The departure of Indra and other deities

Vaishampayana said : The wielder of Pinaka, having the bull for his emblem, then disappeared before the gazing son of Pandu like the sun setting in the sight of the world.

O descendant of Bharata, thereupon Arjuna, the slayer of hostile heroes, wondered much at it, saying, "O I have seen the great god of gods.

Fortunate and favoured am I for I have both seen and touched with my hand the three-eyed Hara, the wielder of Pinaka in his boon giving form.

I consider myself greatly blessed; I have already vanquished all my enemies in battle and my object has been accomplished.”

While Partha, of incomparable prowess, was thus meditating, there came the effulgent lord of waters, brilliant like Vaidurya, dazzling all the quarters and accompanied by aquatic animals.

Accompanied by rivers both male and female, Nagas, Daityas, Siddhas and inferior deities, the self-possessed Varuna, the lord of waters, arrived there.

There came also the lord Kubera, having a body resembling pure gold, seated on a highly splendid car and accompanied by numberless Yakshas.

The effulgent lord of wealth, most wonderfully beautiful, came there to see Arjuna illuminating the the sky with his effulgence.

As also (came) the graceful and powerful Yama, the destroyer of the worlds accompanied by the lords of creations, the manes, both embodied and disembodied.

The god of justice, the son of Vivasvat, whose soul cannot be meditated upon and who is the destroyer of all creatures, came there in his chariot, mace in hand, lighting the three worlds, with the regions of Guhyakas, Gandharvas and the Nagas like a second sun at the end of a Yuga.

They beheld there from the shinning and variegated summits of the mountains Arjuna engaged in devout penances.

Immediately came there also the great Shakra accompanied by his queen, seated on the back of Airavata and encircled by all the celestials.

And the white umbrella being held over his head he shone like the moon in the midst of fleecy clouds.

Eulogised by Gandharvas and greatly ascetic Rishis, he, attaining to a summit of a mountain, stood there like the rising sun.

Thereupon the highly intelligent and pious Yama, having voice deep as the muttering of clouds, who was stationed on the southern (summit) gave vent to the following auspicious words.

"Behold, O Arjuna, all the protectors of the world have come here; we will give you vision for you are worthy of seeing us. You were in your former life a highly powerful Rishi of immeasurable mental caliber named Nara; by the behest of Brahma, O son, you have been born as a mortal.

O sinless one, by you shall be vanquished in battle the highly virtuous and powerful grandsire Bhishma, born of Vasus. (You shall also defeat) Kshatriyas of fiery energy protected by the son of Baradvaja as also the highly powerful Danavas who have been born among men. The Danavas named Nivatakavachas, O descendant of Kuru; and the highly powerful Karna, who is a portion of my father who lights all the regions, shall be slain by you.

O Dhananjaya; the portions of the celestials, Danavas and Rakshasas who have been born on earth. Shall be slain by you in battle; O son of Kunti, O slayer of foes, they shall attain to regions as destined by their acts.

O Falguni; your game shall remain eternal on the earth; you have pleased Mahadeva himself in encounter.

The earth shall be lightened of her burden by you along with Vishnu; O large-armed hero, accept this weapon of mine-this mace, incapable of being baffled and with it you will accomplish great deeds.

O descendant of Kuru, the son of Pritha received that weapon duly along with Mantras and rites and the means of hurling and withdrawing it.

Thereupon stationed in the western quarter, Varuna, the lord of waters and yellow as the clouds gave vent to the following words.

"O Partha, you are the foremost of Kshatriyas and observe the duties of the Kshatriyas; behold me, O you having coppery eyes, I am Varuna, the lord of waters.

When discharged by me my nooses are incapable of being resisted; accept from me, O son of Kunti, these Varuni weapons, along with the means of discharging and withdrawing them.

O hero, in the battle on account of Taraka, with these (weapons) thousands of powerful Daityas were bound by me.

O you of great energy, accept all these from me, as given to you out of favour; even if Death be your enemy he will not be able to escape from you.

When armed with this you will range in the battle-field, forsooth the earth shall be devoid of Kshatriyas.

Vaishampayana said : After the celestials weapons had been given away by both Varuna and Yama, the lord of wealth having his abode on the summit of Kailasa thus said, “O wise and highly powerful son of Pandu, I am pleased with you; and meeting with you is tantamount to that with Ajita.

O you who hold the bow with your left hand, O mighty-armed one, O you who were a god before, O eternal one, in the days of yore you were always tired with devout penances along with us. O best of men, I shall grant you celestials vision, by which, O mighty-armed hero, you shall conquer the invincible Daityas and Danavas.

Take from me immediately an excellent weapon by which you shall be able to burn done the soldiers of the son of Dhritarashtra.

Take this favourite weapon of mine called Antardhana; this effulgent, mighty and powerful weapon is capable of sending the enemy to sleep.

When Tripura was slain by the high-souled Shankara this weapon was discharged by which many a mighty Asura were consumed.

O you of invincible prowess, this has been taken up by me to give you; O you gifted with the dignity of Meru, you are capable of holding this weapon." son

Thereupon the mighty-armed and the highly powerful descendant of Kuru, Arjuna duly received that celestials weapon of Kubera.

Thereupon consoling, Pritha's of unwearied action, in sweet words, the king of the celestials, having a voice like the sound of clouds of kettle-drum, said,

"O mighty-armed son of Kunti, you are the ancient Ishana; you have already attained to the highest success and dignity of a god.

O subduer of enemies, you of great effulgence, a great work for gods should be performed by you; you are to ascend heaven, prepare yourself.

The car, having Matali as its charioteer, shall come down to the earth for you; O Kaurava, I shall give you these celestials weapons."

Beholding all the protectors of the world assembled on the summit of the mountain, the intelligent son of Kunti, Dhananjaya, was amazed.

Thereupon the highly effulgent Arjuna duly worshipped the assembled protectors with words, water and fruits.

Honouring Dhananjaya in return the celestials went back; all the deities capable of coursing at will went back from where they came.

Thereupon having obtained that weapon that best of men, Arjuna attained to delight; he then considered himself blessed and as having his desire fulfilled.