03.164
Arjuna said.
Then, O Bhārata, by the grace of the great-souled Tryambaka, the god of gods, I spent that night there happily. (03-164-1)
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)
O Bhārata, I reported everything as it had happened to him, saying: 'I am joined with the venerable Mahādeva.' (03-164-3)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Divine, fresh, and fragrant garlands indeed appeared close by at the foot of the Śaiśira mountain. (03-164-8)
Divine musical instruments, resounding sweetly all around, and enchanting praises together with Indra were heard. (03-164-9)
There, groups of apsarases and similarly gandharvas, in front of the God of gods, sang songs in every way. (03-164-10)
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)
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)
But at this very time, O king, Kubera, riding on men and joined by supreme Lakṣmī, appeared before me. (03-164-13)
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)
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)
For the success of the gods' purpose, you have seen Śaṅkara. Also, from me, accept all weapons in every direction. (03-164-16)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Mātali, by my command, will take you to heaven. Indeed, you are known to the gods, sages, and great souls. (03-164-23)
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 said.
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 said.
Then I said, "O destroyer of enemies, I will not use the divine weapons among men without weapon-counteraction." (03-164-26)
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 said.
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)
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)
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 said.
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)
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)
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)
Thus spoken to by Mātali, after addressing the mountain Śaiśira and circumambulating it, I ascended the excellent chariot. (03-164-34)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Mātali, the charioteer of Śakra, lovingly showed me the Nandana and other many forests of the gods. (03-164-41)
Then I saw the palace of Śakra, Amarāvatī, splendidly adorned with divine wish-fulfilling trees and jewels. (03-164-42)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Many beautiful forest animals and birds with sweet voices, and also many immortals travelling in aerial chariots, are seen here. (3-164-48)
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)
They recognized me for my strength, fame, brilliance, power, and weapons, as well as by my victories in battle. (03-164-50)
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)
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)
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)
Citrasena, the son of Viśvāvasu and my friend, caused me to learn the entire Gāndharva science, O king. (03-164-54)
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)
While listening to the abundant sounds of singing and instruments, and seeing the excellent Apsarases dancing, O subduer of enemies. (03-164-56)
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)
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)
