Mahabharata in Prose – Part 36B(continued..)
(A narrative from the Dvapara Yuga based on the Odia Sarala Mahabharata, translated and expanded into English prose
by Lokanath Mishra)
A gentle and pure smile shone upon the face of the three-eyed Lord, Shiva (Trilochana). With a calm and affectionate voice he called out to the fallen warrior:
“Rise, rise, Arjuna! I was only testing you. In heaven, on earth, and even in the netherworld, everyone now proclaims that the mightiest archer in the three worlds is Dhananjaya. Today I wished to see for myself whether the fame of this warrior known as Kiriti is truly justified. I desired to test your courage, strength, and heroic spirit.”
At that moment Mother Parvati, also known as Gauri, spoke with tenderness:
“He has now placed us in the position of his parents. From today onward, he shall be considered my son. If you intend to grant him a boon, you must first purify yourself. Nearby flows the sacred river Kashi. Go there and bathe. If a boon is granted while one remains in a state of ritual impurity, it will not bear fruit.”
Hearing this, the Lord of Kashi went to the holy river to bathe and perform purification rites.
When he had departed, Mother Bhavani turned affectionately toward Arjuna and asked,
“My child Partha, what boon will you ask from the Lord?”
Arjuna bowed his head humbly and replied,
“Mother, I have already committed an offense by unknowingly opposing the Lord in battle. I therefore have no right to ask for any boon. If the Lord himself graciously offers me something, I do not even possess the wisdom to know what I should ask for. But I have faith that my mother will guide me.”
Hearing these humble words, Parvati smiled.
“Well done, Arjuna! You have learned to speak wisely. Listen carefully. Long ago, when Maheshwara fought the terrible demon Tripurasura, the battle continued for many days. Despite using numerous divine weapons, he could not defeat the demon.
At that time the great powers of the gods—Hari, Hara, the Moon, the Sun, the Wind, and Fire—combined their energies to create a supreme weapon. That weapon came to be known as the Pashupata Astra. With that mighty missile the fierce demon Tripura was finally destroyed.
If that powerful weapon remains in your possession, you will have nothing to fear from any enemy. Look—here comes the wielder of the trident, Lord Shulapani. My son, ask him for that unfailing divine weapon.”
Soon after finishing his ritual bath, Lord Maheshwara returned.
Arjuna immediately bowed down on his knees with deep reverence and said:
“O Lord Tripurantaka, the destroyer of Tripura! The weapon with which you annihilated the demon Tripura—please grant that great weapon, the Pashupata, to me.”
Lord Sadashiva had little choice now. With divine grace he placed his most beloved weapon, the Pashupata Astra, into the hands of Arjuna.
Yet Shiva clearly understood how Arjuna had come to know about such a secret weapon. There was no doubt in his mind that Mother Ambika, moved by maternal affection, had revealed this knowledge to her adopted son.
Inwardly the innocent Lord Bhola Nath smiled and thought,
“So! You have persuaded me to give away my most powerful weapon. But I shall not let you go so easily.”
Then he spoke aloud to Parvati:
“You are now his mother. You too should give him a boon. Go first and wash your hands and feet in the river.”
The goddess Girija immediately understood her husband’s intention, but she had no alternative. She left to perform the ritual purification.
When she departed, Lord Shiva turned to Arjuna and asked,
“Tell me, Phalguni, what boon will you ask from your mother?”
Arjuna replied with folded hands,
“How would I know, Lord? Will my father not guide me?”
Mahadeva then spoke:
“In the ancient age of Satya Yuga, during the fierce battle between the Goddess and the demon Mahishasura, the war lasted for a very long time. Day and night arrows rained continuously from both sides. At one point the arrows in the quiver of Mahamaya were exhausted.
At that moment the divine powers of all the gods were concentrated in your mother’s body. In the midst of the battlefield she created, from her own divine energy, an Akshaya Tunira—an inexhaustible quiver. No matter how many arrows were drawn from it, it could never become empty.
Ask your mother for that divine quiver. In the future it will be of immense use to you.”
Before Shiva could finish speaking, Parvati returned.
Arjuna bowed and prayed,
“O compassionate Mother, if you truly wish to grant me something, then please bless me with the divine Akshaya Tunira.”
Goddess Durga smiled and replied:
“Your wish shall certainly be fulfilled. But tell me, who gave you the wisdom to ask for such a boon?”
Just then Lord Shiva stepped forward and said playfully,
“And who do you think gave him the wisdom to ask for the Pashupata Astra?”
Both of them burst into laughter.
Parvati then said affectionately:
“We have now given him each of our greatest weapons. From this moment onward, even Pashupati himself would find it difficult to face Arjuna in battle.
O Savyasachi! This quiver contains the power of all the weapons of the gods. Because you possess the worthiness and discipline required to wield these divine gifts, we did not hesitate to grant them to you.”
Arjuna bowed deeply and said with humility,
“Mother, I will never misuse these priceless gifts you have bestowed upon me. Please remain assured.”
Receiving these two supreme blessings—the Pashupata Astra from Shiva and the Akshaya Tunira from Parvati—Arjuna bowed repeatedly at their feet in gratitude.
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati blessed him warmly. Then the divine couple departed for their celestial abode, Mount Kailash.
(To be continued…)
My Visit to Maa Chhinnamastika Temple
The Sun God
Mahabharata in Prose (Part–36A)