The Mahabharata, of, Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, BOOK 3, (Tirtha-yatra Parva), SECTION CLXIII

 

 The Mahabharata, of, Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, BOOK 3, (Tirtha-yatra Parva), 

SECTION CLXIII

Vaisampayana continued, "Dwelling in that best of mountains those

high-souled ones observing excellent vows, felt themselves attracted (to

that place), and diverted themselves, eager to behold Arjuna. And

multitudes of Gandharvas and Maharshis gladly visited those energetic

ones, possessing prowess, of chaste desires and being the foremost of

those endued with truth and fortitude. And having arrived at that

excellent mountain furnished with trees bearing blossoms, those mighty

charioteers were exceedingly delighted, even as the Marutas, on arriving

at the celestial regions. And experiencing great exhilaration, they lived

(there), seeing the slopes and summits of that mighty mountain, filled

with flowers, and resonant with the cries of peacocks and cranes. And on

that beautiful mountain they beheld lakes filled with lotuses, and having

their shores covered with trees, and frequented by darkness, and

karandavas and swans. And the flourishing sporting-regions, graceful on

account of the various flowers, and abounding in gems, was capable of

captivating that king, the dispenser of wealth (Kuvera). And always

ranging (there), those foremost of ascetics (the Pandavas) were incapable

of conceiving (the significance of) that Summit, furnished with mighty

trees, and masses of wide-spreading clouds. And, O great hero, owing to

its native splendour, and also on account of the brilliance of the annual

plants, there was no difference there between night and day. And staying

in the mountain, remaining in which the Sun of unrivalled energy

cherisheth the mobile and immobile things, those heroes and foremost of

men beheld the rising and the setting of the Sun. And having seen the

rising and the setting points of the Sun and the rising and the setting

mountain, and all the cardinal points, as well as the intervening spaces

ever blazing with the rays of the Dispeller of darkness, those heroes, in

expectation of the arrival of that mighty charioteer firm in truth,

became engaged in reciting the Vedas, practising the daily rituals,

chiefly discharging the religious duties, exercising sacred vows, and

abiding by the truth. And saying, 'Let us even here experience delight by

joining without delay Arjuna accomplished in arms,' those highly blessed

Parthas became engaged in the practice of Yoga. And beholding romantic

woods on that mountain, as they always thought of Kiriti, every day and

night appeared unto them even as a year. From that very moment joy had

taken leave of them when, with Dhaumya's permission, the high-souled

Jishnu, matting his hair, departed (for the woods). So, how could they,

absorbed in his contemplation, experience happiness there? They had

become overwhelmed with grief ever since the moment when at the command

of his brother, Yudhishthira, Jishnu of the tread of a mad elephant had

departed from the Kamyaka forest. O Bharata, in this way, on that

mountain those descendants of Bharata passed a month with difficulty,

thinking of him of the white steeds, who had gone to Vasava's abode for

learning arms. And Arjuna, having dwelt for five years in the abode of

him of a thousand eyes, and having from that lord of celestials obtained

all the celestial weapons,--such as those of Agni, of Varuna, of Soma, of

Vayu, of Vishnu, of Indra, of Pasupati, of Brahma, of Parameshthi, of

Prajapati, of Yama, of Dhata, of Savita, of Tvashta, and of Vaisravana;

and having bowed down to and gone round him of a hundred sacrifices, and

taken his (Indra's) permission, cheerfully came to the Gandhamadana."

SECTION CLXIV

Vaisampayana continued, "And it came to pass that once a day as those

mighty charioteers were thinking of Arjuna, seeing Mahendra's car, yoked

with horses of the effulgence of lightning, arrive all on a sudden, they

were delighted. And driven by Matali, that blazing car, suddenly

illuminating the sky, looked like smokeless flaming tongues of fire, or a

mighty meteor embosomed in clouds. And seated in that car appeared Kiriti

wearing garlands and new-made ornaments. Then Dhananjaya possessing the

prowess of the wielder of the thunder-bolt, alighted on that mountain,

blazing in beauty. And that intelligent one decked in a diadem and

garlands, having alighted on the mountain, first bowed down at the feet

of Dhaumya, and then at those of Ajatasatru. And he also paid homage unto

Vrikodara's feet; and the twins also bowed down unto him. Then going to

Krishna, and having cheered her, he stood before his (elder) brother in

humble guise. And on meeting with that matchless one, they were

exceedingly delighted. And he also meeting with them rejoiced

exceedingly, and began to eulogise the king. And seeing before them that

car driving in which the slayer of Namuchi had annihilated seven

phalanxes of Diti's offspring, the magnanimous Parthas went round it. And

being highly pleased, they offered excellent worship unto Matali, as unto

the lord of the celestials himself. And then the son of the Kuru king

duly enquired of him after the health of all the gods. And Matali also

greeted them. And having instructed the Parthas even as a father doth his

sons, he ascended that incomparable car, and returned to the lord of the

celestials.

"And when Matali had gone away, that foremost of the royal race, Sakra's

son, the high-souled destroyer of all foes made over unto his love, the

mother of Sutasoma, beautiful precious gems and ornaments having the

splendour of the sun, which had been presented to him by Sakra. Then,

sitting in the midst of those foremost of the Kurus, and those best of

the Brahmanas, effulgent like unto fire or the sun, he began to relate

all as it had happened, saying, "In this way, I have learnt weapons from

Sakra, Vayu, and the manifest Siva; and all the celestials with Indra

also have been pleased with me, on account of my good behaviour, and

concentration.'

"After having briefly narrated unto them his sojourn in heaven, Kiriti of

spotless deeds agreeably slept that night with the two sons of Madri."

SECTION CLXV

Vaisampayana said, "Then when the night had been spent, Dhananjaya,

together with his brothers, paid homage unto Yudhishthira the just. And,

O Bharata, at this moment, proceeding from the celestials there arose

mighty and tremendous sounds of a musical instrument, and the rattling of

car-wheels, and the tolling of bells. And there at all the beasts and

beasts of prey and birds emitted separate cries. And from all sides in

cars resplendent as the sun, hosts of Gandharvas and Apsaras began to

follow that represser of foes, the lord of the celestials. And ascending

a car yoked with steeds, decorated with burnished gold, and roaring like

clouds, that king of the celestials, Purandara blazing in beauty came

unto the Parthas. And having arrived (at that place), he of a thousand

eyes descended from his car. And as soon as Yudhishthira the just saw

that high-souled one, he together with his brothers, approached that

graceful king of the immortals. And in accordance with the ordinance that

generous one duly worshipped him of immeasurable soul, in consequence

with his dignity. And then Dhananjaya possessed of prowess, having bowed

down unto Purandara, stood before the lord of the celestials in humble

guise, like unto a servant. And seeing the sinless Dhananjaya having

ascetic merit, bearing clotted hair, stand in humility before the lord of

celestials, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti; of great energy, smelt (the

crown) of his head. And beholding Phalguna (in that attitude), he was

exceedingly glad; and by worshipping the king of the celestials, he

experienced the highest bliss. Then unto that strongminded monarch,

swimming in felicity, the intelligent lord of the celestials, Purandara,

spake, saying, Thou shalt rule the earth, O Pandava, Blessed be thou! Do

thou, O Kunti's son, again repair unto Kamyaka.'"That learned man who for

a year leading the Brahmacharya mode of life, subduing his senses and

observing vows, peruseth with rapt attention this meeting of Sakra with

the Pandavas, liveth a hundred years free from disturbances, and enjoying

happiness."'

SECTION CLXVI

Vaisampayana continued, "When Sakra had gone to his proper place,

Vibhatsu together with his brothers and Krishna, paid homage unto the son

of Dharma. Then smelling the crown of the head of that Pandava, who was

thus paying homage, (Yudhishthira) in accents faltering on account of

you, addressed Arjuna, saying 'O Arjuna, how didst thou pass this period

in heaven? And how has thou obtained the weapons, and how also hast thou

gratified the lord of the celestials? And, O Pandava, has thou adequately

secured the weapons? Have the lord of the celestials and Rudra gladly

granted thee the weapons? And how hast thou beheld the divine Sakra, and

the wielder of Pinaka? And how has thou obtained the weapons? And in what

manner didst thou worship (them)? And what service hadst thou done unto

that repressor of foes, the worshipful one of a hundred sacrifices, that

he said unto thee, 'By thee have I been gratified? All this, O highly

effulgent one, I wish to hear in detail. And, O sinless one, the manner

in which thou didst please Mahadeva and the king of the celestials and, O

repressor of foes, the service thou hadst done to the wielder of the

thunder-bolt,--do thou, O Dhananjaya, relate all this in detail."

"Arjuna said, 'O mighty monarch, listen how I duly beheld him of a

hundred sacrifice and the divine Sankara also. O grinder of foes, O king,

having acquired that science which thou hadst directed me (to learn), I

at thy command went to the forest, for practising penances. From Kamyaka

repairing to the Bhrigutunga, I spent there one night, being engaged in

austerities And it came to pass that on the next I saw a certain

Brahmana. And he asked me, saying, 'O son of Kunti, whither wilt thou

go?' Thereupon, O descendant of the Kurus, I truly related unto him

everything. And, O best of kings, having heard the true account, the

Brahmana became well-pleased with me, and, O king, praised me. Then the

Brahmana, pleased with me, said, 'O Bharata, be thou engaged in

austerities. By performing penances, thou wilt in a short time behold the

lord of the celestials.' And according to his advice I ascended the

Himavan, and, O mighty king, began to practise penances, (the first)

month subsisting on fruit and roots. I spent the second month, subsisting

on water. And, O Pandava, in the third month I totally abstained from

food. And in the fourth month I remained with upraised arms. And a wonder

it is that I did not lose any strength. And it came to pass that when the

first day of the fifth month had been spent, there appeared before me a

being wearing the form of a boar, turning up the earth with his mouth,

stamping the ground with his feet, rubbing the earth with his breast, and

momentarily going about in a frightful manner. And him followed a great

being in the guise of a hunter furnished with the bow, arrows, and the

sword, and surrounded by females. Thereupon, taking my bow and the two

inexhaustible quivers, I pierced with shafts that terrible and frightful

creature. And simultaneously (with me) that hunter also drawing a strong

bow, more severely struck at (the animal), as if shaking my mind. And, O

king, he also said unto me, 'Why hast thou, transgressing the rules of

hunting, hit the animal first hit at by me? With these sharpened shafts

will I destroy thy pride. Stay!' Then that mighty-bodied one holding the

bow rushed at me. And with volleys of mighty shafts, he covered me

entirely, even as a cloud covereth a mountain with showers. Then, on my

part, I covered him with a mighty discharge of arrows. Thereupon, with

steady arrows having their points aflame, and inspired with mantras, I

pierced him even as (Indra) riveth a mountain with a thunderbolt. Then

his person began to be multiplied a hundredfold and a thousandfold. At

this, I pierced all this bodies with shafts. Then again all those forms

became one, O Bharata. Thereat I struck at it. Next, he now assumed a

small body with a huge head, and now a huge body with a small head. And,

O king, he then assumed his former person and approached me for fight.

And, O foremost of the Bharata race, when in the encounter I failed to

overwhelm him with arrows, I fixed the mighty weapon of the Wind-god. But

I failed to discharge it at him, and this was a wonder. And when that

weapon thus failed of effect, I was struck with amazement. However, O

king, exerting myself more vigorously, I again covered that being with a

mighty multitude of shafts. Then taking Sthunakarna, and Varuna and

Salava, and Asmavarsha weapons, I assailed him, profusely showering

shafts. But, O king, he instantly swallowed up even all these weapons of

mine. And when all those (weapons) had been swallowed up, I discharged

the weapon presided over by Brahma. And when the blazing arrows issuing

from that weapon were heaped upon him all around, and being thus heaped

over by that mighty weapon discharged by me, he increased (in bulk). Then

all the world became oppressed with the energy begotten of the weapon

hurled by me, and the firmament and all the points of the sky became

illumined. But that one of mighty energy instantly baffled even that

weapon. And, O monarch, when that weapon presided over by Brahma had been

baffled I was possessed with terrible fear. Thereupon immediately holding

even my bow and the two inexhaustible quivers, I shot at that being, but

he swallowed up all those weapons. And when all the weapons had been

baffled and swallowed up, there ensued a wrestling between him and

myself. And we encountered each other first with blows and then with

slaps. But incapable of overcoming that being, I fell down stupefied on

the ground. Thereupon, O mighty king, with a laugh, that wonderful being

at my sight vanished at that spot together with the woman. Having

accomplished this, O illustrious monarch, that divine one assumed another

and unearthly form (clad in) wonderful raiment. And renouncing the form

of a hunter, that divine lord of the gods, resumed his own unearthly

appearance and that mighty god stood (there). Then appeared before me

with Uma that manifest divine one, having the bull for his mark, wielding

the Pinaka, bearing serpents and cable of assuming many forms. And, O

repressor of foes, advancing towards me, standing even then in the field

ready for conflict, that wielder of the trident addressed me saying, I am

well-pleased with thee. Then that divine one held up my bows and the

couple of quivers furnished with inexhaustible shafts and returned them

unto me saying, 'Do thou ask some boon, O Kunti's son. I am well-pleased

with thee. Tell me, what I shall do for thee. And, O hero, express the

desire that dwelleth in thy heart. I will grant it. Except immortality

alone, tell me as to the desire that is in thy heart. Thereat with my

mind intent on the acquisition of arms, I only bowed down unto Siva and

said, 'O divine one, if thou beest favourably disposed towards me, then I

wish to have this boon,--I wish to learn all the weapons that are with

thy god-head.' Then the god Tryamvaka said unto me, 'I will give. O

Pandava, my own weapon Raudra shall attend upon thee.' Thereupon

Mahadeva, well-pleased, granted to me the mighty weapon, Pasupata. And,

having granted that eternal weapon, he also said unto me, This must never

be hurled at mortals. If discharged at any person of small energy, it

would consume the universe. Shouldst thou (at any time) be hard pressed,

thou mayst discharge it. And when all thy weapons have been completely

baffled, thou mayst hurl it.' Then when he having the bull for his mark,

had been thus gratified, there stood manifest by my side that celestial

weapon, of resistless force capable of baffling all weapons and

destructive of foes and the hewer of hostile forces and unrivalled and

difficult to be borne even by the celestials, the demons and the

Rakshasas. Then at the command of that god, I sat me down there. And in

my very sight the god vanished from the spot.'"

SECTION CLXVII

"Arjuna said, 'O Bharata, by the grace of that god of gods the Supreme

Soul, Tryamvaka, I passed the night at that place. And having passed the

night, when I had finished the morning rituals, I saw that foremost of

the Brahmanas whom I had seen before. And unto him I told all as it had

happened, O Bharata, namely, that I had met the divine Mahadeva.

Thereupon, O king of kings, well-pleased, he said unto me, 'Since thou

hast beheld the great god, incapable of being beheld by any one else,

soon wilt thou mix with Vaivaswata and the other Lokapalas and the lord

of the celestials; and Indra too will grant thee weapons.' O king, having

said this unto me and having embraced me again and again, that Bhrahmana

resembling the Sun, went away whither he listed. And, O slayer of foes,

it came to pass that on the evening of that day refreshing the whole

world, there began to blow a pure breeze. And in my vicinity on the base

of the Himalaya mountain fresh, fragrant and fair flowers began to bloom.

And on all sides there were heard charming symphony and captivating hymns

relating to Indra. And before the lord of the celestial hosts of Apsaras

and Gandharvas chanted various songs. And ascending celestial cars, there

approached the Marutas and the followers of Mahendra and the dwellers of

heaven. And afterwards, Marutvan together with Sachi and all the

celestials appeared on the scene in cars yoked with horses elegantly

adorned. And at this very moment, O king, he that goeth about on the

shoulders of men manifested himself unto me in excellent grace. And I saw

Yama seated on the south and Varuna and the lord of the celestials at

their respective regions. And, O foremost of men, O mighty monarch, they

after having cheered me said, 'O Savyasachin, behold us--the

Lokapalas--seated. For the performance of the task of the gods thou hast

obtained the sight of Sankara. Do thou now receive weapons from us seated

around.' Thereupon, O lord, having bowed down unto those foremost of the

celestials with regard, I duly accepted those mighty weapons. And then

they recognised me as one of their own. Afterwards the gods repaired to

the quarter from whence they had come. And that lord of the celestials,

the divine Maghavan too having ascended his glorious chariot, said, 'O

Phalguna, thou shalt have to repair unto the celestial region. O

Dhananjaya, even before this thy arrival I knew that thou wouldst come

hither. Then I, have O best of the Bharatas, manifested myself unto thee.

As formerly thou hadst performed thy ablution in the various tirthas and

now hast performed severe austerities, so thou wilt be able to repair

unto the celestial regions, O Pandava. Thou wilt, however, again have to

practise extreme penance, for thou shouldst at any rate journey to

heaven. And at my command, Matali shall take thee to the celestial

regions. Thou hast already been recognised by the celestials and the

celestial sages of high soul.' Thereupon I said unto Sakra, 'O divine

one, be thou favourable unto me. With the view of learning arms do I

beseech thee that thou mayst 'be my preceptor.' At this Indra said, 'O

child, having learnt weapons thou wouldst perform terrible deeds and with

this object thou desirest to obtain the weapons. However, obtain thou the

arms, as thou desirest.' Then I said, 'O slayer of foes, I never would

discharge these celestial weapons at mortals except when all my other

arms should have been baffled. Do thou, O lord of the celestials, grant

me the celestial weapons (so that) I may hereafter, obtain the regions

attainable by warriors.' Indra said, 'O Dhananjaya it is to try thee that

I have said such words unto thee. Having been begotten of me this speech

of thine well becometh thee. Do thou, O Bharata, repairing unto my abode

learn all the weapons of Vayu, of Agni, of the Vasus, of Varuna, of the

Marutas, of the Siddhas, of Brahma, of the Gandharvas of the Uragas, of

the Rakshasas, of Vishnu and of the Nairitas; and also all the weapons

that are with me, O perpetuator of the Kuru race.' Having said this unto

me Sakra vanished at the very spot. Then, O king, I saw the wonderful and

sacred celestial car yoked with steeds arrive conducted by Matali. And

when the Lokapalas went away Matali said unto me. 'O thou of mighty

splendour, the lord of the celestials is desirous of seeing thee. And O

mighty-armed one, do thou acquire competence and then perform thy task.

Come and behold the regions, attainable by merit and come unto heaven

even in this frame. O Bharata, the thousand-eyed lord of the celestials

wisheth to see thee.' Thus addressed by Matali, I, taking leave of the

mountain Himalaya and having gone round it ascended that excellent car.

And then the exceedingly generous Matali, versed in equine lore, drove

the steeds, gifted with the speed of thought or the wind. And when the

chariot began to move that charioteer looking at my face as I was seated

steadily, wondered and said these words, 'Today this appeareth unto me

strange and unprecedented that being seated in this celestial car, thou

hast not been jerked ever so little. O foremost of Bharata race, I have

ever remarked that at the first pull by the steeds even the lord of the

celestials himself getteth jerked. But all the while that the car had

moved, thou hast been sitting unshaken. This appeareth unto me as

transcending even the power of Sakra.'

"Having said this, O Bharata, Matali soared in the sky and showed me the

abodes of the celestials and their palaces. Then the chariot yoked with

steeds coursed upwards. And the celestials and the sages began to worship

(that car), O prime of men. And I saw the regions, moving anywhere at

will, and the splendour also of the highly energetic Gandharvas, Apsaras,

and the celestial sages. And Sakra's charioteer, Matali, at once showed

me Nandana and other gardens and groves belonging to the celestials. Next

I beheld Indra's abode, Amaravati, adorned with jewels and trees yielding

any sort of fruit that is desired. There the Sun doth not shed heat; nor

doth heat or cold or fatigue there affect (one), O king. And, O great

monarch, the celestials feel neither sorrow nor poverty of spirit, nor

weakness, nor lassitude, O grinder of foes. And, O ruler of men, the

celestials and the others have neither anger nor covetousness. And, O

king, in the abodes of the celestials, the beings are ever contented. And

there the trees ever bear verdant foliage, and fruits, and flowers; and

the various lakes are embalmed with the fragrance of lotuses. And there

the breeze is cool, and delicious, and fragrant, and pure, and inspiring.

And the ground is variegated with all kinds of gems, and adorned with

blossoms. And there were seen innumerable beautiful beasts and in the air

innumerable rangers of the sky. Then I saw the Vasus, and the Rudras, and

the Sadhyas with the Marutas, and the Adityas, and the two Aswins and

worshipped them. And they conferred their benison on me, granting me

strength and prowess, and energy, and celebrity, and (skill in) arms, and

victory in battle. Then, entering that romantic city adored by the

Gandharvas and the celestials, with joined hands, I stood before the

thousand-eyed lord of the celestials. Thereupon, that best of bestowers

gladly offered unto me half of his seat; and Vasava also with regard

touched my person. And, O Bharata, with the view of acquiring arms and

learning weapons, I began to dwell in heaven, together with the gods and

the Gandharvas of generous souls. And Viswavana's son, Chitrasena became

my friend. And he, O king, imparted unto me the entire Gandharva

(science). And, O monarch, I happily lived in Sakra's abode, well cared

for having all my desires gratified, learning weapons, listening to the

notes of songs, and the clear sounds of musical instruments, and

beholding the foremost of Apsaras dance. And without neglecting to study

the arts, which I learnt properly, my attention was specially fixed on

the acquisition of arms. And that lord of a thousand eyes was pleased

with that purpose of mine. Living thus in heaven, O king, I passed this

period.

"And when I had acquired proficiency in weapons, and gained his

confidence that one having for his vehicle the horse (Uchchaisrava),

(Indra), patting me on the head with his hand, said these words, 'Now

even the celestials themselves cannot conquer thee,--what shall I say of

imperfect mortals residing on earth? Thou hast become invulnerable in

strength, irrepressible, and incomparable in fight.' Then with the hair

of his body standing on end, he again accosted me saying, 'O hero, in

fighting with weapons none is equal unto thee. And, O perpetuator of the

Kuru race, thou art even watchful, and dexterous, and truthful, and of

subdued senses, and the protector of the Brahmanas and adept in weapons,

and warlike. And, O Partha, together with (a knowledge of) the five

modes, using (them), thou hast obtained five and ten weapons and,

therefore, there existeth none, who is thy peer. And thou hast perfectly

learnt the discharge (of those weapons) and (their) withdrawal, and

(their) re-discharge and re-withdrawal, and the Prayaschitta connected

(with them), and also their revival, in case of their being baffled. Now,

O represser of foes, the time hath arrived for thy paying the preceptor's

fee. Do thou promise to pay the fee; then I shall unfold unto thee what

thou wilt have to perform.' Thereat, O king, I said unto the ruler of the

celestials, 'If it be in my power to do the work, do thou consider it as

already accomplished by me.' O king, when I had said these words, Indra

with a smile said unto me 'Nothing is there in the three worlds that is

not in thy power (to achieve) My enemies, those Danavas, named,

Nivata-Kavachas dwell in the womb of the ocean. And they number thirty

million and are notorious, and all of equal forms and strength and

splendour. Do thou slay them there, O Kunti's son; and that will be thy

preceptor's fee.'

"Saying this he gave unto me the highly resplendent celestial car,

conducted by Matali, furnished with hair resembling the down of peacocks.

And on my head he set this excellent diadem. And he gave me ornaments for

my body, like unto his own. And he granted unto me the impenetrable

mail--the best of its kind, and easy to the touch; and fastened unto the

Gandiva this durable string. Then I set out, ascending that splendid

chariot riding on which in days of yore, the lord of the celestials and

vanquished Vali--that son of Virochana. And, O ruler of men, startled by

the rattling of the car, all the celestials, approached (there), taking

me to be the king of the celestials. And seeing me, they asked, 'O

Phalguna, what art thou going to do?' And I told them as it had fallen

out,--and said, 'I shall even do this in battle. Ye that are highly

fortunate, know that I have set out desirous of slaying the

Nivata-Kavachas. O sinless ones, do ye bless me.' Thereupon, they began

to eulogise me even as they (eulogise) the god, Purandara. And they said,

'Riding on this car, Maghavan conquered in battle Samvara, and Namuchi,

and Vala, and Vritra, and Prahrada, and Naraka. And mounted on this car

also Maghavan, had conquered in battle many thousands and millions and

hundreds of millions of Daityas. And, O Kaunteya, thou also, riding on

this car, by thy prowess shalt conquer the Nivatha-Kavachas in conflict,

even as did the self-possessed Maghavan in days of yore. And here is the

best of shells; by this also thou shalt defeat the Danavas And by this it

is that the high souled Sakra conquered the words.' Saying this, the gods

offered (unto me) this shell, Devadatta, sprung in the deep; and I

accepted it for the sake of victory. And at this moment, the gods fell

extolling me. And in order to be engaged in action, I proceeded to the

dreadful abode of the Danavas, furnished with the shell, the mail, and

arrows, and taking my bow."