37. ARJUNA MEETS LORD INDRA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > ARJUNAABHIGAMANA PARVA > CHAPTER 37 - ARJUNA MEETS LORD INDRA

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘After some time, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, remembering the command of the Muni (Vyaasa) and calling to himself that bull among men, Arjuna, possessed of great wisdom, addressed him in private. Taking hold of Arjuna’s hands, with a smiling face and in gentle accents, that punisher of enemies – the Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) – apparently after thinking for a moment, spake these words in private to Dhananjaya (Arjuna), ‘O Bharata, the whole science of weaponry (Dhanurveda in Sanskrit) dwells in Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, and Drona’s son. They fully know all sorts of Brahma, divine, human and Vaayavya weapons, together with the modes of using and removing them off. All of them are pacified, honoured and satisfied by Dhritarashtra’s son (Duryodhana) who behaves to them as one should behave to his Guru. 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 (Shakti in Sanskrit). The whole earth, besides, is now under Duryodhana’s rule, with all the villages (Graamam in Sanskrit) and towns (Nagaram in Sanskrit), O Paarthaa (Arjuna), and all the seas, forest and mines! You alone are our sole refuge. On you rests a great burden. I shall, therefore, O punisher of all enemies, tell you what you are to do now. I have obtained a science (Pratismriti) from Krishna Dwaipaayana (Vyaasa). Used by you, that science will expose the whole universe to you. O child, attentively you receive that science from me, and in due time (by its aid) you attain the grace of Devas. O bull of the Bharata race (Arjuna), devote yourself to fierce Tapas. Armed with the bow, sword, and cased in armour, commit yourself to austerities (Muni in Sanskrit) and good vows (Saadhu Vrata in Sanskrit), and you go northwards, O child (Arjuna), without giving way to anybody. O Dhananjaya, all divine weapons are with (Lord) Indra. Devas, from fear of Vritra, imparted at the time all their might to Shakra (Lord Indra). Gathered together in one place, you will obtain all weapons. You go to Shakra (Lord Indra), He will give you all His weapons. Taking the bow set you out this very day in order to see Purandara (Lord Indra).’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Having said this, the noble Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), imparted that science to Arjuna. The elder brother (Yudhishthira) having communicated with due rites the knowledge to his heroic brother, with speech, body and mind under perfect control, commanded him to leave. At the command of Yudhishthira, the strong-armed Arjuna, taking up the Gaandiva as also his inexhaustible arrow baskets, equipped in armour (Kavacha in Sanskrit), armoured gloves and finger-protectors made of the skin of iguana, and having poured oblations into the fire and made the Brahmanas to utter blessings after gifts, set out (from Kaamyaka) with the objects of seeing (Lord) Indra.

“Armed with the bow, the hero (Arjuna), at the time of setting out heaved a sigh and gave a look upwards for achieving the death of Dhritarashtra’s sons. Looking Kunti’s son (Arjuna) thus armed and about to set out, the Brahmanas, Siddhas and invisible spirits addressed him, saying, ‘O Kaunteya (Arjuna), you soon obtain what you wish.’ The Brahmanas, also uttering blessings said, ‘You achieve the object you have in view. Let victory be truly yours.’ Seeing the heroic Arjuna, of thighs stout as the trunks of the Shaala tree (Botanical name is Shorea robusta), about to set out taking away with him the hearts of all, Krishna (Draupadi) addressed him saying, ‘O you strong-armed one (Arjuna), let all that Kunti had desired at your birth, and let all that you desire, be accomplished, O Dhananjaya! Let no one among us be ever again born in the order of Kshatriyas. I always bow down to the Brahmanas whose mode of living is begging (Bhiksha in Sanskrit). This is my great grief that the wretch (Paapa in Sanskrit) Duryodhana seeing me in the assembly of princes mockingly called me a cow! Besides this he told me in the middle of that sabha 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 spend their waking hours in repeatedly talking of your heroic deeds! If, however, O Paarthaa, you stay away for longer period of time, we shall derive no pleasure from our enjoyments or from wealth. Nay, life itself will be distasteful to us. O Paarthaa (Arjuna), our wound, sadnesss, life, death, our kingdom and prosperity, are all dependent on you. O Bharata, I bless you, let success be yours. O sinless one, your (present) task you will be able to achieve even against powerful enemies. O you of great strength, you go to win success with speed. Let dangers be not yours. I bow to Dhataa and Vidhataa! I bless you. Let prosperity be yours. O Dhananjaya, let Hri, Sree, Keerti, Dhyuti, Pushti, Uma, Lakshmi and Saraswati, all protect you on your way, for you ever worshippest your elder brother and always obey his commands. O bull of the Bharata race (Arjuna), I bow to the Vasus, Rudras, Adityas, Rudganaas, Vishwadevas, Saadhyaas, for procuring your welfare. O Bharata, you be safe from all spirits of mischief belonging to the sky, the earth, the heaven, and from such other spirits generally.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘The famous Krishna (Draupadi) having uttered these blessings stopped. The strong-armed Paandavaa (Arjuna) then, having walked round his brothers and round (Paandavaas’ Purohita) Dhaumya also, taking up his handsome bow, set out. All creatures began to leave the way that Arjuna of great energy and prowess (Praakramam in Sanskrit), urged by the desire of seeing (Lord) Indra, took. That slayer of enemies passed over many mountains inhabited by Tapaswis, and then reached the sacred Himavat (present-day Himalayas), the resort of Devas. The high-souled one (Maha Manaa in Sanskrit) reached the sacred mountain in one day, for like the winds he was gifted with the speed of the mind, in consequence of his severe yogas. Having crossed the Himavat, and also the Gandhamaadana (mountain), he passed over many uneven and dangerous spots, walking night and day without tiredness. Having reached Indrakeela (Mount Indrakeela is possibly near present-day Mount Kailash), Dhananjaya stopped for a moment. Then he (Arjuna) heard a voice in the skies, saying, ‘Stop!’ Hearing that voice, the Paandavaa gave his glances all around.

“Arjuna, capable of using his left hand with skill equal to that of his right hand, then saw before him a Tapaswi under the shade of a tree, blazing with (Lord) Brahma’s brilliancy, of a golden colour, with matted (hair) locks, and thin. The mighty Tapaswi, seeing Arjuna stop at that place, addressed him, saying, ‘Who are you, O child, arrived here with bow and arrows, and cased in armour and equipped in sword and armoured glove, and (evidently) following the Kshatriya Dharma? There is no need of weapons here. This is the abode of peaceful Brahmanas devoted to Tapas 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 (Tejas in Sanskrit) and prowess (Veera in Sanskrit).’

“That Brahmana thus addressed Arjuna, with a smiling face, repeatedly. But he succeeded not in moving Arjuna, firmly devoted to his purpose. The Dwija, glad at heart, smilingly addressed Arjuna once more, saying, ‘O slayer of enemies, blessed be you! I am Shakra (Lord Indra): you ask the boon you desire.’

“Thus addressed, that preserver of the Kuru race, the heroic Dhananjaya bending his head and joining his hands, replied to Him of a thousand eyes (Lord Indra), saying, ‘This is the object of my wishes; grant me this boon, O Bhagawaan. I desire to learn from You all the weapons.’

“The chief of Devas then, smiling, replied to 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. You ask for the regions of joy that you desirest.’

“Thus addressed, Dhananjaya replied to Him of a thousand eyes, saying, ‘I desire not regions of joy, nor objects of enjoyment, nor the state of a Devas; what is this talk about happiness? O chief of Debas, I do not desire the prosperity of all Devas. Having left my brothers behind me in the forest, and without avenging myself on the enemy, I shall incur the abuse for all ages of all the world.’

“Thus addressed, the slayer of Vritra (Lord Indra), worshipped of the worlds, consoling him with gentle words, spoke to the Paandavaa (Arjuna), saying, ‘When you art able to see the three-eyed, Trishool-bearing (Lord) Shiva, the lord of all creatures, it is then, O child, that I will give you all the divine weapons. Therefore, you strive to obtain the sight of the highest of Devas; for it is only after you have seen him, O Kaunteya, that you will obtain all your wishes.’

“Having spoken thus to Phalguna (Arjuna), Shakra (Lord Indra) disappeared then and there, and Arjuna, devoting himself to yoga, remained at that spot.’”