03.044
Core: Indra welcomes Arjuna and the description of Indra’s splendour.
Vaiśampāyana said.
He saw the beautiful city, served by siddhas and celestial bards, adorned with auspicious trees blossoming in every season. (3-44-1)
There, he was fanned by the mixed wind carrying the auspicious fragrance of the Saugandhika flowers and the trees of auspicious scent. (3-44-2)
He saw the Nandana, the divine forest attended by groups of apsarases, with trees as if inviting with divine flowers. (3-44-3)
That world of the meritorious cannot be seen by one who has not performed austerities, nor by one who has not kindled the sacred fire. It is not for those who turn away from battle. (3-44-4)
Sacrifices and gifts are not to be performed in sacred places by non-sacrificers, by those who speak untruth, by those excluded from hearing the Veda, or by those with various bodily deformities. (3-44-5)
He cannot be seen in any way by sacrificer-slayers, mean persons, drinkers, those who violate the teacher's bed, flesh-eaters, or evil-minded people. (3-44-6)
He, beholding that divine forest resounding with celestial music, the mighty-armed entered the beloved city of Śakra. (3-44-7)
There, he saw thousands and tens of thousands of divine aerial cars, moving at will, stationed and approaching at that time. (3-44-8)
The son of Pāṇḍu, praised by Gandharvas and Apsarases, was fanned by auspicious winds carrying the fragrance of flowers. (3-44-9)
Then the gods, Gandharvas, Siddhas, and the great sages, being delighted, honored Arjuna, the performer of effortless deeds. (3-44-10)
While being praised with blessings and the sounds of divine musical instruments, the mighty-armed hero reached the place resounding with conch and drum. (3-44-11)
By Indra's command, Pārtha proceeded along the vast and well-known star-path, the road of the gods, being praised on all sides. (3-44-12)
There were present the Sādhyas, the Viśve gods, the Maruts, then also the Aśvin twins, the Ādityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, and likewise the pure Brahmarṣis. (3-44-13)
There were royal sages and many kings led by Dilīpa; also present were Tumburu, Nārada, and the two Gandharvas, Hahā and Hūhū. (3-44-14)
Having properly approached all of them, the descendant of Kuru then saw the king of the gods, Indra, the destroyer of enemies. (3-44-15)
Then mighty-armed Arjuna, the son of Pṛthā, after descending from the excellent chariot, saw his father Indra, the slayer of Pāka, standing before him. (3-44-16)
He was fanned with a beautiful white umbrella with a golden staff and with a fan perfumed with divine fragrance. (3-44-17)
He was being praised by the Gandharvas headed by Viśvāvasu with songs of praise and salutations, and also by the foremost Brāhmaṇas with hymns from the Ṛg, Yajur, and Sāma Vedas. (3-44-18)
Then, having approached, the strong son of Kunti bowed his head; and he received him with his two bent arms. (3-44-19)
Then, on the holy seat of Indra, which was worshipped by the king of gods and sages, Indra took him by the hand and made him sit close by. (3-44-20)
Then Indra, the destroyer of enemy heroes, after smelling him on the head, placed him, who was bowed down with humility, on his lap. (3-44-21)
Then, by the command of Sahasrākṣa (Indra), Pārtha (Arjuna), whose self was immeasurable, ascended the seat of Śakra (Indra), like a second Vāsava (Indra). (3-44-22)
Then, with affection, Indra (the enemy of Vṛtra) gently touched Arjuna's auspicious face with his fragrant hand, soothing him. (3-44-23)
He, wiping slowly, had long and beautiful arms, hard for drawing the bowstring and shooting arrows, like golden pillars. (3-44-24)
The destroyer of strength, the vajra-holder, repeatedly and slowly struck his arms together with the hand marked by grasping the vajra. (3-44-25)
Vṛtrahā (Indra), smiling as if at Guḍākeśa (Arjuna), gazed at him with eyes expanded in joy, and the thousand-eyed one was not satisfied (with looking at him). (3-44-26)
Seated together on one seat, those two made the assembly splendid, like the Sun and the Moon risen in the sky on the fourteenth day. (3-44-27)
There, indeed, the Gandharvas, the foremost among Tumburu, skilled in song and Sāman, sing songs with supremely melodious Sāman. (3-44-28)
Ghṛtācī, Menakā, Rambhā, Pūrvacittiḥ, Svayamprabhā, Urvaśī, Miśrakeśī, Ḍuṇḍurgaurī, and Varūthinī were (the apsarases). (3-44-29)
Gopālī, born together, and Kumbhayoni, ever-wakeful; Citrasenā, Citralekhā, with and sweet-voiced. (3-44-30)
These and other excellent women, lotus-eyed, engaged in agitating the minds of the siddhas, danced here and there. (3-44-31)
Women with broad hips and quivering breasts, whose sidelong glances and graceful gestures are sweet, enchant the mind, intellect, and heart. (3-44-32)
