Arjuna
goes to Heaven
taken
from the
Mahâbhârata
-
Book 1, Chapter 25
by
Krishna Dharma
- 1999
When the
brahmins determined an auspicious day,
Yudhisthira taught Arjuna the
Pratismriti mantras. The king had delayed
teaching him as he knew that Arjuna
would leave for the Himalayas as soon as he
had the knowledge. It would be difficult to
live without him. But it was
Vyasadeva's desire that he go, so
Yudhisthira knew the separation could not
be avoided forever. Ultimately, it was
probably their only chance to be successful
in recovering their kingdom.
Taking
Arjuna aside, Yudhisthira held
him by the hands and said, "O descendent of
Bharata, the four divisions of the
science of arms are held by Bhishma,
Drona, Kripa, Kama and
Ashvatthama. They have all received
divine instructions and know how to use every
sort of weapon. Having been honored,
gratified and supported by Duryodhana,
they always seek to do him good. We should
not doubt that they will support him in
battle. The whole world is now under
Duryodhana's sway, and he is our
avowed enemy. You are our sole refuge.
Depending on you we shall regain our kingdom
from Duryodhana. Listen now as I tell
you what should be done."
Yudhisthira
then informed Arjuna of
Vyasadeva's instructions. He told him
that he should leave as soon as possible for
the Himalayas and, by meditating on the
mantras he was now going to repeat, he should
seek the gods' audience in order to receive
their weapons. "Allow me to initiate you
today, O virtuous one, and go at once to
propitiate Indra. Being pleased with
you I am sure Indra will give you his
weapons and, by his order, so will the other
gods."
Arjuna
fully controlled his mind and senses. Then,
with due rites, Yudhisthira bestowed the
Pratismriti mantras on him. When he was
finished Yudhisthira stood up, with
tears pricking his eyes as he thought of
Arjuna's separation. "Now go, dear
brother."
With his
arms and hands clad in iguana skin gauntlets
and gloves, and his body covered in golden
mail, Arjuna took up his
Gandiva bow and his two inexhaustible
quivers and stood ready to depart.
Brahmins and Siddhas
uttered blessings upon him and, not knowing
how long he would be gone, he bade an
affectionate farewell to his
brothers.
As Arjuna
was about to depart, Draupadi came
before him and said, "O mighty-armed
Dhananjaya, may all that the noble
Kunti desired at your birth, and all that
you yourself desire, be accomplished. May
none of us ever take birth again in this
terrible kshatriya order. I offer my
respects to the ascetic brahmins, who are
detached from this miserable world. My heart
still burns with Duryodhana's insult,
but today I grieve even more because you are
departing. In your absence we will spend our
time thinking only of you. There will be no
joy without you. All our hopes rest in you, O
hero. May the Lord and all his energies
protect you at all times, and may success be
yours. Go now and attain your
goal."
Arjuna
smiled at Draupadi, circumambulated
his brothers and Dhaumya, and then
began running swiftly along the path,
frightening creatures along the way with his
speed. By chanting the mantras
Yudhisthira had given him, he felt
himself traveling over mountains and forests
at the speed of mind. By the end of the first
day he arrived at the great Mandara
mountain. Arjuna stopped and looked
around. The mountain was beautiful with its
bluish stone rising up into the clouds. It
was covered with blossoming trees, their
many-colored flowers creating rich tableaus
and their scent captivating his mind. The
sound of peacocks, cranes and cuckoos filled
the air, and he could see Siddhas and
Charanas sporting on the mountain
slopes. Arjuna decided to climb the
mountain and begin his austerities
there.
Upon
reaching a plateau high on the mountain, he
suddenly heard a voice resounding in the sky.
"Stop!" Arjuna looked around and saw
an ascetic sitting at the foot of a tree. The
tawny-colored brahmin had a brilliant aura.
His lean body was covered in deerskin and his
matted locks hung down to his shoulders. The
ascetic said, "0 child, who are you? You
appear to be a kshatriya. Do you not
know that this is the abode of peaceful
brahmins who are free from anger? Even to
have been able to reach this spot indicates
that you already attained a high state of
purity. Now perfect your life. You have no
need of weapons here. Throw them
away."
Arjuna
made it clear that he had no plans to
renounce his weapons. "I need my weapons to
serve my elder brother Yudhisthira
who has been wrongfully deprived of his
kingdom. O brahmin, I will not cast them
aside."
Seeing
Arjuna's dedication to duty, the
ascetic replied, "O slayer of foes, I am
pleased with you. Know me to be Shakra
(a name of Indra), king of the gods. Ask
me for a boon."
Arjuna
was overjoyed. Here was Indra! With
folded hands he said, "O exalted one, the
boon I desire is that you bestow all your
weapons upon me."
Indra
smiled. "O Dhananjaya, I can grant you
life in the celestial regions of bliss. Ask
for this. Why do you desire only my
weapons?"
"How could
I incur the world's condemnation by not
avenging myself on the enemy and by
abandoning my brothers in the forest?"
Arjuna's anger rose as he remembered
Duryodhana's
treachery.
Indra
spoke gently. "O child, when you meet
Shiva, I will give you all my weapons.
Try to propitiate him, for he is the greatest
of the gods. By seeing the three-eyed wielder
of the trident, all your desires will be
fulfilled."
After
saying this Indra disappeared, and
Arjuna was left alone. He decided to
remain where he was and begin his austerities
and worship of Shiva. He took off his
armor and set his weapons down by the same
tree where Indra had sat. The tree
was situated next to a flowing river, and
Arjuna bathed in its clear waters, then
sat down to meditate. As he did so,
conchshells were heard in the sky and showers
of flowers fell from the heavens.
Arjuna was pleased by the auspicious
sign, and he sat with half-closed eyes,
controlled his breathing, and began to intone
prayers to Shiva.
During the
first month of his meditations,
Arjuna ate only fruit on every third day.
During the second month, he ate fruit only on
every sixth day, and during the third month
he ate fruit once a fortnight. During the
fourth month he lived only on air, standing
on the tips of his toes with his arms
upraised. He bathed three times a day and
kept his mind and senses under perfect
control. As a result of his austerities,
Arjuna began to glow like the
sun.
In the
heavens the celestial rishis grew anxious.
They approached Shiva and said,
"Arjuna has become greatly effulgent
due to his austerities on the breast of the
Himalayas. The earth is becoming heated by
his asceticism and is sending forth smoke. 0
chief of the gods, you should stop him before
he upsets the universal order by the power of
his penance."
Shiva
replied, "You need not feel anxiety on
account of Phalguni (a name for
Arjuna). He does not wish to attain
heaven or prosperity. I know his purpose and
will satisfy him today."
The rishis
bowed before Shiva and returned to
their own abodes. Shiva then assumed
the form of a tall, powerful, golden-hued
hunter, and descended to the place where
Arjuna was meditating. Uma, his
consort, accompanied him in a similar
costume, and many of his goblin followers,
who assumed various forms and wore bright
garments, followed them. Many of the female
goblins assumed the forms of beautiful women
and also descended. As Shiva appeared
on the mountainside with his followers, the
mountain seemed ablaze with beauty.
Strangely, however, all nature became silent.
Even the springs and waterfalls ceased their
sounds.
As
Shiva arrived, he saw a Danava
assume the form of a boar and charge at
Arjuna. The demon intended to kill
Arjuna, and he roared loudly in
challenge. Arjuna heard the boar's
roar and quickly lifted and strung his bow.
Placing a virulent arrow on his bowstring,
Arjuna called out, "I have done you
no harm. As you seek to kill me, I shall
certainly send you to Yamaraja's
abode."
At the same
moment Shiva also trained his arrow
on the boar and shouted to Arjuna,
"Stop! This dark-colored boar is mine. I saw
him first and have already aimed my arrow at
him."
Arjuna
ignored Shiva's claim and released his
arrow, which sped toward the massive boar.
Shiva simultaneously released his
arrow and the two shafts both struck the
Danava at the same time. There was a
sound like thunder as the arrows hit the
demonic boar's rock-like body. Assuming his
natural form, the demon gave up his life with
a terrible cry.
Arjuna
looked around at the hunter. His body shone
like a golden mountain. He was surrounded by
hundreds of women. Arjuna glared at
him. "Who are you, dressed like a hunter and
wandering in this solitary forest surrounded
by your followers? Are you not afraid? Why
have you pierced this boar which I targeted
first? Do you not know that this is against
all accepted practices in hunting. Indeed you
have insulted me and so I will punish you by
taking your life."
The hunter
replied with a smile, "O hero, you need not
be concerned about me. I always dwell in the
forest. But what brings you here? You are
obviously royalty, used to living in luxury.
How is it that you have adopted an ascetic
life?"
Arjuna
held his bow tightly. "Depending on the
strength of my arms, I live in this forest.
See how I killed this fearful
Rakshasa who was intent on killing
me."
The hunter
laughed derisively. "It was I who killed this
one, not you. I saw him first, and it was by
my arrow that he was sent to Death's abode.
You are overly proud of your strength. Do not
accuse others when you yourself are at fault.
O wicked-minded wretch, you have wronged me
and will therefore not escape with your life.
Stand and receive my arrows. Try to defend
yourself, if you can."
Infuriated,
Arjuna immediately struck the hunter
with a cluster of swift arrows, but he simply
smiled and received Arjuna's shafts
without flinching. He called out, "O wretch!
Send your fiercest arrows, those that are
capable of piercing to the
heart."
Arjuna
released another volley of shafts. Becoming
angry, Shiva sent back hundreds of
his own arrows. A great battle then ensued.
Showers of snake-like arrows sped back and
forth. As Arjuna countered the
hunter's arrows, he was surprised to see
that, although struck by countless shafts,
his adversary was not affected. The
Pandava (son of Pandu) increased
the force of his attack, but the hunter stood
unmoved. Seeing that he could not shake his
foe, Arjuna called out in admiration,
"Excellent! Well done!"
Arjuna
looked with wonder at the hunter. Clearly
this was not an ordinary man. No one could
withstand the force of thousands of arrows
shot from the Gandiva without being
moved. Perhaps he was a celestial.
Arjuna decided to use his mystical
weapons. No matter who this was - even if he
was a Gandharva or a Yaksha -
unless he was actually Shiva himself,
Arjuna intended to kill
him.
Arjuna
then invoked weapons which fired thousands of
arrows blazing like the sun. Shiva
cheerfully received all his shafts as a
mountain receives a downpour of rain. Then to
Arjuna's amazement he found that his
celestial quivers were suddenly exhausted.
How was that possible? Who was this who
swallowed up all his arrows? With what could
he fight now? Arjuna raised his great
bow like a club and rushed at the hunter. He
struck him a number of heavy blows, but
Shiva snatched away his bow and drew it
into his body. It simply vanished.
Arjuna then drew his sword and brought it
down upon the hunter's head with all his
strength, but it shattered to
pieces.
Arjuna
was afraid, but he continued to fight. This
time he lifted rocks and boulders and threw
them at the hunter. He tore up trees and
slung them at the hunter. Still he made no
impression. Arjuna's mouth smoked with
wrath. He rushed at his foe and pummeled him
with his fists. Shiva struck him back
and a hand-to-hand fight ensued. They struck
one another and grappled furiously, each
seizing the other and shoving him with full
force. Sparks and smoke flew from their
bodies.
Finally,
the hunter released Arjuna and he
fell back, dazed, almost unconscious.
Arjuna looked at the hunter in
astonishment. He had failed to make the least
impression on him. Surely this must be the
exalted god Shiva. No one else could
have fought with such power.
Arjuna
retreated to a distance and quickly fashioned
an image of Shiva from the earth. He
worshipped it with flowers and as he did so,
he saw flowers falling onto the hunter's
head. Now he had no doubt. This was the deity
he was seeking. Arjuna fell headlong
at the god's feet, and as he did so he felt
all his fatigue dispelled.
Shiva
was pleased with Arjuna and he spoke
to him in a voice as powerful as roaring
clouds. "O Phalguni, today you have
satisfied me. There is no warrior equal to
you in courage or patience. O best of the
Bharata race, your strength is
practically equal to mine. You were formerly
a rishi and have now taken birth to serve the
Supreme Lord's purposes. Soon you will
acquire weapons with which to defeat your
enemies; even if they be celestials. I shall
bestow upon you my own irresistible weapon.
Now I will give you the eyes to see me in my
original form. Behold!"
Arjuna
looked up and saw Shiva with his
three eyes, holding a trident, a divine
serpent draped around his bluish neck. Arjuna
bowed down and prayed, "O great god, O highly
exalted one, you are the refuge of all the
celestials. The very universe has sprung from
you. You are Vishnu in a different
form and are unconquerable by gods, demons or
men. O Sankara, pray forgive me. It
was only to receive your audience that I came
to this mountain. Please pardon me for my
rashness in fighting with you. I seek your
protection."
Shiva
lifted Arjuna to his feet and
embraced the Pandava. "I have pardoned
you. You are Nara, the friend of
Narayana. Previously you two chastised
the demon hordes at Indra's
coronation. Krishna is that supreme
Narayana, and with him you will again
punish the wicked. O Partha, take back
your Gandiva bow. Your quivers will
again become inexhaustible. There is no man
on earth equal to you. Ask from me whatever
you desire."
Shiva
handed the Gandiva bow to
Arjuna and Arjuna said, "O lord,
if you are pleased with me, then I humbly ask
that you bestow upon me your irresistible
personal weapon known as the
Pashupata. You destroy the universe
with this weapon at the end of creation, and
with it I may be victorious over
Rakshasas, Danavas,
Gandharvas (a class of celestial),
Nagas, ghosts and spirits. It will
enable me to emerge successfully from the
battle I shall fight against Bhishma,
Drona, Kripa, and the son of
the suta, Karna.
Shiva
replied, "O son of Kunti, I will give
you this weapon. You are capable of holding,
throwing, and withdrawing it. Not even
Indra, Yama, Kuvera, or
Varuna knows the mantras to this
weapon - what to speak of any Man. However,
you must use it only against celestial
fighters. The Pashupata should never
be released at lesser enemies or else it may
destroy the creation. This weapon is
discharged by the mind, eyes, words, or a
bow. No one in the three worlds of moving or
nonmoving creatures can withstand its
force."
Arjuna
then bathed for purification and stood
before Shiva to receive the mantras.
The god gave his weapon to Arjuna and
it then waited upon him just as it waited
upon Shiva himself. When the
celestials saw the fearful weapon standing in
its embodied form by Arjuna's side,
the earth trembled and terrible winds blew in
all directions. Thousands of conches and
trumpets were heard resounding in the sky.
Shiva said, "Now go to heaven and
receive Indra's weapons." He then
departed with Uma and his many
followers. [See
also Srîmad Bhâgavatam, Canto 1,
Chapter 15, verse
12]
***
*** ***
When
Shiva was gone, Arjuna stood for
a few moments gazing at the sky, awed by what
had just transpired. He had seen the god of
gods. The unknowable deity had touched him
with his own hand. Arjuna now
considered his enemies already vanquished and
his ends accomplished. He possessed
Shiva's irresistible weapon. Although
he could not discharge the Pashupata
at human foes, its very possession made him
feel invincible.
While
Arjuna stood absorbed in thought,
Varuna appeared before him accompanied by
the rivers personified and many Nagas,
Siddhas and other lesser gods.
Kuvera was also in attendance, his body
resembling pure gold and seated upon a
splendid chariot. Kuvera was
accompanied by countless Yakshas. They
stood before Arjuna, illuminating
everything with their bodily effulgence.
Arjuna also saw in the sky the god of
justice, Yamaraja, approaching on his
chariot with mace in hand and flanked by the
personified forms of Death and
Time.
On a nearby
mountain summit, Arjuna saw
Indra and his queen Sachi seated
on the back of the celestial elephant
Airavata and appearing like the rising
sun. A white umbrella was being held over his
head and he was surrounded by
Gandharvas and rishis, who were
eulogizing him with Vedic
hymns.
Arjuna
chanted numerous prayers in praise of the
gods and offered them fruits and water. As he
stood gazing in amazement, Yamaraja
spoke, his voice as deep as autumnal rain
clouds. "Behold, O Arjuna, that all
the world's protectors, the Lokapalas
(a universal protector, of which there are
four: Indra, Yamaraja, Kuvera and
Varuna), have come here. We shall
bestow upon you divine eyes. O sinless one,
you were formerly the rishi Nara. At
Brahma's behest, you have taken your
birth as a mortal. You shall vanquish in
battle the powerful Bhishma and the
many other fierce warriors headed by
Drona. The enemies of the gods,
Daityas (celestial demons and enemies of
the gods) and Danavas, have taken
their birth in the world of men. These shall
all be slain in a great battle in which you
will play the main role. Your fame on earth
shall be eternal."
Yamaraja
offered his personal weapon, a celestial
mace, to Arjuna. The Pandava
received the weapon along with the mantras
for hurling and withdrawing it. After that,
Varuna gave Arjuna his
inescapable Nagapasha nooses.
Arjuna also received Kuvera's
weapon, the Antardhana, which could
baffle and render unconscious even mighty
Asuras (celestial demon). Then
Indra spoke: "O subduer of enemies, you
shall perform a great work for the gods. Now
you must ascend to heaven. There I will give
you my own weapon and other irresistible
astras belonging to the celestials. My
chariot, driven by my servant Matali,
will soon carry you there."
The
Lokapalas then vanished, leaving
Arjuna alone. As he looked up, he saw
what appeared to be a second sun gradually
increasing in brilliance in the sky. The
whole region vibrated as the radiance
increased. Arjuna realized that this
was Indra's chariot descending to
earth. The chariot was huge, and it was drawn
by ten thousand celestial horses of greenish
and golden hue. Matali, in golden
armor, was holding the reins. As the chariot
approached, Arjuna could see upon it
innumerable swords and maces, as well as all
kinds of missiles. Axes, darts, lances, and
spears of every kind were placed all around
the chariot. Celestial thunderbolts and
brilliant lightning bolts glowed from its
sides. Huge-bodied, fierce Nagas with
fiery mouths were seated on the chariot,
along with great silver canons furnished with
wheels and capable of sending celestial
missiles a vast distance.
Arjuna
saw Indra's dark blue flagstaff,
the Vaijayanta, standing in the middle
of the chariot as straight as a bamboo and as
tall as a great palm tree. Then the chariot
halted and Matali stood before
Arjuna. Bowing low, he said, "O
fortunate one, I have been instructed to take
you to Shakra. Your father, encircled
by the celestials, rishis, Gandharvas
and Apsaras, wishes to see you in
heaven. Shiva has also ordered me.
Ascend this chariot and come to the heavenly
regions."
Arjuna
again bathed for purification, then offered
prayers to Mount Mandara: "O king of
mountains, you are the refuge of pious sages
seeking heaven. You have sheltered me and I
have lived here happily. I offer you my
thanks and bid you farewell." With that,
Matali led Arjuna to a flight of
crystal steps leading up to the
chariot.
Matali
urged the steeds which drew the chariot with
the speed of the mind high into the sky. As
they entered the celestial regions,
Arjuna saw thousands of wondrous chariots
carrying shining beings of great beauty. He
saw kings and warriors who had been slain in
battle and had attained effulgent celestial
forms. As they moved along the paths of the
gods, Arjuna saw Siddhas,
Charanas, rishis, Guhyakas and
Apsaras. The region glowed with a
brilliance born of the ascetic merits of such
beings. Amazed, Arjuna inquired into their
identities. The charioteer replied, "These
are pious persons, O son of Kunti, stationed
in their respective spheres. You have seen
their shining abodes from the earth as stars
in the firmament."
The chariot
passed through the gate of Indra's
planet, where Arjuna saw
Airavata, the great white elephant
with four tusks. The elephant resembled Mount
Kailash with its four summits.
Passing through divine regions meant for
pious men who had performed great sacrifices
and asceticism, they arrived at last in
Amaravati, Indra's capital
city.
Arjuna
gazed with wide open eyes at the astonishing
city [See:
SB 5:21-7].
Flowers from all the seasons bloomed
simultaneously, and there were groves of
sacred trees. Fragrant breezes moved among
their golden leaves, creating cascades of
brilliant light. Countless mansions and
palaces stretched into the distance.
Arjuna saw the famous Nandana
gardens, in which the gods sported with
Apsaras.
"Those who
turn their backs in battle can never see this
place," Matali said, seeing
Arjuna's amazement. "Neither can those
who are wicked-minded, who have not performed
sacrifice, who have not abstained from liquor
and meat, who have not bathed in holy rivers
nor given charity to brahmins ever reach this
abode."
As they
proceeded through the city, Arjuna
beheld celestial cars traveling by the
occupants' wills. Gandharvas and
Apsaras eulogized Arjuna as he
passed. He heard the sound of celestial music
and of thousands of conchshells and drums.
Arjuna entered Indra's
magnificent assembly hall and met with the
Sadhyas (a class of celestial),
Maruts (a class of celestial usually
associated with the wind-god)
Vishvadevas, and twin Ashvinis.
He saw the Adityas, Vasus,
Rudras and the many royal saints headed
by King Dilipa. Narada Rishi
was also present along with the
Gandharva leader,
Tumbaru.
After
offering his respects to the assembled
personalities, Arjuna approached his
father, the king of the gods. Indra
was seated beneath his white umbrella and was
being fanned by golden-handled and perfumed
chamaras (a hand-held whisk made from
yak's tail and used for fanning respectable
persons). Many pure brahmins praised him with
hymns from the Rig and Yajur
Vedas, and the Gandharvas and
Charanas played celestial instruments
of all descriptions for his
pleasure.
Arjuna
prostrated himself before Indra,
who got down from his throne and embraced
him. The thousand-eyed god took
Arjuna by the hand and led him back up
the flight of golden steps to his bejeweled
throne. Indra then had his son sit
next to him on the throne, where he shone
like a second Indra. With his perfumed hand,
Indra affectionately stroked
Arjuna's head. Out of love,
Indra gently patted and rubbed his arms,
which were like gold columns. The deity gazed
without satiation at his son's face. Seated
together on the throne, Arjuna and
Indra appeared like the sun and the
moon together in a clear
sky.
Indra
gave Arjuna the celestial sight to
perceive Amaravati's divine beauty.
The city was unimaginably opulent. The
Pandava looked around at the numerous
effulgent rishis who sat reciting sacred
texts from the Vedas. Groups of
Gandharvas headed by Tumbaru sang
hymns in voices which entirely captivated the
mind. As they sang, Apsaras performed
exquisite dances full of gestures and
sidelong glances. They shook their breasts
and moved their broad hips.
The
celestials offered Arjuna the sacred
arghya (a drink offering made to
respectable persons consisting of honey, milk
and ghee) and washed his feet. At
Indra's command, Arjuna was
then escorted to Indra's palace.
Arjuna took up residence there and
Indra instructed him in how to use the
celestial weapons, and especially the
irresistible thunderbolt weapon,
Vajra, and Indra's powerful
lightning flashes.
Although
living amid splendor and opulence,
Arjuna could not forget his brothers in
the forest, and he longed to return to them.
Whenever he thought of his brothers, he also
remembered the circumstances that had brought
them to the forest, and he remembered
Shakuni, Dushashana,
Duryodhana and Karna. Arjuna
had no peace. As he was equipped with
one powerful weapon after another, he thought
only of the inevitable battle that would take
place in the future. No one would be able to
stand against him now. Those wicked-minded
men would be punished. Draupadi would
be avenged and Yudhisthira's kingdom
would be recovered.
When
Arjuna had become adept at using all the
weapons, Indra told him, "You should
go to your friend Chitrasena and
learn singing and dancing from him. He can
teach you such music that does not exist in
the world of men and is known only to the
celestials. This knowledge will prove useful
to you in the future."
Arjuna
thus learned the Gandharva skills.
The Pandava did not know why
Indra had requested him to study such
subjects, but he was sure the god could see
by divine intelligence that such knowledge
would surely be helpful in the
future.
Arjuna
lived in Amaravati for five years,
thinking always of his brothers. As the time
for him to leave approached, Indra
summoned Chitrasena and spoke with him
in private. "O chief of the
Gandharvas, I have seen Arjuna
casting glances at Urvashi. Go to her
and have her wait upon the Pandava
with all her feminine graces and skills. As
you have taught him all the arts of music, so
now you should teach him the art of
associating with women."
Chitrasena
said, "So be it," and went at once to
Urvashi and described Arjuna's
many virtues.
"O lady of
fair hips, know that I have come here on
Indra's command to ask from you a
favor. There is one now living in heaven who
is renowned among men for his grace,
behavior, beauty, vows and self-control. He
is famous for his might and his prowess, and
he is respected by the pious. He is also
endowed with presence of mind, is a genius,
and possesses great energy. That mighty hero
is forgiving and without malice. He knows all
the Vedas with their many branches,
is devoted to his elders, is never boastful,
sees even small things as if they were
important, and is always the shelter of his
dependents. His name is Arjuna, and
his father Indra brought him to
heaven. O blessed lady, Arjuna seems
inclined toward you. Please go to him and
allow him to obtain you."
Urvashi
cheerfully replied, "Having heard of
Arjuna's virtues, how could I fail to
be attracted? Indeed, thinking of that hero I
am already stricken by the god of love. O
Chitrasena, go now wherever you like
and I shall go to him."
Having
succeeded in his mission, the Gandharva
left. Urvashi then prepared to
meet Arjuna. She bathed and smeared
her body with perfumed unguents. Dressing
with layers of diaphanous silks, she adorned
herself with jewels and gold ornaments, as
well as fragrant garlands of brightly colored
flowers. She was absorbed in thoughts of
Arjuna and her heart was pierced with
Cupid's arrows. Inflamed by desire,
she imagined herself lying with
Arjuna on a soft, wide bed laid over with
silk sheets.
Setting out
at a time when the moon began to rise, the
thin-waisted Urvashi went toward
Arjuna's abode. As she walked, her
long black braids, which she had decorated
with bunches of flowers, swung around her
beautiful white face. Her two finely tapering
breasts, adorned with a string of diamonds
and pearls and smeared with fragrant
sandalwood paste, trembled as she walked
gracefully through the gardens. Her high,
round hips, covered with thin cloth and
decked with golden chains, moved from side to
side. The rows of golden bells around her
ankles tinkled gently. She defied the
splendor of the full moon and was quite
capable of breaking the vows of great
ascetics. Exhilarated by the little liquor
she had drunk and full of desire, she cast
glances from side to side and seemed even
more alluring. Seeing her pass, the
Siddhas and Charanas considered
her the finest sight in heaven. She soon
arrived at Arjuna's door and sent word
to him through the
doorkeeper.
Arjuna
immediately invited her into his house. He
was anxious that the goddess had come to see
him at night. Seeing her incomparable beauty
he closed his eyes out of modesty.
Arjuna worshipped her as if she were his
superior and said, "O foremost of
Apsaras, I bow down to you. What is
your command? I am your
servant."
Hearing his
words, Urvashi was overjoyed. Her
voice rang out like tinkling bells. "O best
of men, I will tell you what brings me here.
When you first came to heaven, a large
assembly was convened during which we
celebrated your arrival. All the gods and
celestials were present, and you were seated
by Shakra's side. You saw me then,
dancing in the midst of the chief
Apsaras. Your gaze rested upon me for
some moments and Indra noticed your
attentions. Thus he has sent me here through
Chitrasena. I have come to wait upon
you, O hero. My heart is stolen by your
virtues and I am under the control of
Kamadeva. This is my wish: let me possess
you tonight."
Arjuna
at once covered his ears in shame. "O blessed
lady, O most charming one, it is not proper
for me to hear you speak such words. You are
the wife of my superior. As the
illustrious Kunti or the beautiful
Sachi, Indra's consort, is to
me, so too are you, O goddess. Do not doubt
what I say. O lady of sweet smiles, I did
indeed gaze upon you, but not out of desire.
There was quite another
reason."
Arjuna
had heard of Urvashi while at home on
the earth. Thousands of years previously she
had become Pururava's wife, who was
one of Arjuna's ancestors. It was her
son who had been the forefather of
Arjuna's dynasty. Arjuna told
Urvashi that he thus felt quite
unable to make her his lover. "O blessed one,
when I gazed at you I was simply amazed to
see the mother of my dynasty. You should not
entertain any other feeling for me than that
of your son.
Urvashi
smiled. "O son of Indra, we of the
heavenly realms are not fettered by human
morality. You need not see me as a superior.
I have sported with other sons and grandsons
of the Puru dynasty without incurring
sin. Be favorable toward me. I am burning
with desire and feel devoted to you. Do not
reject me, for that is not the practice of
virtuous men."
But
Arjuna could not change his attitude. "O
beautiful lady, hear what I tell you and let
the four directions and all the celestials
also hear. You are no different to me than
Kunti, Madri or Sachi.
I bow my head to you as my mother. Please
protect me as your son."
After
Arjuna had spoken in this way, it was
clear to Urvashi that he was firm in
his determination. Rejected and insulted, she
became angry. With knitted brows and
quivering lips, she exclaimed, "As you insult
a woman who has come to you at your father's
command and out of her own desire - a woman
pierced by Cupid's arrow - you shall
lose your manhood and live as a dancer in the
company of women. O Arjuna, you shall
become a eunuch and lose all
respect."
With that,
Urvashi turned and left
Arjuna.
Arjuna
thought carefully. Surely Indra must
have known that this would happen. Why then
had he asked Chitrasena to send
Urvashi to him? Arjuna went at
once to Chitrasena and told him what
had transpired, repeatedly mentioning the
curse. Chitrasena then went to
Indra and informed him of the
situation. Indra called for
Arjuna and spoke to him in
private.
"O best of
men, because you are her son, Kunti
is the most glorious mother. You have
defeated even the rishis by your self-control
and patience. Do not worry. Urvashi's
curse will be for your good and will prove
useful. You will need to pass your final year
of exile incognito. At that time,
Urvashi's curse will take effect and,
living as a eunuch, no one shall
discover you. Having passed one year without
your manhood, you shall regain it at the end
of that period."
Arjuna
was relieved. The Pandava then
stopped worrying about the curse and
continued to live happily in the heavens with
his father and
Chitrasena.