47. LORD INDRA SENDS MESSAGE TO YUDHISHTHIRA

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > INDRALOKA GAMANA PARVA > CHAPTER 47 - LORD INDRA SENDS MESSAGE TO YUDHISHTHIRA

“Vaishampaayana said, ‘One day, Maharishi Lomasha in course of his wanderings, went to the abode of Indra (Shakra Bhavanam in Sanskrit), desirous of seeing Purandara (Lord Indra). The great Muni, having approached Devaraja, bowed to Him respectfully. He saw the Paandavaa occupying half of the seat of Vaasava. Worshipped by Maharishis, that foremost of Dwijas (Maharishi Lomasha) sat on an excellent seat at the desire of Shakra (Lord Indra). Seeing Arjuna seated on (Lord) Indra’s seat, the Rishi began to think as to how Arjuna who was a Kshatriya had attained to the seat of Shakra (Lord Indra) Himself. ‘What acts of merit had been performed (Sukrutam Karma in Sanskrit) by him and what regions, had been conquered by him that he had obtained a seat that was worshipped by Devas themselves?’

“As the Rishi was employed with these thoughts, Shakra (Lord Indra), the slayer of Vritra, came to know of them. Having known them, the lord of Shachi (Lord Indra) addressed Lomasha with a smile and said, ‘Listen, O Brahmarishi, about what is now passing in your mind. This one is no mortal though he has taken his birth among men. O Maharishi, the mighty-armed hero is my son born of Kunti. He has come here, in order to acquire weapons for some purpose. Alas! do you not recognise him as an ancient Rishi of the highest merit? Listen to me, O Brahmana, as I tell you who is and why he has come to me.

“Know that those ancient and excellent Rishis who were known by the names of Nara and Naaraayana are none else than Hrishikesha (Sri Krishna) and Dhananjaya. Those Rishis, celebrated throughout the three worlds, and known by the names of Nara and Naaraayana have, for the accomplishment of a certain purpose, been born on earth – for the acquisition of virtue (Punya in Sanskrit). That sacred ashrama which even Devas and Mahatma Rishis are not competent to see, and which is known throughout the world by the name of Badari (present-day Badrinath, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India), and situate by the source of Ganga, which is worshipped by Siddhaas and Chaaranas, was the abode, O Brahmana, of Vishnu and Jishnu. Those Rishis of blazing splendour have, O Brahmarishi, at my desire, been born on earth, and filled with mighty energy, will lighten the burden thereof.

“Besides this, there are certain Asuras known as Nivaatakavachas, who, proud of the boon they have acquired, are employed in doing us injuries. Boastful of their strength, they are now planning the destruction of Devas, for, having received a boon, they no longer regard Devas. Those fierce and mighty Daanavaas live in the nether regions (Paataala Loka in Sanskrit). All Devas together are incapable of fighting with them. The blessed (Lord) Vishnu – the slayer of Madhu – He, indeed who is known on earth as Kapila, and whose glance alone, O noble one (Bhagawaan in Sanskrit), destroyed the illustrious sons of Sagara, when they approached him with loud sounds in the bowels of the earth (Rasaatala in Sanskrit),--that illustrious and invincible Hari is capable, O best of Dwijas (Lomasha), of doing us a great service. Either He or Partha or both may do us that great service, without doubt. Certainly, as the illustrious Hari had slain the Nagas in the great lake, He, by sight alone, is capable of slaying those Asuras called the Nivaatakavachas, along with their followers. But Madhusoodana (Sri Krishna) should not be urged when the task is insignificant. He is a might mass of energy. It swells to increasing proportions, it may consume the whole universe. This Arjuna also is competent to encounter them all, and the hero having slain them in battle, will go back to the world of men.

“You go at my request to earth. You will see the brave Yudhishthira living in the Kaamyaka forest. For me, you tell the Dharmatma Yudhishthira of unbaffled prowess in battle, that he should not be anxious on account of Phaalguna, for that hero will return to earth a thorough master of weapons, for without purified prowess of arms, and without skill in weapons, he would not be able to encounter Bhishma, Drona and others in battle. You will also represent to Yudhishthira that the illustrious and mighty-armed Gudaakesha (Arjuna), having obtained weapons, has also mastered the science of divine dancing and music both instrumental and vocal. You will also tell him, ‘O king of men, O slayer of enemies, yourself also, accompanied by all your brothers, should see the various sacred shrines (Teerthaas in Sanskrit). For having bathed in different sacred waters, you will be cleansed from your sins, and the fever of your heart will abate. Then you will be able to enjoy your kingdom, happy in the thought that your sins have been washed off.’ O foremost of Dwijas (Lomasha), filled with Tapas power, it is your duty also to protect Yudhishthira during his wandering over the earth. Fierce Raakshasaas ever live in mountain fastnesses and rugged steppes. You protect the king from those cannibals.’

“After Mahendra had spoken thus to Lomasha, Bibhatsu also reverently addressed that Rishi, saying, ‘You always protect the Paandavaa (Yudhishthira). O best of men, let the king, O Maharishi, protected by you, visit the various places of pilgrimage (Teerthaas in Sanskrit) and give away in charity.’

“Vaishampaayana continued, ‘The mighty Tapaswi Lomasha, having answered both saying, ‘So be it,’ set out for the earth, desirous of arriving at the Kaamyaka forest. Having arrived at those forest, he saw the slayer of enemies and the Kaunteya, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, surrounded by Tapaswis and his younger brothers.’”