01.158
Library:Encounter of Arjuna with Angaraparna
Vaiśampāyana said.
They, the best among men, set out together, placing their mother in front, facing north, along the paths as instructed, those who torment their enemies.
The Pandavas, tigers among men, traveled day and night to the sacred place called Somaśravāyaṇa on the Ganga and arrived there.
But Dhananjaya (Arjuna), the greatly renowned, took up a firebrand and went ahead of them there, for the sake of illumination and protection.
There, in the pleasant and secluded waters of the Gaṅgā, as the women were playing, the jealous king of the Gandharvas came to the water-sport.
He heard the sound of their approach to the river. Overcome by that sound, the powerful and mighty one became angry.
Seeing the Pāṇḍavas there with their mother, he stretched his terrible bow and spoke these words.
The dreadful twilight ritual performed at the beginning of the night is called that muhūrta which is short by eighty truṭis.
For Yakṣas, Gandharvas, and Rākṣasas, acting as they wish is prescribed; for the rest of humans, other forms of acting as they wish are considered here.
Out of greed, men who wander at those times are seized by us together with the rākṣasas, along with the foolish who have come near.
Then, at night, the knowers of Brahman and the people censure all men, including those in power and even kings, who obtain water.
Stand at a distance, do not come near me. Why do you not recognize me, who has arrived with the water of the Bhagirathi?
I am Aṅgāraparṇa, the Gandharva, self-reliant. I am proud, envious, and a close friend of Kubera.
This forest of mine, well-known as 'Aṅgāraparṇa', lies along the Gaṅgā and the Vākā rivers, a wonderful place where I dwell.
Neither corpses, horned beings, gods, nor humans are approaching; so why are you all coming near this?
Arjuna said.
O wicked-minded one, whose acceptance of water is proper—in the ocean, at the side of the Himalaya, in this river, at night, in the day, or at twilight?
We, even though endowed with power, did not dare approach you at the wrong time. Indeed, it is only when powerless, at a cruel moment, that humans worship you.
Long ago, this Gaṅgā, having sprung from the golden peak of the Himalayas, reached the ocean and then divided herself into seven streams.
O Gandharva, this Gaṅgā, having become pure and single-channeled, moving again through the sky, attains the form of Alakanandā among the gods.
Thus, O Gandharva, Dvaipayana said: For the ancestors, the Vaitarani river, which is difficult to cross due to evil deeds, becomes the Ganga.
The divine river, which is unobstructed, auspicious, and leads to heaven—how do you wish to obstruct her? This is not the eternal righteousness.
By your irresistible and unobstructed words, how could we not touch the holy waters of Bhagirathi as we wish?
Vaiśampāyana said.
Aṅgāraparṇa, upon hearing that, became angry, bent his bow, and released blazing arrows like poisonous snakes.
Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), quickly whirling a firebrand and his excellent shield, warded off all the arrows aimed at him.
Arjuna said.
O Gandharva, this terror is not used against those skilled in weapons; if used against such experts, it dissolves like foam.
I see all humans and Gandharvas, and therefore, I will fight with a divine weapon, not by means of illusion.
Long ago, Bṛhaspati gave this Agneya missile to Bharadvāja, the Gandharva, who was the son of the teacher and belonged to Indra, the lord of a hundred sacrifices.
Agniveśya was a disciple of Bharadvāja; my teacher was a disciple of Agniveśya. But it was Droṇa, the best among Brāhmaṇas, who gave this to me.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having spoken thus, the angry son of Pāṇḍu released at the Gandharva a blazing missile of fire, which burned his chariot.
But he saw that Gandharva of great strength, deprived of his chariot, disturbed, bewildered by the power of weapons, and falling with his face turned downwards.
Dhananjaya (Arjuna) seized those adorned with garlands by their heads. Then he dragged his brothers, who were unconscious from the fall of weapons.
His wife, named Kumbhīnasi, approached Yudhishthira seeking refuge, desiring her husband's protection.
The Gandharvī spoke.
O great king, protect me and release my husband for me. I, Gandharvī, named Kumbīnasī, have come to you for refuge, O lord.
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
Who would kill an enemy like you, conquered in battle, devoid of fame, lord of women, and without valor? Release him, O destroyer of enemies.
Arjuna said.
O dear one, accept this and go, O Gandharva. Do not grieve. Today, King Yudhishthira of the Kurus grants you freedom from fear.
The gandharva said.
I have been conquered; I give up my former name and the state of being Aṅgāraparṇa. Today, I do not boast of my strength or my name in the assembly of people.
Indeed, having gained this, I, the wielder of divine weapons, wish to fight, through the illusion of the Gandharva woman, with one who is superior in age.
My excellent and wondrous chariot was burnt by the fire of weapons. Thus, though I was known as Citraratha, I became known as Dagdharatha, the one with the burnt chariot.
This knowledge, which I had collected here long ago for the sake of austerity, I shall today offer—life-giving—to the great soul.
One who, having restrained and conquered by force, grants refuge—even to an enemy—and unites him with his own life for the sake of welfare, what does he not deserve?
This knowledge called Cakṣuṣī was given by Manu to Soma; Soma gave it to Viśvāvasu; Viśvāvasu gave it to me.
This one, being a coward, perishes though given by the teacher. I have explained her tradition; now understand the essence from me.
Whatever one wishes to see with the eye in the three worlds, that one may see; if one wishes to see of whatever kind, one is worthy to see of that kind.
If one remains in the same place for six months, one may obtain this knowledge. I will personally seek out this knowledge for you, once the observance has been completed.
O king, it is by this knowledge that we are set apart from men; and, moved by the power of the gods, we are not different from them.
O best among men, I am the giver of a hundred horses born of Gandharvas separately to each of your five brothers.
They have the gods and gandharvas as their vehicles, possess a divine fragrance, and are attainable by the mind. Though they may diminish, these are not reduced in speed.
Formerly, the thunderbolt of Mahendra, which was made for the destruction of Vṛtra, was shattered into ten and even a hundred pieces on the head of Vṛtra.
From that, the portion divided by the gods, the thunderbolt portion, is worshipped. In the world, whatever means exist, she is indeed remembered as having the body of thunderbolt.
The brāhmaṇa is said to be one who wields the thunderbolt; the kṣatriya is known for a chariot as swift as a thunderbolt. Vaiśyas, indeed, have charity as their strength, and the younger ones are known for their energetic actions.
The thunderbolt belongs to the warrior; horses are not to be slain, they are regarded as such. The chariot-wheel, the mare gives birth, and charioteers are considered among horses.
These horses, born of Gandharvas, who are of the color and speed of desire and have come from desire, will fulfill your wish.
Arjuna said.
If something is given with affection or in doubt for life, whether it is knowledge, wealth, or learning, even that I, Gandharva, do not desire.
The gandharva said.
Union that brings joy is indeed seen in assemblies. Being pleased by the gift of life, I grant you knowledge.
I will receive the excellent Agneya missile from you; likewise, O Bibhatsu, O foremost of the Bharatas, I will also gain your friendship for a long time.
Arjuna said.
With your weapon, I choose the horses; let our union be eternal. O friend, tell that, O Gandharva, which fear you should abandon.
