01.114
Core-Pancharatra:Birth of Yudhisthira, Bheema and Arjuna.
Vaiśampāyana said:
When Gāndhārī's womb had carried for a year, O Janamejaya, Kuntī indeed summoned Dharma, the infallible one, for conception.
She, the lady, quickly offered the oblation to Dharma and properly chanted the mantra formerly given by Durvāsas.
She united with Dharma, who bore a yogic form, and the beautiful lady obtained a son, the best among all beings who sustain life.
In the eighth Abhijit muhurta, ruled by Indra and associated with the moon, during midday when the sun was overhead, on an auspicious and honored lunar day—
Kuntī gave birth at the proper time to a son of great fame; as soon as the son was born, a bodiless voice spoke.
This one will be the best among the sustainers of righteousness — there is no doubt; he will be known as Yudhiṣṭhira, the firstborn son of Pāṇḍu.
He will be a renowned king, famous in the three worlds, endowed with fame, brilliance, and virtuous conduct.
Having obtained that righteous son, Pāṇḍu again said to her, “They say the warrior class is eldest in might — choose a son of superior strength.”
Then, thus addressed by her husband, she invoked only Vāyu; from him was born great - armed Bhīma of terrifying prowess.
He too, being exceedingly strong, was addressed by a divine voice: “This one is born the best among all strong men, O Bhārata.”
This was exceedingly marvelous — when Vṛkodara was just born, though he fell from his mother's lap upon a rock, he did not shatter it with his limbs.
Indeed, Kuntī, agitated by fear of a tiger, suddenly leapt up and did not notice Vṛkodara sleeping on her lap.
Then the boy, like a thunderbolt, fell upon the mountain. By his fall the rock was shattered into a hundred pieces by his limbs. Seeing that shattered rock, Pāṇḍu was amazed.
On the same day that Bhīma was born, O best of the Bharatas, Duryodhana too was born, O lord of the earth.
After the birth of Vṛkodara, Pāṇḍu again pondered — how might I obtain an excellent son, the best in the world?
This world is indeed established by both fate and human effort; yet destiny is attained only through proper means and in due time.
We have heard that Indra is indeed the king of the gods, the foremost - of immeasurable strength and vigor, powerful, and of infinite radiance.
By pleasing him with austerity, I shall obtain a son of great strength; the one whom he gives shall be my son and shall be the greatest. Therefore, by deed, mind, and speech, I shall perform great penance.
Then Pāṇḍu of great splendor, after consulting great sages, instructed Kuntī to undertake an auspicious year-long vow.
And he, the mighty-armed, stood on one foot and undertook intense penance with supreme concentration.
Desiring to propitiate the god who is lord of the deities, the righteous one circumambulated along with the sun, O Bhārata.
After a long time, Indra addressed him: I shall give you a son renowned in the three worlds.
I shall give you a foremost son who will accomplish the aims of the gods, brāhmaṇas, and friends—destroyer of all enemies.
Thus addressed by the great-souled Indra, the righteous Kuru king spoke to Kuntī, remembering the words of the king of gods.
One who possesses noble conduct, great soul, brilliance like the sun, unassailable, active in deeds, and of wondrous appearance.
Beget, O fair-hipped one, a son who is the abode of kṣatriya splendor. Having obtained Indra’s favor, invoke him, O pure-smiling one.
Thus addressed, the illustrious one invoked Indra, who then came and begot Arjuna.
Then, as the boy was just born, a bodiless voice with deep resonance echoed through the sky.
O Kuntī, he is equal to Kārtavīrya and has valor like Śibi. He will be unconquerable like Indra and spread your fame.
As the affection between Aditi and Viṣṇu grew, so too will Arjuna, equal to Viṣṇu, increase your joy.
He will bring the Madras, Kurus, Kekayas, Cedis, Kāśis, and Karūṣas under control and enhance the glory of the Kurus.
By the might of his arms, the fire-god in Khāṇḍava will attain supreme satisfaction with the fat of all beings.
This mighty hero, having conquered chieftains and kings, will perform three sacrifices together with his brothers.
O Kuntī, he will be equal to Paraśurāma and Viṣṇu in valor, the foremost among the mighty, and will remain unconquered.
He will acquire all divine weapons and restore the prosperity lost by the brāhmaṇas, this bull among men.
The wind-god uttered this wondrous speech at the birth of Kuntī’s son, and Kuntī heard it in the sky.
Hearing that loudly uttered speech, the ascetics of Shataśṛṅga experienced supreme joy.
Likewise, among the divine sages and celestials with Indra, a loud sound of drums arose in the sky.
A great sound rose up, enveloped by showers of flowers, as the hosts of gods assembled and honored Arjuna.
The Nāgas and Garuḍas, Gandharvas and Apsaras, all lords of beings, and the seven great sages indeed were present.
Bharadvāja, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, and Vasiṣṭha; and he who arose with the sun and vanished — the venerable Atri — also arrived here.
Marīci, Aṅgirās, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Dakṣa the Prajāpati, and likewise the Gandharvas and Apsaras.
Wearing divine garlands and garments, adorned with all ornaments, the Apsaras danced and sang around Arjuna. The splendid Tumburu also sang formerly along with the Gandharvas.
Bhīmasena, Ugrasena, Ūrṇāyu, Anagha, Gopati, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and the seventh, Sūryavarcās, were also present.
Yugapa, Tṛṇapa, Kārṣṇi, Nandi, Citraratha; the thirteenth was Śāliśirās, and the fourteenth was Parjanya.
Kali was the fifteenth and Nārada the sixteenth. Also present were Sadvā, Bṛhadvā, Bṛhaka, Karāla, and the greatly renowned ones.
The famous ones were the celibate Bahuguṇa, Suparṇa, Viśvāvasu, Bhumanyu, Sucandra as the tenth.
Hahā and Huhū, renowned and endowed with the sweetness of song, were among the celestial Gandharvas who sang there to the bull among men.
Likewise, the delighted and ornamented Apsaras, greatly fortunate and broad-eyed, danced and sang.
Not deficient, faultless, most pleasing-faced, and best in virtues — Adrikā, Sācī, Miśrakeśī, and Alambusā also were there.
Marīcī, Śicukā, Vidyutparṇā, Tilottamā, Agnikā, Lakṣaṇā, Kṣemā, Devī, Rambhā, and Manoramā.
Asitā, Subāhu, Supriyā, Suvapu, Puṇḍarīkā, Sugandhā, Surathā, and Pramāthinī.
Kāmyā, Śāradvatī, Menakā, Sahajanyā, Parṇikā, and Puñjikāsthalā danced there in groups.
Kratusthalā, Ghṛtācī, Viśvācī, Pūrvacitti, Umlocā, and Pramlocā — these ten famed Apsaras, along with Urvaśī as the eleventh, all broad-eyed, sang together.
Dhātā, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuṇa, Aṁśa, Bhaga, Indra, Vivasvān, Pūṣā, Tvaṣṭā, and Savitā were all present.
Parjanya and Viṣṇu, along with the flaming Ādityas, stood in the sky increasing the glory of the Pāṇḍava.
Mṛgavyādha, Śarva, Nirṛti the greatly renowned, Ajaikapād, Ahirbudhnya, Pinākī, and Parantapa were present.
Dahana, Īśvara, Kapālī, Sthāṇu, Bhava, and the venerable Rudras all stood firmly there, O lord of men.
The two Aśvins, the eight Vasus, the mighty Maruts, the Viśvedevas, and the Sādhyas were all assembled there.
Then Karkoṭaka, Śeṣa, Vāsuki the serpent, Kacchapa, Āpakuṇḍa, Takṣaka, and other great serpents appeared.
Endowed with brilliance, great wrath, and immense strength, these and many other serpents assembled there.
Tārkṣya, Ariṣṭanemi, Garuḍa the dark-bannered, Aruṇa and Āruṇi — all sons of Vinatā — were assembled.
Seeing that great wonder, the astonished sages turned even greater attention toward the Pāṇḍavas.
Desiring more sons, the highly renowned Pāṇḍu again sent the beautiful-limbed Kuntī; but Kuntī then said to him:
They say a fourth birth is not permitted even in distress; beyond that, she becomes a wanderer, and with a fifth, she would be confined as fallen.
O learned one, how indeed do you speak to me, transgressing this intelligible dharma for the sake of offspring, as if in error?
