03.040
Pancharatra: Arjuna’s encounter with Shiva in the guise of a hunter.
Vaiśampāyana said.
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)
Assuming the guise of a Kirāta, with a form shining like a golden tree, he appeared like another Mount Meru. (3-40-2)
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)
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)
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)
In an instant, that whole forest became silent. The sounds of the streams and the birds also stopped. (3-40-6)
He came near Pārtha, who was tireless in action, and saw Mūka, the son of Diti, who had a wondrous appearance. (3-40-7)
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)
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)
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)
Seeing Phalguna (Arjuna), the firm-bowed, about to strike, Shankara, in the form of a Kirata, suddenly restrained him. (3-40-11)
I had previously requested this one, who shines like a dark cloud; but disregarding those words, Phalguna (Arjuna) then struck. (3-40-12)
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)
Then, those two released arrows together fell there on the broad, rock-solid body of Muka. (3-40-14)
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)
Pierced by many arrows like serpents with blazing mouths, he died, having once again assumed the rākṣasa form of Vibhīṣaṇa. (3-40-16)
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)
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)
For what reason did you pierce this deer, my possession? This demon, indeed, previously attacked by me, has come here. (3-40-19)
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)
Thus, when addressed by the son of Pāṇḍu, the Kirāta, as if smiling, spoke gently to the ambidextrous Pāṇḍava. (3-40-21)
This one was indeed my possession, having previously become my target; and by my blow, he was separated from life. (3-40-22)
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)
Be steady; I will release arrows like a thunderbolt. Exert yourself with supreme power, you too release your arrows. (3-40-24)
Then, those two, enraged and roaring repeatedly, struck each other there with arrows shaped like venomous serpents. (3-40-25)
Then Arjuna released a shower of arrows at the Kirāta, and Śaṅkara, with a pleased mind, accepted it. (3-40-26)
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)
Seeing that shower of arrows rendered ineffective, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) was greatly astonished and exclaimed, "Well done, well done." (3-40-28)
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)
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)
Indeed, no one except the god Pinākin (Śiva) is able to withstand the force of my thousands of released arrows. (3-40-31)
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)
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)
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)
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)
But the victorious one (Arjuna) reflected upon the divine Fire. Previously, in Khāṇḍava, two inexhaustible quivers had been given to him by whom.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Then Phalguna began to fight using trees and stones; just as the great-bodied one seized trees, he also seized stones. (3-40-42)
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)
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)
Then a very terrible crackling sound arose from the fists of the Pāṇḍava and the Kirāta as they fought. (3-40-45)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The Lord said.
O Phalguna, I am truly pleased with your unparalleled deeds, your valour and fortitude; there is no warrior equal to you. (3-40-52)
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)
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 said.
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)
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 said.
O Kapardin, lord of all beings, destroyer of Bhaga's eye, O Lord Śaṅkara, you are worthy to forgive my transgression. (3-40-57)
Desiring to see you, I have come to this great mountain, your beloved and excellent hermitage, O lord of the gods. (3-40-58)
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)
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 said.
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)
