03.040
Pancharatra: Arjuna’s encounter with Shiva in the guise of a hunter.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
gateṣu teṣu sarveṣu tapasviṣu mahātmasu। pinākapāṇir bhagavān sarvapāpaharo haraḥ ॥3-40-1॥
After all those great ascetics had departed, the blessed Lord Hara, the remover of all sins and wielder of the Pinaka bow, remained. (3-40-1)
kairātaṃ veṣam āsthāya kāñcanadrumasaṃnibham। vibhrājamāno vapuṣā girir merur ivāparaḥ ॥3-40-2॥
Assuming the guise of a Kirāta, with a form shining like a golden tree, he appeared like another Mount Meru. (3-40-2)
śrīmad-dhanur-upādāya śarāṁś cāśīviṣopamān। niṣpapāta mahārciṣmān dahan kakṣam ivānalaḥ ॥3-40-3॥
Having taken up his glorious bow and arrows that resembled venomous snakes, he sprang forth, blazing with great radiance, burning the forest like fire. (3-40-3)
devyā sahomayā śrīmān samānavrataveṣayā। nānāveṣadharaiḥ hṛṣṭaiḥ bhūtaiḥ anugataḥ tadā ॥3-40-4॥
Then, the prosperous one, together with the goddess Umā, dressed in similar vow and attire, was followed by delighted beings wearing various costumes. (3-40-4)
kirātaveṣapracchannaḥ strībhiś cānu sahasraśaḥ। aśobhata tadā rājans devo'tīva bhārata ॥3-40-5॥
O Bhārata, the god, exceedingly resplendent, then shone forth, disguised in the form of a Kirāta, together with thousands of women, O king. (3-40-5)
kṣaṇena tad vanaṃ sarvaṃ niḥśabdam abhavat tadā। nādaḥ prasravaṇānāṃ ca pakṣiṇāṃ ca api upāramat ॥3-40-6॥
In an instant, that whole forest became silent. The sounds of the streams and the birds also stopped. (3-40-6)
sa saṁnikarṣam āgamya pārthasya akliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ। mūkaṁ nāma diteḥ putraṁ dadarśa adbhutadarśanam ॥3-40-7॥
He came near Pārtha, who was tireless in action, and saw Mūka, the son of Diti, who had a wondrous appearance. (3-40-7)
vārāhaṃ rūpam āsthāya tarkayantam iva arjunam। hantuṃ paramaduṣṭātmā tam uvāca atha phalgunaḥ ॥3-40-8॥
Having assumed the form of a boar and debating like Arjuna in order to kill him, the extremely wicked-souled one was then addressed by Phalguna. (3-40-8)
gāṇḍīvaṃ dhanur ādāya śarāṃś cāśīviṣopamān। sajyaṃ dhanur varaṃ kṛtvā jyāghoṣeṇa ninādayan ॥3-40-9॥
Taking up the Gāṇḍīva bow and arrows resembling poisonous serpents, stringing the excellent bow and making it resound with the twang of the bowstring. (3-40-9)
yan māṃ prārthayase hantum anāgasam ihāgatam। tasmāt tvāṃ pūrvam eva ahaṃ neṣyāmi yamasādanam ॥3-40-10॥
Since you request to kill me, who am innocent and have come here, therefore I will send you to the abode of Yama before myself. (3-40-10)
taṃ dṛṣṭvā prahariṣyantaṃ phalgunaṃ dṛḍhadhanvinam। kirātarūpī sahasā vārayāmāsa śaṅkaraḥ ॥3-40-11॥
Seeing Phalguna (Arjuna), the firm-bowed, about to strike, Shankara, in the form of a Kirata, suddenly restrained him. (3-40-11)
mayaiṣa prārthitaḥ pūrvaṃ nīlameghasamaprabhaḥ। anādṛtyaiva tadvākyaṃ prajahārātha phalgunaḥ ॥3-40-12॥
I had previously requested this one, who shines like a dark cloud; but disregarding those words, Phalguna (Arjuna) then struck. (3-40-12)
kirātaś ca samaṃ tasmin nekalakṣye mahādyutiḥ। pramumocāśaniprakhyaṃ śaram agniśikhopamam ॥3-40-13॥
The Kirāta, together with him, at that single target, the greatly radiant one released an arrow that was like a thunderbolt and resembled a tongue of fire. (3-40-13)
tau muktau sāyakau tābhyāṃ samaṃ tatra nipetatuḥ। mūkasya gātre vistīrṇe śailasaṃhanane tadā ॥3-40-14॥
Then, those two released arrows together fell there on the broad, rock-solid body of Muka. (3-40-14)
yathāśaniviniṣpeṣo vajrasyeva ca parvate. tathā tayoḥ saṃnipātaḥ śarayorabhavattadā ॥3-40-15॥
Just as the crushing impact of a thunderbolt, like the vajra on a mountain, so then occurred the collision of those two arrows. (3-40-15)
sa viddho bahubhirbāṇairdīptāsyaiḥ pannagairiva। mamāra rākṣasaṃ rūpaṃ bhūyaḥ kṛtvā vibhīṣaṇam ॥3-40-16॥
Pierced by many arrows like serpents with blazing mouths, he died, having once again assumed the rākṣasa form of Vibhīṣaṇa. (3-40-16)
dadarśātha tato jiṣṇuḥ puruṣaṃ kāñcanaprabham। kirātaveṣapracchannaṃ strīsahāyamamitrahā ॥ tamabravītpṛītamanāḥ kaunteyaḥ prahasanniva ॥3-40-17॥
Then, the victorious Arjuna saw a golden-radiant man, disguised as a hunter, accompanied by a woman and destroyer of enemies. The son of Kunti, with a pleased mind, spoke to him as if smiling. (3-40-17)
ko bhavānaṭate śūnye vane strīgaṇasaṃvṛtaḥ। na tvamasminvane ghore bibheṣi kanakaprabha ॥3-40-18॥
Who are you, sir, wandering in this empty forest surrounded by women? Do you not feel fear in this dreadful forest, O golden-hued one? (3-40-18)
kimarthaṃ ca tvayā viddho mṛgo'yaṃ matparigrahaḥ। mayābhipannaḥ pūrvaṃ hi rākṣaso'yamihāgataḥ ॥3-40-19॥
For what reason did you pierce this deer, my possession? This demon, indeed, previously attacked by me, has come here. (3-40-19)
kāmāt paribhavād vā api na me jīvan vimokṣyase। na hi eṣa mṛgayā-dharmo yaḥ tvayā adya kṛtaḥ mayi ॥ tena tvām bhraṃśayiṣyāmi jīvitāt parvata-āśraya ॥3-40-20॥
Whether from desire or from insult, you will not be released alive by me. This is not the righteousness of hunting that you have done to me today. Therefore, O mountain-dweller, I will cause you to fall from life. (3-40-20)
ityuktaḥ pāṇḍaveyena kirātaḥ prahasanniva। uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā pāṇḍavaṃ savyasācinam ॥3-40-21॥
Thus, when addressed by the son of Pāṇḍu, the Kirāta, as if smiling, spoke gently to the ambidextrous Pāṇḍava. (3-40-21)
mamaiva ayaṃ lakṣyabhūtaḥ pūrvam eva parigrahaḥ। mamaiva ca prahāreṇa jīvitād vyavaropitaḥ ॥3-40-22॥
This one was indeed my possession, having previously become my target; and by my blow, he was separated from life. (3-40-22)
doṣān svān nārhase 'nyasmai vaktum svabala-darpitaḥ। abhiṣakto 'smi mandātmanna me jīvan vimokṣyase॥3-40-23॥
You should not speak of your own faults to another, being proud of your own strength. I am afflicted, slow-minded one; you will not be released alive by me. (3-40-23)
sthiro bhavasva mokṣyāmi sāyakānaśanīniva। ghaṭasva parayā śaktyā muñca tvam api sāyakān ॥3-40-24॥
Be steady; I will release arrows like a thunderbolt. Exert yourself with supreme power, you too release your arrows. (3-40-24)
tatastau tatra saṁrabdhau garjamānau muhurmuhuḥ। śarairāśīviṣākāraistatakṣāte parasparam ॥3-40-25॥
Then, those two, enraged and roaring repeatedly, struck each other there with arrows shaped like venomous serpents. (3-40-25)
tato'rjunaḥ śaravarṣaṃ kirāte samavāsṛjat। tatprasannena manasā pratijagrāha śaṅkaraḥ ॥3-40-26॥
Then Arjuna released a shower of arrows at the Kirāta, and Śaṅkara, with a pleased mind, accepted it. (3-40-26)
muhūrtaṃ śaravarṣaṃ tatpratigṛhya pinākadhṛk। akṣatena śarīreṇa tasthau giririvācalaḥ ॥3-40-27॥
For a moment, having received that rain of arrows, the wielder of Pināka stood with an uninjured body, like an immovable mountain. (3-40-27)
sa dṛṣṭvā bāṇavarṣaṃ tanmoghībhūtaṃ dhanañjayaḥ। paramaṃ vismayaṃ cakre sādhu sādhviti cābravīt ॥3-40-28॥
Seeing that shower of arrows rendered ineffective, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) was greatly astonished and exclaimed, "Well done, well done." (3-40-28)
aho'yaṃ sukumārāṅgo himavacchikharālayaḥ। gāṇḍīvamuktānnārācān pratigṛhṇātyavihvalaḥ ॥3-40-29॥
Indeed, this tender-limbed one, dwelling on the peak of the Himalayas, receives the iron arrows shot from the Gandiva without being shaken. (3-40-29)
ko'yaṃ devo bhavetsākṣādrudro yakṣaḥ sureśvaraḥ। vidyate hi giriśreṣṭhe tridaśānāṃ samāgamaḥ ॥3-40-30॥
Who is this god? Could he be Rudra himself, a Yakṣa, or the lord of the gods? Indeed, on the best of mountains, there is a gathering of the gods. (3-40-30)
na hi mad-bāṇa-jālānām utsṛṣṭānām sahasraśaḥ। śakto'nyaḥ sahituṃ vegam ṛte devaṃ pinākinam ॥3-40-31॥
Indeed, no one except the god Pinākin (Śiva) is able to withstand the force of my thousands of released arrows. (3-40-31)
devo vā yadi vā yakṣo rudrādanyo vyavasthitaḥ। ahamenaṃ śaraistīkṣṇairnayāmi yamasādanam ॥3-40-32॥
Whether he is a god or a yakṣa, or someone else apart from Rudra who is present here, I will lead him with sharp arrows to the abode of Yama. (3-40-32)
tato hṛṣṭamanā jiṣṇurnārācān marmabhedinaḥ। vyasṛjacchatadhā rājan mayūkhān iva bhāskaraḥ ॥3-40-33॥
Then, O king, the victorious hero, his mind elated, released hundreds of iron arrows that pierced the vital parts, just as the sun emits its rays. (3-40-33)
tān prasannena manasā bhagavāṁl lokabhāvanaḥ। śūlapāṇiḥ pratyagṛhṇāc chilāvarṣam ivāchalaḥ ॥3-40-34॥
The blessed Lord, creator of the worlds, holding the trident, accepted them with a pleased mind, like a mountain accepts a shower of stones. (3-40-34)
kṣaṇena kṣīṇabāṇo'tha saṁvṛttaḥ phalgunastadā। vitrāsaṁ ca jagāmātha taṁ dṛṣṭvā śarasaṅkṣayam ॥3-40-35॥
In a moment, Phalguna (Arjuna), whose arrows were exhausted, then became so; at that time, seeing the exhaustion of arrows, he then became fearful. (3-40-35)
cintayāmāsa jiṣṇus tu bhagavantaṃ hutāśanam। purastād akṣayau dattau tūṇau yenāsya khāṇḍave ॥3-40-36॥
But the victorious one (Arjuna) reflected upon the divine Fire. Previously, in Khāṇḍava, two inexhaustible quivers had been given to him by whom.
kiṁ nu mokṣyāmi dhanuṣā yan me bāṇāḥ kṣayaṁ gatāḥ। ayaṁ ca puruṣaḥ ko'pi bāṇān grasati sarvaśaḥ ॥3-40-37॥
What can I shoot with my bow now, since all my arrows are spent? And who is this man who devours all the arrows? (3-40-37)
aham enaṃ dhanuṣkoṭyā śūlāgreṇeva kuñjaram। nayāmi daṇḍadhārasya yamasya sadanaṃ prati ॥3-40-38॥
I will lead this one, like an elephant with the tip of a spear or the end of a bow, to the abode of Yama, the staff-holder. (3-40-38)
samprāyudhyaddhanuṣkoṭyā kaunteyaḥ paravīrahā। tadapyasya dhanurdivyaṃ jagrāsa girigocaraḥ ॥3-40-39॥
While the son of Kunti, the destroyer of enemy heroes, was engaged in battle with the tip of his bow, even his divine bow was devoured by the mountain-dweller. (3-40-39)
tato'ṛjuno grastadhanuḥ khaḍgapāṇir atiṣṭhata। yuddhasyāntam abhīpsan vai vegenābhijagāma tam ॥3-40-40॥
Then Arjuna, grasping his bow and holding a sword in his hand, stood firm. Wishing for the end of the battle, he swiftly approached him. (3-40-40)
tasya mūrdhni śitaṃ khaḍgamasaktaṃ parvateṣvapi। mumoca bhujavīryeṇa vikramya kurunandanaḥ ॥ tasya mūrdhānam āsādya paphāla asivaraḥ hi saḥ ॥3-40-41॥
O delight of the Kurus, having exerted himself, he released from the head of that man the sharp sword, which was stuck even in mountains, by the strength of his arm. Having reached his head, the excellent sword indeed split it. (3-40-41)
tato vṛkṣaiḥ śilābhiś ca yodhayām āsa phalgunaḥ। yathā vṛkṣān mahākāyaḥ pratyagṛhṇād atho śilāḥ ॥3-40-42॥
Then Phalguna began to fight using trees and stones; just as the great-bodied one seized trees, he also seized stones. (3-40-42)
kirātarūpī bhagavāṃstataḥ pārtho mahābalaḥ। muṣṭibhirvajrasaṃsparśairdūmamutpādayanmukhe ॥ prajahāra durādharṣe kirātasamarūpiṇi ॥3-40-43॥
Then Pārtha (Arjuna), of great strength, struck the Lord who had assumed the form of a Kirāta, with fists as hard as thunderbolts, causing smoke to arise on his face, in the battle with the Kirāta, who was difficult to overcome. (3-40-43)
tataḥ śakrāśanisamairmuṣṭibhirbhṛśadāruṇaiḥ। kirātarūpī bhagavānardayāmāsa phalgunam ॥3-40-44॥
Then the Lord, taking the form of a Kirāta, struck Phalguna (Arjuna) with very fierce fists, as powerful as Indra's thunderbolt, and tormented him. (3-40-44)
tataś caṭacaṭāśabdaḥ sughoraḥ samajāyata। pāṇḍavasya ca muṣṭīnāṃ kirātasya ca yudhyataḥ ॥3-40-45॥
Then a very terrible crackling sound arose from the fists of the Pāṇḍava and the Kirāta as they fought. (3-40-45)
sumuhūrtaṃ mahadyuddham āsīt tallomaharṣaṇam। bhujaprahārasaṃyuktaṃ vṛtravāsavayoriva ॥3-40-46॥
For a considerable time, there was a great and hair-raising battle, filled with blows of arms, like the fight between Vṛtra and Indra. (3-40-46)
jahārātha tato jiṣṇuḥ kirātam urasā balī। pāṇḍavaṃ ca viceṣṭantaṃ kirāto'py ahanad balāt ॥3-40-47॥
Then, the victorious strong one seized the Kirāta with his chest; and as the Pāṇḍava was struggling, the Kirāta also struck him forcefully. (3-40-47)
tayor-bhuja-viniṣpeṣāt saṅgharṣeṇa urasoḥ tathā। samajāyata gātreṣu pāvakaḥ aṅgāra-dhūma-vān ॥3-40-48॥
From the intense crushing of their arms and the friction of their chests, fire with embers and smoke arose on their limbs. (3-40-48)
tat enaṃ mahādevaḥ pīḍya gātraiḥ supīḍitam। tejasā vyākramadroṣāccetastasya vimohayan ॥3-40-49॥
Then Mahadeva, having afflicted him so that his limbs were thoroughly tormented, overcame him with his brilliance and anger, bewildering his mind. (3-40-49)
tato nipīḍitairgātraiḥ piṇḍīkṛta ivābabhau। phalguno gātrasaṁruddho devadevena bhārata ॥3-40-50॥
Then, O Bhārata, Phalguna, his limbs pressed and appearing as if made into a mass, was restrained by the god of gods. (3-40-50)
nirucchvāso'bhavaccaiva saṁniruddho mahātmanā। tataḥ papāta saṁmūḍhastataḥ prīto'bhavadbhavaḥ ॥3-40-51॥
He became deprived of breath and completely restrained by the great-souled one. Then, utterly bewildered, he fell down; then Bhava (Śiva) became pleased. (3-40-51)
bhagavān uvāca॥
The Lord said.
bho bho phalguna tuṣṭo'smi karmaṇāpratimena te। śauryeṇānena dhṛtyā ca kṣatriyo nāsti te samaḥ॥3-40-52॥
O Phalguna, I am truly pleased with your unparalleled deeds, your valour and fortitude; there is no warrior equal to you. (3-40-52)
samaṁ tejaś ca vīryaṁ ca mamādya tava cānagha। prītas te'ham mahābāho paśya māṁ puruṣarṣabha ॥3-40-53॥
Today, my splendor and strength are equal to yours, O sinless one. I am pleased with you, O mighty-armed; see me, O bull among men. (3-40-53)
dadāni te viśālākṣa cakṣuḥ pūrvaṛṣirbhavān। vijeṣyasi raṇe śatrūnapi sarvān divaukasaḥ ॥3-40-54॥
I grant you, O wide-eyed one, the power of sight; you were a sage in a previous life. You will defeat in battle even all the enemies among the dwellers of heaven. (3-40-54)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tato devaṃ mahādevaṃ giriśaṃ śūlapāṇinam। dadarśa phalgunas tatra saha devyā mahādyutim ॥3-40-55॥
Then Phalguna saw there the god, the great god, lord of the mountain and holder of the trident, of great splendor, together with the goddess. (3-40-55)
sa jānubhyāṃ mahīṃ gatvā śirasā praṇipatya ca। prasādayāmāsa haraṃ pārthaḥ parapurañjayaḥ ॥3-40-56॥
Pārtha (Arjuna), the conqueror of enemy cities, went down to the earth on his knees, bowed his head, and sought to please Hara (Śiva). (3-40-56)
arjuna uvāca॥
Arjuna said.
kapardinsarvabhūteśa bhaganetranipātana। vyatikramaṃ me bhagavan kṣantum arhasi śaṅkara ॥3-40-57॥
O Kapardin, lord of all beings, destroyer of Bhaga's eye, O Lord Śaṅkara, you are worthy to forgive my transgression. (3-40-57)
bhavagaddarśanākāṅkṣī prāpto'smīmaṃ mahāgirim। dayitaṃ tava deveśa tāpasālayamuttamam ॥3-40-58॥
Desiring to see you, I have come to this great mountain, your beloved and excellent hermitage, O lord of the gods. (3-40-58)
prasādaye tvāṃ bhagavan sarvabhūtanamaskṛta। na me syād aparādho'yaṃ mahādevātisāhasāt ॥3-40-59॥
I seek your favor, O Lord, revered by all beings. May this offense of mine not be due to excessive boldness, O Mahadeva. (3-40-59)
kṛto mayā yad ajñānād vimardo'yaṃ tvayā saha। śaraṇaṃ samprapannāya tat kṣamasvā adya śaṅkara ॥3-40-60॥
O Śaṅkara, please forgive that conflict which I, out of ignorance, had with you; now, as I have sought your refuge. (3-40-60)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tam uvāca mahātejāḥ prahasya vṛṣabhadhvajaḥ। pragṛhya ruciraṃ bāhuṃ kṣāntam ityeva phalgunam ॥3-40-61॥
The greatly radiant bull-bannered one (Śiva), having smiled, said to him; taking Phalguna's beautiful arm, he declared, 'You are forgiven.' (3-40-61)
