~*~ Attainment of Celestial Weapons (Part 2)~*~

Arjun's POV Continues:

Lord Indra's golden chariot was pulled by 10,000 beautiful white horses. Those magnificent horses were under the skilful control of Matali, the charioteer. On top of the chariot, blue hued Vaijyant flag was flying with pride. That divine chariot was making thundering sounds while it moved through the clouds. I was sitting on the velvet cushioned seat of the chariot beside my father.

As the chariot rose higher above, the great snow-covered mountains and peaks of Himalayas appeared smaller and smaller, until it became a tiny white spot. There, the sky, which appeared light blue from Earth, was dark blue in colour. Even the bright lights of the sun and moon did not illuminate the skies. The temperature was quite low there. Millions and millions of amazing flying chariots were spotted moving from one place of another. Groups of sages, who had attended heaven by their penance were seen moving. I was looking at these sights like a curious kid who has just opened his eyes.

At far places, I saw something which seemed very familiar, yet unknown. Out of my curiosity, I asked, "Father, what are those twinkling spots? Why some of them shining brighter than others?" Lord Indra smiled at me and said, "Son, those are the souls of dead people who are staying in heaven. They are twinkling brightly because of their good deeds and virtue. More the virtue, brighter they shine." Then as if understanding the next question in my mind, he said, "Yes, you have seen them for years in the form of stars in the night sky."

In this manner, looking at all these sights, we were moving rapidly towards Amravati. I never thought that I will be even able to see those beautiful sights in my life. Infact, the moment, when Mahadev and Mata Parvati themselves appeared infront of me in their original form, was flashing in my mind. Mahadev with his bare hands had touched my mortal body. What more could I desire to achieve in my life?

I was lost in the trance of Mahadev, when suddenly my father's voice rang in my ear, "Son, where are you lost?"

I looked at him and replied, "Father, I am thinking about my good fortune. I am thinking what virtuous deeds had I done in my past life that in this life, I am this fortunate. In a single day, Mahadev and Mata Parvati appeared before me and now I am travelling with you in this divine chariot."

He smiled at me and caressing his hands on hair, he said, "Son you are not an ordinary soul. You are an incarnation of the great sage Nara, who is a companion of Narayan. Lord Brahma has sent you on Earth in this human form."

I was quite taken aback with this new discovery. Immediately. I shot my next question, "But Father every incarnation happens for a specific purpose. What is the purpose of my birth?" He replied, "Son, you have been sent to assist Narayan in establishing Dharma on Earth." Though I did not understand completely but I got a hint that a massive task would be waiting for me in future. 

Then, enjoying the beautiful sights and discussing about multiple subjects, we reached the golden gates of Amravati. These gates were so huge that the top portion of the gate was not even visible. As soon as the chariot reached near the gate, the gates opened automatically.

As we entered through the gates, the first one to greet us was the loyal elephant of my father Airavat. 

It was a huge white elephant with 2 huge tusks. Sensing the presence of its master, Airavat bowed down, then let out loud trumpet. Matali halted the chariot there. Then it came near the chariot and snuggled its head near the father. Father affectionately petted its head. Then it came near me and caressed its long white trunk on my head. Matali said to father, "Lord, your loyal friend seems to be extremely delighted with the arrival of the prince Arjun." Father smiling said, "Why won't he? After all he knows that prince Arjun is my son." After the affectionate greeting, Airavat stepped aside and let us went inside.

The Amravati was literally a dream city. Once, before Jyeshth had performed Rajsurya Yagya, Devarishi Narad had visited us at Indraprastha. Then he had said that no town in the universe possessed that beauty which Indralok Amravati had. That day I understood why he had said so.

The trees were blossoming with the bright colourful flowers of all the seasons. The divine fragrance of such flowers was perfuming the atmosphere. The little ponds and water bodies were full of water as clear as crystal and were adored with lotuses of variety of colour and fragrance. On the way, they were a canopy of trees, called Nandanvan. These were being taken care by the angels and nymphs. The trees of the canopy were full of beautiful red flowers. The sight itself was very attractive.

The entire surroundings were echoing with the melodious tunes and beats of variety of musical instruments. Everything combined was giving a divine pleasure I had never felt before.

At the prescribed parking space, Matali parked the chariot, and we descended from the chariot. At the parking space millions of celestial chariots, made of gold and silver and studded with precious diamonds, were parked. I was amazed to see those highly sophisticated chariots.

On spotting Lord Indra, numerous nymphs, adorned in beautiful silk attires and precious jewelries, came running to welcome us. Father introduced me, "Deviyon (Ladies), Meet my son Arjun. He has come from Earth for the first time."

Those beautiful nymphs were extremely delighted to see me. One of them, magically manifested a golden plate of Aarti and welcomed me by doing my aarti and tilak. Then all of them took us towards the Indra Sabha. The court was glimmering with the presence of pious sages and kings. Father introduced me; I bowed at each one of them and in returned they showered me with their blessings.

Then father took hold of my right hand and made me seated just beside his throne. The entire court cheerfully hailed in the Lord Indra and me, "Devraj Indra ki Jai!! Devraj Indra ki Jai!! Kuntinandan Arjun ki Jai!! Kuntinandan Arjun ki Jai!!." [1] My joyfulness knew no bound. It was like a dream to me.

As father stood up from his throne, the cheering died down. He announced, "My son Kuntinandan Arjun had come here to obtain the knowledge of unleashing the celestial weapons. He will be living with us for quite a sometime. I would request everyone to treat him with same love and respect as you treat me." 

Then turning towards the nymphs, he said, "Deviyon, my special request to you, please look after his needs. He should not have any problem during his stay." The nymphs respectfully bowed at father, "As you wish Lord."

Then next moment, a very beautiful lady came at the centre and after bowing to everyone present in the court, performed a beautiful piece of dance. Her eyes, brows, fingers and her postures, seemed like expressing the words of the song. The anklets tied around her altah laden feet jingled at the exact beats of the song. I had never seen someone dance with such grace.

After her performance was over, father dissolved the court and took me towards his palace. As soon as we reached the palace, numerous servants, at the order of my father, rushed towards me to serve me. They made me sit comfortably on the couch and carefully washed my feet. I was astonished, for all the wounds in foot soles which I endured while walking on the rough terrains Himalayas were literally gone.

Then father took me inside the dining room where Shachi Devi, Lord Indra's wife was eagerly waiting for us. 

As I bowed down to touch her feet, she quickly embraced me. Her arms around my body felt like as if mother Kunti was embracing me. Few drops of tear, unknowingly escaped my eyes. Then she broke out of the embrace and placed an affectionate kiss on my forehead. Her eyes were glistening with tears. While, caressing my hair, she said in a teary voice, "Son, why you took so long? I have been waiting for you since the day you were borne." Her affectionate words had quenched the thirst for motherly affection which I had been feeling since we left for exile. I was so overwhelmed that I could not reply anything.

Taking by my hand, she made me seated on a red velvet mat embroidered with golden thread. Infront of me a huge platter of variety of food items was kept. No wonder the food smelt delicious. 

I just could not refuse her love and affection. She went on feeding me and I ate, while gazing her unblinkingly. That day I realized, that I was the most fortunate son of this world, on whom not one but 5 mothers [2] had showered their affection.

I was given a large comfortable and luxurious palace to stay at Amravati. That night, the moment my head touched the pillow, I was transported into world of dreams. The hardships of the austere practices and such a long journey were finally taking a toll on me.

From next day onwards my training began.

At first, Lord Yama came to me and provided me with his celestial weapon Dandastra. The copper weapon was somewhat bigger than an arrow and smaller than a spear. The specialty of this weapon was that no matter how far the target is the weapon's speed will never reduce until it hits the target at which it is hurled.

Then next came Lord Varun. He provided me with his celestial weapons Varunpaash. The weapon looked like a long rope made of silver with an adjustable noose at its end. As per Varundev, this weapon can bind anyone, even the strongest demons, as long as desired by the holder of the weapon.

Then came, Lord Kuber. He bestowed me with his celestial weapon Antardhaan Astra. The golden weapon had the ability to put the enemy to sleep as well as burn them into ashes. He further informed that Mahadev had used the weapon while he destructed the 3 towns of Tripurasura.

All three of them taught me the process of invoking these celestial weapons, using them and returning them back, in case I don't need after invoking them.

Remaining celestial weapons were in the custody of my father, hence initiation of the remaining celestial weapons was provided by him.

Gradually, under the guidance of Lord Indra, I had obtained the knowledge of all the celestial weapons.

While my stay at Amravati, I had the complete freedom to go wherever I wanted to go. My father's loyal charioteer, Matali, was entrusted to me take me wherever I demanded. My days at Amravati passed quite merrily. But every night, when I was alone in my room, the sight of the teary eyes of my brothers and Krishne, would appear infront of my eyes. Around 2 years had passed since I left for penance. Hence, I missed them badly.

One day, when I had obtained the complete knowledge of celestial weapons, I reached my father to take leave to return to my brothers, "Father, with your blessings I had been able to achieve the objective for which I had come. Now please allow me to leave now. My brothers and Panchali must be waiting for me eagerly." 

Father looked at me and said, "Son, you cannot return to them as of now. You are yet to receive one more astra. Gandharvaastra. The royal dance teacher Chitrasen Gandharva will teach you."

I was surprised for I could not understand my father's intention. I questioned, "Begging your pardon, but I being a warrior, why would I need to learn the skill of dancing? Forgive me, but I am unable to understand your contention."

Father just smiled at me and replied, "Son, you will understand when the right time comes. Further, I need your help in vanquishing one of my enemies, who has received the boon from Lord Brahma, that none of the Gods will be able to kill him. For that also you would have to stay with me."

Though, I agreed reluctantly, but I knew that my brothers, especially jyeshth, must be hell worried, thinking about my well-being. As if sensing my reluctance, destiny sent Rishi Lomasha to Lord Indra at that exact moment. Rishivar was an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. He was a great story teller. I was delighted to meet him.

After taking his blessings, when I was about to leave, to go to Chitrasen Gandhrava, father called me, "Son, I know you are concerned about your brothers. Why don't you send a message to Yudhishthira via Rishi Lomasha. After all, very soon, he is going to meet your brothers." My joy seemed no bounds. Quickly I conveyed my message to Rishivar and with relieved mind took my leave. 

From the same day, I began my dance training under the guidance of Chitrasen Gandharva. He taught me lasyam as well as tandava. Initial days were quite difficult, as I was not able to replicate the postures. But as days went, things became much smoother. Under his guidance I learnt the mudras, netras, gribas, sirabheda, chalanbhedas, nav rasa and every mynute details of dance. During my training, sometimes even Devi Urvashi would join to dance with me. She would often help me to learn the difficult steps and taals by making it easy for me. Her assistance had helped me to learn this art within such a short period.

Everything was going very smoothly, until that evening.

Author's Note:

[1]- I loved these from the old serials, so included in my story.

[2]- The five mothers are: Mata Kunti, Mata Madri, Mata Gandhari, Hastinapur Nagri and Mata Shachi