44. ARJUNA LEARNT MUSIC AND DANCE

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > INDRALOKA GAMANA PARVA > CHAPTER 44 - ARJUNA LEARNT MUSIC AND DANCE

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘Devas and Gandharvas then, understanding the wishes of Shakra (Lord Indra), procured an excellent Arghya and reverenced Paarthaa (Arjuna) in a hurry. Giving water to wash both his feet and face, they caused the prince to enter the palace of Purandara (Lord Indra). Thus worshipped, Jishnu (Arjuna) continued to live in the abode (Bhavanam in Sanskrit) of his father. The Paandavaa (Arjuna) continued all the while to acquire great weapons, together with the means of withdrawing them. He received from the hands of Shakra (Lord Indra) His favourite weapon of irresistible force – the Vajra and also those other weapons, of tremendous roar, viz., the lightnings of heaven, whose flashes are concludeable from the appearance of clouds and (the dancing of) peacocks. The Paandavaa, after he had obtained those weapons, recollected his brothers. At the command of (Lord) Indra, however, he lived for full five years in heaven, surrounded by every comfort and luxury.

“After some time, when Arjuna had obtained all the weapons. (Lord) Indra addressed him in due time, saying, ‘O Kaunteya (Arjuna), you learn music and dancing from (Gandharva) Chitrasena. Learn the instrumental music that is current among Devas and which does not exist in the world of men, for, O Kaunteya (Arjuna), it will be to your benefit.’ Purandara (Lord Indra) gave Chitrasena as a friend to Arjuna. Paarthaa lived happily in peace with Chitrasena. Chitrasena instructed Arjuna all the while in music – vocal and instrumental – and in dancing. But the active Arjuna obtained no peace of mind, remembering the unfair play at dice of Shakuni, the Saubala, and thinking with anger of Duhshaasana and his death. When however, his friendship with Chitrasena had ripened fully, he at times learned the unrivalled dance and music practised among Gandharvas. At last having learnt various kinds of dance and diverse species of music, both vocal and instrumental, that slayer of hostile heroes obtained no peace of mind remembering his brothers and mother Kunti.’”