03.038
Pancharatra: Arjuna travels to the north in a day and meets Indra.
Vaiśampāyana said.
At a certain time, Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira, recalling the sage's message, spoke these words. (3-38-1)
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)
He, the subduer of enemies, Dharmarāja, after contemplating the forest exile for a moment, spoke these words in private to Dhanañjaya. (3-38-3)
O Bhārata, today the fourfold science of archery is established in Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Karṇa, and the son of Droṇa. (3-38-4)
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)
All of them, having been completely conciliated, satisfied, and given gifts by Dhritarashtra's son, conduct themselves respectfully towards the elders. (3-38-6)
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)
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)
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)
O best of the Bharatas, observe the favor of the deities at the proper time. Engage yourself with intense austerity. (3-38-10)
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)
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)
Go to Indra himself; he will give you the weapons. Having been consecrated, go today to see the god Purandara (Indra). (3-38-13)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Certainly, all your brothers, staying awake, delight again and again in praising your heroic deeds with stories about you. (3-38-22)
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)
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)
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)
Then, after circumambulating his brothers and Dhaumya, the mighty-armed Pāṇḍava set out, taking up his beautiful bow. (3-38-26)
As he, the powerful one united by Indra's yoga and having surpassed, was going, all beings departed from his path. (3-38-27)
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)
He crossed the Himalayas and Gandhamadana mountains, passing through difficult regions day and night without fatigue. (3-38-29)
After reaching Indrakīla, Dhanañjaya stood there. At that moment, he heard a voice in the sky saying "Stand." (3-38-30)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Thus addressed, the slayer of Vṛtra, honored by all worlds, replied to the son of Pāṇḍu, consoling him with gentle words. (3-38-42)
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)
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)
Having thus spoken to Phalguna, Śakra (Indra) became invisible. Arjuna too then stood there, absorbed in yoga. (3-38-45)
