03.164
arjuna uvāca॥
Arjuna said.
tatastām avasaṃ prīto rajanīṃ tatra bhārata। prasādād devadevasya tryambakasya mahātmanaḥ ॥03-164-1॥
Then, O Bhārata, by the grace of the great-souled Tryambaka, the god of gods, I spent that night there happily. (03-164-1)
vyuṣito rajanīṃ cāhaṃ kṛtvā pūrvāhṇikakriyām। apaśyaṃ taṃ dvijaśreṣṭhaṃ dṛṣṭavānasmi yaṃ purā॥03-164-2॥
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)
tasmai cāhaṃ yathāvṛttaṃ sarvameva nyavedayam। bhagavantaṃ mahādevaṃ sameto'smīti bhārata॥03-164-3॥
O Bhārata, I reported everything as it had happened to him, saying: 'I am joined with the venerable Mahādeva.' (03-164-3)
sa mām uvāca rājendra prīyamāṇo dvijottamaḥ। dṛṣṭas tvayā mahādevo yathā nānyena kenacit ॥03-164-4॥
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)
sametya lokapālaistu sarvairvaivasvatādibhiḥ. draṣṭāsyanagha devendraṃ sa ca te'strāṇi dāsyati ॥03-164-5॥
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)
evam-uktvā sa māṃ rājan nāśliṣya ca punaḥ punaḥ। agacchat sa yathā-kāmaṃ brāhmaṇaḥ sūrya-saṃnibhaḥ ॥03-164-6॥
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)
athāparāhṇe tasyāhnaḥ prāvät puṇyaḥ samīraṇaḥ। punarnavam imaṃ lokaṃ kurvan niva sapatnahan॥03-164-7॥
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)
divyāni caiva mālyāni sugandhīni navāni ca। śaiśirasya gireḥ pāde prādurāsansamīpataḥ ॥03-164-8॥
Divine, fresh, and fragrant garlands indeed appeared close by at the foot of the Śaiśira mountain. (03-164-8)
vāditrāṇi ca divyāni sughoṣāṇi samantataḥ। stutayaś ca indra-saṃyuktāḥ aśrūyanta manoharāḥ॥03-164-9॥
Divine musical instruments, resounding sweetly all around, and enchanting praises together with Indra were heard. (03-164-9)
gaṇāś cāpsarasāṃ tatra gandharvāṇāṃ tathaiva ca । purastād devadevasya jagur gītāni sarvaśaḥ ॥03-164-10॥
There, groups of apsarases and similarly gandharvas, in front of the God of gods, sang songs in every way. (03-164-10)
marutāṃ ca gaṇās tatra devayānaiḥ upāgaman। mahendra-anucaraā ye ca deva-sadma-nivāsinaḥ॥03-164-11॥
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)
tato marutvān haribhir yuktaiḥ vāhaiḥ svalankṛtaiḥ. śacī-sahāyaḥ tatra āyāt saha sarvaiḥ tadā amaraiḥ ॥03-164-12॥
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)
etasminn eva kāle tu kubero naravāhanaḥ| darśayāmāsa māṃ rājan lakṣmyā paramayā yutaḥ ॥03-164-13॥
But at this very time, O king, Kubera, riding on men and joined by supreme Lakṣmī, appeared before me. (03-164-13)
dakṣiṇasyāṃ diśi yamaṃ pratyapaśyaṃ vyavasthitam। varuṇaṃ devarājaṃ ca yathāsthānamavasthitam ॥03-164-14॥
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)
te mām ūcur mahārāja sāntvayitvā surarṣabhāḥ। savyasācin samīkṣasva lokapālān avasthitān ॥03-164-15॥
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)
surakāryārthasiddhyarthaṃ dṛṣṭavān asi śaṅkaram. asmattopī gṛhāṇa tvam astrāṇīti samantataḥ ॥03-164-16॥
For the success of the gods' purpose, you have seen Śaṅkara. Also, from me, accept all weapons in every direction. (03-164-16)
tato'haṃ prayato bhūtvā praṇipatya surarṣabhān। pratyagṛhṇaṃ tadāstrāṇi mahānti vidhivatprabho ॥03-164-17॥
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)
gṛhītāstras tato devair anujñāto'smi bhārata। atha devā yayuḥ sarve yathāgatam ariṃdama ॥03-164-18॥
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)
maghavān api deveśo ratham āruhya suprabham। uvāca bhagavān vākyam smayann iva surāri-hā ॥03-164-19॥
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)
puraiva-āgamanād-asmād-vedāham tvāṃ dhanañjaya। ataḥ paraṃ tvahaṃ vai tvāṃ darśaye bharatarṣabha ॥03-164-20॥
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)
tvayā hi tīrtheṣu purā samāplāvaḥ kṛto'sakṛt। tapaś cedaṃ purā taptaṃ svargaṃ gantāsi pāṇḍava ॥03-164-21॥
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)
bhūyaś caiva tu taptavyaṃ tapaḥ paramadāruṇam। uvāca bhagavān sarvaṃ tapasaś copapādanam ॥03-164-22॥
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)
Mātalir man-niyogāt tvāṃ tridivaṃ prāpayiṣyati. Viditas tvaṃ hi devānām ṛṣīṇāṃ ca mahātmanām ॥03-164-23॥
Mātali, by my command, will take you to heaven. Indeed, you are known to the gods, sages, and great souls. (03-164-23)
tato'ham abruvaṁ śakraṁ prasīda bhagavan mama। ācāryaṁ varaye tvāham astrārthaṁ tridaśeśvara ॥03-164-24॥
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)
indra uvāca॥
Indra said.
krūraṁ karmāstravittāta kariṣyasi parantapa। yadarthamastrāṇīpsustvaṁ taṁ kāmaṁ pāṇḍavāpnuhi ॥03-164-25॥
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)
arjuna uvāca॥
Arjuna said.
tato'ham abruvaṁ nāhaṁ divyāny astrāṇi śatruhan। mānuṣeṣu prayokṣyāmi vināstra-pratighātanam ॥03-164-26॥
Then I said, "O destroyer of enemies, I will not use the divine weapons among men without weapon-counteraction." (03-164-26)
tāni divyāni me'strāṇi prayaccha vibudhādhipa। lokāṃś cāstrajitān paścāl labheyaṃ surapuṅgava ॥03-164-27॥
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)
indra uvāca॥
Indra said.
parīkṣārthaṃ mayaitatte vākyamuktaṃ dhanañjaya। mamatmajasya vacanaṃ sūpapannamidaṃ tava ॥03-164-28॥
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)
śikṣa me bhavanaṃ gatvā sarvāṇyastrāṇi bhārata। vāyoragnervasubhyo'tha varuṇātsamarudgaṇāt ॥03-164-29॥
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)
sādhyaṁ paitāmahaṁ caiva gandharvoragarakṣasām। vaiṣṇavāni ca sarvāṇi nairṛtāni tathaiva ca ॥ madgatāni ca yāniha sarvāstrāṇi kurūdvaha ॥03-164-30॥
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)
arjuna uvāca॥
Arjuna said.
evam-uktvā tu māṃ śakrastatraivāntaradhīyata। athāpaśyaṃ hari-yujaṃ ratham aindram upasthitam ॥ divyaṃ māyāmayaṃ puṇyaṃ yat tat mātalinā nṛpa ॥03-164-31॥
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)
lokapāleṣu yāteṣu mām uvāca atha mātaliḥ। draṣṭum icchati śakras tvām devarājo mahādyute ॥03-164-32॥
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)
saṃsiddhas tvaṃ mahābāho kuru kāryam anuttamam। paśya puṇyakṛtāṃ lokān saśarīro divaṃ vraja ॥03-164-33॥
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)
ity ukto' haṃ mātalinā girim āmantrya śaiśiram। pradakṣiṇam upāvṛtya samārohaṃ rathottamam ॥03-164-34॥
Thus spoken to by Mātali, after addressing the mountain Śaiśira and circumambulating it, I ascended the excellent chariot. (03-164-34)
codayāmāsa sa hayān manomāra-taraṃhasaḥ। mātalir hayaśāstrajño yathāvad bhūri-dakṣiṇaḥ॥03-164-35॥
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)
avaikṣata ca me vaktraṃ sthitasya atha sa sārathiḥ। tathā bhrānte rathe rājan vismitaḥ ca idam abravīt॥03-164-36॥
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)
atyadbhutam idaṃ me 'dya vicitraṃ pratibhāti mām। yad āsthitaḥ rathaṃ divyaṃ padā na calito bhavān॥03-164-37॥
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)
devarājo'pi hi mayā nityam atro'palakṣitaḥ। vicalan prathamotpāte hayānāṃ bharatarṣabha ॥03-164-38॥
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)
tvaṁ punaḥ sthita evātra rathe bhrānte kurūdvaha। atiśakramidaṁ sattvaṁ taveti pratibhāti me ॥03-164-39॥
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)
ity uktvā ākāśam āviśya mātalir vibudhālayān। darśayām āsa me rājan vimānāni ca bhārata ॥03-164-40॥
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)
nandanādīni devānāṃ vanāni bahulānyuta. darśayāmāsa me prītyā mātaliḥ śakrasārathiḥ ॥03-164-41॥
Mātali, the charioteer of Śakra, lovingly showed me the Nandana and other many forests of the gods. (03-164-41)
tataḥ śakrasya bhavanam apaśyam amarāvatīm। divyaiḥ kāmaphalair vṛkṣaiḥ ratnaiś ca samalaṅkṛtām॥03-164-42॥
Then I saw the palace of Śakra, Amarāvatī, splendidly adorned with divine wish-fulfilling trees and jewels. (03-164-42)
na tāṁ bhāsayate sūryo na śītoṣṇe na ca klamaḥ। rajaḥ paṅko na ca tamastatrāsti na jarā nṛpa॥03-164-43॥
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)
na tatra śoko dainyaṃ vā vaivarṇyaṃ copalakṣyate. divaukasāṃ mahārāja na ca glānir ariṃdama ॥03-164-44॥
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)
na krodhalobhau tatrāstāmaśubhaṃ ca viśāṃ pate. nityatuṣṭāś ca hṛṣṭāś ca prāṇinaḥ suraveśmani ॥03-164-45॥
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)
nityapuṣpaphalās tatra pādapā haritacchadāḥ। puṣkariṇyaś ca vividhāḥ padmasaugandhikāyutāḥ ॥03-164-46॥
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)
śītastatra vavau vāyuḥ sugandho jīvanaḥ śuciḥ। sarvaratnavicitrā ca bhūmiḥ puṣpavibhūṣitā ॥03-164-47॥
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)
mṛga-dvijāś ca bahavo rucirā madhura-svarāḥ। vimāna-yāyinaś cātra dṛśyante bahavo'marāḥ॥03-164-48॥
Many beautiful forest animals and birds with sweet voices, and also many immortals travelling in aerial chariots, are seen here. (3-164-48)
tato'paśyaṃ vasūn rudrān sādhyāṃś ca sa-marud-gaṇān। ādityān aśvinau caiva tān sarvān pratyapūjayam॥03-164-49॥
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)
te māṃ vīryeṇa yaśasā tejasā ca balena ca। astraiś cāpy anvajānan saṅgrāma-vijayena ca ॥03-164-50॥
They recognized me for my strength, fame, brilliance, power, and weapons, as well as by my victories in battle. (03-164-50)
praviśya tāṃ purīṃ ramyāṃ devagandharvasevitām। devarājaṃ sahasrākṣam upātiṣṭhaṃ kṛtāñjaliḥ ॥03-164-51॥
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)
dadāvardhāsanaṁ prītaḥ śakro me dadatāṁ varaḥ। bahumānācca gātrāṇi pasparśa mama vāsavaḥ॥03-164-52॥
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)
tatrāhaṁ devagandharvaiḥ sahito bhuridakṣiṇa. astrārtham avasaṁ svarge kurvāṇo'strāṇi bhārata ॥03-164-53॥
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)
viśvāvasoś ca me putraś citraseno 'bhavat sakhā। sa ca gāndharvam akhilaṃ grāhayāmāsa māṃ nṛpa॥03-164-54॥
Citrasena, the son of Viśvāvasu and my friend, caused me to learn the entire Gāndharva science, O king. (03-164-54)
tato'ham avasaṁ rājan gṛhītāstraḥ supūjitaḥ। sukhaṁ śakrasya bhavane sarvakāmasamanvitaḥ ॥03-164-55॥
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)
śṛṇvan vai gītaśabdaṃ ca tūryaśabdaṃ ca puṣkalam। paśyaṃś cāpsarasaḥ śreṣṭhā nṛtyamānāḥ parantapa ॥03-164-56॥
While listening to the abundant sounds of singing and instruments, and seeing the excellent Apsarases dancing, O subduer of enemies. (03-164-56)
tat sarvam anavajñāya tathyaṃ vijñāya bhārata। atyarthaṃ pratigṛhyāham astreṣveva vyavasthitaḥ ॥03-164-57॥
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)
tato'tuṣyata-sahasrākṣas-tena kāmena me vibhuḥ। evaṃ me vasato rājann-eṣa kālo'tyagād-divi ॥03-164-58॥
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)
