Arjuna returns from Indraloka

The Pandavas wait for Arjuna’s arrival

Dwelling in that best of mountains, the Gandhamadana, the Pandavas, observing excellent vows, felt themselves attracted to that place, and diverted themselves, eager to behold Arjuna. Multitudes of Gandharvas and Maharshis gladly visited those energetic ones, of chaste desires and being the foremost of those endued with truth and fortitude. Having arrived at that excellent mountain furnished with trees bearing blossoms, they were exceedingly delighted, even as the Marutas, on arriving at the celestial regions. Experiencing great exhilaration, they lived there, seeing the slopes and summits of that mighty mountain, filled with flowers, and resonant with the cries of peacocks and cranes. On that beautiful mountain they beheld lakes filled with lotuses, and having their shores covered with trees, and frequented by darkness, and karandavas and swans. The flourishing sporting-regions, graceful on account of the various flowers, and abounding in gems, was capable of captivating that king, the dispenser of wealth Kubera. Always ranging there, the Pandavas were incapable of conceiving the significance of that Summit, furnished with mighty trees, and masses of wide-spreading clouds. Owing to its native splendour, and also on account of the brilliance of the annual plants, there was no difference there between night and day. Staying in the mountain, remaining in which the Sun of unrivalled energy cherisheth the mobile and immobile things, those heroes and foremost of men beheld the rising and the setting of the Sun. Having seen the rising and the setting points of the Sun and the rising and the setting mountain, and all the cardinal points, as well as the intervening spaces ever blazing with the rays of the Dispeller of darkness, those heroes, in expectation of the arrival of that mighty charioteer firm in truth, became engaged in reciting the Vedas, practising the daily rituals, chiefly discharging the religious duties, exercising sacred vows, and abiding by the truth. Saying, “Let us experience here delight by joining without delay Arjuna accomplished in arms,” those Parthas became engaged in the practice of Yoga. Beholding romantic woods on that mountain, as they always thought of Kiriti, every day and night appeared unto them even as a year. From that very moment joy had taken leave of them when Arjuna, matting his hair, departed for the woods. So, how could they, absorbed in his contemplation, experience happiness there? They had become overwhelmed with grief ever since the moment when at the command of his brother, Yudhishthira, Arjuna of the tread of a mad elephant had departed from the Kamyaka forest. In this way, on that mountain those descendants of Bharata passed a month with difficulty, thinking of him of the white steeds, who had gone to Indra's abode for learning arms. Arjuna, having dwelt for five years in the abode of him of a thousand eyes, and having from that lord of celestials obtained all the celestial weapons, such as those of Agni, of Varuna, of Soma, of Vayu, of Vishnu, of Indra, of Pashupati, of Brahma, of Parameshthi, of Prajapati, of Yama, of Dhata, of Savita, of Tvashta, and of Vaishravana; and having bowed down to and gone round him of a hundred sacrifices, and taken his Indra's permission, cheerfully came to the Gandhamadana.

Arjun arrives

It came to pass that once a day as those mighty charioteers were thinking of Arjuna, seeing Mahendra's car, yoked with horses of the effulgence of lightning, arrive all on a sudden, they were delighted. Driven by Matali, that blazing car, suddenly illuminating the sky, looked like smokeless flaming tongues of fire, or a mighty meteor embosomed in clouds. Seated in that car appeared Kiriti wearing garlands and new-made ornaments. Then Arjuna possessing the prowess of the wielder of the thunder-bolt, alighted on that mountain, blazing in beauty. That intelligent one decked in a diadem and garlands, having alighted on the mountain, first bowed down at the feet of Dhaumya, and then at those of Yudhishthira. He also paid homage unto Bhimasena's feet; and the twins also bowed down unto him. Then going to Draupadi, and having cheered her, he stood before his elder brother in humble guise. On meeting with that matchless one, they were exceedingly delighted. He also meeting with them rejoiced exceedingly, and began to eulogise the king. Seeing before them that car driving in which Indra, the Parthas went round it. Being highly pleased, they offered excellent worship unto Matali, as unto the lord of the celestials himself. Then Yudhishthira duly enquired of him after the health of all the gods. Matali also greeted them. Having instructed the Parthas as a father does his sons, he ascended that incomparable car, and returned to the lord of the celestials.

When Matali had gone away, Indra's son, Arjuna made over unto his love, the mother of Sutasoma, beautiful precious gems and ornaments having the splendour of the sun, which had been presented to him by Indra. Then, sitting in the midst of those foremost of the Kurus, and those best of the Brahmanas, effulgent like unto fire or the sun, he began to relate all as it had happened, saying, “In this way, I have learnt weapons from Indra, Vayu, and the manifest Shiva; and all the celestials with Indra also have been pleased with me, on account of my good behaviour, and concentration.”

After having briefly narrated unto them his sojourn in heaven, Arjuna agreeably slept that night with the two sons of Madri.

Indra arrives to meet the Pandavas

Then when the night had been spent, Arjuna, together with his brothers, paid homage unto Yudhishthira. At this moment, proceeding from the celestials there arose mighty and tremendous sounds of a musical instrument, and the rattling of car-wheels, and the tolling of bells. There at all the beasts and beasts of prey and birds emitted separate cries. From all sides in cars resplendent as the sun, hosts of Gandharvas and Apsaras began to follow the lord of the celestials. Ascending a car yoked with steeds, decorated with burnished gold, and roaring like clouds, that king of the celestials, Indra blazing in beauty came unto the Parthas. Having arrived, he of a thousand eyes descended from his car. As soon as Yudhishthira saw that high-souled one, he together with his brothers, approached that graceful king of the immortals. In accordance with the ordinance, he duly worshipped him, in consequence with his dignity. Then Arjuna, having bowed down unto Purandara, stood before the lord of the celestials in humble guise, like unto a servant. Indra said to Yudhishthira, “You shall rule the earth, O Pandava, Blessed be you! Do you again repair unto Kamyaka.”

That learned man who for a year leading the Brahmacharya mode of life, subduing his senses and observing vows, peruses with rapt attention this meeting of Indra with the Pandavas, lives a hundred years free from disturbances, and enjoying happiness.

Arjuna recounts how he got his weapons

When Indra had gone to his proper place, Arjuna together with his brothers and Krishna, paid homage unto the son of Dharma. Then smelling the crown of the head of that Pandava, Yudhishthira addressed Arjuna, saying, “O Arjuna, how did you pass this period in heaven? How did you obtain the weapons, and how also did you gratify the lord of the celestials? Have you adequately secured the weapons? Have the lord of the celestials and Rudra gladly granted you the weapons? How have you beheld the divine Indra, and the wielder of Pinaka? How have you obtained the weapons? In what manner did you worship them? What service had you done unto Indra that he said unto you, “By you have I been gratified”? All this I wish to hear in detail. The manner in which you did please Mahadeva and the king of the celestials and, the service you had done to the wielder of the thunder-bolt, do you, O Arjuna, relate all this in detail."

Then Arjuna narrated about his Tapas, his fight with Shiva in the form of Kirata and obtaining from him the Raudra and Pashupata weapons, his encounter with Indra and the Lokapalas, Matali taking him to the Indraloka, and obtaining celetial weapons from Indra, obtaining training in music and dance from the Gandharva king, as well as vanquishing the Nivatakavachas, as a preceptor’s fee to Indra.

Yudhishthira said, “O Arjuna, by fortune it is that the weapons have been obtained by you; by fortune it is that the master of the immortals has been adored by you. By fortune it is that the divine Sthanu together with the goddess had become manifest unto you and been gratified by you in battle; by fortune it is that you had met with the Lokapalas. By fortune it is that we have prospered; and by fortune it is that you have come back. To-day I consider as if the entire earth engarlanded with cities has already been conquered, and as if the sons of Dhritarashtra have already been subdued. Now, I am curious to behold those celestial weapons wherewith you had slain the powerful Nivata-Kavachas.”

Thereat Arjuna said, “Tomorrow in the morning you will see all the celestial weapons with which I slew the fierce Nivata-Kavachas.”

Thus having related (the facts touching) the arrival, Arjuna passed that night there, together with all his brothers."

When the night had passed, Yudhishthira arose and together with his brothers, performed the necessary duties. He then spoke unto Arjuna saying, “O Kaunteya, do you show me those weapons with which you vanquished the Danavas.” Thereat, Arjuna duly practising extreme purity, showed those weapons, which had been given unto him by the celestials. Arjuna seated on the earth, as his chariot, which had the mountain for its pole, the base of the axle and the cluster of beautiful-looking bamboo trees for its socket-pole, looked resplendent with that celestial armour of great lustre, took his bow Gandiva and the conch-shell given to him by the gods, commenced to exhibit those celestial weapons in order.

As those celestial weapons had been set, the Earth being oppressed with the feet of Arjuna, began to tremble with its trees; and the rivers and the mighty main became vexed; and the rocks were riven; and the air was hushed. The sun did not shine; and fire did not flame; and by no means did the Vedas of the twice-born once shine. The creatures peopling the interior of the earth, on being afflicted, rose and surrounded the Pandava, trembling with joined hands and contorted countenances. Being burnt by those weapons, they besought Arjuna for their lives. Then the Brahmarshis, and the Siddhas, and the Maharshis and the mobile beings, all these appeared on the scene. The foremost Devarshis, and the celestials and the Yakshas and the Rakshasas and the Gandharvas and the feathered tribes and the other sky-ranging beings, all these appeared on the scene. The Great-sire and all the Lokapalas and the divine Mahadeva, came there, together with their followers. Then, bearing unearthly variegated blossoms Vayu fell to strewing them around the Pandava. Sent by the celestials, the Gandharvas chanted various ballads; and, hosts of the Apsaras danced there.

At such a moment, sent by the celestials, Narada arrived there and addressed Partha in these sweet words, “O Arjuna, do you not discharge the celestial weapons. These should never be discharged when there is no object fit. When there is an object present, they should also by no means be hurled, unless one is sore pressed; for, to discharge the weapons without occasion, is fraught with great evil. Being duly kept as you have been instructed to these powerful weapons will doubtless conduce to your strength and happiness. But if they are not properly kept, they will become the instrument for the destruction of the three worlds. So you should not act in this way again. O Ajatasatru, you too will behold even these weapons, when Partha will use them for grinding your enemies in battle.”

Having prevented Partha the immortals with others that had come there, went to each his place. After they had all gone, the Pandavas began to dwell pleasantly in the same forest, together with Krishna.

In company with that hero equal unto Indra, Arjuna sported in the pleasure-gardens of the lord of treasures situated in those woods on that romantic and excellent mountain. Surveying those peerless and various pleasure-grounds filled with diverse trees, Kiriti, ever intent upon arms, ranged at large, bow in hand. Having through the grace of king Vaishravana obtained a residence, those sons of a sovereign cared not for the prosperity of men. That period of their lives passed peacefully. Having Partha in their company, they spent four years there even like a single night. As the Pandavas lived in the wood, these four years and the former six, numbering ten, passed smoothly with them.

Then having seated themselves before the king, the vehement son of the Wind-god, with Arjuna and the heroic twins, like unto the lord of the celestials, earnestly addressed the king in these beneficial and pleasant words, “It is only to render your promise effectual and to advance your interests, that forsaking the forest, we do not go to slay Suyodhana together with all his followers. Although deserving of happiness, yet have we been deprived of happiness. This is the eleventh year that in this state we have been living in the forest. Hereafter, deluding that one of evil mind and character, shall we easily live out the period of non-discovery. At your mandate, free from apprehension, we have been ranging the woods, having relinquished our honour. Having been tempted by our residence in the vicinity, they our enemies will not believe that we have removed to a distant realm. After having lived there undiscovered for a year, and having wreaked our revenge on that wicked wight, Suyodhana, with his followers, we shall easily root out that meanest of men, slaying him and regaining our kingdom. Therefore, do you descend unto the earth. For, if we dwell in this region like unto heaven itself, we shall forget our sorrows. In that case, your fame like, unto a fragrant flower shall vanish from the mobile and the immobile worlds. By gaining that kingdom of the Kuru chiefs, you will be able to attain great glory, and to perform various sacrifices. This that you are receiving from Kubera, you will be able to attain any time. Now, turn your mind towards the punishment and destruction of foes that committed wrongs. The wielder of the thunderbolt himself is incapable of standing your prowess. Intent upon your welfare, Krishna and also Satyaki never experience pain, even when engaged in encounter with the gods. Arjuna is peerless in strength, and so am I too. As Krishna together with the Yadavas is intent upon your welfare, so am I also and the heroic twins accomplished in war. Encountering the enemy, we, having for our main object the attainment by you of wealth and prosperity, will destroy them.”

Then having learnt that intention of theirs, Yudhishthira went round Vaishravana's abode. Yudhishthira, after bidding adieu unto the palaces, the rivers, the lakes, and all the Rakshasas, looked towards the way by which he had come there. Then looking at the mountain also, the high-souled and pure-minded one besought that best of mountains, saying, “O foremost of mountains, may I together with my friends, after having finished my task, and slain my foes, and regained my kingdom, see you again, carrying on austerities with subdued soul.” This also he determined on. In company with his younger brothers and the Brahmanas, the lord of the Kurus proceeded even along that very road. Ghatotkacha with his followers began to carry them over the mountain cascades. As they started, the great sage Lomasha, advising them even as a father does his son, with a cheerful heart, went unto the sacred abode of the dwellers of heaven. Then advised also by Arshtishena, the Parthas, went alone beholding romantic tirthas and hermitages, and other mighty lakes.

When they had left their happy home in the beautiful mountain abounding in cascades, and having birds, and the elephants of the eight quarters, and the supernatural attendants of Kubera as dwellers thereof, all happiness forsook those foremost of men of Bharata's race. But afterwards on beholding Kubera's favourite mountain, Kailasa, appearing like clouds, the delight of those pre-eminent heroes of the race of Bharata, became very great. Those foremost of heroic men, equipped with scimitars and bows, proceeded contentedly, beholding elevations and defiles, and dens of lions and craggy causeways and innumerable water-falls and lowlands, in different places, as also other great forests inhabited by countless deer and birds and elephants. They came upon beautiful woodlands and rivers and lakes and caves and mountain caverns; and these frequently by day and night became the dwelling place of those great men. Having dwelt in all sorts of inaccessible places and crossing Kailasa of inconceivable grandeur, they reached the excellent and surpassingly beautiful hermitage of Vrishaparva. Meeting king Vrishaparba and received by him being they became free from depression and then they accurately narrated in detail to Vrishaparva the story of their sojourn in the mountains. Having pleasantly passed one night in his sacred abode frequented by gods and Maharshis, those great warriors proceeded smoothly towards the jujube tree called Vishala and took up their quarters there. Then all those magnanimous men having reached the place of Narayana, continued to live there, bereft of all sorrow, at beholding Kubera's favourite lake, frequented by gods and Siddhas. Viewing that lake, the sons of Pandu traversed that place, renouncing all grief even as immaculate Brahmana rishis do on attaining a habitation in the Nandana gardens. Then all those warriors having in due course happily lived at Badari for one month, proceeded towards the realm of Subahu, king of the Kiratas, by following the same track by which they had come. Crossing the difficult Himalayan regions, and the countries of China, Tukhara, Darada and all the climes of Kulinda, rich in heaps of jewels, those warlike men reached the capital of Subahu. Hearing that those sons and grandsons of kings had all reached his kingdom, Subahu, elated with joy, advanced to meet them. Then the best of the Kurus welcomed him also. Meeting king Subahu, and being joined by all their charioteers with Visoka at their head and by their attendants, Indrasena and others, and also by the superintendents and servants of the kitchen, they stayed there comfortably for one night. Then taking all the chariots and chariot-men and dismissing Ghatotkacha together with his followers, they next repaired to the monarch of mountains in the vicinity of the Yamuna. In the midst of the mountain abounding in waterfalls and having grey and orange-coloured slopes and summits covered with a sheet of snow, those warlike men having then found the great forest of Visakhayupa like unto the forest of Chitraratha and inhabited by wild boars and various kinds of deer and birds, made it their home. Addicted to hunting as their chief occupation, the sons of Pritha peacefully dwelt in that forest for one year.