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

 SECTION XXXVI

Vaisampayana said, "Hearing those words of Bhima, Yudhishthira. the son

of Kunti--tiger among men and slayer of all foes--began to sigh heavily,

and reflect in silence. And he thought within himself, 'I have heard

recited the duties of kings, also all truths about the duties of the

different orders. He is said to observe those duties truly who keepeth

them before his eyes, so as to regulate his conduct both in the present

and the future. Knowing as I do the true course of virtue, which, however

is so very difficult of being known, how can I forcibly grind virtue down

like grinding the mountains of Meru? Having reflected so for a moment,

and settled what he should do, he replied unto Bhima as follows without

allowing him another word:

"O thou of mighty arms, it is even so as thou hast said. But, O thou

foremost of speakers, listen now to another word I say. Whatever sinful

deeds, O Bhima, one seeketh to achieve, depending on his courage alone,

become always a source of pain. But, O thou of mighty arms, whatever is

begun with deliberation, with well-directed prowess, with all appliances,

and much previous thought, is seen to succeed. The gods themselves favour

such designs. Hear from me something about what, proud of thy might, O

Bhima, and led away by thy restlessness, thou thinkest should be

immediately begun. Bhurisravas, Sala, the mighty Jarasandha, Bhishma,

Drona, Karna, the mighty son of Drona, Dhritarashtra's sons--Duryodhana

and others--so difficult of being vanquished, are all accomplished in

arms and ever ready for battle with us. Those kings and chiefs of the

earth also who have been injured by us, have all adopted the side of the

Kauravas, and are bound by ties of affection to them. O Bharata, they are

engaged in seeking the good of Duryodhana and not of us. With full

treasures and aided by large forces, they will certainly strive their

best in battle. All the officers also of the Kuru army together with

their sons and relatives, have been honoured by Duryodhana with wealth

and luxuries. Those heroes are also much regarded by Duryodhana. This is

my certain conclusion that they will sacrifice their lives for Duryodhana

in battle. Although the behaviour of Bhishma, Drona, and the illustrious

Kripa, is the same towards us as towards them, yet, O thou of mighty

arms, this is my certain conclusion that in order to pay off the royal

favours they enjoy, they will throw their very lives, than which there is

nothing dearer, in battle. All of them are masters of celestial weapons,

and devoted to the practice of virtue. I think they are incapable of

being vanquished even by gods led by Vasava himself. There is again

amongst them that mighty warrior--Karna--impetuous, and ever wrathful,

master of all weapons, and invincible, and encased in impenetrable mail.

Without first vanquishing in battle all those foremost of men, unaided as

thou art, how canst thou slay Duryodhana? O Vrikodara, I cannot sleep

thinking of the lightness of hand of that Suta's son, who, I regard, is

the foremost of all wielders of the bow!"

"Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words of Yudhishthira, the

impetuous Bhima became alarmed, and forbore from speaking anything. And

while the sons of Pandu were thus conversing with each other, there came

to that spot the great ascetic Vyasa, the son of Satyavati. And as he

came, the sons of Pandu worshipped him duly. Then that foremost of all

speakers, addressing Yudhishthira, said, O, Yudhishthira, O thou of

mighty arms, knowing by spiritual insight what is passing in thy heart, I

have come to thee, O thou bull among men! The fear that is in thy heart,

arising from Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and Karna, and Drona's son,

and prince Duryodhana, and Dussasana, I will dispell, O slayer of all

foes, by means of an act enjoined by the ordinance. Hearing it from me,

accomplish it thou with patience, and having accomplished it, O king,

quell this fever of thine soon.'"

That foremost of speakers then, the son of Parasara, taking Yudhishthira

to a corner, began to address him in words of deep import, saying, 'O

best of the Bharatas, the time is come for thy prosperity, when, indeed

Dhananjaya--that son of Pritha--will slay all thy foes in battle. Uttered

by me and like unto success personified, accept from me this knowledge

called Pratismriti that I impart to thee, knowing thou art capable of

receiving it. Receiving it (from thee), Arjuna will be able to accomplish

his desire. And let Arjuna, O son of Pandu, go unto Mahendra and Rudra,

and Varuna, and Kuvera, and Yama, for receiving weapon from them. He is

competent to behold the gods for his asceticism and prowess. He is even a

Rishi of great energy, the friend of Narayana; ancient, eternal a god

himself, invincible, ever successful, and knowing no deterioration. Of

mighty arms, he will achieve mighty deeds, having obtained weapons from

Indra, and Rudra, and the Lokapalas, O son of Kunti, think also of going

from this to some other forest that may, O king, be fit for thy abode. To

reside in one place for any length of time is scarcely pleasant. In thy

case, it might also be productive of anxiety to the ascetics. And as thou

maintainest numerous Brahmanas versed in the Vedas and the several

branches thereof, continued residence here might exhaust the deer of this

forest, and be destructive of the creepers and plants.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Having addressed him thus, that illustrious and

exalted ascetic Vyasa, of great wisdom, acquired with the mysteries of

the world, then imparted unto the willing Yudhishthira the just, who had

meanwhile purified himself, that foremost of sciences. And bidding

farewell unto the son of Kunti, Vyasa disappeared then and there. The

virtuous and intelligent Yudhishthira, however, having obtained that

knowledge carefully retained it in his mind and always recited it on

proper occasions. Glad of the advice given him by Vyasa, the son of Kunti

then, leaving the wood Dwaitavana went to the forest of Kamyaka on the

banks of the Saraswati. And, O king, numerous Brahmanas of ascetic merit

and versed in the science of orthoepy and orthography, followed him like

the Rishis following the chief of the celestials. Arrived at Kamyaka,

those illustrious bulls amongst the Bharata took up their residence there

along with their friends and attendants. And possessed of energy, those

heroes, O king, lived there for some time, devoted to the exercise of the

bow and hearing all the while the chanting of the Vedas. And they went

about those woods every day in search of deer, armed with pure arrows.

And they duly performed all the rites in honour of the Pitris, the

celestials and the Brahmanas."

SECTION XXXVII

Vaisampayana said, "After some time, Yudhishthira the just, remembering

the command of the Muni (Vyasa) and calling unto himself that bull among

men--Arjuna--possessed of great wisdom, addressed him in private. Taking

hold of Arjuna's hands, with a smiling face and in gentle accents, that

chastiser of foes--the virtuous Yudhishthira--apparently after reflecting

for a moment, spake these words in private unto Dhananjaya, 'O Bharata,

the whole science of arms dwelleth in Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and

Karna, and Drona's son. They fully know all sorts of Brahma and celestial

and human and Vayavya weapons, together with the modes of using and

warding them off. All of them are conciliated and honoured and gratified

by Dhritarashtra's son who behaveth unto them as one should behave unto

his preceptor. Towards all his warriors Dhritarashtra's son behaveth with

great affection; and all the chiefs honoured and gratified by him, seek

his good in return. Thus honoured by him, they will not fail to put forth

their might. The whole earth, besides, is now under Duryodhana's sway,

with all the villages and towns, O son of Pritha, and all the seas and

woods and mines! Thou alone art our sole refuge. On thee resteth a great

burden. I shall, therefore, O chastiser of all foes, tell thee what thou

art to do now. I have obtained a science from Krishna Dwaipayana. Used by

thee, that science will expose the whole universe to thee. O child,

attentively receive thou that science from me, and in due time (by its

aid) attain thou the grace of the celestials. And, O bull of the Bharata

race, devote thyself to fierce asceticism. Armed with the bow and sword,

and cased in mail, betake thyself to austerities and good vows, and go

thou northwards, O child, without giving way to anybody. O Dhananjaya,

all celestial weapons are with Indra. The celestials, from fear of

Vritra, imparted at the time all their might to Sakra. Gathered together

in one place, thou wilt obtain all weapons. Go thou unto Sakra, he will

give thee all his weapons. Taking the bow set thou out this very day in

order to behold Purandara."

Vaisampayana continued, "Having said this, the exalted Yudhishthira the

just, imparted that science unto Arjuna. And the elder brother having

communicated with due rites the knowledge unto his heroic brother, with

speech and body and mind under perfect control, commanded him to depart.

And at the command of Yudhishthira, the strong-armed Arjuna, taking up

the Gandiva as also his inexhaustible quivers, and accoutred in mail and

gauntlets and finger-protectors made of the skin of the guana, and having

poured oblations into the fire and made the Brahmanas to utter

benedictions after gifts, set out (from Kamyaka) with the objects of

beholding Indra. And armed with the bow, the hero, at the time of setting

out heaved a sigh and cast a look upwards for achieving the death of

Dhritarashtra's sons. And beholding Kunti's son thus armed and about to

set out, the Brahmanas and Siddhas and invisible spirits addressed him,

saying, 'O son of Kunti, obtain thou soon what thou wishest.' And the

Brahmanas, also uttering benedictions said, 'Achieve thou the object thou

hast in view. Let victory be truly thine.' And beholding the heroic

Arjuna, of thighs stout as the trunks of the Sala, about to set out

taking away with him the hearts of all, Krishna addressed him saying, 'O

thou strong-armed one, let all that Kunti had desired at thy birth, and

let all that thou desirest, be accomplished, O Dhananjaya! Let no one

amongst us be ever again born in the order of Kshatriyas. I always bow

down unto the Brahmanas whose mode of living is mendicancy. This is my

great grief that the wretch Duryodhana beholding me in the assembly of

princes mockingly called me a cow! Besides this he told me in the midst

of that assembly many other hard things. But the grief I experience at

parting with thee is far greater than any I felt at those insults.

Certainly, in thy absence, thy brothers will while away their waking

hours in repeatedly talking of thy heroic deeds! If, however, O son of

Pritha, thou stayest away for any length of time, we shall derive no

pleasure from our enjoyments or from wealth. Nay, life itself will be

distasteful to us. O son of Pritha, our weal, and woe, life and death,

our kingdom and prosperity, are all dependent on thee. O Bharata, I bless

thee, let success be thine. O sinless one, thy (present) task thou wilt

be able to achieve even against powerful enemies. O thou of great

strength, go thou to win success with speed. Let dangers be not thine. I

bow to Dhatri and Vidhatri! I bless thee. Let prosperity be thine. And, O

Dhananjaya, let Hri, Sree, Kirti, Dhriti, Pushti, Uma, Lakshmi,

Saraswati, all protect thee on thy way, for thou ever worshippest thy

elder brother and ever obeyest his commands. And, O bull of the Bharata

race, I bow to the Vasus, the Rudras and Adityas, the Manilas, the

Viswadevas, and the Sadhyas, for procuring thy welfare. And, O Bharata,

be thou safe from all spirits of mischief belonging to the sky, the

earth, and the heaven, and from such other spirits generally.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Krishna, the daughter of Yajnasena, having

uttered these benedictions, ceased. The strong-armed son of Pandu then,

having walked round his brothers and round Dhaumya also, and taking up

his handsome bow, set out. And all creatures began to leave the way that

Arjuna of great energy and prowess, urged by the desire of beholding

Indra, took. And that slayer of foes passed over many mountains inhabited

by ascetics, and then reached the sacred Himavat, the resort of the

celestials. And the high-souled one reached the sacred mountain in one

day, for like the winds he was gifted with the speed of the mind, in

consequence of his ascetic austerities. And having crossed the Himavat,

as also the Gandhamadana, he passed over many uneven and dangerous spots,

walking night and day without fatigue. And having reached Indrakila,

Dhananjaya stopped for a moment. And then he heard a voice in the skies,

saying, 'Stop!' And hearing that voice, the son of Pandu cast his glances

all around. And Arjuna, capable of using his left hand with skill equal

to that of his right hand, then beheld before him an ascetic under the

shade of a tree, blazing with Brahma brilliancy, of a tawny colour, with

matted locks, and thin. And the mighty ascetic, beholding Arjuna stop at

t at place, addressed him, saying, 'Who art thou, O child, arrived hither

with bow and arrows, and cased in mail and accoutred in scabbard and

gauntlet, and (evidently) wedded to the customs of the Kshatriya? There

is no need of weapons here. This is the abode of peaceful Brahmanas

devoted to ascetic austerities without anger or joy. There is no use for

the bow here, for there is no dispute in this place of any kind.

Therefore throw away, O child, this bow of thine. Thou hast obtained a

pure state of life by coming here. O hero, there is no man who is like

thee in energy and prowess.' That Brahmana thus addressed Arjuna, with a

smiling face, repeatedly. But he succeeded not in moving Arjuna, firmly

devoted to his purpose. The regenerate one, glad at heart, smilingly

addressed Arjuna once more, saying, 'O slayer of foes, blest be thou! I

am Sakra: ask thou the boon thou desirest.' Thus addressed, that

perpetuator of the Kuru race, the heroic Dhananjaya bending his head and

joining his hands, replied unto him of a thousand eyes, saying, 'Even

this is the object of my wishes; grant me this boon, O illustrious one. I

desire to learn from thee all the weapons.' The chief of the celestials

then, smiling, replied unto him cheerfully, saying, 'O Dhananjaya, when

thou hast reached this region, what need is there of weapons? Thou hast

already obtained a pure state of life. Ask thou for the regions of bliss

that thou desirest.' Thus addressed, Dhananjaya replied unto him o a

thousand eyes, saying, 'I desire not regions of bliss, nor objects of

enjoyment, nor the state of a celestial; what is this talk about

happiness? O chief of the celestials, I do not desire the prosperity of

all the gods. Having left my brothers behind me in the forest, and

without avenging myself on the foe, shall I incur the opprobrium for all

ages of all the world." Thus addressed, the slayer of Vritra, worshipped

of the worlds, consoling him with gentle words, spare unto the son of

Pandu, saying, 'When thou art able to behold the three-eyed

trident-bearing Siva, the lord of all creatures, it is then, O child,

that I will give thee all the celestial weapons. Therefore, strive thou

to obtain the sight of the highest of the gods; for it is only after thou

hast seen him. O son of Kunti, that thou will obtain all thy wishes.'

Having spoken thus unto Phalguna, Sakra disappeared then and there, and

Arjuna, devoting himself to asceticism, remained at that spot."

SECTION XXXVIII

(Kairata Parva)

Janemejaya said, "O illustrious one, I desire to hear in detail the

history of the acquisition of weapons by Arjuna of spotless deeds. O tell

me how that tiger among men, Dhananjaya, of mighty arms and possessed of

great energy, entered that solitary forest without fear. And, O thou

foremost of those acquainted with the Veda, what also did Arjuna do while

dwelling there? How also were the illustrious Sthanu and the chief of the

celestials gratified by him? O thou best of regenerate ones, I desire to

hear all this under thy favour. Thou art omniscient; thou knowest all

about the gods and all about men. O Brahmana, the battle that took place

of old between Arjuna--that foremost of smiters never defeated in

battle--and Bhava was highly extraordinary and without parallel. It

maketh one's hair stand on end to hear of it. Even the hearts of those

lions among men--the brave sons of Pritha--trembled in consequence of

wonder and joy and a sense of their own inferiority. O tell me in full

what else Arjuna, did I do not see even the most trivial thing to Jishnu

that is censurable. Therefore, recite to me in full the history of that

hero."

Vaisampayana said, "O tiger among Kurus, I shall recite to thee that

narration, excellent and extensive and unrivalled, in connection with the

illustrious hero. O sinless one, hear in detail the particulars about

Arjuna's meeting with the three-eyed god of gods, and his contact with

the illustrious god's person!

"At Yudhishthira's command, Dhananjaya of immeasurable prowess set out

(from Kamyaka) to obtain a sight of Sakra, the chief of the celestials

and of Sankara, the god of gods. And the strong-armed Arjuna of great

might set out armed with his celestial bow and a sword with golden hilt,

for the success of the object he had in view, northwards, towards the

summit of the Himavat. And, O king, that first of all warriors in the

three worlds, the son of Indra, with a calm mind, and firmly adhering to

his purpose, then devoted himself, without the loss of any time, to

ascetic austerities. And he entered, all alone, that terrible forest

abounding with thorny plants and trees and flowers and fruits of various

kinds, and inhabited by winged creatures of various species, and swarming

with animals of diverse kinds, and resorted to by Siddhas and Charanas.

And when the son of Kunti entered that forest destitute of human beings,

sounds of conchs and drums began to be heard in the heavens. And a thick

shower of flowers fell upon the earth, and the clouds spreading over the

firmament caused a thick shade. Passing over those difficult and woody

regions at the foot of the great mountains, Arjuna soon reached the

breast of the Himavat; and staying there for sometime began to shine in

his brilliancy. And he beheld there numerous trees with expanding

verdure, resounding with the melodious notes of winged warblers. And he

saw there rivers with currents of the lapis lazuli, broken by the fierce

eddies here and there, and echoing with the notes of swans and ducks and

cranes. And the banks of those rivers resounded with the mellifluous

strains of the male Kokilas and the notes of peacocks and cranes. And the

mighty warrior, beholding those rivers of sacred and pure and delicious

water and their charming banks, became highly delighted. And the

delighted Arjuna of fierce energy and high soul then devoted himself to

rigid austerities in that delightful and woody region. Clad in rags made

of grass and furnished with a black deerskin and a stick, he commenced to

eat withered leaves fallen upon the ground. And he passed the first

month, by eating fruits at the interval of three nights; and the second

by eating at the interval of the six nights; and the third by eating at

the interval of a fortnight. When the fourth month came, that best of the

Bharatas--the strong-armed son of Pandu--began to subsist on air alone.

With arms upraised and leaning upon nothing and standing on the tips of

his toes, he continued his austerities. And the illustrious hero's locks,

in consequence of frequent bathing took the hue of lightning or the

lotus. Then all the great Rishis went together unto the god of the Pinaka

for representing unto him about the fierce asceticism of Pritha's son.

And bowing unto that god of gods, they informed him of Arjuna's

austerities saying, 'This son of pritha possessed of great energy is

engaged in the most difficult of ascetic austerities on the breast of the

Himavat. Heated with his asceticism, the earth is smoking all round, O

god of gods. We do not know what his object is for which he is engaged in

these austerities. He, however, is causing us pain. It behoveth thee to

prevent him!' Hearing these words of those munis with souls under perfect

control, the lord of all creatures--the husband of Uma said, 'It behoveth

you not to indulge in any grief on account of Phalguna! Return ye all

cheerfully and with alacrity to the places whence ye have come. I know

the desire that is in Arjuna's heart. His wish is not for heaven, nor for

prosperity, nor for long life. And I will accomplish, even, this day, all

that is desired by him.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "The truth-speaking Rishis, having heard these

words of Mahadeva, became delighted, and returned to their respective

abodes."

SECTION XXXIX

Vaisampayana said, "After all those illustrious ascetics had gone away,

that wielder of the Pinaka and cleanser of all sins--the illustrious

Hara--assuming the form of a Kirata resplendent as a golden tree, and

with a huge and stalwart form like a second Meru, and taking up a hand

some bow and a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison, and

looking like an embodiment of fire, came quickly down on the breast of

Himavat. And the handsome god of gods was accompanied by Uma in the guise

of a Kirata woman, and also by a swarm of merry spirits of various forms

and attire, and by thousands of women in the form and attire of Kiratas.

And, O king, that region suddenly blazed up in beauty, in consequence of

the arrival of the god of gods in such company. And soon enough a solemn

stillness pervaded the place. The sounds of springs, and water-courses,

and of birds suddenly ceased. And as the god of gods approached Pritha's

son of blameless deeds, he beheld a wonderful sight, even that of a

Danava named Muka, seeking, in the form of a boar, to slay Arjuna.

Phalguna, at the sight of the enemy seeking to slay him, took up the

Gandiva and a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison. And

stringing his bow and filling the air with its twang, he addressed the

boar and said, 'I have come here but done thee no injury. As thou seekest

to slay me, I shall certainly send thee to the abode of Yama.' And

beholding that firm wielder of the bow--Phalguna--about to slay the boar,

Sankara in the guise of a Kirata suddenly bade him stop saying, 'The boar

like the mountain of Indrakila in hue hath been aimed at by me first';

Phalguna, however, disregarding these words, struck the boar. The Kirata

also blazing splendour, let fly an arrow like flaming fire and resembling

the thunderbolt at the same object. And the arrows thus shot by both fell

at the same instant of time upon the wide body of Muka, hard as adamant.

And the two shafts fell upon the boar with a loud sound, even like that

of Indra's thunderbolt and the thunder of the clouds falling together

upon the breast of a mountain. And Muka, thus struck by two shafts which

produced numerous arrows resembling snakes of blazing mouths, yielded up

his life, assuming once more his terrible Rakshasa form. Jishnu--that

slayer of foes--then beheld before him that person, of form blazing as

god, and attired in the dress of a Kirata and accompanied by many women.

And beholding him, the son of Kunti with a joyous heart addressed him

smilingly and said, 'Who art thou that thus wanderest in these solitary

woods, surrounded by women? thou of the splendour of gold, art thou not

afraid of this terrible forest? Why, again, didst thou shoot the boar

that was first aimed at by me? This Rakshasa that came hither, listlessly

or with the object, of slaying me, had been first aimed at by me. Thou

shalt not, therefore, escape from me with life. Thy behaviour towards me

is not consistent with the customs of the chase. Therefore, O

mountaineer, I will take thy life.' Thus addressed by the son of Pandu,

the Kirata, smiling replied unto his capable of wielding the bow with his

left hand, in soft words, saying, 'O hero, thou needst not be anxious on

my account. This forest land is proper abode for us who always dwell in

the woods. Respecting thyself, however, I may inquire, why thou hast

selected thy abode here amid such difficulties. We, O ascetic, have our

habitation in these woods abounding in animals of all kinds. Why dost

thou, so delicate and brought up in luxury and possessed of the splendour

of fire, dwell alone in such a solitary region?' Arjuna said, 'Depending

on the Gandiva and arrows blazing like fire, I live in this great forest,

like a second Pavaki. Thou hast seen how this monster--this terrible

Rakshasa--that came hither in the form of an animal, hath been slain by

me.' The Kirata replied, 'This Rakshasa, first struck with the shot from

my bow, was killed and sent to the regions of Yama by me. He was first

aimed at by me. And it is with my shot that he has been deprived of life.

Proud of thy strength, it behoveth thee not to impute thy own fault to

others. Thou art thyself in fault, O wretch, and, therefore, shalt not

escape from me with life. Stay thou: I will shoot at thee shafts like

thunderbolts. Strive thou also and shoot, to the best of thy power, thy

arrows at me.' Hearing these words of the Kirata, Arjuna became angry,

and attacked him with arrows. The Kirata, however, with a glad heart

received all those shafts upon himself, repeatedly saying, 'Wretch,

wretch, shoot thou 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 fierce conflict, began to shoot at

each other showers of arrows, each resembling a snake of virulent poison.

And Arjuna rained a perfect shower of arrows on the Kirata, Sankara,

however, bore that downpour on him with a cheerful heart. But the wielder

of the Pinaka, having borne that shower of arrows for a moment, stood

unwounded, immovable like a hill. Dhananjaya, beholding his arrowy shower

become futile, wondered exceedingly, repeatedly saying, 'Excellent!

Excellent! Alas, this mountaineer of delicate limbs, dwelling on the

heights of the Himavat, beareth, without wavering, the shafts shot from

the Gandiva! Who is he? Is he Rudra himself, or some other god, or a

Yaksha, or an Asura? The gods sometimes do descend on the heights of the

Himavat. Except the god who wieldeth the Pinaka, there is none rise that

can bear the impetuosity of the thousands of arrows shot by me from the

Gandiva. Whether he is a god or a Yaksha, in fact, anybody except Rudra,

I shall soon send him, with my shafts, to the regions of Yama.' Thus

thinking, Arjuna, with a cheerful heart, began, O king, to shoot arrows

by hundreds, resembling in splendour the rays of the sun. That downpour

of shafts, however, the illustrious Creator of the worlds--the wielder of

the trident--bore with a glad heart, like a mountain bearing a shower of

rocks. Soon, however, the arrows of Phalguna were exhausted. And noticing

this fact, Arjuna became greatly alarmed. And the son of Pandu then began

to think of the illustrious god Agni who had before, during the burning

of the Khandava, given him a couple of inexhaustible quivers. And he

began to think, 'Alas, my arrows are all exhausted. What shall I shoot

now from my bow? Who is this person that swalloweth my arrows? Slaying

him with the end of my bow, as elephants are killed with lances, I shall

send him to the domains of the mace-bearing Yama.' The illustrious Arjuna

then, taking up his bow and dragging the Kirata with his bow-string,

struck him some fierce blows that descended like thunderbolts. When,

however, that slayer of hostile heroes--the son of Kunti--commenced the

conflict with the end of the bow, the mountaineer snatched from his hands

that celestial bow. And beholding his bow snatched from him, Arjuna took

up his sword, and wishing to end the conflict, rushed at his foe. And

then the Kuru prince, with the whole might of his arms, struck that sharp

weapon upon the head of the Kirata, a weapon that was incapable of being

resisted even by solid rocks. But that first of swords, at touch of the

Kirata's crown, broke into pieces. Phalguna then commenced the conflict

with trees and stones. The illustrious god in the form of the huge-bodied

Kirata, however, bore that shower of trees and rocks with patience. The

mighty son of Pritha then, his mouth smoking with wrath, struck the

invincible god in the form of a Kirata, with hi clenched fists, blows

that descended like thunderbolts. The god in the Kirata form returned

Phalguna's blows with fierce blows resembling the thunderbolts of Indra.

And in consequence of that conflict of blows between the son of Pandu and

the Kirata, there arose in that place loud and frightful sounds. That

terrible conflict of blows, resembling the conflict of yore between

Vritra and Vasava, lasted but for a moment. The mighty Jishnu clasping

the Kirata began to press him with his breast, but the Kirata, possessed

of great strength pressed the insensible son of Pandu with force. And in

consequence of the pressure of their arms and of their breasts, their

bodies began to emit smoke like charcoal in fire. The great god then,

smiting the already smitten son of Pandu, and attacking him in anger with

his full might, deprived him of his senses. Then, O Bharata, Phalguna,

thus pressed by the god of the gods, with limbs, besides, bruised and

mangled, became incapable of motion and was almost reduced to a ball of

flesh. And struck by the illustrious god, 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

prostrate position, with body covered with blood, became filled with

grief. Mentally prostrating himself before the gracious god of gods, and

making a clay image of that deity, he worshipped it, with offerings of

floral garlands. Beholding, however, the garland that he had offered to

the clay image of Bhava, decking the crown of the Kirata, that best of

Pandu's sons became filled with joy and regained his ease. And he

prostrated himself thereupon at the feet of Bhava, and the god also was

pleased with him. And Hara, beholding the wonder of Arjuna and seeing

that his body had been emaciated with ascetic austerities, spake unto him

in a voice deep as the roaring of the clouds, saying, 'O Phalguna, I have

been pleased with thee for thy act is without a parallel. There is no

Kshatriya who is equal to thee in courage, and patience. And, O sinless

one, thy strength and prowess are almost equal to mine. O mighty-armed

one, I have been pleased with thee. Behold me, O bull of the Bharata

race! O large-eyed one! I will grant thee eyes (to see me in my true

form). Thou wert a Rishi before. Thou wilt vanquish all thy foes, even

the dwellers of heaven; I will as I have been pleased with thee, grant

thee an irresistible weapon. Soon shall thou be able to wield that weapon

of mine."

Vaisampayana continued, "Phalguna then beheld him--Mahadeva--that god of

blazing splendour-that wielder of the Pinaka-that one who had his abode

on the mountains (of Kailasa)--accompanied by Uma. Bending down on his

knee and bowing with his head, that conqueror of hostile cities-the son

of Pritha-worshipped Hara and inclined him to grace. And Arjuna said, 'O

Kapardin, O chief of all gods, O destroyer of the eyes of Bhaga, O god of

gods, O Mahadeva, O thou of blue throat, O thou of matted locks, I know

thee as the Cause of all causes. O thou of three eyes, O lord of all!

Thou art the refuge of all the gods! This universe hath sprung from thee.

Thou art incapable of being vanquished by the three worlds of the

celestials, the Asuras, and men. Thou art Siva in the form of Vishnu, and

Vishnu in the form of Siva. Thou destroyedest of old the great sacrifice

of Daksha. O Hari, O Rudra, I bow to thee. Thou hast an eye on thy

forehead. O Sarva, O thou that rainest objects of desire, O bearer of the

trident, O wielder of the Pinaka, O Surya, O thou of pure body, O Creator

of all, I bow to thee. O lord of all created things, I worship thee to

obtain thy grace. Thou art the lord of the Ganas, the source of universal

blessing, the Cause of the causes of the universe. Thou art beyond the

foremost of male beings, thou art the highest, thou art the subtlest, O

Hara! O illustrious Sankara, it behoveth thee to pardon my fault. It was

even to obtain a sight of thyself that I came to this great mountain,

which is dear to thee and which is the excellent abode of ascetics. Thou

art worshipped of all worlds. O lord, I worship thee to obtain thy grace.

Let not this rashness of mine be regarded as a fault--this combat in

which I was engaged with thee from ignorance. O Sankara, I seek thy

protection. Pardon me all I have done."

Vaisampayana continued, "Endued with great might, the god whose sign was

the bull, taking into his the handsome hands of Arjuna, smilingly replied

unto him, saying, 'I have pardoned thee. And the illustrious Hara,

cheerfully clasping Arjuna with his arms, once more consoling Arjuna said

as follows."

SECTION XL

"Mahadeva said, 'Thou wert in thy former life Nara, the friend of

Narayana. In Vadari wert thou engaged in fierce ascetic austerities for

several thousands of years. In thee as well as in Vishnu--that first of

male beings--dwelleth great might. Ye both, by your might, hold the

universe; O lord, taking up that fierce bow whose twang resembled the

deep roar of the clouds, thou, as well as Krishna, chastisedest the

Danavas during the coronation of Indra. Even this Gandiva is that bow, O

son of Pritha, fit for thy hands. O foremost of male beings, I snatched

it from thee, helped by my powers of illusion. This couple of quivers,

fit for thee, will again be inexhaustible, O son of Pritha! And, O son of

the Kuru race, thy body will be free from pain and disease. Thy prowess

is incapable of being baffled. I have been pleased with thee. And, O

first of male beings, ask thou of me the boon that thou desirest. O

chastiser of all foes, O giver of proper respect, (to those deserving it)

not even in heaven is there any male being who is equal to thee, nor any

Kshatriya who is thy superior.'

"Arjuna said, 'O illustrious god having the bull for thy sign, if thou

wilt grant me my desire, I ask of thee, O lord that fierce celestial

weapon wielded by thee and called Brahmasira--that weapon of terrific

prowess which destroyeth, at the end of the Yuga the entire

universe--that weapon by the help of which, O god of gods, I may under

thy grace, obtain victory in the terrible conflict which shall take place

between myself (on one side), and Karna and Bhishma and Kripa and Drona

(on the other)--that weapon by which I may consume in battle Danavas and

Rakshasas and evil spirits and Pisachas and Gandharvas and Nagas--that

weapon which when hurled with Mantras produceth darts by thousands and

fierce-looking maces and arrows like snakes of virulent poison, and by

means of which I may fight with Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Karna of

ever abusive tongue, O illustrious destroyer of the eyes of Bhaga, even

this is my foremost desire, viz., that I may be able to fight with them

and obtain success.'

Bhava replied, 'O powerful one. I will give to thee that favourite weapon

of mine called the Pasuputa. O son of Pandu, thou art capable of holding,

hurling, and withdrawing it. Neither the chief himself of the gods, nor

Yama, nor the king of the Yakshas, nor Varuna, nor Vayu, knoweth it. How

could men know anything of it? But, O son of Pritha, this weapon should

not be hurled without adequate cause; for if hurled at any foe of little

might it may destroy the whole universe. In the three worlds with all

their mobile and immobile creatures, there is none who is incapable of

being slain by this weapon. And it may be hurled by the mind, by the eye,

by words, and by the bow.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing these words, the son of Pritha purified

himself. And approaching the lord of the universe with rapt attention, he

said, 'Instruct me!' Mahadeva then imparted unto that best of Pandu's son

the knowledge of that weapon looking like the embodiment of Yama,

together with all the mysteries about hurling and withdrawing it. And

that weapon thence began to wait upon Arjuna as it did upon Sankara, the

lord of Uma. And Arjuna also gladly accepted it. And at the moment the

whole earth, with its mountains and woods and trees and seas and forests

and villages and towns and mines, trembled. And the sounds of conchs and

drums and trumpets by thousands began to be heard. And at that moment

hurricanes and whirlwinds began to blow. And the gods and the Danavas

beheld that terrible weapon in its embodied form stay by the side of

Arjuna of immeasurable energy. And whatever of evil there had been in the

body of Phalguna of immeasurable energy was all dispelled by the touch of

the three-eyed deity. And the three eyed god then commanded Arjuna,

saying, 'Go thou into heaven.' Arjuna then, O king, worshipping the god

with bent head, gazed at him, with joined hands. Then the lord of all the

dwellers of heaven, the deity of blazing splendour having his abode on

mountain-breasts, the husband of Uma, the god of passions under complete

control, the source of all blessings, Bhava gave unto Arjuna, that

foremost of men, the great bow called Gandiva, destructive of Danavas and

Pisachas. And the god of gods, then leaving that blessed mountain with

snowy plateaus and vales and caves, favourite resort of sky-ranging great

Rishis, went up, accompanied by Uma into the skies, in the sight of that

foremost of men."