, then disappeared before the gazing son of Pandu like the sun setting in the sight of the world.
O descendant of Bharata, thereupon Arjuna, the slayer of hostile heroes, wondered much at it, saying, "O I have seen the great god of gods.
Fortunate and favoured am I for I have both seen and touched with my hand the three-eyed Hara, the wielder of Pinaka in his boon giving form.
I consider myself greatly blessed; I have already vanquished all my enemies in battle and my object has been accomplished."
While Partha, of incomparable prowess, was thus meditating, there came the effulgent lord of waters, brilliant like Vaidurya, dazzling all the quarters and accompanied by aquatic animals.
Accompanied by rivers both male and female, Nagas, Daityas, Siddhas and inferior deities, the self-possessed Varuna, the lord of waters, arrived there.
There came also the lord Kubera, having a body resembling pure gold, seated on a highly splendid car and accompanied by numberless Yakshas.
The effulgent lord of wealth, most wonderfully beautiful, came there to see Arjuna illuminating the sky with his effulgence.
As also (came) the graceful and powerful Yama, the destroyer of the worlds accompanied by the lords of creations, the manes, both embodied and disembodied.
The god of justice, the son of Vivasvat, whose soul cannot be meditated upon and who is the destroyer of all creatures, came there in his chariot, mace in hand, lighting the three worlds, with the regions of Guhyakas, Gandharvas and the Nagas like a second sun at the end of a Yuga.
They beheld there from the shinning and variegated summits of the mountains Arjuna engaged in devout penances.
Immediately came there also the great Shakra accompanied by his queen, seated on the back of Airavata and encircled by all the celestials.
And the white umbrella being held over his head he shone like the moon in the midst of fleecy clouds.
Eulogised by Gandharvas and greatly ascetic Rishis, he, attaining to a summit of a mountain, stood there like the rising sun.
Thereupon the highly intelligent and pious Yama, having voice deep as the muttering of clouds, who was stationed on the southern (summit) gave vent to the following auspicious words.
"Behold, O Arjuna, all the protectors of the world have come here; we will give you vision for you are worthy of seeing us. You were in your former life a highly powerful Rishi of immeasurable mental caliber named Nara; by the behest of Brahma, O son, you have been born as a mortal.
O sinless one, by you shall be vanquished in battle the highly virtuous and powerful grand-sire Bhishma, born of Vasus. (You shall also defeat) Kshatriyas of fiery energy protected by the son of Baradvaja as also the highly powerful Danavas who have been born among men. The Danavas named Nivatakavachas, O descendant of Kuru; and the highly powerful Karna, who is a portion of my father who lights all the. regions, shall be slain by you.
O Dhananjaya; the portions of the celestials, Danavas and Rakshasas who have been born on earth. Shall be slain by you in battle; O son of Kunti, O slayer of foes, they shall attain to regions as destined by their acts.
O Falguni; your game shall remain eternal on the earth; you have pleased Mahadeva himself in encounter.
The earth shall be lightened of her burden by you along with Vishnu; O large-armed hero, accept this weapon of mine-this mace, incapable of being baffled and with it you will accomplish great deeds.
O descendant of Kuru, the son of Pritha received that weapon duly along with Mantras and rites and the means of hurling and withdrawing it.
Thereupon stationed in the western quarter, Varuna, the lord of waters and yellow as the clouds gave vent to the following words.
"O Partha, you are the foremost of Kshatriyas and observe the duties of the Kshatriyas; behold me, O you having coppery eyes, I am Varuna, the lord of waters.
When discharged by me my nooses are incapable of being resisted; accept from me, O son of Kunti, these Varuni weapons, along with the means of discharging and withdrawing them.
O hero, in the battle on account of Taraka, with these (weapons) thousands of powerful Daityas were bound by me.
O you of great energy, accept all these from me, as given to you out of favour; even if Death be your enemy he will not be able to escape from you.
When armed with this you will range in the battle-field, forsooth the earth shall be devoid of Kshatriyas.
Vaishampayana said:
After the celestials weapons had been given away by both Varuna and Yama, the lord of wealth having his abode on the summit of Kailasa thus said, "O wise and highly powerful son of Pandu, I am pleased with you; and meeting with you is tantamount to that with Ajita.
O you who hold the bow with your left hand, O mighty-armed one, O you who were a god before, O eternal one, in the days of yore you were always tired with devout penances along with us. O best of men, I shall grant you celestials vision, by which, O mighty-armed hero, you shall conquer the invincible Daityas and Danavas.
Take from me immediately an excellent weapon by which you shall be able to burn done the soldiers of the son of Dhritarashtra.
Take this favourite weapon of mine called Antardhana; this effulgent, mighty and powerful weapon is capable of sending the enemy to sleep.
When Tripura was slain by the high-souled Shankara this weapon was discharged by which many a mighty Asura were consumed.
O you of invincible prowess, this has been taken up by me to give you; O you gifted with the dignity of Meru, you are capable of holding this weapon."
Thereupon the mighty-armed and the highly powerful descendant of Kuru, Arjuna duly received that celestials weapon of Kubera.
Thereupon consoling, Pritha's son of unwearied action, in sweet words, the king of the celestials, having a voice like the sound of clouds of kettle-drum, said,
"O mighty-armed son of Kunti, you are the ancient Ishana; you have already attained to the highest success and dignity of a god.
O subduer of enemies, O you of great effulgence, a great work for gods should be performed by you; you are to ascend heaven, prepare yourself.
The car, having Matali as its charioteer, shall come down to the earth for you; O Kaurava, I shall give you these celestials weapons."
Beholding all the protectors of the world assembled on the summit of the mountain, the intelligent son of Kunti, Dhananjaya, was amazed.
Thereupon the highly effulgent Arjuna duly worshipped the assembled protectors with words, water and fruits.
Honouring Dhananjaya in return the celestials went back; all the deities capable of coursing at will went back from where they came.
Thereupon having obtained that weapon that best of men, Arjuna attained to delight; he then considered himself blessed and as having his desire fulfilled.
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