38. ARJUNA’S SEVERE PENANCE

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > KAIRAATA PARVA > CHAPTER 38 - ARJUNA’S SEVERE PENANCE

“Janemejaya said, ‘O illustrious one (Bhagawan), I desire to hear in detail the history of the acquisition of weapons by Arjuna of spotless deeds (Klishta Karma in Sanskrit). O tell me how that tiger among men, Dhananjaya, of mighty arms and possessed of great energy, entered that isolated forest without fear. O you foremost of those acquainted with the Veda, what also did Arjuna do while dwelling there? How also were the Bhagawaan Sthaanu (Lord Shiva) and Deva Raaja (Lord Indra) gratified by him? O you best of Dwijas, I desire to hear all this under your favour. You are all-knowing; you know all about Devas and humans. O Brahmana, the battle that took place in ancient times between Arjuna, that foremost of hitters never defeated in battle, and Bhava (Lord Shiva) was highly extraordinary and without parallel. It makes one’s hair stand up straight to hear of it. Even the hearts of those lions among men – the brave Paarthaas – trembled in consequence of wonder and joy and a sense of their own inferiority. O tell me in full what else Arjuna did. I do not see even the most trivial thing to Jishnu (Arjuna) that is criticisable. Therefore, recite to me in full the history of that hero.’

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘O tiger among Kurus (Janamejaya), I shall recite to you that narration, excellent, extensive and unrivalled, in connection with the Mahatma hero (Arjuna). O sinless one (Janamejaya), hear in detail the particulars about Arjuna’s meeting with the three-eyed god of gods (Tryambaka in Sanskrit), and his contact with the illustrious Devadeva (Lord Shiva)!

“At Yudhishthira’s command, Dhananjaya of immeasurable prowess set out (from Kaamyaka forest) to obtain a sight of Sgakra, the chief of Devas and of Shankara (Lord Shiva), the Devadeva. The strong-armed Arjuna of great might set out armed with his divine bow and a sword with golden handle, for the success of the object he had in view, northwards, towards the summit of the Himavat (present-day Himalayas). O king (Janamejaya), that first of all warriors in the three worlds, the son of (Lord) Indra, with a calm mind, and firmly adhering to his purpose, then devoted himself, without the loss of any time, to Tapas. He entered, all alone, that terrible forest abounding with thorny plants, trees, flowers and fruits of various kinds, and inhabited by winged creatures of various species, swarming with animals of various kinds, and resorted to by Siddhas and Chaaranas. When the Kaunteya (Arjuna) entered that forest devoid 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 sky caused a thick shade. Passing over those difficult and woody regions at the foot of the great mountains, Arjuna soon reached the chest of the Himavat; and staying there for sometime (he) began to shine in his brilliancy.

“He saw overthere numerous trees with expanding vegetation, resounding with the melodious notes of winged warblers (birds). He saw overthere rivers with currents of the lapis lazuli (Vaidooryam in Sanskrit), 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 (Arjuna), seeing those rivers of sacred, pure, delicious water and their charming banks, became highly delighted. The delighted Arjuna of fierce energy (Ugra Teja in Sanskrit) and high soul (Mahamana in Sanskrit) then devoted himself to rigid Tpas in that delightful and foresty region.

“Dressed in rags made of Darbha grass (Botanical name is Desmotachya bipinnata) 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, that best of the Bharatas--the strong-armed son of Pandu--began to subsist on air alone. With arms upraised and leaning upon nothing and standing on the tips of his toes, he continued his Tapas. The illustrious hero’s (hair) locks, in consequence of frequent bathing took the colour of lightning or the lotus. Then all the Maharishis went together to the Deva of Pinaaka (Lord Shiva’s bow is Pinaaka) called for representing to Him about the fierce Tapas (Ugra Tapasa in Sanskrit) of Paarthaa (Arjuna). Bowing to that Mahadeva (Lord Shiva), they informed Him of Arjuna’s Tapas saying, ‘This Paarthaa possessed of great energy (Maha Tejaa in Sanskrit) is engaged in the most difficult of Taps on the chest of the Himavat. Heated with his Tapas, the earth is smoking all round, O Deva Eesha. We do not know what his object is for which he is engaged in these Tapas. He, however, is causing us pain. It is Your duty to prevent him!’

“Hearing these words of those Munis with souls under perfect control, the lord of all creatures, the husband of Uma (Lord Shiva) said, ‘It is your duty not to indulge in any grief on account of Phaalguna (Arjuna)! You all return cheerfully and with readiness to the places from where you have come. I know the desire (Sankalpam in Sanskrit) that is in Arjuna’s heart. His wish is not for heaven, nor for prosperity, nor for long life. I will accomplish, this day, all that is desired by him.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘The truth-speaking Rishis, having heard these words of Mahadeva (Lord Shiva), became delighted, and returned to their respective abodes.’”