03.038
Pancharatra: Arjuna travels to the north in a day and meets Indra.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
कस्यचित्त्वथ कालस्य धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। संस्मृत्य मुनिसंदेशमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥३-३८-१॥
At a certain time, Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira, recalling the sage's message, spoke these words. (3-38-1)
विविक्ते विदितप्रज्ञमर्जुनं भरतर्षभम्। सान्त्वपूर्वं स्मितं कृत्वा पाणिना परिसंस्पृशन् ॥३-३८-२॥
In a secluded place, to Arjuna, the renowned wise one and foremost among the Bharatas, (he) gently smiled, touched him with his hand, and began to speak with soothing words. (3-38-2)
स मुहूर्तमिव ध्यात्वा वनवासमरिंदमः। धनञ्जयं धर्मराजो रहसीदमुवाच ह ॥३-३८-३॥
He, the subduer of enemies, Dharmarāja, after contemplating the forest exile for a moment, spoke these words in private to Dhanañjaya. (3-38-3)
भीष्मे द्रोणे कृपे कर्णे द्रोणपुत्रे च भारत। धनुर्वेदश्चतुष्पाद एतेष्वद्य प्रतिष्ठितः ॥३-३८-४॥
O Bhārata, today the fourfold science of archery is established in Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Karṇa, and the son of Droṇa. (3-38-4)
ब्राह्मं दैवमासुरं च सप्रयोगचिकित्सितम्। सर्वास्त्राणां प्रयोगं च तेऽभिजानन्ति कृत्स्नशः ॥३-३८-५॥
They know completely the Brahma, Daiva, and Asura (types of weapons), along with their application and treatment; they are thoroughly acquainted with the use of all weapons. (3-38-5)
ते सर्वे धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रेण परिसान्त्विताः। संविभक्ताश्च तुष्टाश्च गुरुवत्तेषु वर्तते ॥३-३८-६॥
All of them, having been completely conciliated, satisfied, and given gifts by Dhritarashtra's son, conduct themselves respectfully towards the elders. (3-38-6)
सर्वयोधेषु चैवास्य सदा वृत्तिरनुत्तमा। शक्तिं न हापयिष्यन्ति ते काले प्रतिपूजिताः ॥३-३८-७॥
Among all warriors, his conduct is always unsurpassed; those who have been duly honored will not cause his power to be lost in time. (3-38-7)
अद्य चेयं मही कृत्स्ना दुर्योधनवशानुगा। त्वयि व्यपाश्रयोऽस्माकं त्वयि भारः समाहितः ॥ तत्र कृत्यं प्रपश्यामि प्राप्तकालमरिंदम ॥३-३८-८॥
Today, this entire earth is under Duryodhana's control; our support rests with you, and the responsibility is placed upon you. There, I see the duty that is timely, O subduer of enemies. (3-38-8)
कृष्णद्वैपायनात्तात गृहीतोपनिषन्मया। तया प्रयुक्तया सम्यग्जगत्सर्वं प्रकाशते ॥ तेन त्वं ब्रह्मणा तात संयुक्तः सुसमाहितः ॥३-३८-९॥
O dear one, the Upaniṣad which I received from Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana, when properly applied, reveals the entire world. By that, you, O dear one, united with Brahman, are well composed. (3-38-9)
देवतानां यथाकालं प्रसादं प्रतिपालय। तपसा योजयात्मानमुग्रेण भरतर्षभ ॥३-३८-१०॥
O best of the Bharatas, observe the favor of the deities at the proper time. Engage yourself with intense austerity. (3-38-10)
धनुष्मान्कवची खड्गी मुनिः सारसमन्वितः। न कस्यचिद्ददन्मार्गं गच्छ तातोत्तरां दिशम् ॥ इन्द्रे ह्यस्त्राणि दिव्यानि समस्तानि धनञ्जय ॥३-३८-११॥
The sage, armed with bow, armor, and sword, and riding a chariot, did not yield the way to anyone. Go, dear one, to the northern direction. In Indra are all the divine weapons, O Dhananjaya. (3-38-11)
वृत्राद्भीतैस्तदा देवैर्बलमिन्द्रे समर्पितम्। तान्येकस्थानि सर्वाणि ततस्त्वं प्रतिपत्स्यसे ॥३-३८-१२॥
Then, when the gods were frightened by Vṛtra, they offered all their strength to Indra. All those strengths, being in one place, you will then obtain. (3-38-12)
शक्रमेव प्रपद्यस्व स तेऽस्त्राणि प्रदास्यति। दीक्षितोऽद्यैव गच्छ त्वं द्रष्टुं देवं पुरंदरम् ॥३-३८-१३॥
Go to Indra himself; he will give you the weapons. Having been consecrated, go today to see the god Purandara (Indra). (3-38-13)
एवमुक्त्वा धर्मराजस्तमध्यापयत प्रभुः। दीक्षितं विधिना तेन यतवाक्कायमानसम् ॥ अनुजज्ञे ततो वीरं भ्राता भ्रातरमग्रजः ॥३-३८-१४॥
Having thus spoken, the king of dharma, the lord, caused him, who was initiated according to the procedure and restrained in speech, body, and mind, to study. Then the elder brother permitted the heroic brother. (3-38-14)
निदेशाद्धर्मराजस्य द्रष्टुं देवं पुरंदरम्। धनुर्गाण्डीवमादाय तथाक्षय्यौ महेषुधी ॥३-३८-१५॥
At the command of Dharmarāja, to see the god Purandara, he took up the Gāṇḍīva bow and the two inexhaustible great arrows. (3-38-15)
कवची सतलत्राणो बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्रवान्। हुत्वाग्निं ब्राह्मणान्निष्कैः स्वस्ति वाच्य महाभुजः ॥३-३८-१६॥
The mighty-armed one, armored, with seven shields and wearing finger-guards of lizard skin, after offering fire and gifting gold coins to Brahmins, should be wished well. (3-38-16)
प्रातिष्ठत महाबाहुः प्रगृहीतशरासनः। वधाय धार्तराष्ट्राणां निःश्वस्योर्ध्वमुदीक्ष्य च ॥३-३८-१७॥
The mighty-armed hero, having taken up his bow and arrows, set out for the destruction of the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, sighing and looking upwards. (3-38-17)
तं दृष्ट्वा तत्र कौन्तेयं प्रगृहीतशरासनम्। अब्रुवन्ब्राह्मणाः सिद्धा भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च ॥ क्षिप्रं प्राप्नुहि कौन्तेय मनसा यद्यदिच्छसि ॥३-३८-१८॥
Seeing him there, the son of Kunti holding his bow and arrow, the Brahmanas, Siddhas, and invisible beings said: "Quickly attain by mind, O son of Kunti, whatever you desire." (3-38-18)
तं सिंहमिव गच्छन्तं शालस्कन्धोरुमर्जुनम्। मनांस्यादाय सर्वेषां कृष्णा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥३-३८-१९॥
Seeing Arjuna, who was going like a lion, with shoulders and thighs like a śāla tree, Kṛṣṇā, having taken the minds of all, spoke these words. (3-38-19)
यत्ते कुन्ती महाबाहो जातस्यैच्छद्धनञ्जय। तत्तेऽस्तु सर्वं कौन्तेय यथा च स्वयमिच्छसि ॥३-३८-२०॥
O Dhanañjaya, whatever your mother Kuntī desired for you at your birth, let all that be granted to you, O son of Kuntī, as you yourself desire. (3-38-20)
मास्माकं क्षत्रियकुले जन्म कश्चिदवाप्नुयात्। ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमो नित्यं येषां युद्धे न जीविका ॥३-३८-२१॥
No one among us should be born in the family of warriors. Always offer obeisance to the Brāhmaṇas, whose livelihood is not in battle. (3-38-21)
नूनं ते भ्रातरः सर्वे त्वत्कथाभिः प्रजागरे। रंस्यन्ते वीरकर्माणि कीर्तयन्तः पुनः पुनः ॥३-३८-२२॥
Certainly, all your brothers, staying awake, delight again and again in praising your heroic deeds with stories about you. (3-38-22)
नैव नः पार्थ भोगेषु न धने नोत जीविते। तुष्टिर्बुद्धिर्भवित्री वा त्वयि दीर्घप्रवासिनि ॥३-३८-२३॥
O Pārtha, for us there is truly no satisfaction or understanding in enjoyments, wealth, or even in life, when you, the long-absent one, are not present. (3-38-23)
त्वयि नः पार्थ सर्वेषां सुखदुःखे समाहिते। जीवितं मरणं चैव राज्यमैश्वर्यमेव च ॥ आपृष्टो मेऽसि कौन्तेय स्वस्ति प्राप्नुहि पाण्डव ॥३-३८-२४॥
O Pārtha, for all of us, with your mind absorbed equally in happiness and sorrow, life and death, as well as kingdom and sovereignty; having been asked by me, O Kaunteya, may you attain well-being, O Pāṇḍava. (3-38-24)
नमो धात्रे विधात्रे च स्वस्ति गच्छ ह्यनामयम्। स्वस्ति तेऽस्त्वान्तरिक्षेभ्यः पार्थिवेभ्यश्च भारत ॥ दिव्येभ्यश्चैव भूतेभ्यो ये चान्ये परिपन्थिनः ॥३-३८-२५॥
Salutations to the supporter and the creator. Go forth in well-being, indeed free from disease. May well-being be to you from the beings of the mid-space, from those of the earth, O Bhārata, and from the divine beings, from all beings, and from any other enemies. (3-38-25)
ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा भ्रातॄन्धौम्यं च पाण्डवः। प्रातिष्ठत महाबाहुः प्रगृह्य रुचिरं धनुः ॥३-३८-२६॥
Then, after circumambulating his brothers and Dhaumya, the mighty-armed Pāṇḍava set out, taking up his beautiful bow. (3-38-26)
तस्य मार्गादपाक्रामन्सर्वभूतानि गच्छतः। युक्तस्यैन्द्रेण योगेन पराक्रान्तस्य शुष्मिणः ॥३-३८-२७॥
As he, the powerful one united by Indra's yoga and having surpassed, was going, all beings departed from his path. (3-38-27)
सोऽगच्छत्पर्वतं पुण्यमेकाह्नैव महामनाः। मनोजवगतिर्भूत्वा योगयुक्तो यथानिलः ॥३-३८-२८॥
He, the great-minded one, endowed with yoga and possessing the speed of the mind, went to the holy mountain in just one day, like the wind. (3-38-28)
हिमवन्तमतिक्रम्य गन्धमादनमेव च। अत्यक्रामत्स दुर्गाणि दिवारात्रमतन्द्रितः ॥३-३८-२९॥
He crossed the Himalayas and Gandhamadana mountains, passing through difficult regions day and night without fatigue. (3-38-29)
इन्द्रकीलं समासाद्य ततोऽतिष्ठद्धनञ्जयः। अन्तरिक्षे हि शुश्राव तिष्ठेति स वचस्तदा ॥३-३८-३०॥
After reaching Indrakīla, Dhanañjaya stood there. At that moment, he heard a voice in the sky saying "Stand." (3-38-30)
ततोऽपश्यत्सव्यसाची वृक्षमूले तपस्विनम्। ब्राह्म्या श्रिया दीप्यमानं पिङ्गलं जटिलं कृशम् ॥३-३८-३१॥
Then Savyasācī (Arjuna) saw at the root of a tree an ascetic, radiant with Brahmanic splendor, tawny in color, with matted hair, and thin. (3-38-31)
सोऽब्रवीदर्जुनं तत्र स्थितं दृष्ट्वा महातपाः। कस्त्वं तातेह सम्प्राप्तो धनुष्मान्कवची शरी ॥ निबद्धासितलत्राणः क्षत्रधर्ममनुव्रतः ॥३-३८-३२॥
The great ascetic, having seen Arjuna standing there, said: "Who are you, dear one, who has come here armed with bow and arrows, wearing armor and a black arm-guard, devoted to the warrior's duty?" (3-38-32)
नेह शस्त्रेण कर्तव्यं शान्तानामयमालयः। विनीतक्रोधहर्षाणां ब्राह्मणानां तपस्विनाम् ॥३-३८-३३॥
Here, nothing should be done by weapons; this is the abode of the peaceful, of Brāhmaṇas who are ascetics with restrained anger and joy. (3-38-33)
नेहास्ति धनुषा कार्यं न सङ्ग्रामेण कर्हिचित्। निक्षिपैतद्धनुस्तात प्राप्तोऽसि परमां गतिम् ॥३-३८-३४॥
There is nothing to be accomplished here by the bow, nor at any time by battle. Lay down this bow, dear one; you have attained the supreme state. (3-38-34)
इत्यनन्तौजसं वीरं यथा चान्यं पृथग्जनम्। तथा वाचमथाभीक्ष्णं ब्राह्मणोऽर्जुनमब्रवीत् ॥ न चैनं चालयामास धैर्यात्सुदृढनिश्चयम् ॥३-३८-३५॥
Thus, the brāhmaṇa repeatedly addressed Arjuna, the hero of infinite energy, just as he would address any other person; but due to his great fortitude and firm resolve, Arjuna was not shaken. (3-38-35)
तमुवाच ततः प्रीतः स द्विजः प्रहसन्निव। वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते शक्रोऽहमरिसूदन ॥३-३८-३६॥
Then, pleased, the twice-born said to him as if smiling: "Choose a boon, O destroyer of enemies, for your good. I am Śakra." (3-38-36)
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच सहस्राक्षं धनञ्जयः। प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतो भूत्वा शूरः कुरुकुलोद्वहः ॥३-३८-३७॥
Thus addressed, Dhananjaya, the hero and best of the Kuru race, bowed with joined palms and replied to the thousand-eyed one. (3-38-37)
ईप्सितो ह्येष मे कामो वरं चैनं प्रयच्छ मे। त्वत्तोऽद्य भगवन्नस्त्रं कृत्स्नमिच्छामि वेदितुम् ॥३-३८-३८॥
Indeed, this is my cherished wish; grant me this boon. O Lord, today I wish to know the entire weapon from you. (3-38-38)
प्रत्युवाच महेन्द्रस्तं प्रीतात्मा प्रहसन्निव। इह प्राप्तस्य किं कार्यमस्त्रैस्तव धनञ्जय ॥ कामान्वृणीष्व लोकांश्च प्राप्तोऽसि परमां गतिम् ॥३-३८-३९॥
Indra, his mind pleased and as if smiling, replied to him: "O Dhananjaya, now that you have arrived here, what use are your weapons? Choose whatever desires and worlds you wish; you have attained the highest state." (3-38-39)
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच सहस्राक्षं धनञ्जयः। न लोकान्न पुनः कामान्न देवत्वं कुतः सुखम् ॥३-३८-४०॥
Thus addressed, Dhananjaya replied to Indra: "I do not seek worlds, nor desires again, nor divinity; so from where would happiness arise?" (3-38-40)
न च सर्वामरैश्वर्यं कामये त्रिदशाधिप। भ्रातॄंस्तान्विपिने त्यक्त्वा वैरमप्रतियात्य च ॥ अकीर्तिं सर्वलोकेषु गच्छेयं शाश्वतीः समाः ॥३-३८-४१॥
Nor do I desire all the prosperity of the immortals, O lord of the thirty gods. Having abandoned those brothers in the forest, and not returning enmity, I would incur disrepute in all worlds for eternal years. (3-38-41)
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच वृत्रहा पाण्डुनन्दनम्। सान्त्वयञ्श्लक्ष्णया वाचा सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः ॥३-३८-४२॥
Thus addressed, the slayer of Vṛtra, honored by all worlds, replied to the son of Pāṇḍu, consoling him with gentle words. (3-38-42)
यदा द्रक्ष्यसि भूतेशं त्र्यक्षं शूलधरं शिवम्। तदा दातास्मि ते तात दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि सर्वशः ॥३-३८-४३॥
When you see the lord of beings, the three-eyed, the trident-bearer, the auspicious Shiva, then, dear one, I will grant you all the divine weapons. (3-38-43)
क्रियतां दर्शने यत्नो देवस्य परमेष्ठिनः। दर्शनात्तस्य कौन्तेय संसिद्धः स्वर्गमेष्यसि ॥३-३८-४४॥
Make an effort to see the god Parameṣṭhin; by seeing him, O son of Kuntī, you will attain perfection and go to heaven. (3-38-44)
इत्युक्त्वा फल्गुनं शक्रो जगामादर्शनं ततः। अर्जुनोऽप्यथ तत्रैव तस्थौ योगसमन्वितः ॥३-३८-४५॥
Having thus spoken to Phalguna, Śakra (Indra) became invisible. Arjuna too then stood there, absorbed in yoga. (3-38-45)
