इन्द्र-सभा का दर्शन

Vaishampayana said : He saw the beautiful city resorted to by Siddhas and Charanas, filled with flowers of all seasons and adorned with sacred trees.

Here as if fanned by the fragrant breezes charged with the fragrance of sweet scented flowers and invited by the celestials flowers and trees he saw the celestials garden Nandana resorted to by the Apsaras.

None but those who have gone through devout penances and poured libations on fire, could behold it; that region was for the performers of pious deeds and not for them who had turned their back on the field of battle.

(It was not to be seen) by them who had not celebrated sacrifices observed rigid penances or who had been divorced from the Vedas and Shrutis or who had not bathed in sacred waters who had not been distinguished for sacrifices and gifts.

Those, who had put obstacles in the performance of sacrifices, who were mean, who were addicted to drinking, who had violated the preceptor's bed, who had taken or or meat and who were wicked-minded, were not capable of seeing it.

Beholding that celestials garden resounding with celestials music that mighty-armed hero entered the beloved city of Shakra.

He beheld their thousands of celestials cars coursing at will stationed in their proper places and Ayutas of such moving every where. The son of Pandu was eulogised by Gandharvas and Apsaras and fanned by the delightful wind carrying the fragrance of flowers.

Thereupon the celestials, accompanied by Gandharvas, Siddhas and great Rishis, delighted, adored the son of Pritha of unwearied actions.

He (adored) by benedictions accompanied by the sounds of celestials music; the mighty-armed hero heard (on all sides) the music of conchs and drums. Eulogised on all sides and commanded by Indra, the son of Pritha went to that large and extensive starry way named Surabhithi (probably the milk way).

There he met with Sadhyas, Vishvas, the Maruts, the twin Ashvins, the Adityas, the was Vasus, the Rudras and the pure Brahmana saints. Many a royal saint, many kings headed by the king Dilipa, Tumbaru, Narada and the two Gandharvas named Haha and Huhu.

Having duly saluted them all, that descendant of Kuru, the slayer of enemies, beheld the king of celestials, the performer of hundred sacrifices.

Thereupon descending from the excellent car, the mighty-armed son of Pritha, saw his father, the king of gods and the chastiser of Paka.

A beautiful white umbrella having a golden staff, was held over his head; he was fanned by a chamara perfumed with celestials fragrance.

He was eulogised by many Gandharvas headed by Vishvavasu and others, by bards and singers and leading Brahmanas chanting Rig and Yaju hymns.

Thereupon approaching him the powerful son of Kunti saluted him bending his head low; he (Indra) too embraced him with his round and plump arms.

Taking him by hand Shakra made him sit on a portion of his own sacred seat resorted to by the celestials and Rishis.

Smelling his head bent low in humility, the king of gods, the slayer of hostile heroes, made him sit on his lap.

Seated on Shakra's seat, at the command of the thousand-eyed deity, the son of Pritha, of immeasurable prowess appeared like the second Vasava (Indra).

Thereupon consoling him and out of affection, the enemy of Vritra touched the beautiful face of Arjuna with his perfumed hands.

Patting and gently rubbing again and again with his own hands which bore the marks of the thunder-bolt the handsome and large arms of Arjuna like two golden columns and hard on account of drawing bow-string and arrows, the wielder of thunderbolt began to console him.

Seeing the smiling Gudakesha (Arjuna) the thousand-eyed deity, the slayer of Vritra, with his eyes expanded with delight, seemed not to be gratified.

Seated on one seat, they beautified the assembly like the sun and moon beautifying the sky on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight.

Gandharvas headed by Tumbaru, skilled in music sacred and profane, sang hymns in sweet and melodious notes.

Ghritachi, Menaka, Rambha, Purvachithi, Sayamprabha, Urvashi, Misrakeshi, Dandagauri, Varuthini, Gopali, Sahajanya, Kumbhayoni, Prajagara, Chitrasena, Chitralekha, Saha, Saha, Madhurasvara, these and thousands of others having lotus-eyes, engaged in captivating the minds of the sages of accomplished piety, danced there. Having slim waists and fair, large hips they began to make various gestures shaking their breasts, casting their side-long looks and displaying other motions capable of captivating heart and mind of the spectators.