Mahabharata – 195
by
Sankar Mukherjee
&
Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
Aadivamsavatarana Parva
Birth of Arjuna
After the birth of Bhima, Pandu again began to think ---How am I to get a very heroic son who will be greatest prowess in the globe. Every, thing in the world depends on destiny and manliness. But destiny can never be successful except by timely manliness. We have
heard that Indra is the chief of the gods and the kings. Indeed, he is endowed with immeasurable might and energy and prowess and glory. Satisfying him with my asceticism, I shall obtain from him a son of great strength. The son, he will give me,must be the superior to
all.And he will be capable of defeating in battle all men and creatures including demons.I shall, therefore, practice the severest austerities, with heart, deed and speech. After this Pandu, counseling with the great rishis asked Kunti to observe an auspicious vow for one full year. Pandu himself practiced severe austerities with deep concentration. He used to stand upon one leg from morning to evening, to satisfy the lord of the gods.
After a long time Indra being satisfied with Pandu’s devotion showed up and said to Pandu ---I shall give you,a son who will be famous all over the three worlds. He will protect the kingdom. He will be engaged in doing good to the Brahmanas, cows and friends. The son I shall give you will thrash the wicked. He will be the cause of joy of friends and relatives. Foremost of all men, he will be an irresistible slayer of all foes. Saying this Indra left the place in a
flash.
Remembering the words of the king of the gods the virtuous Pandu said to Kunti, Oh fortunate one! The king of the gods has been satisfied. Therefore our mission will become successful . And the result will be excellent. Indra the king of gods is willing to give us the desired son that we long for. Oh beautiful lady! Give birth to a son of great fame. Being superhuman,he will be the oppressor of all enemies and he will be possessed of great wisdom. In splendor he will
be equal to the Sun, unbeatable in battles, and of great achievements. He will also be extremely handsome and possessor of great soul. As the lord of the gods has become gracious to us bring forth a child who will have all the Kshatriya characteristics.
Thus addressed by Pandu, Kunti appealed to Indra, who showed up in a flash and blessed her with a son. Then in the month of Phalguna in day time at the juncture of Purva Phalguni and Uttara Phalguni the boy took birth. As the boy was born in the month of Phalguna and in the Phalguni Nakshatra, he was named Phalguni. And as soon as this child was born, an airy voice, loud and deep filling the whole sky, addressing Kunti in the hearing of every creature dwelling in that sylvan asylum said --- This child of yours, Oh Kunti!, will be equal to Kartavirya Arjuna in
energy and Siva in prowess. He will be unbeatable like Indra. He will spread your fame far and wide. As Naryana in the guise of a dwarf enhanced Aditi's joy, so shall this child enhance your joy. Defeating the Madras, the Kurus along with the Somakas, and the kingdom of Chedi, Kasi and Karusha, he will escalate the prosperity of the Kurus. Agni or the fire god will derive great satisfaction from the fat of all creatures dwelling in the Khandava woods by the prowess of this
one's arms. This mighty hero, vanquishing all the monarchs of the earth, will, with his brothers perform three great horse sacrifices. In prowess, Oh Kunti, he will be like Jamadagnya or Vishnu. The foremost of all men, he will be endowed with prowess .He will achieve
great fame. He will satisfy in battle, by his prowess, Lord Shiva. And he will receive from him the great weapon named Pasupata. Your this son of mighty arms will also slay, at the command of Indra, the demons called the Nivatakavachas who are the enemies of the gods. He will
also acquire all kinds of celestial weapons. This bull among men will recover the lost fortunes of his family from the enemies. Kunti heard these extraordinary words immediately after the birth of his this son. Those words were uttered so loudly, that the ascetics dwelling on the mountain of Sata-Sringa became very glad on hearing. The sound of the chariots of the celestials with Indra in the sky could be heard. And the sounds of the drum filled the entire sky.And the whole region was covered with flowers showered down by invisible agents. The gods,the Garuda and other birds, theNagas, the Gandharvas, the apsaras, the Prajapati, the seven great rshis, began to offer their respectful admiration to Arjuna. Bharadwaja, Kasyapa, Gautama,Viswamitra, Jamadagni, Vasishtha, and the illustrious Atri who illumined the world
when the Sun used to set, all came there. And Marichi, Angiras,Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Dakshaprajapati, the Gandharvas, and Apsaras, came there also. The Apsaras, decked with fine cloth and celestial garlands and ornaments, came there and danced and sang in joy, for
Arjuna. The great rishis all around began repeat mystical mantras for the well-being of Arjuna. And the handsome Tumvuru accompanied by the other gandharvas was already there. And Bhimasena and Ugrasena, Urnayus and Anagha. Gopati and Dhritarashtra and Purnyavarchas,Yugapa and Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi, and Chitraratha, Salisirah,Parjanya,the
Kali , and Narada, Rihatta,Vrihatta, Vriakha,Karal, Brahmachari, and famous Suvrana of great soul, Viswavasu, Bhumanyu, Suchandra, Saru and the Haha and Huhu with wonderful voice, started singing in praise of Arjuna. Many important apsaras or celestial dames also of large eyes, decked with ornament came there to dance and sing. And Anuchana and Anavadya, Gunamukhya and Gunavara, Adrika and Soma, Misrakesi and Alambusha, Marichi and Suchika, Vidyutparna and Tilottama and Ambika, Lakshmana, Kshema Devi, Rambha, Manorama, Asita, Suvahu, Supriya, Suvapuh, Pundarika, Sugandha, Surasa, Pramathini, Kamya and Saraswati,
these twentyeight apsaras all danced there together. And Menaka, Sahajanya, Karnika, Punjikasthala, Ritusthala, Ghritachi, Viswachi, Purvachiti, the celebrated Umlocha, Pramlocha and Urvasi these eleven, large-eyed dancing apsaras came there and sang in chorus. And Dharti
and Aryaman and Mitra and Varuna, Bhaga and Indra, Vivaswat, Pushan, auspicious Tvastra and Parjanya and Vishnu, these twelve Adityas came there to glorify birth of the third Pandava and lingered in the milky way of the sky. Mrigavyadha, Sarpa, the Niriti, Ajaikapada,
Ahivradhna, Pinakii, Dahana, Iswara, Kapalii, Sthanu and the Bhaga--these eleven Rudras,--also came there. And the twin Aswins, the eight Vasus, the mighty fortynine Marutas, the Viswedevas, and the Sadhyas, also came there. And Karkotaka, Vasuki, Kachchhapa, Kunda and
the Takshaka,--these mighty and cruel snakes possessed of high ascetic merit also came there. And Tarkshya, Arishtanemi, Garuda, Asitadvaja, Aruna and Aruni of Vinata's race also came there. And only great Rishis crowned with ascetic merit and not others saw those celestials
and other beings seated in their cars or waiting on the mountain peaks. Those best of Munis seeing that wonderful sight, became astonished, and their love and affection for Arjuna was in consequence increased.
This episode is significant at least on three levels. On the first level it clearly posits that despite the fact that Pandu was impotent physically he was extra ordinarily powerful in ascetic feats. It was through his sheer asceticism and through the grand devotion of his queen that Indra came upon the scene to bless Kunti with a third child named Arjuna or Phalguni. Thus Pandu became dejure the father of Arjuna.The descriptions of the circumstances during the birth of Arjuna reminds us of a saviour who will save the world from the trauma of existence. The greatest men, the celestials and the Nature participated in the cosmic joy of the existence at the birth of Arjuna. We get a glimpse of the pisgah vision hereby. The prophesy
of the voice of heaven give us a notion of coming events
by
Sankar Mukherjee
&
Dr Ramesh Chandra Mukhopadhyaya
Aadivamsavatarana Parva
Birth of Arjuna
After the birth of Bhima, Pandu again began to think ---How am I to get a very heroic son who will be greatest prowess in the globe. Every, thing in the world depends on destiny and manliness. But destiny can never be successful except by timely manliness. We have
heard that Indra is the chief of the gods and the kings. Indeed, he is endowed with immeasurable might and energy and prowess and glory. Satisfying him with my asceticism, I shall obtain from him a son of great strength. The son, he will give me,must be the superior to
all.And he will be capable of defeating in battle all men and creatures including demons.I shall, therefore, practice the severest austerities, with heart, deed and speech. After this Pandu, counseling with the great rishis asked Kunti to observe an auspicious vow for one full year. Pandu himself practiced severe austerities with deep concentration. He used to stand upon one leg from morning to evening, to satisfy the lord of the gods.
After a long time Indra being satisfied with Pandu’s devotion showed up and said to Pandu ---I shall give you,a son who will be famous all over the three worlds. He will protect the kingdom. He will be engaged in doing good to the Brahmanas, cows and friends. The son I shall give you will thrash the wicked. He will be the cause of joy of friends and relatives. Foremost of all men, he will be an irresistible slayer of all foes. Saying this Indra left the place in a
flash.
Remembering the words of the king of the gods the virtuous Pandu said to Kunti, Oh fortunate one! The king of the gods has been satisfied. Therefore our mission will become successful . And the result will be excellent. Indra the king of gods is willing to give us the desired son that we long for. Oh beautiful lady! Give birth to a son of great fame. Being superhuman,he will be the oppressor of all enemies and he will be possessed of great wisdom. In splendor he will
be equal to the Sun, unbeatable in battles, and of great achievements. He will also be extremely handsome and possessor of great soul. As the lord of the gods has become gracious to us bring forth a child who will have all the Kshatriya characteristics.
Thus addressed by Pandu, Kunti appealed to Indra, who showed up in a flash and blessed her with a son. Then in the month of Phalguna in day time at the juncture of Purva Phalguni and Uttara Phalguni the boy took birth. As the boy was born in the month of Phalguna and in the Phalguni Nakshatra, he was named Phalguni. And as soon as this child was born, an airy voice, loud and deep filling the whole sky, addressing Kunti in the hearing of every creature dwelling in that sylvan asylum said --- This child of yours, Oh Kunti!, will be equal to Kartavirya Arjuna in
energy and Siva in prowess. He will be unbeatable like Indra. He will spread your fame far and wide. As Naryana in the guise of a dwarf enhanced Aditi's joy, so shall this child enhance your joy. Defeating the Madras, the Kurus along with the Somakas, and the kingdom of Chedi, Kasi and Karusha, he will escalate the prosperity of the Kurus. Agni or the fire god will derive great satisfaction from the fat of all creatures dwelling in the Khandava woods by the prowess of this
one's arms. This mighty hero, vanquishing all the monarchs of the earth, will, with his brothers perform three great horse sacrifices. In prowess, Oh Kunti, he will be like Jamadagnya or Vishnu. The foremost of all men, he will be endowed with prowess .He will achieve
great fame. He will satisfy in battle, by his prowess, Lord Shiva. And he will receive from him the great weapon named Pasupata. Your this son of mighty arms will also slay, at the command of Indra, the demons called the Nivatakavachas who are the enemies of the gods. He will
also acquire all kinds of celestial weapons. This bull among men will recover the lost fortunes of his family from the enemies. Kunti heard these extraordinary words immediately after the birth of his this son. Those words were uttered so loudly, that the ascetics dwelling on the mountain of Sata-Sringa became very glad on hearing. The sound of the chariots of the celestials with Indra in the sky could be heard. And the sounds of the drum filled the entire sky.And the whole region was covered with flowers showered down by invisible agents. The gods,the Garuda and other birds, theNagas, the Gandharvas, the apsaras, the Prajapati, the seven great rshis, began to offer their respectful admiration to Arjuna. Bharadwaja, Kasyapa, Gautama,Viswamitra, Jamadagni, Vasishtha, and the illustrious Atri who illumined the world
when the Sun used to set, all came there. And Marichi, Angiras,Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Dakshaprajapati, the Gandharvas, and Apsaras, came there also. The Apsaras, decked with fine cloth and celestial garlands and ornaments, came there and danced and sang in joy, for
Arjuna. The great rishis all around began repeat mystical mantras for the well-being of Arjuna. And the handsome Tumvuru accompanied by the other gandharvas was already there. And Bhimasena and Ugrasena, Urnayus and Anagha. Gopati and Dhritarashtra and Purnyavarchas,Yugapa and Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi, and Chitraratha, Salisirah,Parjanya,the
Kali , and Narada, Rihatta,Vrihatta, Vriakha,Karal, Brahmachari, and famous Suvrana of great soul, Viswavasu, Bhumanyu, Suchandra, Saru and the Haha and Huhu with wonderful voice, started singing in praise of Arjuna. Many important apsaras or celestial dames also of large eyes, decked with ornament came there to dance and sing. And Anuchana and Anavadya, Gunamukhya and Gunavara, Adrika and Soma, Misrakesi and Alambusha, Marichi and Suchika, Vidyutparna and Tilottama and Ambika, Lakshmana, Kshema Devi, Rambha, Manorama, Asita, Suvahu, Supriya, Suvapuh, Pundarika, Sugandha, Surasa, Pramathini, Kamya and Saraswati,
these twentyeight apsaras all danced there together. And Menaka, Sahajanya, Karnika, Punjikasthala, Ritusthala, Ghritachi, Viswachi, Purvachiti, the celebrated Umlocha, Pramlocha and Urvasi these eleven, large-eyed dancing apsaras came there and sang in chorus. And Dharti
and Aryaman and Mitra and Varuna, Bhaga and Indra, Vivaswat, Pushan, auspicious Tvastra and Parjanya and Vishnu, these twelve Adityas came there to glorify birth of the third Pandava and lingered in the milky way of the sky. Mrigavyadha, Sarpa, the Niriti, Ajaikapada,
Ahivradhna, Pinakii, Dahana, Iswara, Kapalii, Sthanu and the Bhaga--these eleven Rudras,--also came there. And the twin Aswins, the eight Vasus, the mighty fortynine Marutas, the Viswedevas, and the Sadhyas, also came there. And Karkotaka, Vasuki, Kachchhapa, Kunda and
the Takshaka,--these mighty and cruel snakes possessed of high ascetic merit also came there. And Tarkshya, Arishtanemi, Garuda, Asitadvaja, Aruna and Aruni of Vinata's race also came there. And only great Rishis crowned with ascetic merit and not others saw those celestials
and other beings seated in their cars or waiting on the mountain peaks. Those best of Munis seeing that wonderful sight, became astonished, and their love and affection for Arjuna was in consequence increased.
This episode is significant at least on three levels. On the first level it clearly posits that despite the fact that Pandu was impotent physically he was extra ordinarily powerful in ascetic feats. It was through his sheer asceticism and through the grand devotion of his queen that Indra came upon the scene to bless Kunti with a third child named Arjuna or Phalguni. Thus Pandu became dejure the father of Arjuna.The descriptions of the circumstances during the birth of Arjuna reminds us of a saviour who will save the world from the trauma of existence. The greatest men, the celestials and the Nature participated in the cosmic joy of the existence at the birth of Arjuna. We get a glimpse of the pisgah vision hereby. The prophesy
of the voice of heaven give us a notion of coming events
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