Gandivdhari Arjun-The Warrior Prince

URVASHI'S CURSE

Arjun stood at the summit of the Himavat, with a heart overflowing with happiness, for he had obtained the favour of the three-eyed Lord of the world. With the knowledge of the Brahmasiras, he was sure that he would be able to defeat any foe in battle, regardless of his opponent's skills.

Presently, a blazing light appeared in the heavens above, and the Lokapalas appeared before him.Arjun fell at once at their feet in worship.

Yama,the guardian of south, touched the shoulder of the Pandava and bade him to rise. In a booming voice, the Lord of death said, "O Arjun, you have fulfilled the destiny that was foretold when you were born. Know that you were a great Rishi in your previous birth, and were the friend and companion of Vishnu. When he had to take birth as a mortal, he bade you also to accompany him, and promised you that you will obtain great honors. You have gratified the great Shiva, by engaging him in single combat. Such a feat has not been achieved even by the celestials! As a mark of my appreciation for your determination, here is my mace, that has ever been my companion in battle."

With a deep bow, Arjun received the weapon of Yama.

Varuna, the Lord of the waters, spoke next. He said, "Everyone knows that my noose is all powerful. As a token of my regard, I gift you my noose, and my favorite weapons, the secret of using which is known only to me and to Brihaspati, my teacher. These weapons were created by him to recover his wife Tara, for my use in the great battle between the celestials and the Daityas."

Once again, Arjun bowed reverently and received the weapons, along with the instructions for their use.

Kubera, the guardian of North and the Lord of wealth, said, "I am also exceedingly gratified by your dedication to your cause. Here is my weapon known as Antarddhana, endued with extreme energy. It is capable of decimating your foes, regardless of their strength. This weapon was used by Lord Shiva to slay countless Asuras when he burnt their three cities known as Tripura. You are worthy of wielding this weapon, that has been used only by Mahadeva and myself."

Arjun received the Antarddhana with the reverence due to it.

Indra said, "My son, you have now obtained the divine weapons of the Lokapalas. Wait here for a little while, I will send my own chariot driven by Matali to take you to my abode. There, you will continue your education in arms and other sciences."

The Lokapalas and Indra disappeared after blessing Arjun. The Pandava then sat down in a pose of meditation and began a prayer to the celestials, thanking them for the great favor they had shown him.

Within a short while, as promised by Indra, his charioteer Matali arrived to take Arjun to Indraloka. In the blink of an eye, the chariot had entered the gates of heaven. Arjun gazed around him in wonder: he saw countless celestials engaged in pleasurable pursuits; he saw the famous Nandana gardens, where the Apsaras were fond of frolicking; he saw many of his ancestors, who had attained the heavens as a consequence of their meritorious deeds. He also saw large number of sages, who had ascended to heaven by their ascetic merit.

He was ushered into the court of Indra. His father gazed at him with great fondness. He at once left his throne and embraced his son, a son of whom any father might be proud. At a sign from Indra, the Gandharvas started playing divine music and the Apsaras resumed their dancing that had been interrupted by Arjuna's arrival. Other Gandharvas brought the material for offering Arghya (worship) to the guest.

After he had been duly worshiped, Arjun was introduced to the prominent Devas and other divine beings. Indra looked upon this scene with a heart overflowing with pride, for no one else there had a son to match his heroic Arjun.