03.039
Pancharatra: Arjuna’s penance.
Janamejaya said.
O Lord, I wish to hear in detail the story of how Pārtha, who performed unwearied actions, obtained the weapons. (3-39-1)
How did he, Dhananjaya, the long-armed and radiant tiger among men, enter the deserted forest as if without fear? (3-39-2)
O knower of Brahman, what did he do there while residing, and how were the Lord Sthāṇu and the king of the gods pleased? (3-39-3)
O best of the twice-born, I wish to hear this from you by your favor. For you are indeed all-knowing; you know both the divine and the human, indeed. (3-39-4)
Arjuna, the supremely wise and awe-inspiring, once fought an unparalleled battle together with Bhava (Śiva); formerly, he was the best among warriors and unconquered in battles. (3-39-5)
Hearing this, from the overwhelming astonishment of dejection and joy of the lion-like men, even the hearts of the heroic sons of Pṛthā trembled. (3-39-6)
Tell me everything else that Pārtha has done. I do not see even the slightest blameworthy thing in Jiṣṇu. Proclaim to me all the deeds of that hero. (3-39-7)
Vaiśampāyana said.
O tiger among the Kauravas, I shall tell you, dear one, this divine and wondrous story of the great-souled one. (3-39-8)
O sinless one, hear about the bodily contact and connection between Tryambaka (Śiva) and Pārtha (Arjuna), as properly brought about by the god of gods. (3-39-9)
At Yudhiṣṭhira's command, the hero of immeasurable valor went to see Indra, the lord of the gods, and Śaṅkara, the god of gods. (3-39-10)
The mighty-armed, greatly powerful Arjuna, the bull among men, having taken that divine bow and sword for the accomplishment of the task, went towards the northern direction, towards the peak of the Himalayas. (3-39-11)
O king, the steadfast-minded hero of Indra, the great chariot-warrior of all worlds, with supreme haste and firm resolve for austerity, entered the terrible, thorny forest alone. (3-39-12)
It was endowed with various flowers and fruits, inhabited by many kinds of birds, filled with groups of diverse animals, and attended by siddhas and celestial bards. (3-39-13)
After Kunti's son departed for the uninhabited forest, the sound of conches and drums arose in the sky. (3-39-14)
A very great shower of flowers fell upon the earth, and a mass of clouds spread out, covering everything on all sides. (3-39-15)
After crossing the forest fortresses and coming near the great mountain, Arjuna, residing on the slopes of the Himalayas, shone at that time. (3-39-16)
There he saw blooming trees, sweetly resounded by birds, and rivers with many eddies, resembling blue beryl. (3-39-17)
The songs of swans and ducks, the cries of cranes, the calls of male cuckoos, and the resounding voices of cranes and peacocks were heard. (3-39-18)
When the great chariot-warrior Arjuna entered that charming forest and saw the holy, cool, and pure waters, his mind was filled with joy. (3-39-19)
At that time, Arjuna, rejoicing in the delightful forest region, was engaged in severe penance, possessing fierce energy and a great mind. (3-39-20)
Having put on a garment of grass-cloth and then adorned himself with a staff and deer skin, he ate only fruits for a month, completing three nights at a time; then, with double that period, he passed the second month. (3-39-21)
For the third month as well, he sustained himself on leaves, consuming withered and fallen leaves from the ground. (3-39-22)
When the fourth full month had arrived, then after that, the mighty-armed son of Pāṇḍu became an air-eater. He stood with his arms raised, unsupported, standing on the tips of his big toes. (3-39-23)
Because of always being in close contact, his matted locks, possessing immeasurable energy, became like lightning and lotus, belonging to that great-souled one. (3-39-24)
Then all the great sages went to the god Pinākin, the blue-throated and greatly fortunate one. Having bowed down and propitiated him, they all reported to him the act of Phalguna. (3-39-25)
This Arjuna, endowed with great energy, has taken refuge on the Himalaya's ridge, standing firm in severe and arduous austerities, making the directions appear as if filled with smoke. (3-39-26)
O lord of the gods, none of us know his intentions. He is afflicting all of us; he should indeed be restrained. (3-39-27)
The great lord said.
Go quickly, joyfully, just as you came, without any sloth. I know the resolve that is fixed in his mind. (3-39-28)
He has no desire for heaven, nor for sovereignty, nor for life; but whatever he desires, all that I shall indeed do today. (3-39-29)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having heard Śarva's words, the truthful sages, their minds delighted, returned once more to their own hermitages. (3-39-30)
