वैशम्पायन उवाच कस्यचित् त्वथ कालस्यधर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। संस्मृत्य मुनिसंदेशमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥ विविक्ते विदितप्रज्ञमर्जुनं पुरुषर्षभ। सान्त्वपूर्वं स्मितं कृत्वा पाणिना परिसंस्पृशन्॥ स मुहूर्तमिवध्यात्वा वनवासमरिंदमः। धनंजयधर्मराजो रहसीदमुवाच॥
Vaishampayana said : After sometime, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, remembering the words of the Muni (Vyasa), spoke these words. Calling to himself in private that foremost of men, the greatly wise Arjuna and taking hold of his hands. That chastiser of foes, Dharmaraja, reflecting for a moment over their exile, smilingly spoke these words to Dhananjaya (Arjuna).
युधिष्ठिर उवाच भीष्मे द्रोणे कृपे कर्णे द्रोणपुत्रे च भारत। धनुर्वेदश्चतुष्पाद एतेष्वद्य प्रतिष्ठितः॥
Yudhishthira said: O descendant of Bharata, the four divisions of the science of arms always dwell in Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna and the son of Drona (Ashvathama).
दैवं ब्राह्मं मानुषं च संयलं सचिकित्सितम्। सर्वास्त्राणां प्रयोगं च अभिजानन्ति कृत्स्नशः॥
They fully know all sorts of Brahma, celestials, human, Vayavya weapons, together with the mode of using them and warding them off.
ते सर्वेधृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रेण परिसान्त्विताः। संविभक्ताश्च तुष्टाश्च गुरुवत् तेषु वर्तते॥
They are all conciliated honoured and gratified by the son of Dhritarashtra (Duryodhana) who behaves to them as one does towards his preceptor.
सर्वयोधेषु चैवास्य सदा प्रीतिरनुत्तमा। आचार्या मानितास्तुष्टाः शान्तिं व्यवहरन्त्युत॥
Towards all his warriors he behaves with great affection. All the revered ones, thus honoured and gratified, seek to do him good.
शक्तिं न हापयिष्यन्ति ते काले प्रतिपूजिताः। अद्य चेयं मही कृत्स्ना दुर्योधनवशानुगा॥ सग्रामनगरा पार्थ ससागरवनाकरा। भवानेव प्रियोऽस्माकं त्वयि भारः समाहितः॥
Thus honoured by him, they will not fail to exert their might. The whole world is today under the sway of Duryodhana. With villages and cities, with all the seas and forests and mines. O Partha, you are our sole favourite refuge. On you rests a great burden.
अत्र कृत्यं प्रपश्यामि प्राप्तकालमरिदम। कृष्णद्वैपायनात् तात गृहीतोपनिषन्मया।॥
O chastiser of foes, I shall tell you what you should do now. O child, I have received a knowledge from Krishna Dvaipayana (Vyasa).
तया प्रयुक्तया सम्यग् जगत् सर्वं प्रकाशते। तेन त्वं ब्रह्मणा तात संयुक्तः सुसमाहितः॥ देवतानां यथाकालं प्रसादं प्रतिपालय। तपसा योजयात्मानमुग्रेण भरतर्षभ॥ धनुष्मान् कवची खड्गी मुनिः साधुव्रते स्थितः। न कस्यचिद् ददन्मार्गं गच्छ तातोत्तरां दिशम्॥
O child, if used by you, the whole universe will be brought to your view by that knowledge, Having attentively received that Brahma-knowledge. Attain in due time the grace of the celestials. O best of the Bharata race, devotes yourself to auster asceticism. Armed with the bow and the sword and clad in armour, devote yourself to austere asceticism and deep meditation. O child, without giving way to any body, go towards the north.
इन्द्रे ह्यस्त्राणि दिव्यानि समस्तानिधनंजय। वृत्राद् भीतैर्बलं देवैस्तदा शक्रे समर्पितम्॥
O Dhananjaya, all celestials weapons are with Indra. The celestials at one time gave all their strength to Shakra (Indra) from the fear of Vitra.
तान्येकस्थानि सर्वाणि ततस्त्वं प्रतिपत्स्यसे। शक्रमेव प्रपद्यस्व स तेऽस्त्राणि प्रदास्यति॥ दीक्षितोऽद्यैव गच्छ त्वं द्रष्टुं देवं पुरंदरम्।
They are all collected together in one place. And he will (surely) give you all his weapons. Go to Shakra (Indra); he will give you all his weapons. Be initiated and go this very day to the god Purandara (Indra).
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्त्वाधर्मराजस्तमध्यापयत प्रभुः॥ दीक्षितं विधिनानेनधृतवाक्कायमानसम्। अनुजज्ञे तदा वीरं भ्राता भ्रातरमग्रजः॥
Vaishampayana said : Having said this, the lord Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) imparted to him (Arjuna) the knowledge. The elder brother communicated with due rites the knowledge to his heroic brother whose speech, body and mind were all under complete control. He then commanded him to go.
निदेशाधर्मराजस्य द्रष्टुकामः पुरंदरम्। धनुर्गाण्डीवमादाय तथाक्षय्ये महेषुधी॥ कवची सतलत्राणो बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्रवान्। हुत्वाग्निं ब्राह्मणान्निष्कैः स्वस्ति वाच्यं महाभुजः।१९।। प्रातिष्ठत महाबाहुः प्रगृहीतशरासनः। वधायधार्तराष्ट्राणां निःश्वस्योर्ध्वमुदीक्ष्य च॥
At the command of Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), the mighty-armed (Arjuna), clad in mail and incased with gauntlets and furnished with finger protectors made of the guana skin, taking up the Gandiva (bow) and also his inexhaustible quivers; and having poured oblations into the fire and made the Brahmanas utter benediction on receipts of gifts, started to see Purandara (Indra). Armed with bow and arrows the mighty-armed hero heaved a sigh and cast a look upwards, when he set out for the destruction of Dhritarashtra's sons.
तं दृष्ट्वा तत्र कौन्तेयं प्रगृहीतशरासनम्। अब्रुवन् ब्राह्मणाः सिद्धा भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च॥
Seeing the son of Kunti, about to start, thus armed with bow and arrows, the Brahmanas, the Siddhas and the invisible spirits said.
क्षिप्रमाप्नुहि कौन्तेय मनसा यद् यदिच्छसि। अब्रुवन् ब्राह्मणाः पार्थमिति कृत्वा जयाशिषः॥ संसाधयस्व कौन्तेयध्रुवोऽस्तु विजयस्तव।
"O son of Kunti, soon obtain what you wish for in your mind.” The Brahmanas blessed him with benedictions and said to Partha (Arjuna). "O son of Kunti, engage yourself in achieving the object you have in view. Victory is sure to come to you."
तं तथा प्रस्थितं वीरं शालस्कन्धोरुमर्जुनम्॥ मनांस्यादाय सर्वेषां कृष्णा वचनमब्रवीत्।
Then when the heroic Arjuna of thighs like the trunks of the Sala tree was about to start, taking away the hearts of all, Krishna (Draupadi) thus spoke.
कृष्णोवाच यत् ते कुन्ती महाबाहो जातस्यैच्छद्धनंजय॥ तत् तेऽस्तु सर्वं कौन्तेय यथा च स्वयमिच्छसि।
Draupadi said : O mighty-armed Dhananjaya, O son of Kunti, let all that Kunti desired at your birth and all that you yourself (always) desire be accomplished.
आस्माकं क्षत्रियकुले जन्म कश्चिदवाप्नुयात्॥ ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमो नित्यं येषां भैक्ष्येण जीविका।
Let none of us again be born in the order of Kshatriya. Daily salutation to the Brahmanas whose mode of life is mendicancy.
इदं मे परमं दुःखं यः स पापः सुयोधनः॥ दृष्ट्वा मां गौरिति प्राह प्रहसन् राजसंसदि।
This is my great grief that the sinful wretch Suyodhana (Duryodhana). Seeing me in the assembly of the kings, mockingly called me a COW.
तस्माद् दुःखादिदं दुःखं गरीय इति मे मतिः॥ यत् तत् परिषदो मध्ये बह्वयुक्तमभाषत।
Besides this, other harsh words were spoken by him. But this is my opinion, that the grief I now feel in parting with you is greater than any I felt then at his words.
नूनं ते भ्रातरः सर्वे त्वत्कथाभिः प्रजागरे॥ रंस्यन्ते वीर कर्माणि कथयन्तः पुनः पुनः। नैव नः पार्थ भोगेषु नधने नोत जीविते॥ तुष्टिबुद्धिर्भवित्री वा त्वयि दीर्घप्रवासिनि। त्वयि नः पार्थ सर्वेषां सुखदुःखे समाहिते।॥ जीवितं मरणं चैव राज्यमैश्चर्यमेव च। आपृष्टो मेऽसि कौन्तेय स्वस्ति प्राप्नुहि भारत॥
Your brothers will while away their waking moments in repeatedly talking over your great deeds. O hero, O Partha, if you stay away (from us) for a long period of time, we shall derive no pleasure from enjoyments or luxury. Life itself would be distasteful to us. O son of Kunti, our weal and woe, our life and death, our kingdom and prosperity all depend on you. O descendant of Bharata, I bless you. Let success be yours. to
बलवद्भिर्विरुद्धं न कार्यमेतत् त्वयानघ। प्रयाह्यविघ्नेनैवाशु विजयाय महाबला नमोधात्रे विधात्रे च स्वस्ति गच्छ ह्यनामयम्॥
O mighty hero, O sinless one, you will be able to perform your this task even against powerful enemies. Go with speed to win success. Let there be no danger to you. I bow Dhatri and Vidhatri; undeteriorating blessings be to you.
ह्रीः श्रीः कीर्तिर्युतिः पुष्टिरुमा लक्ष्मीः सरस्वती। इमा वै तव पान्थस्य पालयन्तुधनंजय॥
O Dhananjaya, let Hri, Shri, Kirti, Dhriti, Pushti, Uma, Lakshmi and Sarasvati, all protect you on your way.
ज्येष्ठापचायी ज्येष्ठस्य भ्रातुर्वचनकारकः। प्रपद्येऽहं वसून् रुद्रानादित्यान् समरुद्गणान्॥ विश्वेदेवांस्तथा साध्याञ्छान्त्यर्थं भरतर्षभ। स्वस्ति तेऽस्त्वान्तरिक्षेभ्यः पार्थिवेभ्यश्च भारत॥ दिव्येभ्यश्चैव भूतेभ्यो ये चान्ये परिपन्थिनः।
For you always worship your elder brother and always obey his commands. I bow to the Vasus, the Rudras, the Adityas, the Marutas. The Vishvadevas and the Siddhas for your welfare. O best of the Bharata race, O descendant of Bharata, be safe from all mischievous spirits belonging to the firmament, the earth. And the heaven and also from other such ones generally.
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्त्वाऽऽशिषः कृष्णा विरराम यशस्विनी॥
Vaishampayana said : Having uttered these benedictions, the illustrious Krishna (Draupadi) stopped.
ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा भ्रातृन्धौम्यं च पाण्डवः। प्रातिष्ठत महाबाहुः प्रगृह्य रुचिरंधनुः॥
Having then walked round his brothers and Dhaumya, the mighty-armed Pandava (Arjuna), taking up his beautiful bow, started.
तस्य मार्गादपाक्रामन् सर्वभूतानि गच्छतः। युक्तस्यैन्द्रेण योगेन पराक्रान्तस्य शुष्मिणः॥
All creatures left the path that the greatly energetic and powerful (hero) took with the desire of seeing Indra.
सोऽगच्छत् पर्वतांस्तात तपोधननिषेवितान्। दिव्यं हैमवतं पुण्यं देवजुष्टं परंतपः॥
O child, that chastiser of foes passed over many mountains inhabited by the ascetics; and (at last) he reached the sacred and the celestials Himalayas.
अगच्छत् पर्वतं पुण्यमेकाद्वैव महामनाः। मनोजवगतिर्भूत्वा योगयुक्तो यथानिलः॥
The high-minded hero reached the sacred mountain in one day, for he, being a great ascetic, possessed the speed like that of the mind.
हिमवन्तमतिक्रम्य गन्धमादनमेव च। अत्यक्रामत् स दुर्गाणि दिवारात्रमतन्द्रितः॥
Having cross the Himalayas and also the Gandhamadana and many other uneven and dangerous passes by walking day and night.
इन्द्रकीलं समासाद्य ततोऽतिष्ठद्धनंजयः। अन्तरिक्षेऽतिशुश्राव तिष्ठेति स वचस्तदा॥
He reached Indrakila and Dhananjaya (Arjuna) stopped there. He then heard a voice in the sky. It said, “stop."
तच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वतो दृष्टिं चारयामास पाण्डवः। अथापश्यत् सव्यसाची वृक्षमूले तपस्विनम्॥
Having heard it, the Pandava (Arjuna) looked at all sides and Savyasachi (Arjuna) then saw an ascetic sitting at the foot of a tree.
ब्राह्मया श्रिया दीप्यमानं पिङ्गलं जटिलं कृशम्। सोऽब्रवीदर्जुनं तत्र स्थितं दृष्ट्वा महातपाः॥
(He was) blazing with Brahma-effulgence. With brawny colour and matted-locks, (he was) thin and lean. Seeing him (Arjuna) stopped there. The great ascetic then thus spoke to Arjuna,
कस्त्वं तातेह सम्प्राप्तोधनुष्मान् कवची शरी। निबद्धासितलत्राणः क्षत्रधर्ममनुव्रतः॥ नेह शस्त्रेण कर्तव्यं शान्तानामेष आलयः। विनीतक्रोधहर्षाणां ब्राह्मणानां तपस्विनाम्॥
“O child, who are you that have come here with bow and arrows, clad in armour, scabbard and gauntlet and devoted to the Kshatriya usage? There is no necessity for weapons here. This is the abode of peaceful Brahmana ascetics (who are all) without either joy or anger.
नेहास्तिधनुषा कार्यं न संचामोऽत्र कर्हिचित्। निक्षिपैतद्धनुस्तात प्राप्तोऽसि परमां गतिम्॥
O child, there is no use of the bow here. There is no sort of fight here. Therefore throw away your bow. You have obtained the highest state of life.
ओजसा तेजसा वीर यथा नान्यः पुमान् क्वचित् तथा हसन्निवाभीक्ष्णं ब्राह्मणोऽर्जुनमब्रवीत्। न चैनं चालयामासधैर्यात् सुधृतनिश्चयम्॥
O hero, there is no man who is equal to you in energy and prowess." The Brahmana smilingly thus spoke to Arjuna. But he could not move him, who was so firm in his purpose.
तमुवाच ततः प्रीतः स द्विजः प्रहसन्निवा वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते शक्रोऽहमरिसूदन॥
Thereupon that Brahmana, being much pleased with him, again spoke to him with smiles, “O slayer of foes, be blessed. I am Shakra (Indra). Ask the boon you desire to have."
एवमुक्तः सहस्राक्षं प्रत्युवाचधनंजयः। प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतो भूत्वा शूरः कुरुकुलोद्वहः॥
Having been thus addressed by the deity of one thousand eyes (Indra), that perpetuator of the Kuru race, the heroic Dhananjaya (Arjuna) with joined hands and bowing head said,
ईप्सितो ह्येष वै कामो वरं चैनं प्रयच्छ मे। त्वत्तोऽद्य भगवन्नस्त्रं कृत्स्नमिच्छामि वेदितुम्॥
“O exalted one, this is the object of my wishes; grant me this boon, (namely) I desire to learn from you all weapons."
प्रत्युवाच महेन्द्रस्तं प्रीतात्मा प्रहसन्निव। इह प्राप्तस्य किं कार्यमस्त्रैस्तवधनंजय॥ कामान् वृणीष्व लोकांस्त्वं प्राप्तोऽसि परमां गतिम्। एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच सहस्राक्षंधनंजयः॥ न लोभान्न पुनः कामान्न देवत्वं पुनः सुखम्। न च सर्वामरैश्वर्यं कामये त्रिदशाधिप।॥ भ्रार्तृस्तान् विपिने त्यक्त्वा वैरमप्रतियात्य च। अकीर्तिं सर्वलोकेषु गच्छेयं शाश्वतीः समाः॥
Mahendra (Indra), being much please with him smilingly replied, “O Dhananjaya, when you have reached this region, what need is there of you to get weapons? You have already obtained the highest state of life. Ask for other regions of bliss you desire to obtain.” Having been thus addressed, Dhananjaya thus replied to the deity of one thousand eyes (Indra), “O lord of heaven, I do not desire to obtain regions of bliss, nor objects of enjoyment, nor the celestials state, what to speak of (other) pleasures. I do not desire to obtain the prosperity of all the celestials. Having left my brothers behind me in the forest and having been unable to avenge myself on the enemy, shall I incur the opprobrium of all the world for everlasting time?"
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच वृत्रहा पाण्डुनन्दनम्। सान्त्वयञ्छ्लक्ष्णया वाचा सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः॥
Having been thus addressed, the slayer of Vritra, the worshipped of all the worlds (Indra), consoling him with sweet words, thus spoke to the son of Pandu (Arjuna),
यदा द्रक्ष्यसि भूतेशं त्र्यक्षं शूलधरं शिवम्। तदा दातास्मि ते तात दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि सर्वशः॥
“O child, when you will be able to meet the three-eyes deity, Shiva, the wielder of trident and the lord of all creatures, it is then I shall bestow on you all my weapons.
क्रियतां दर्शने यत्नो देवस्य परमेष्ठिनः। दर्शनात् तस्य कौन्तेय संसिद्धः स्वर्गमेष्यसि॥
O son of Kunti, try to meet the greatest of all gods, for it is only when you have seen him that you would have your desire fulfilled.”
इत्युक्त्वा फाल्गुनं शक्रो जगामादर्शनं पुनः। अर्जुनोऽप्यथ तत्रैव तस्थौ योगसमन्वितः॥
Having thus spoken to Falguni (Arjuna), Shakra (Indra) disappeared. Arjuna remained at that spot, devoting himself asceticism. to severe