03.164
अर्जुन उवाच॥
Arjuna said.
ततस्तामवसं प्रीतो रजनीं तत्र भारत। प्रसादाद्देवदेवस्य त्र्यम्बकस्य महात्मनः ॥०३-१६४-१॥
Then, O Bhārata, by the grace of the great-souled Tryambaka, the god of gods, I spent that night there happily. (03-164-1)
व्युषितो रजनीं चाहं कृत्वा पूर्वाह्णिकक्रियाम्। अपश्यं तं द्विजश्रेष्ठं दृष्टवानस्मि यं पुरा ॥०३-१६४-२॥
After spending the night and performing the morning rites, I saw that best of Brāhmaṇas—the one whom I had seen before. (03-164-2)
तस्मै चाहं यथावृत्तं सर्वमेव न्यवेदयम्। भगवन्तं महादेवं समेतोऽस्मीति भारत ॥०३-१६४-३॥
O Bhārata, I reported everything as it had happened to him, saying: 'I am joined with the venerable Mahādeva.' (03-164-3)
स मामुवाच राजेन्द्र प्रीयमाणो द्विजोत्तमः। दृष्टस्त्वया महादेवो यथा नान्येन केनचित् ॥०३-१६४-४॥
He, being pleased, said to me, "O king, best of the twice-born, Mahādeva has been seen by you in a way that no one else has." (03-164-4)
समेत्य लोकपालैस्तु सर्वैर्वैवस्वतादिभिः। द्रष्टास्यनघ देवेन्द्रं स च तेऽस्त्राणि दास्यति ॥०३-१६४-५॥
Gathering with all the guardians of the worlds such as Vaivasvata, you will see Indra, O sinless one; and he will give you the weapons. (03-164-5)
एवमुक्त्वा स मां राजन्नाश्लिष्य च पुनः पुनः। अगच्छत्स यथाकामं ब्राह्मणः सूर्यसंनिभः ॥०३-१६४-६॥
O king, having thus spoken and having embraced me again and again, the brāhmaṇa, shining like the sun, went away as he wished. (03-164-6)
अथापराह्णे तस्याह्नः प्रावात्पुण्यः समीरणः। पुनर्नवमिमं लोकं कुर्वन्निव सपत्नहन् ॥०३-१६४-७॥
Then, in the afternoon of that day, an auspicious wind blew, as if it were making this world new again and vanquishing all rivals. (03-164-7)
दिव्यानि चैव माल्यानि सुगन्धीनि नवानि च। शैशिरस्य गिरेः पादे प्रादुरासन्समीपतः ॥०३-१६४-८॥
Divine, fresh, and fragrant garlands indeed appeared close by at the foot of the Śaiśira mountain. (03-164-8)
वादित्राणि च दिव्यानि सुघोषाणि समन्ततः। स्तुतयश्चेन्द्रसंयुक्ता अश्रूयन्त मनोहराः ॥०३-१६४-९॥
Divine musical instruments, resounding sweetly all around, and enchanting praises together with Indra were heard. (03-164-9)
गणाश्चाप्सरसां तत्र गन्धर्वाणां तथैव च। पुरस्ताद्देवदेवस्य जगुर्गीतानि सर्वशः ॥०३-१६४-१०॥
There, groups of apsarases and similarly gandharvas, in front of the God of gods, sang songs in every way. (03-164-10)
मरुतां च गणास्तत्र देवयानैरुपागमन्। महेन्द्रानुचरा ये च देवसद्मनिवासिनः ॥०३-१६४-११॥
And there, the hosts of the Maruts approached on divine vehicles, along with Mahendra's attendants and all who dwell in the abode of the gods. (03-164-11)
ततो मरुत्वान्हरिभिर्युक्तैर्वाहैः स्वलङ्कृतैः। शचीसहायस्तत्रायात्सह सर्वैस्तदामरैः ॥०३-१६४-१२॥
Then Indra, the lord of the Maruts, arrived there with Śacī as his companion, mounted on well-adorned vehicles yoked with tawny horses, together with all the other gods. (03-164-12)
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु कुबेरो नरवाहनः। दर्शयामास मां राजँल्लक्ष्म्या परमया युतः ॥०३-१६४-१३॥
But at this very time, O king, Kubera, riding on men and joined by supreme Lakṣmī, appeared before me. (03-164-13)
दक्षिणस्यां दिशि यमं प्रत्यपश्यं व्यवस्थितम्। वरुणं देवराजं च यथास्थानमवस्थितम् ॥०३-१६४-१४॥
I saw Yama settled in the southern direction. I also saw Varuṇa, the lord of the gods, standing in his proper place. (03-164-14)
ते मामूचुर्महाराज सान्त्वयित्वा सुरर्षभाः। सव्यसाचिन्समीक्षस्व लोकपालानवस्थितान् ॥०३-१६४-१५॥
O great king, the best of the gods consoled me and said: "O Savyasācin, look upon the assembled guardians of the worlds." (03-164-15)
सुरकार्यार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं दृष्टवानसि शङ्करम्। अस्मत्तोऽपि गृहाण त्वमस्त्राणीति समन्ततः ॥०३-१६४-१६॥
For the success of the gods' purpose, you have seen Śaṅkara. Also, from me, accept all weapons in every direction. (03-164-16)
ततोऽहं प्रयतो भूत्वा प्रणिपत्य सुरर्षभान्। प्रत्यगृह्णं तदास्त्राणि महान्ति विधिवत्प्रभो ॥०३-१६४-१७॥
Then, O master, having become ready and after bowing to the foremost of the gods, I received those great weapons in the proper manner. (03-164-17)
गृहीतास्त्रस्ततो देवैरनुज्ञातोऽस्मि भारत। अथ देवा ययुः सर्वे यथागतमरिंदम ॥०३-१६४-१८॥
O Bhārata, having taken up the weapons, I was then permitted by the gods. Then, O subduer of foes, all the gods departed just as they had come. (03-164-18)
मघवानपि देवेशो रथमारुह्य सुप्रभम्। उवाच भगवान्वाक्यं स्मयन्निव सुरारिहा ॥०३-१६४-१९॥
Maghavan, the lord of the gods and destroyer of the enemies of the gods, having mounted his splendid chariot, spoke words while appearing to smile. (03-164-19)
पुरैवागमनादस्माद्वेदाहं त्वां धनञ्जय। अतः परं त्वहं वै त्वां दर्शये भरतर्षभ ॥०३-१६४-२०॥
O Dhanañjaya, even before this person's arrival, I knew you. Therefore, afterwards, O bull among the Bharatas, I truly reveal you. (03-164-20)
त्वया हि तीर्थेषु पुरा समाप्लावः कृतोऽसकृत्। तपश्चेदं पुरा तप्तं स्वर्गं गन्तासि पाण्डव ॥०३-१६४-२१॥
Indeed, O Pāṇḍava, you have performed ablutions in sacred places many times before and practiced this austerity before; you will go to heaven. (03-164-21)
भूयश्चैव तु तप्तव्यं तपः परमदारुणम्। उवाच भगवान्सर्वं तपसश्चोपपादनम् ॥०३-१६४-२२॥
But again, the most severe penance must indeed be performed. The Blessed Lord then described all the means for carrying out penance. (03-164-22)
मातलिर्मन्नियोगात्त्वां त्रिदिवं प्रापयिष्यति। विदितस्त्वं हि देवानामृषीणां च महात्मनाम् ॥०३-१६४-२३॥
Mātali, by my command, will take you to heaven. Indeed, you are known to the gods, sages, and great souls. (03-164-23)
ततोऽहमब्रुवं शक्रं प्रसीद भगवन्मम। आचार्यं वरये त्वाहमस्त्रार्थं त्रिदशेश्वर ॥०३-१६४-२४॥
Then I said to Śakra: "Be gracious, O revered one. As my teacher I choose you for the knowledge of missiles, O lord of the gods." (03-164-24)
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
क्रूरं कर्मास्त्रवित्तात करिष्यसि परन्तप। यदर्थमस्त्राणीप्सुस्त्वं तं कामं पाण्डवाप्नुहि ॥०३-१६४-२५॥
O Pāṇḍava, you will perform a cruel act from the knower of missiles, O scorcher of foes; attain that very desire for which you seek weapons. (03-164-25)
अर्जुन उवाच॥
Arjuna said.
ततोऽहमब्रुवं नाहं दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि शत्रुहन्। मानुषेषु प्रयोक्ष्यामि विनास्त्रप्रतिघातनम् ॥०३-१६४-२६॥
Then I said, "O destroyer of enemies, I will not use the divine weapons among men without weapon-counteraction." (03-164-26)
तानि दिव्यानि मेऽस्त्राणि प्रयच्छ विबुधाधिप। लोकांश्चास्त्रजितान्पश्चाल्लभेयं सुरपुङ्गव ॥०३-१६४-२७॥
O lord of the gods, grant me those divine weapons, and afterwards may I obtain the worlds conquered by weapons, O best of the gods. (03-164-27)
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
परीक्षार्थं मयैतत्ते वाक्यमुक्तं धनञ्जय। ममात्मजस्य वचनं सूपपन्नमिदं तव ॥०३-१६४-२८॥
O Dhanañjaya, this statement was spoken by me to you for the sake of testing. The words of my son are entirely suitable for you, this. (03-164-28)
शिक्ष मे भवनं गत्वा सर्वाण्यस्त्राणि भारत। वायोरग्नेर्वसुभ्योऽथ वरुणात्समरुद्गणात् ॥०३-१६४-२९॥
O Bhārata, go to the abode and learn for me all the weapons from Vāyu, Agni, the Vasus, Varuṇa, and the troop of Maruts. (03-164-29)
साध्यं पैतामहं चैव गन्धर्वोरगरक्षसाम्। वैष्णवानि च सर्वाणि नैरृतानि तथैव च ॥ मद्गतानि च यानीह सर्वास्त्राणि कुरूद्वह ॥०३-१६४-३०॥
O best of the Kurus, all the weapons of the Sādhyas, Pitāmaha, Gandharvas, serpents, Rākṣasas, Viṣṇu, and Nairṛta, as well as all the weapons that are here and belong to me, (are given to you). (03-164-30)
अर्जुन उवाच॥
Arjuna said.
एवमुक्त्वा तु मां शक्रस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत। अथापश्यं हरियुजं रथमैन्द्रमुपस्थितम् ॥ दिव्यं मायामयं पुण्यं यत्तं मातलिना नृप ॥०३-१६४-३१॥
Having thus spoken to me, Indra vanished on the spot. Then I saw Indra's chariot, yoked with horses, arrived—divine, magical, auspicious—the one brought by Mātali, O king. (03-164-31)
लोकपालेषु यातेषु मामुवाचाथ मातलिः। द्रष्टुमिच्छति शक्रस्त्वां देवराजो महाद्युते ॥०३-१६४-३२॥
When the guardians of the worlds had left, Mātali then said to me: "Śakra, the king of the gods, O greatly glorious one, wishes to see you." (03-164-32)
संसिद्धस्त्वं महाबाहो कुरु कार्यमनुत्तमम्। पश्य पुण्यकृतां लोकान्सशरीरो दिवं व्रज ॥०३-१६४-३३॥
You, accomplished one, O mighty-armed, perform the unsurpassed action. Behold the worlds of those who have performed meritorious deeds; with your body, go to heaven. (03-164-33)
इत्युक्तोऽहं मातलिना गिरिमामन्त्र्य शैशिरम्। प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य समारोहं रथोत्तमम् ॥०३-१६४-३४॥
Thus spoken to by Mātali, after addressing the mountain Śaiśira and circumambulating it, I ascended the excellent chariot. (03-164-34)
चोदयामास स हयान्मनोमारुतरंहसः। मातलिर्हयशास्त्रज्ञो यथावद्भूरिदक्षिणः ॥०३-१६४-३५॥
He, that is Mātali, the highly skillful and knowledgeable charioteer, properly drove the horses with a speed surpassing even mind and wind. (03-164-35)
अवैक्षत च मे वक्त्रं स्थितस्याथ स सारथिः। तथा भ्रान्ते रथे राजन्विस्मितश्चेदमब्रवीत् ॥०३-१६४-३६॥
And he looked at my face as I stood; then that charioteer, O king, as the chariot was turning, astonished, said this. (03-164-36)
अत्यद्भुतमिदं मेऽद्य विचित्रं प्रतिभाति माम्। यदास्थितो रथं दिव्यं पदा न चलितो भवान् ॥०३-१६४-३७॥
This seems very wonderful and strange to me today, that although you have mounted the divine chariot, you have not moved your feet. (3-164-37)
देवराजोऽपि हि मया नित्यमत्रोपलक्षितः। विचलन्प्रथमोत्पाते हयानां भरतर्षभ ॥०३-१६४-३८॥
O best of Bharatas, the king of the gods, too, was indeed constantly observed here by me, moving during the first leap of the horses. (03-164-38)
त्वं पुनः स्थित एवात्र रथे भ्रान्ते कुरूद्वह। अतिशक्रमिदं सत्त्वं तवेति प्रतिभाति मे ॥०३-१६४-३९॥
Even as you stand here again upon the chariot in confusion, O best of the Kurus, this greatly surpassing strength of yours appears to me. (03-164-39)
इत्युक्त्वाकाशमाविश्य मातलिर्विबुधालयान्। दर्शयामास मे राजन्विमानानि च भारत ॥०३-१६४-४०॥
Having spoken thus, Mātali entered the sky and showed me, O king, the abodes of the gods and the celestial chariots, O Bharata. (03-164-40)
नन्दनादीनि देवानां वनानि बहुलान्युत। दर्शयामास मे प्रीत्या मातलिः शक्रसारथिः ॥०३-१६४-४१॥
Mātali, the charioteer of Śakra, lovingly showed me the Nandana and other many forests of the gods. (03-164-41)
ततः शक्रस्य भवनमपश्यममरावतीम्। दिव्यैः कामफलैर्वृक्षै रत्नैश्च समलङ्कृताम् ॥०३-१६४-४२॥
Then I saw the palace of Śakra, Amarāvatī, splendidly adorned with divine wish-fulfilling trees and jewels. (03-164-42)
न तां भासयते सूर्यो न शीतोष्णे न च क्लमः। रजः पङ्को न च तमस्तत्रास्ति न जरा नृप ॥०३-१६४-४३॥
O king, there the sun does not illuminate her, nor do cold and heat or fatigue exist. There is neither dust nor mud nor darkness, nor is there old age. (03-164-43)
न तत्र शोको दैन्यं वा वैवर्ण्यं चोपलक्ष्यते। दिवौकसां महाराज न च ग्लानिररिंदम ॥०३-१६४-४४॥
There, neither sorrow nor misery nor paleness is observed among the dwellers of heaven, O great king; nor is there any weakness, O subduer of enemies. (03-164-44)
न क्रोधलोभौ तत्रास्तामशुभं च विशां पते। नित्यतुष्टाश्च हृष्टाश्च प्राणिनः सुरवेश्मनि ॥०३-१६४-४५॥
O lord of the people, let there be neither anger nor greed nor anything inauspicious there. The living beings in the abode of the gods are always content and joyful. (03-164-45)
नित्यपुष्पफलास्तत्र पादपा हरितच्छदाः। पुष्करिण्यश्च विविधाः पद्मसौगन्धिकायुताः ॥०३-१६४-४६॥
There, trees are ever-flowering and fruit-bearing, with green foliage; and there are various lakes filled with lotuses and fragrant aquatic flowers. (03-164-46)
शीतस्तत्र ववौ वायुः सुगन्धो जीवनः शुचिः। सर्वरत्नविचित्रा च भूमिः पुष्पविभूषिता ॥०३-१६४-४७॥
A cool, fragrant, life-giving, and pure wind blew there. The earth was adorned with all kinds of jewels and was decorated with flowers. (03-164-47)
मृगद्विजाश्च बहवो रुचिरा मधुरस्वराः। विमानयायिनश्चात्र दृश्यन्ते बहवोऽमराः ॥०३-१६४-४८॥
Many beautiful forest animals and birds with sweet voices, and also many immortals travelling in aerial chariots, are seen here. (3-164-48)
ततोऽपश्यं वसून्रुद्रान्साध्यांश्च समरुद्गणान्। आदित्यानश्विनौ चैव तान्सर्वान्प्रत्यपूजयम् ॥०३-१६४-४९॥
Then I saw the Vasus, Rudras, Sādhyas, the hosts of Maruts, as well as the Ādityas and the Ashvins; I worshipped all of them. (03-164-49)
ते मां वीर्येण यशसा तेजसा च बलेन च। अस्त्रैश्चाप्यन्वजानन्त सङ्ग्रामविजयेन च ॥०३-१६४-५०॥
They recognized me for my strength, fame, brilliance, power, and weapons, as well as by my victories in battle. (03-164-50)
प्रविश्य तां पुरीं रम्यां देवगन्धर्वसेविताम्। देवराजं सहस्राक्षमुपातिष्ठं कृताञ्जलिः ॥०३-१६४-५१॥
Having entered that beautiful city, which was served by gods and gandharvas, I approached Indra, the king of the gods and the thousand-eyed one, with joined palms. (03-164-51)
ददावर्धासनं प्रीतः शक्रो मे ददतां वरः। बहुमानाच्च गात्राणि पस्पर्श मम वासवः ॥०३-१६४-५२॥
Śakra (Indra), greatly pleased, granted me the half-throne—being the best among givers; and out of deep respect, Vāsava touched my body. (03-164-52)
तत्राहं देवगन्धर्वैः सहितो भुरिदक्षिण। अस्त्रार्थमवसं स्वर्गे कुर्वाणोऽस्त्राणि भारत ॥०३-१६४-५३॥
There, O Bhārata, accompanied by the Devas and Gandharvas, I stayed in heaven for the sake of weapons, making weapons, O giver of rich gifts. (03-164-53)
विश्वावसोश्च मे पुत्रश्चित्रसेनोऽभवत्सखा। स च गान्धर्वमखिलं ग्राहयामास मां नृप ॥०३-१६४-५४॥
Citrasena, the son of Viśvāvasu and my friend, caused me to learn the entire Gāndharva science, O king. (03-164-54)
ततोऽहमवसं राजन्गृहीतास्त्रः सुपूजितः। सुखं शक्रस्य भवने सर्वकामसमन्वितः ॥०३-१६४-५५॥
Then, O king, having received the weapons and being well-honored, I happily dwelled in Śakra's (Indra’s) palace, possessing every enjoyment. (03-164-55)
शृण्वन्वै गीतशब्दं च तूर्यशब्दं च पुष्कलम्। पश्यंश्चाप्सरसः श्रेष्ठा नृत्यमानाः परन्तप ॥०३-१६४-५६॥
While listening to the abundant sounds of singing and instruments, and seeing the excellent Apsarases dancing, O subduer of enemies. (03-164-56)
तत्सर्वमनवज्ञाय तथ्यं विज्ज्ञाय भारत। अत्यर्थं प्रतिगृह्याहमस्त्रेष्वेव व्यवस्थितः ॥०३-१६४-५७॥
O Bhārata, having understood all that truth without disregarding anything, and having thoroughly accepted it, I am indeed established among the weapons. (03-164-57)
ततोऽतुष्यत्सहस्राक्षस्तेन कामेन मे विभुः। एवं मे वसतो राजन्नेष कालोऽत्यगाद्दिवि ॥०३-१६४-५८॥
Then Indra, the thousand-eyed Lord, was satisfied with that desire of mine. In this way, O king, as I dwelled here, this period passed for me in heaven. (03-164-58)
