लोमशको आगमन

Vaishampayana said : One day the great Rishi Lomasha, in the course of his wanderings, went to the abode of Shakra (Indra) with the intention of seeing Purandara (Indra). Having come to him, the great Rishi bowed to the king of the celestials. He saw that the son of Pandu (Arjuna) occupying the half of the seat of Vasava (Indra).

Having been worshipped by the great Rishis, that best of the twice-born sat at the . desire of Shakra (Indra) on an excellent seat.

Seeing Arjuna seated on the seat of Indra, he pondered as to how Partha had attained to the seat of Shakra, he being (but) a Kshatriya.

What act of merit had been performed by him and what regions had been conquered by him that he had obtained a seat which was worshipped by the celestials themselves?

Having known his thoughts, the slayer of Vritra, Shakra, the husband of Sachi, smilingly spoke these words to Lomasha.

Indra said: O Brahmarshi, hear all about what is now passing in your mind. This one (Arjuna) is not a mortal, though he has taken his birth among men.

O great Rishi, this mighty-armed hero is my son, born (in the womb) of Kunti. He has come here to obtain weapons. For what wonderful reason. Alas, you do not recognise him as the excellent Rishi of old! O Brahmana, listen to me, I shall tell you who he is and for what reason he has come here.

Know, those two excellent and ancient Rishis, known by the name of Nara and Narayana, are none else than Hrishikesha (Krishna) and Dhananjaya (Arjuna).

The Rishis Nara and Narayana are renowned all over the three worlds; they have descended (on earth) for the accomplishment of certain purpose on earth, which is the region for the acquisition of virtue.

The sacred hermitage, which even the celestials and the high-souled Rishis adore, which is known by the name of Badarika, which is situate at the source of the Ganges and which is frequented by the Siddhas and the Charanas, O Brahmana, was the abode of Vishnu (Krishna) and Jishnu (Arjuna).

O Brahmarshi, those two effulgent ones have at my request taken their birth on earth. Those two greatly powerful ones will remove the burden of the earth.

Besides, there are certain Asuras, called Nivatkavachas who, being proud of the boon they have acquired, are (now) engaged in doing us injuries.

Proud of their great prowess, they are planning the destruction of the celestials, for having received the boon, they do not at all regard the celestials.

Those fearful and greatly powerful sons of Dano live in the nether regions. Even all the celestials put together are in capable of fighting with them. The blessed Vishnu, the slayer of Madhu, he who was known on earth as Kapila,

O exalted one, who destroyed by his glance alone the high-souled sons of Sagara when they came roaring towards him, that illustrious and invincible.

O foremost of Brahmanas, Hari (Krishna) is capable alone or with Partha both together, of doing us a great good in a great battle. There is no doubt about it.

Like the snakes in a great lake he (Krishna) is capable of destroying at the very first sight all those Asuras, the Nivatkavachas, with all their followers.

But the slayer of Madhu should not be requested to perform an insignificant task. He can consume the Universe by the great mass of his effulgence, if he minds to increase it.

This one (Arjuna) also is quite competent to fight with them all. This hero, having destroyed them all in a battle, will again go back to the earth.

At my request go back to the earth. You will find the heroic Yudhishthira living in the Kamyaka (forest).

On my behalf tell that invincible and virtuous hero that he should not be anxious for Falguni. He will soon return acquiring all weapons.

For without the sacred prowess of arms and without the skill in weapons and in war, he will not be able to meet Bhishma, Drona and others in battle. Tell him.

That the high-minded and the mighty-armed Gudakesha Arjuna has acquired all weapons and has mastered the arts of celestials dancing and vocal and instrumental music.

(You should also tell him) saying, “O foremost of men, O chastiser of foes, you too with all your brothers should see the various sacred shrines. O king of kings, having bathed in various sacred waters, you will be cleansed of your sins and the fever of your heart will abate. You will then be able to enjoy your kingdom in happiness."

O best of Brahmanas, O foremost of the twice-born, endued with the prowess of asceticism, you should protect him (Yudhishthira) in his wandering over the earth.

Fearful Rakshasas always live in mountain passes and in rugged steppes. Protect him from them.

Vaishampayana said : Having been thus addressed by Mahendra, Vibhatsu also spoke to Lomasha with all reverence, saying, “Protect the son of Pandu (Yudhishthira).

O excellent man, O great Rishi, let the king, protected by you, visit the various sacred shrines and give away (much wealth) to the Brahmanas in charity."

The greatly ascetic Lomasha, saying, “Be it So," went to the earth with the intention of going to the Kamyaka forest.

He saw there the son of Kunti, that chastiser of foes, Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) surrounded by the ascetics and by his brothers.