39. FIGHT BETWEEN LORD SHIVA AND ARJUNA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > KAIRAATA PARVA > CHAPTER 39 - FIGHT BETWEEN LORD SHIVA AND ARJUNA

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘After all those Mahatma Tapaswis had gone away, that wielder of the Pinaaka (Pinaakapaani in Sanskrit) (Pinaakapaani is Lord Shiva as holds a bow called Pinaaka) and cleanser of all sins – the illustrious Hara – assuming the form of a Kiraata glowing as a golden tree, with a huge and stalwart form like a second Meru mountain, taking up a beautiful bow and a number of arrows resembling snakes of deadly poison, and looking like an embodiment of fire, came quickly down on the chest of Himavat (present-day Himalayas). The handsome Deva (Lord Shiva) was accompanied by (Devi) Uma in the guise of a Kiraata woman, and also by a swarm of merry spirits (Bhoota in Sanskrit) of various forms and attire, and by thousands of women in the form and attire of Kiraatas. O Bharata (Janamejaya), that region suddenly blazed up in beauty, in consequence of the arrival of Devadeva (Lord Shiva) in such company. Soon enough a solemn stillness pervaded the place. The sounds of springs, water-courses, and of birds suddenly stopped.

“As the Devadeva (Lord Shiva) approached Paarthaa (Arjuna) of blameless deeds (Klishta Karma in Sanskrit), he (Arjuna) saw a wonderful sight, that a Daanavaa (Daanavaa is a clan of Asuras) named Mooka, seeking, in the form of a boar (Vaaraaham in Sanskrit), to slay Arjuna. Phalguna (Arjuna), at the sight of the enemy seeking to slay him, took up the Gaandeeva and a number of arrows resembling snakes of deadly poison. Stringing his bow and filling the air with its twang, he (Arjuna) addressed the boar and said, ‘I have come here but done you no injury. As you seek to slay me, I shall certainly send you to the abode of Yama (Yamasaadanam in Sanskrit).’

“Looking that firm wielder of the bow, Phaalguna (Arjuna), about to slay the boar, Shankara (Lord Shiva) in the guise of a Kiraata suddenly prevented him (Arjuna) stop saying, ‘The boar like the mountain of Indrakeela in colour has been aimed at by me first’; Phaalguna, however, disregarding these words, struck the boar. The Kiraata (Lord Shiva) also blazing splendour, let fly an arrow like flaming fire and resembling Vajra at the same object. The arrows thus shot by both fell at the same instant of time upon the wide body of Mooka, hard as adamant. The two arrows fell upon the boar with a loud sound, like that of (Lord) Indra’s Vajra and the thunder of the clouds falling together upon the chest of a mountain. Mooka, thus struck by two arrows which produced numerous arrows resembling snakes of blazing mouths, yielded up his life, assuming once more his terrible Raakshasa form. Jishnu (Arjuna) – that slayer of enemies – then saw before him that person, of form blazing as God (Purusha in Sanskrit) and attired in the dress of a Kiraata and accompanied by many women.

“Looking him, the Kaunteya (Arjuna) with a joyous heart addressed him smilingly and said, ‘Who are You that thus wander in these isolated forest, surrounded by women? O 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 Raakshasa 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 (Mrugayaa Dharma in Sanskrit). Therefore, O mountaineer (Parvataashraya in Sanskrit), I will take Your life.’

“Thus, addressed by the Paandavaa (Arjuna), the Kiraata, smiling replied to him capable of wielding the bow with his left hand (Savyasaachi in Sanskrit), in soft words, saying, ‘O hero (Veera in Sanskrit), you need not be anxious on my account. This forest land is proper abode for us who always stay in the forest. However, respecting yourself, I may inquire, why have you selected your abode here amid such difficulties. We, O one whose wealth is Tapas, have our habitation in these forest abounding in animals of all kinds. Why do you, so delicate and brought up in luxury and possessed of the splendour of fire, stay alone in such an isolated region?’

“Arjuna said, ‘Depending on the Gaandeeva and arrows blazing like fire, I live in this great forest, like a second Paavaki. You have seen how this monster – this terrible Raakshasa – that came here in the form of an animal (Mruga Roopam in Sanskrit), has been slain by me.’

“The Kirata replied, ‘This Raakshasa, first struck with the shot from my bow, was killed and sent to the regions of Yama (Yamasaadanam in Sanskrit) 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 your duty not to assign your own fault to others. You are yourself in fault, O wretch (Mandaatma in Sanskrit), and, therefore, shall not escape from me with life. You stay: I will shoot at you arrows like Vajra. You also strive and shoot, to the best of your power, your arrows at me.’

“Hearing these words of the Kiraata, Arjuna became angry, and attacked him with arrows. The Kiraata (Lord Shiva), however, with a glad heart received all those arrows upon Himself, repeatedly saying, ‘Wretch, wretch (Manda Manda in Sanskrit), you shoot 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 terrible conflict, began to shoot at each other showers of arrows, each resembling a snake of deadly poison. Arjuna rained a perfect shower of arrows on the Kiraata, Shankara (Lord Shiva), however, bore that downpour on Him with a cheerful heart. But the wielder of the Pinaaka (Lord Shiva), having borne that shower of arrows for a moment, stood unwounded, immovable like a mountain. Dhananjaya (Arjuna), seeing his arrowy shower become fruitless, wondered exceedingly, repeatedly saying, ‘Excellent! Excellent! Alas, this mountaineer of delicate bodyparts (Sukumaarangam in Sanskrit), staying on the heights of the Himavat (present day Himalayas), bears, without wavering, the arrows shot from Gaandeeva! Who is He? Is He Rudra Himself, or some other Deva, or an Yaksha, or an Asura? Devas sometimes do descend on the heights of the Himavat (present day Himalayas). Except the Deva who wields the Pinaaka (Lord Shiva), there is none rise that can bear the assigning of the thousands of arrows shot by me from Gaandeeva. Whether He is a Deva or a Yaksha, in fact, anybody except Rudra, I shall soon send Him, with my arrows, to the regions of Yama (Yamasaadanam in Sanskrit).’

“Thus thinking, Arjuna, with a cheerful heart, began, O king (Janamejaya), to shoot arrows by hundreds, resembling in splendour the rays of the Sun. That downpour of arrows, however, the illustrious Creator of the worlds – the wielder of the trident (Shoolapaani in Sanskrit) – bore with a glad heart, like a mountain bearing a shower of rocks. Soon, however, the arrows of Phaalguna (Arjuna) were exhausted. Noticing this fact, Arjuna became greatly alarmed. The Paandavaa (Arjuna) then began to think of the Bhagavan Hutaashana (Agni) who had before, during the burning of the Khaandava (forest), given him a couple of inexhaustible arrow baskets. 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 (Shoola in Sanskrit), I shall send him to the territory of the mace-bearing (Danda Daaram in Sanskrit) Yama.’

“The illustrious Arjuna then, taking up his bow and dragging the Kiraata with his bow-string, struck Him some fierce blows that descended like Vajra. When, however, that slayer of hostile heroes – the Kaunteya (Arjuna) – commenced the conflict with the end of the bow, the mountaineer snatched from his hands that divine bow. Looking his bow snatched from him, Arjuna took up his sword, wishing to end the conflict, rushed at his enemy. Then the Kuru prince (Kuru Nandana in Sanskrit), with the whole might of his arms, struck that sharp weapon upon the head of the Kiraata (Lord Shiva), a weapon that was incapable of being resisted by solid rocks. But that first of swords, at touch of the Kiraata’s head, broke into pieces.

“Phaalguna (Arjuna) then commenced the conflict with trees and stones. The Bhagawan in the form of the huge-bodied Kiraata, however, bore that shower of trees and rocks with patience. The mighty Paarthaa (Arjuna) then, his mouth smoking with anger, struck the invincible Deva in the form of a Kiraata, with his clenched fists, blows that descended like Vajra. The Deva in the Kiraata form returned Phaalguna’s blows with fierce blows resembling the Vajra of (Lord) Indra. In consequence of that conflict of blows between the Paandavaa and the Kiraata, there arose in that place loud and frightful sounds. That terrible conflict of blows, resembling the ancient conflict between Vritra and Vaasava (Lord Indra), lasted but for a moment. The mighty Jishnu (Arjuna) clasping the Kiraata began to press Him with his chest, but the Kiraata (Lord Shiva), possessed of great strength pressed the insensible Paandavaa (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 Mahadeva (Lord Shiva) then, striking the already stricken Paandavaa (Arjuna), and attacking him in anger with His full might, deprived him of his senses. Then, O Bharata (Janamejaya), Phaalguna, thus pressed by Devadeva, with bodyparts, besides, bruised and mangled, became incapable of motion and was almost reduced to a ball of flesh. Struck by the Mahatma Deva, 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 flattened position, with body covered with blood, became filled with grief. Mentally prostrating himself before the Bhagawan Pinaakinam (Lord Shiva), and making a clay image of that deity, he worshipped it, with offerings of floral garlands. Looking, however, the garland that he had offered to the clay image of Bhava (Lord Shiva), decorating the crown of the Kiraata, that best of Paandavaas became filled with joy and regained his ease.

“He prostrated himself immediately at the feet of Bhava (Lord Shiva), and the Deva also was pleased with him. Hara (Lord Shiva), seeing the wonder of Arjuna and seeing that his body had become thin with Tapas, spake to him in a voice deep as the roaring of the clouds, saying, ‘O Phaalguna (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. O sinless one (Arjuna), your strength (Tejas in Sanskrit) and prowess (Veerya in Sanskrit) are almost equal to mine. O mighty-armed one (Arjuna), I have been pleased with you. Look me, O bull of the Bharata race! O large-eyed one! I will grant you eyes (to see me in my true form). You were a Rishi before. You will defeat all your enemies, even the dwellers of heaven; I will as I have been pleased with you, you grant an irresistible weapon. Soon you shall be able to wield that weapon of mine.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Phaalguna (Arjuna) then saw Him – Mahadeva – that god of blazing splendor (Gireesha in Sanskrit) – that wielder of the Trident (Trishul in Sanskrit) – that one who had his abode on the mountains (of Kailaasa) – accompanied by (Devi) Uma. Bending down on his knee and bowing with his head, that conqueror of hostile cities – the Paarthaa – worshipped Hara and inclined him to grace.

“Arjuna said, ‘O Kapardin, O chief of all Devas, O destroyer of the eyes of Bhaga, O Devadeva, 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 Devas! This universe has sprung from You. You are incapable of being vanquished by the three worlds of Devas, Asuras, and men. You are (Lord) Shiva in the form of (Lord) Vishnu, and (Lord) Vishnu in the form of (Lord) Shiva. In ancient times, You destroyed the great yagna of Daksha. O Hari, O Rudra, I bow to You. You have an eye on thy forehead. O Sharvaa (Lord Shiva), O You that rain objects of desire, O bearer of the trident (Trishul in Sanskrit), O wielder of the Pinaaka, 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 beings, You are the highest, You are the subtlest, O Hara! O Bhagawan Shankara, it is Your duty 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 Tapaswis. 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 (Lord Shiva), I seek Your protection. Pardon me all I have done.’

अर्जुन उवाच -

कपर्दिन् सर्वदेवेश भगनेत्रनिपातन |

देवदेव महादेव नीलग्रीव जटाधर ||

कारणानां च परमं जाने त्वां त्र्यम्बकं विभुम् |

देवानां च गतिं देव त्वत्प्रसूतमिदं जगत् ||

अजेयस्त्वं त्रिभिर्लोकै: सदेवासुरमानुषैः |

शिवाय विष्णुरूपाय विष्णवे शिवरूपिणे ||

दक्षयज्ञविनाशाय हरिरुद्राय वै नमः |

ललाटाक्षाय शर्वाय मीढुषे शूलपाणये |

पिनाकगोप्त्रे सूर्याय मङ्गल्याय च वेधसे |

प्रसादये त्वां भगवान् सर्वभूतमहेश्वर ||

गणेशं जगतः शम्भुं लोककारणकारणम् |

प्रधानपुरुषातीतं परं सूक्ष्मतरं हरम् ||

व्यतिक्रमं मे भगवन् क्षन्तुमर्हसि शङ्कर |

भगवन् दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी प्राप्तोऽस्मीमं महागिरिम् ||

दयितं तव देवेश तापसालयमुत्तमम् |

प्रसादये त्वां भगवन् सर्वलोकनमस्कृतम् ||

न मे स्यादपराधोऽयं महादेवातिसाहसात् |

कृतो मयायमज्ञानाद् विमर्दो यस्त्वया सह ||

शरणं प्रतिपन्नाय तत् क्षमस्वाद्य शंकर ||

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘Filled with great might (Maha Teja in Sanskrit), the Deva whose sign was the bull (Vrishabhadwaja in Sanskrit), taking into his (hands) the handsome hands of Arjuna, smilingly replied to him, saying, ‘I have pardoned you.’ Bhagawan Hara (Lord Shiva), cheerfully clasping Arjuna with his arms, once more consoling Arjuna said as follows.’”