03.042
Pancharatra: Varuna, Yama, Kubera and Indra appear in front of Arjuna and bestow their weapons.
Vaiśampāyana said.
While he was looking on, Pināki, the Bull-bannered One, vanished from sight, just as the sun of the world disappears at sunset. (3-42-1)
Then Arjuna, the destroyer of enemy heroes, was filled with supreme wonder, saying, "I have directly seen Mahadeva myself," O Bharata. (3-42-2)
I am blessed and favoured, for I have seen and touched with my own hand the three-eyed Hara, the wielder of Pināka, the bestower of boons, in manifest form. (3-42-3)
I understand that my purpose has been accomplished, I have realized the supreme self by myself. All enemies have been conquered, and the objective has been fulfilled. (3-42-4)
Then the lord of waters, splendid and shining with the color of beryl, illuminating all directions and surrounded by groups of aquatic beings, arrived. (3-42-5)
Attended by serpents, rivers, river-goddesses, Daityas, Sādhyas, and gods, Varuṇa, the lord and controller of aquatic beings, came to that place. (3-42-6)
Then Kubera, the lord, arrived in his radiant aerial car made of Jāmbūnada gold, accompanied by the Yakṣas. (3-42-7)
The illustrious lord of wealth, whose appearance was marvelous and who shone like the sky, came to see Arjuna. (3-42-8)
Thus, the illustrious Yama, destroyer of worlds and radiant in splendor, appeared directly, accompanied by the ancestors—both those with form and those formless—who are the creators of the worlds. (3-42-9)
The staff-bearing, inconceivable-natured destroyer of all beings, Vaivasvata, the king of dharma, shone forth in his chariot. (3-42-10)
He, having reached, appeared like a second Sun at the end of the age, along with the three worlds, guhyakas, gandharvas, and serpents. (3-42-11)
Having ascended the variegated, radiant peaks of the great mountain, they saw Arjuna there, endowed with austerity. (3-42-12)
Then, at that moment, the illustrious Śakra, having mounted the head of Airāvata, arrived together with Indrāṇī, surrounded by groups of gods. (3-42-13)
With the white parasol held above his head, the king of stars shone like a white cloud in the sky. (3-42-14)
Having been praised by Gandharvas, sages, and ascetics, he reached the mountain peak and stood there like the rising Sun. (3-42-15)
Then, Yama, the wise one whose voice was like thunder and who knows the highest dharma, standing in the southern direction, spoke auspicious words. (3-42-16)
Arjuna, Arjuna, behold us, the assembled guardians of the worlds; today we grant you the vision, for you are indeed worthy of this sight. (3-42-17)
You were formerly a sage of immeasurable self, now you are a man named Nara of great strength. By the command of Brahmā, dear one, you have come to a mortal state. You are born from Indra, endowed with great energy and valour. (3-42-18)
The warrior-class, whose touch is like fire, has been protected by Bhāradvāja. The Dānavas of great strength who have taken human form, and the Nivātakavacas, must indeed be subdued, O joy of the Kurus. (3-42-19)
O Dhanañjaya, Karṇa, who is a portion of my father, the god who shines upon all worlds, and who is of great might, is to be slain by you. (3-42-20)
The portions of gods, gandharvas, and rākṣasas who have descended to earth were struck down in battle by her, overcome by the results of their own actions. O son of Kunti, O tormentor of enemies, they will each attain the state that is their due. (3-42-21)
O Phalguna, your fame will remain imperishable in the world. In the great battle, Mahadeva himself has indeed been pleased by you. The earth will also become light together with Vishnu. (3-42-22)
O mighty-armed one, take this weapon—the rod that cannot be resisted. With this weapon, you will indeed accomplish very great deeds. (3-42-23)
Arjuna, the son of Pṛthā and delight of the Kurus, accepted it in the proper manner, with mantras, due offerings, release, and return, as prescribed. (3-42-24)
Then Varuṇa, dark as a raincloud and lord of the aquatic beings, took his place in the western direction and, uttering words, the lord spoke. (3-42-25)
O Pārtha, you are the foremost among warriors, established in the warrior's duty. Behold me with wide reddish eyes—I am Varuṇa, the lord of the waters. (3-42-26)
O son of Kunti, accept from me these irresistible nooses of Varuṇa, which can turn back even secret things. (3-42-27)
O hero, then by me in the battle of Taraka, thousands of great-souled Daiteyas were restrained. (3-42-28)
Therefore, O great being, take these who have arisen by my favor; for even if they are aggressors, not even death should release them. (3-42-29)
By this weapon, when you move about in battle, then the earth will become bereft of kṣatriyas; there is no doubt. (3-42-30)
Then the lord of wealth, who dwells on Kailāsa, spoke after the divine weapons had been given by Varuṇa and Yama. (3-42-31)
O Savyasācin, mighty-armed and eternal divine one of old, you have always grown weary together with us in former aeons. (3-42-32)
You also accept from me this weapon of disappearance, dear to me; it removes vital energy, splendor, and brilliance, causes sleep, and destroys enemies. (3-42-33)
Then Arjuna, the mighty-armed delighter of the Kurus, duly obtained the divine weapon of Kubera, being of great strength. (3-42-34)
Then the king of the gods, with a voice like thunder and drums, gently consoled Pārtha, the tireless doer, with soothing words. (3-42-35)
O mother Kuntī, O mighty-armed one, you are the ancient lord; you have attained the supreme perfection and have directly reached the state of the gods. (3-42-36)
Indeed, O subduer of enemies, a task of the gods of great importance is to be performed by you; you must ascend to heaven—be prepared, O one of great splendor. (3-42-37)
The chariot with Mātali as charioteer will come to earth for your sake. There, O Kaurava, I will give you divine weapons. (3-42-38)
When the wise son of Kuntī, Dhanañjaya, saw the assembled guardians of the worlds on the mountain summit, he was filled with astonishment. (3-42-39)
Then Arjuna, endowed with great brilliance, duly worshipped the assembled guardians of the worlds with words, water, and fruits. (3-42-40)
Then the gods, after duly honoring Dhanañjaya, departed; all the wise ones, swift as thought by their will, went back by the way they had come. (3-42-41)
Then Arjuna, the foremost among men, having obtained the weapons, felt great joy; with a fulfilled mind, he considered himself as if his purpose had been accomplished. (3-42-42)
