41. ARJUNA ACQUIRES WEAPONS FROM LOKAPAALAAS

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > KAIRAATA PARVA > CHAPTER 41 - ARJUNA ACQUIRES WEAPONS FROM LOKAPAALAAS

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘The wielder of the Pinaaka having the bull for His sign (Lord Shiva), thus disappeared in the very sight of the gazing Paandavaa (Arjuna), like the Sun setting in the sight of the world. Arjuna, that slayer of hostile heroes (Paraveera in Sanskrit), wondered much at this, saying, ‘O, I have seen the great Mahadeva. Fortunate, indeed I am, and much favoured, for I have both seen and touched with my hand the three-eyed Hara, the wielder of the Pinaaka (bow), in His boon-giving form. I shall win success. I am already great. My enemies have already been defeated by me. My purposes have been already achieved.’

“While Paarthaa (Arjuna), filled with immeasurable energy (Tejas), was thinking thus, there came to that place Varuna – the Eeshwara of waters, handsome and of the splendour of the lapis lazuli (Vaidooryam in Sanskrit) 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, Nagas, Daityaas, Saadhyas and Deivataas, 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 chariot of great splendour, and accompanied by numerous Yakshas. The lord of treasures (Kubera), possessed of great beauty, came there to see Arjuna, brightening the sky with his effulgence.

“There came also Yama himself, of great handsomeness, the powerful destroyer of all the worlds, accompanied by those lords of the creation – the Pitris – both embodied and disembodied. The Dharmaraja, of inconceivable soul, the son of Surya, the destroyer of all creatures, with the mace in hand (Dandapaani in Sanskrit), came there on his chariot (Vimaana in Sanskrit), illuminating the three worlds with regions of the Guhyakaas, the Gandharvas and the Nagas, like a second Surya as he rises at the end of the Yuga. Having arrived there, they saw, from the bright and multi-coloured summits of the great mountain, Arjuna engaged in Tapas.

“There came in a moment the Bhagwan Shakra (Lord Indra) also, accompanied by His queen, seated on the back of (the divine elephant) Airaavata, and also surrounded by all the deities (Sura Gana in Sanskrit). In consequence of the white umbrella being held over His head, He looked like the moon amid fluffy clouds. Praised by Gandharvas, and Rishis filled with wealth of Tapas, the chief of Devas alighted on a particular summit of the mountain, like a second Sun.

“Then Yama possessed of great intelligence, and fully knowledgeable with Dharma, who had occupied a summit on the south, in a voice deep as that of the clouds, said these auspicious words, ‘Arjuna, look at us, the protectors of the worlds (Lokapaalaa in Sanskrit), arrive here! We will grant you (spiritual) vision, for you deserve to see us. You were in your former life a Rishi of immeasurable soul, known as Nara of great might (Bala in Sanskrit). At the command, O child, of (Lord) Brahma, you hast been born among men! O sinless one, by you shall be vanquished in battle the highly virtuous (Param Dharmaatma in Sanskrit) Pitaamaha of the Kurus – Bhishma of great energy (Mahaveerya in Sanskrit) – who is born of the Vasus. You shall also defeat all the Kshatriyas of terrible energy commanded by the son of Bharadwaja (Drona) in battle. You shall also defeat those Daanavaas of fierce prowess (Mahaveerya in Sanskrit) that have been born among men, and those Daanavaas also that are called Nivaatakavachaas. O son of the Kuru race, O Dhananjaya (Arjuna), you shall also slay Karna of fierce prowess (Mahaveerya in Sanskrit), who is a portion of my father Surya, of energy celebrated throughout the worlds. O Kaunteya (Arjuna), O one who strikes all enemies, you shall also slay all the portions of Devas, Daanavaas and Raakshasaas that have been incarnate on earth. Slain by you, these shall attain to the regions earned by them according to their acts (Karma in Sanskrit). O Phaalguna (Arjuna), the fame of your achievements will last for ever in the world: you have pleased Mahadeva (Lord Shiva) Himself in conflict. You shall, with Vishnu Himself (Sri Krishna), reduce the burden of the earth. O accept this weapon of mine – the mace (Dandam in Sanskrit) I wield incapable of being baffled by any body. With this weapon you will achieve great deeds.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘O Janamejaya, Paarthaa 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 Paarthaa (Arjuna), you are the foremost of Kshatriyas, and engaged in Kshatriya Dharma. O you of large coppery eyes, look at me! I am Varuna, the lord of waters. Hurled by me, my nooses (Paashaan in Sanskrit) are incapable of being resisted. O Kaunteya (Arjuna), accept of me these Varuna weapons along with the mysteries of hurling and withdrawing them. With these, O Veera (Arjuna), in the battle that happened on account of Taarakaa (the wife of Deva Guru Brihaspati), thousands of mighty Daityaas were captured and tied. Accept them of me. Even if Yama himself is your enemy, with these in your hands, he will not be able to escape from you. When you are armed with these, travel over the battlefield, the land, beyond doubt, will be devoid of Kshatriyas.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘After both Varuna and Yama had given away their divine weapons, the lord of treasures (Kubera) having his home on the heights of Kailaasa (mountain), then spoke, ‘O Paandavaa, O you of great might (Bala in Sanskrit) and wisdom, I too have been pleased with you. This meeting with you gives me as much pleasure as a meeting with (Sri) Krishna. O Savyasaachin (Arjuna), O you of mighty arms, you were a Deva before, eternal (as other Devas). In ancient Kalpas, you had every day gone through Tapas along with us. O best of men, I grant you celestial vision. O you of mighty arms, you will defeat even invincible Daityas and Daanavaas. 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 Antardhaana. Filled with energy (Tejas in Sanskrit), prowess and splendour, it is capable of sending the enemy to sleep. When the Mahatmana Shankara (Lord Shiva) slew Tripura, this was the weapon which He shot and by which many mighty Asuras were consumed. O you of invincible prowess (Satya Paraakrama in Sanskrit), I take it up for giving it to you. Filled with the dignity (Gauravam in Sanskrit) of the Meru, you are competent to hold this weapon.’

“After these words had been spoken, the Kuru prince Arjuna filled with great strength (Bala in Sanskrit), duly received from Kubera that divine weapon. Then the chief of Devas (Lord Indra) addressing Paarthaa of spotless deeds in sweet words, said, in a voice deep as that the clouds or the kettle-drum (Dundubhi in Sanskrit), ‘O you mighty-armed Kaunteya, you are an ancient Eeshaana. You have already achieved the highest success and acquired the statue of a Deva. But, O represser of enemies, you have yet to accomplish the purposes of Devas. You must ascend to heaven. Therefore, you prepare O hero of great splendour! My own chariot with Maatali as charioteer, will soon descend on the earth. Taking you, O Kaurava (Arjuna), to heaven, I will grant you there all my celestial weapons.’

“Looking those protectors of the worlds (Lokapaala in Sanskrit) assembled together on the heights of Himavat (present-day Himalayas), Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, wondered much. Filled with great energy, he then duly worshipped the assembled Lokapaalaas, with words, water, and fruits. Devas then returning that worship, went away. Devas capable of going everywhere at will, and filled with the speed of the mind, returned to the places from where they had come.’

“That bull among men – 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.’”