03.089
Vaiśampāyana said.
O delight of the Kurus, as Dhaumya was thus conversing, there the sage Lomasha, who was of great splendour, indeed came. (03-89-1)
The king, the eldest of the Pandavas, along with his attendants and the Brahmanas, all stood up for him, just as the immortals in heaven stand up for Indra. (03-89-2)
Having properly worshipped him, Yudhiṣṭhira, the king of dharma, asked the reason for his arrival and the purpose of his wanderings. (03-89-3)
He, the great-minded one, having been asked by the son of Pāṇḍu and being pleased, spoke with gentle words, as if giving joy to the Pāṇḍavas. (03-89-4)
O son of Kunti, as I was moving by chance through all the worlds, I went to the abode of Śakra and there I saw the lord of the gods. (03-89-5)
O best of men, I saw your heroic brother, Savyasācin Arjuna, seated on half the throne of Indra. There a great astonishment arose in me, having seen Pārtha in that way. (03-89-6)
The lord of the gods said to me there, "Go to the sons of Pāṇḍu." Therefore, I have come quickly, wishing to see you and your younger brother. (03-89-7)
O joy of the Pāṇḍavas, I shall recount to you, O dear one, the great and cherished matter as spoken by Puruhūta (Indra) and the great-souled Pārtha. (03-89-8)
O king, accompanied by his brothers and by Kṛṣṇā, listen to that which the mighty-armed bull among the Pāṇḍavas did, for the sake of weapons, as spoken by you. (03-89-9)
That missile, the unmatched and great weapon called Brahmaśiras, was obtained by Pārtha (Arjuna) from Rudra, to whom it had come by austerity. (03-89-10)
That fierce weapon, which had arisen from the amṛta and was obtained by Savyasācin (Arjuna), along with its mantras, withdrawal procedure, atonement, and auspicious rites. (03-89-11)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, Partha, of immeasurable valor, learned the thunderbolt and other weapons, and punishments and the rest from Yama, Kubera, Varuṇa, and Indra, O joy of the Kurus; he learned divine weapons. (03-89-12)
He obtained from the son of Viśvāvasu, in accordance with the proper method, song, dance, chant, and instrumental music, all as prescribed. (03-89-13)
Thus, Kaunteya (Arjuna), having mastered weapons, obtained the Gandharva science. Bhībhatsu (Arjuna), the younger brother of your younger brother, is living happily. (03-89-14)
I will tell you, Yudhiṣṭhira, for what purpose the best of gods spoke these words to me; listen to me. (03-89-15)
You will certainly go to the world of men; there, O best of twice-born, you must convey my words to Yudhishthira. (03-89-16)
Your brother Arjuna, master of weapons, will come soon—having accomplished the great mission of the gods, which even the dwellers of heaven could not achieve. (03-89-17)
But by means of austerity, unite yourself together with your brothers. Indeed, there is nothing higher than austerity; by austerity one attains greatness. (03-89-18)
O bull among the Bharatas, I know Karna as he truly is; he does not deserve even a sixteenth part of Partha in battle. (03-89-19)
O subduer of enemies, whatever fear you may have from that, which is in your mind—I shall also remove that, O Savyasācin, when you come here. (03-89-20)
O hero, whatever is in your mind concerning this pilgrimage, Lomasha will fully explain all that to you without any doubt. (03-89-21)
O Bhārata, whatever result in holy places is spoken by this great sage as imbued with asceticism, that alone should be believed, and not otherwise. (03-89-22)
