Mahabharata 3.45: pañcacatvāriṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

3.45.1

vaiśaṃpāyana uvāca |
tato devāḥ sagandharvāḥ samādāyārghyamuttamam |
śakrasya matamājñāya pārthamānarcurañjasā || 1 ||

Vaisampayana said, "The gods and the Gandharvas then, understanding the wishes of India, procured an excellent Arghya and reverenced the son of Pritha in a hurry. And giving water to wash both his feet and face, they caused the prince to enter the palace of Indra. And thus worshipped, Jishnu continued to live in the abode of his father. And the son of Pandu continued all the while to acquire celestial weapons, together with the means of withdrawing them. And he received from the hands of Sakra his favourite weapon of irresistible force, viz., the thunder-bolt and those other weapons also, of tremendous roar, viz., the lightnings of heaven, whose flashes are inferable from the appearance of clouds and (the dancing of) peacocks. And the son of Pandu, after he had obtained those weapons, recollected his brothers. And at the command of Indra, however, he lived for full five years in heaven, surrounded by every comfort and luxury.

Vaisampayana said, "The gods and the Gandharvas then, understanding the wishes of India, procured an excellent Arghya and reverenced the son of Pritha in a hurry. And giving water to wash both his feet and face, they caused the prince to enter the palace of Indra. And thus worshipped, Jishnu continued to live in the abode of his father. And the son of Pandu continued all the while to acquire celestial weapons, together with the means of withdrawing them. And he received from the hands of Sakra his favourite weapon of irresistible force, viz., the thunder-bolt and those other weapons also, of tremendous roar, viz., the lightnings of heaven, whose flashes are inferable from the appearance of clouds and (the dancing of) peacocks. And the son of Pandu, after he had obtained those weapons, recollected his brothers. And at the command of 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. Indra addressed him in due time, saying, 'O son of Kunti, learn thou music and dancing from Chitrasena. Learn the instrumental music that is current among the celestials and which existeth not in the world of men, for, O son of Kunti, it will be to thy benefit. And Purandara gave Chitrasena as a friend unto Arjuna. And the son of Pritha lived happily in peace with Chitrasena. And 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 Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and thinking with rage of Dussasana and his death. When however, his friendship with Chitrasena had ripened fully, he at times learned the unrivalled dance and music practised among the Gandharvas. And 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."

3.45.2

pādyamācamanīyaṃ ca pratigrāhya nṛpātmajam |
praveśayāmāsuratho puraṃdaraniveśanam || 2 ||

3.45.3

evaṃ saṃpūjito jiṣṇuruvāsa bhavane pituḥ |
upaśikṣanmahāstrāṇi sasaṃhārāṇi pāṇḍavaḥ || 3 ||

3.45.4

śakrasya hastāddayitaṃ vajramastraṃ durutsaham |
aśanīśca mahānādā meghabarhiṇalakṣaṇāḥ || 4 ||

3.45.5

gṛhītāstrastu kaunteyo bhrātṝnsasmāra pāṇḍavaḥ |
puraṃdaraniyogācca pañcābdamavasatsukhī || 5 ||

3.45.6

tataḥ śakro'bravītpārthaṃ kṛtāstraṃ kāla āgate |
nṛttaṃ gītaṃ ca kaunteya citrasenādavāpnuhi || 6 ||

"After some time, when Arjuna had obtained all the weapons. Indra addressed him in due time, saying, 'O son of Kunti, learn thou music and dancing from Chitrasena. Learn the instrumental music that is current among the celestials and which existeth not in the world of men, for, O son of Kunti, it will be to thy benefit. And Purandara gave Chitrasena as a friend unto Arjuna. And the son of Pritha lived happily in peace with Chitrasena. And 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 Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and thinking with rage of Dussasana and his death. When however, his friendship with Chitrasena had ripened fully, he at times learned the unrivalled dance and music practised among the Gandharvas. And 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."

3.45.7

vāditraṃ devavihitaṃ nṛloke yanna vidyate |
tadarjayasva kaunteya śreyo vai te bhaviṣyati || 7 ||

3.45.8

sakhāyaṃ pradadau cāsya citrasenaṃ puraṃdaraḥ |
sa tena saha saṃgamya reme pārtho nirāmayaḥ || 8 ||

3.45.9

kadācidaṭamānastu maharṣiruta lomaśaḥ |
jagāma śakrabhavanaṃ puraṃdaradidṛkṣayā || 9 ||

Vaisampayana said, "One day, the great Rishi Lomasa in course of his wanderings, went to the abode of Indra, desirous of beholding the lord of the celestials. And the great Muni, having approached the chief of the gods, bowed to him respectfully. And he beheld the son of Pandu occupying half of the seat of Vasava. And worshipped by the great Rishis, that foremost of Brahmanas sat on an excellent seat at the desire of Sakra. And beholding Arjuna seated on Indra's seat, the Rishi began to think as to how Arjuna who was a Kshatriya had attained to the seat of Sakra himself. What acts of merit had been performed by him and what regions, had been conquered by him (by ascetic merit), that he had obtained a seat that was worshipped by the gods themselves? And as the Rishi was employed with these thoughts, Sakra, the slayer of Vritra, came to know of them. And having known them, the lord of Sachi addressed Lomasa with a smile and said, 'Listen, O Brahmarshi, about what is now passing in thy mind. This one is no mortal though he hath taken his birth among men. O great Rishi, the mighty-armed hero is even my son born of Kunti. He hath come hither, in order to acquire weapons for some purpose. Alas! dost thou not recognise him as an ancient Rishi of the highest merit? Listen to me, O Brahamana, as I tell thee who is and why he hath come to me.

Vaisampayana said, "One day, the great Rishi Lomasa in course of his wanderings, went to the abode of Indra, desirous of beholding the lord of the celestials. And the great Muni, having approached the chief of the gods, bowed to him respectfully. And he beheld the son of Pandu occupying half of the seat of Vasava. And worshipped by the great Rishis, that foremost of Brahmanas sat on an excellent seat at the desire of Sakra. And beholding Arjuna seated on Indra's seat, the Rishi began to think as to how Arjuna who was a Kshatriya had attained to the seat of Sakra himself. What acts of merit had been performed by him and what regions, had been conquered by him (by ascetic merit), that he had obtained a seat that was worshipped by the gods themselves? And as the Rishi was employed with these thoughts, Sakra, the slayer of Vritra, came to know of them. And having known them, the lord of Sachi addressed Lomasa with a smile and said, 'Listen, O Brahmarshi, about what is now passing in thy mind. This one is no mortal though he hath taken his birth among men. O great Rishi, the mighty-armed hero is even my son born of Kunti. He hath come hither, in order to acquire weapons for some purpose. Alas! dost thou not recognise him as an ancient Rishi of the highest merit? Listen to me, O Brahamana, as I tell thee who is and why he hath come to me.

Those ancient and excellent Rishis who were known by the names of Nara and Narayana are, know, O Brahmana, none else than Hrishikesa and Dhananjaya. And those Rishis, celebrated throughout the three worlds, and known by the names of Nara and Narayana have, for the accomplishment of a certain purpose, been born on earth--for the acquisition of virtue. That sacred asylum which even gods and illustrious Rishis are not competent to behold, and which is known throughout the world by the name of Vadari, and situate by the source of the Ganga, which is worshipped by the Siddhas and the Charanas, was the abode, O Brahmana, of Vishnu and Jishnu. Those Rishis of blazing splendour have, O Brahmarshi, at my desire, been born on earth, and endued with mighty energy, will lighten the burden thereof. Besides this, there are certain Asuras known as Nivatakavachas, who, proud of the boon they have acquired, are employed in doing us injuries. Boastful of their strength, they are even now planning the destruction of the gods, for, having received a boon, they no longer regard the gods. Those fierce and mighty Danavas live in the nether regions. Even all the celestials together are incapable of fighting with them.

The blessed Vishnu--the slayer of Madhu--he, indeed who is known on earth as Kapila, and whose glance alone, O exalted one, destroyed the illustrious sons of Sagara, when they approached him with loud sounds in the bowels of the earth,--that illustrious and invincible Hari is capable, O Brahmana of doing us a great service. Either he or Partha or both may do us that great service, without doubt. Verily as the illustrious Hari had slain the Nagas in the great lake, he, by sight alone, is capable of slaying those Asuras called the Nivatakavachas, along with their followers. But the slayer of Madhu should not be urged when the task is insignificant. A mighty mass of energy that he is. It swelleth 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. Go thou at my request to earth. Thou wilt behold the brave Yudhishthira living in the woods of Kamyaka. And for me tell thou the virtuous Yudhishthira of unbaffled prowess in battle, that he should not be anxious on account of Phalguna, for that hero will return to earth a thorough master of weapons, for without sanctified prowess of arms, and without skill in weapons, he would not be able to encounter Bhishma and Drona and others in battle.

Thou wilt also represent unto Yudhishthira that the illustrious and mighty-armed Gudakesa, having obtained weapons, hath also mastered the science of celestial dancing and music both instrumental and vocal. And thou wilt also tell him, O king of men, O slayer of foes, thyself also, accompanied by all thy brothers, should see the various sacred shrines. For having bathed in different sacred waters, thou wilt be cleansed from thy sins, and the fever of thy heart will abate. And then thou wilt be able to enjoy thy kingdom, happy in the thought that thy sins have been washed off. And, O foremost of Brahmanas, endued with ascetic power, it behoveth thee also to protect Yudhishthira during his wandering over the earth. Fierce Rakshasas ever live in mountain fastnesses and rugged steppes. Protect thou the king from those cannibals.'

"After Mahendra had spoken thus unto Lomasa, Vibhatsu also reverently addressed that Rishi, saying, 'Protect thou ever the son of Pandu. O best of men, let the king, O great Rishi, protected by thee, visit the various places of pilgrimage and give away unto Brahmanas in charity.'"

Vaisampayana continued, "The mighty ascetic Lomasa, having answered both saying, 'So be it,' set out for the earth, desirous of arriving at Kamvaka. And having arrived at those woods, he beheld the slayer of foes and son of Kunti, king Yudhishthira the just, surrounded by ascetics and his younger brothers."

3.45.10

sa sametya namaskṛtya devarājaṃ mahāmuniḥ |
dadarśārdhāsanagataṃ pāṇḍavaṃ vāsavasya ha || 10 ||

3.45.11

tataḥ śakrābhyanujñāta āsane viṣṭarottare |
niṣasāda dvijaśreṣṭhaḥ pūjyamāno maharṣibhiḥ || 11 ||

3.45.12

tasya dṛṣṭvābhavadbuddhiḥ pārthamindrāsane sthitam |
kathaṃ nu kṣatriyaḥ pārthaḥ śakrāsanamavāptavān || 12 ||

3.45.13

kiṃ tvasya sukṛtaṃ karma lokā vā ke vinirjitāḥ |
ya evamupasaṃprāptaḥ sthānaṃ devanamaskṛtam || 13 ||

3.45.14

tasya vijñāya saṃkalpaṃ śakro vṛtraniṣūdanaḥ |
lomaśaṃ prahasanvākyamidamāha śacīpatiḥ || 14 ||

3.45.15

brahmarṣe śrūyatāṃ yatte manasaitadvivakṣitam |
nāyaṃ kevalamartyo vai kṣatriyatvamupāgataḥ || 15 ||

3.45.16

maharṣe mama putro'yaṃ kuntyāṃ jāto mahābhujaḥ |
astrahetoriha prāptaḥ kasmāccitkāraṇāntarāt || 16 ||

3.45.17

aho nainaṃ bhavānvetti purāṇamṛṣisattamam |
śṛṇu me vadato brahmanyo'yaṃ yaccāsya kāraṇam || 17 ||

3.45.18

naranārāyaṇau yau tau purāṇāvṛṣisattamau |
tāvimāvabhijānīhi hṛṣīkeśadhanaṃjayau || 18 ||

Those ancient and excellent Rishis who were known by the names of Nara and Narayana are, know, O Brahmana, none else than Hrishikesa and Dhananjaya. And those Rishis, celebrated throughout the three worlds, and known by the names of Nara and Narayana have, for the accomplishment of a certain purpose, been born on earth--for the acquisition of virtue. That sacred asylum which even gods and illustrious Rishis are not competent to behold, and which is known throughout the world by the name of Vadari, and situate by the source of the Ganga, which is worshipped by the Siddhas and the Charanas, was the abode, O Brahmana, of Vishnu and Jishnu. Those Rishis of blazing splendour have, O Brahmarshi, at my desire, been born on earth, and endued with mighty energy, will lighten the burden thereof. Besides this, there are certain Asuras known as Nivatakavachas, who, proud of the boon they have acquired, are employed in doing us injuries. Boastful of their strength, they are even now planning the destruction of the gods, for, having received a boon, they no longer regard the gods. Those fierce and mighty Danavas live in the nether regions. Even all the celestials together are incapable of fighting with them.

3.45.19

yanna śakyaṃ surairdraṣṭumṛṣibhirvā mahātmabhiḥ |
tadāśramapadaṃ puṇyaṃ badarī nāma viśrutam || 19 ||

3.45.20

sa nivāso'bhavadvipra viṣṇorjiṣṇostathaiva ca |
yataḥ pravavṛte gaṅgā siddhacāraṇasevitā || 20 ||

3.45.21

tau manniyogādbrahmarṣe kṣitau jātau mahādyutī |
bhūmerbhārāvataraṇaṃ mahāvīryau kariṣyataḥ || 21 ||

3.45.22

udvṛttā hyasurāḥ kecinnivātakavacā iti |
vipriyeṣu sthitāsmākaṃ varadānena mohitāḥ || 22 ||

3.45.23

tarkayante surānhantuṃ baladarpasamanvitāḥ |
devānna gaṇayante ca tathā dattavarā hi te || 23 ||

3.45.24

pātālavāsino raudrā danoḥ putrā mahābalāḥ |
sarve devanikāyā hi nālaṃ yodhayituṃ sma tān || 24 ||

3.45.25

yo'sau bhūmigataḥ śrīmānviṣṇurmadhuniṣūdanaḥ |
kapilo nāma devo'sau bhagavānajito hariḥ || 25 ||

The blessed Vishnu--the slayer of Madhu--he, indeed who is known on earth as Kapila, and whose glance alone, O exalted one, destroyed the illustrious sons of Sagara, when they approached him with loud sounds in the bowels of the earth,--that illustrious and invincible Hari is capable, O Brahmana of doing us a great service. Either he or Partha or both may do us that great service, without doubt. Verily as the illustrious Hari had slain the Nagas in the great lake, he, by sight alone, is capable of slaying those Asuras called the Nivatakavachas, along with their followers. But the slayer of Madhu should not be urged when the task is insignificant. A mighty mass of energy that he is. It swelleth 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. Go thou at my request to earth. Thou wilt behold the brave Yudhishthira living in the woods of Kamyaka. And for me tell thou the virtuous Yudhishthira of unbaffled prowess in battle, that he should not be anxious on account of Phalguna, for that hero will return to earth a thorough master of weapons, for without sanctified prowess of arms, and without skill in weapons, he would not be able to encounter Bhishma and Drona and others in battle.

3.45.26

yena pūrvaṃ mahātmānaḥ khanamānā rasātalam |
darśanādeva nihatāḥ sagarasyātmajā vibho || 26 ||

3.45.27

tena kāryaṃ mahatkāryamasmākaṃ dvijasattama |
pārthena ca mahāyuddhe sametābhyāmasaṃśayam || 27 ||

3.45.28

ayaṃ teṣāṃ samastānāṃ śaktaḥ pratisamāsane |
tānnihatya raṇe śūraḥ punaryāsyati mānuṣān || 28 ||

3.45.29

bhavāṃścāsmanniyogena yātu tāvanmahītalam |
kāmyake drakṣyase vīraṃ nivasantaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram || 29 ||

3.45.30

sa vācyo mama saṃdeśāddharmātmā satyasaṃgaraḥ |
notkaṇṭhā phalgune kāryā kṛtāstraḥ śīghrameṣyati || 30 ||

3.45.31

nāśuddhabāhuvīryeṇa nākṛtāstreṇa vā raṇe |
bhīṣmadroṇādayo yuddhe śakyāḥ pratisamāsitum || 31 ||

3.45.32

gṛhītāstro guḍākeśo mahābāhurmahāmanāḥ |
nṛttavāditragītānāṃ divyānāṃ pārameyivān || 32 ||

Thou wilt also represent unto Yudhishthira that the illustrious and mighty-armed Gudakesa, having obtained weapons, hath also mastered the science of celestial dancing and music both instrumental and vocal. And thou wilt also tell him, O king of men, O slayer of foes, thyself also, accompanied by all thy brothers, should see the various sacred shrines. For having bathed in different sacred waters, thou wilt be cleansed from thy sins, and the fever of thy heart will abate. And then thou wilt be able to enjoy thy kingdom, happy in the thought that thy sins have been washed off. And, O foremost of Brahmanas, endued with ascetic power, it behoveth thee also to protect Yudhishthira during his wandering over the earth. Fierce Rakshasas ever live in mountain fastnesses and rugged steppes. Protect thou the king from those cannibals.'

3.45.33

bhavānapi viviktāni tīrthāni manujeśvara |
bhrātṛbhiḥ sahitaḥ sarvairdraṣṭumarhatyariṃdama || 33 ||

3.45.34

tīrtheṣvāplutya puṇyeṣu vipāpmā vigatajvaraḥ |
rājyaṃ bhokṣyasi rājendra sukhī vigatakalmaṣaḥ || 34 ||

3.45.35

bhavāṃścainaṃ dvijaśreṣṭha paryaṭantaṃ mahītale |
trātumarhati viprāgrya tapobalasamanvitaḥ || 35 ||

3.45.36

giridurgeṣu hi sadā deśeṣu viṣameṣu ca |
vasanti rākṣasā raudrāstebhyo rakṣetsadā bhavān || 36 ||

3.45.37

sa tatheti pratijñāya lomaśaḥ sumahātapāḥ |
kāmyakaṃ vanamuddiśya samupāyānmahītalam || 37 ||

Vaisampayana continued, "The mighty ascetic Lomasa, having answered both saying, 'So be it,' set out for the earth, desirous of arriving at Kamvaka. And having arrived at those woods, he beheld the slayer of foes and son of Kunti, king Yudhishthira the just, surrounded by ascetics and his younger brothers."

3.45.38

dadarśa tatra kaunteyaṃ dharmarājamariṃdamam |
tāpasairbhrātṛbhiścaiva sarvataḥ parivāritam || 38 ||