Posted:
Ved Vyas addressed Yudhishtir." Time has arrived now to do the needful. To win your rivals like Bhishma,Drona and Karna ,your brother has to get Devine Astras from Mahadev ,Indra and other Gods. I will instruct you Pratismriti which you have to pass on to Arjuna. He will then accomplish his task of pleasing the gods and get Devine Astras.
Rishiresha mahateja Narayana sahayavan
Puranah Saswatah devo Vishnuransah sanatanah.
Arjuna is endowed with great splendour. He is the friend of Narayan.He is an ancient sage ,eternal ,a God himself and an Ansh of Vishnu.
Having said so Vyasa instructed Pratismriti to Yudhishtir
Pandavas then reached Kamyak van and established themselves there. Afterwards Yudhishtir instructed Pratismriti to Arjun and entrusted him the task of getting Devine weapons from Gods. Arjun took leave of Draupadi and his brothers who bid farewell with heavy hearts.
Arjun reached Himalayas and selected a suitable place for his penance. One day he came across an old Brahmin who questioned him who he is and why he is having Dhanush and quivers while practicing meditation.He offered him heavenly pleasures to test his commitment towards his purpose. He is none other than Indra himself.
Arjun revealed that he doesn't need anything except the divine Astras to avenge his rivals.
Indra showed himself and blessed him. He said." My son,you should win Siva's Grace first.Then you will come to heaven and get all the Astras from us. "
After Indra left Arjun immersed himself in deep penance to please the three eyed Lord.
His severe penance spread heat all around and sages faced trouble. They went to Mahadev and prayed." Prabhu,Kunti's son is bent upon winning your heart. The snowy peaks and the inhabitants are facing the heat. Please Grace him and save us."
Mahadev nodded his head and assured them he will bless Arjun very soon.
Arjun started vayustambhan, ceased taking breath. He will continue his samadhi state for days together. He comes back to consciousness only to worship Siva with due formalities.
Himawan became impatient. The heat of Arjun's penance made him restless. He looked at his daughter Girija who in turn approached Sankar shiv to plead for her father.
" Swami, Arjun's penance is getting severe day by day. My father is extremely worried due to the heat generated by his penance . Even animals and birds are finding it difficult to survive.It is high time you should grant his wish. " She requested Bholenath.
Parvati's plea is seconded by Sages and Yakshas who explained their plight to the supreme God.' Prabhu,Arjun started Vayustambh ,stopping inhaling Vayu.He entered Samadhi and coming out of it only to worship Mrittika Ling. As you know he is Nar Maharshi in his previous birth. Narayan lives in his heart. He is earnest in his wish to get Pasupat from you Mahadev."
Shiv smiled at them and said.' I know his heart's desire. And I will grant him Pasupat. None other than Arjun can hold the Divyastras especially Pasupat. Very soon I will fulfill his wish. But before that he should prove himself to be the Worthiest warrior alive."
Parvati is confused.' How would you test his valour Swami? " she asked . Shiv kept the suspense intact. ' you will be with me at that moment.Have little patience."He assured.
Parvati understood her Swami is in a gleeful mood on seeing the supreme devotion of his devotee. She anxiously waited for the prestine moment when her Shiv will show another Lila to the universe on the pretext of gracing Arjun.
It was a cloudy day with chilled winds blowing through Arjun's form,but he became immune to such extremities. After seven days of being in Samadhi Arjun came out of his state of unconsciousness. He has to worship Sankarshiv as that day being chaturdasi,the favoured day of Mahadev. He made the Shiv ling as usual,collected flowers and sat down to do Abhishek.
suddenly a wild boar roared in anger disturbing his concentration.It came towards Arjun's Worship place and jumped high as if to bounce upon him. Arjun got angry and tried to threaten it with Gandiv but the boar still charged ahead. Arjun instantly took aim and struck it with a sharp arrow.
The Boar roared ferociously and fell on the ground. As Arjun went towards that ,he found another arrow struck on it's back . Within a minute,a Tribal hunter stood before Arjun accompanied by his wife. His followers,a group of tribals applauded their chief for killing the boar.
The Tribal hunter is tall and huge in personality.He is golden brown in complexion. His matted locks are tied up on his head in Top knot. Arjun looked at his eyes and thought they reminded him of his Madhav. He held a huge bow in hand. He has a slight smile on his face that displays his attitude and confidence.His wife is gracious,beautiful and has a certain dignity in her form that made her look Devine.
Arjun wondered at their imposing presence,as he knew tribals will never posess such grace and charm. The Tribal addressed Arjun.' You think,this boar died of your arrow? Don't ever feel proud. It died because of my arrow.
" Arjun knitted his eyebrows in irritation. ' you broke the rules of hunting. It got struck by my arrow and then you shot yours. Now accept the fact and move away. I already wasted much time." Arjun said with his familiar tinge of arrogance that is synonymous with the best archer of Aryavarth
.Immidiately the Tribal raised his bow and challenged Arjun for a duel. The fight continued with both the Warriors faring equally well. Arjun wondered at his opponents ability to stand firm despite being struck by the arrows released from Gandiv. After sometime to his surprise Arjun found his inexausted quivers become empty. He became furious and struck the hunter with the Gandiv itself.
Unperturbed,the Tribal smiled at Arjun.The Gandiv disappeared from Arjun's hand. Arjun took his sword and struck him with full might. Nothing happened.Arjun lost his control started physical combat with his opponent . He did fist fight with him trying to hurt him severely.
The hunter took Arjun in tight embrace making every sole of his body touch Arjun'sbody. It went on for a while and Arjun still continued his effort.Then Siva hurt Arjun by crushing him with his might. Arjun fell unconscious and when he regained consciousness he prayed to Sankar Shiv and offered flowers on the Mrittika Ling made by him just then.
When he raised his head he saw the flowers he offered on the head of the hunter. Arjun could not believe his eyes.Within a second he saw the God of Gods before him along with UmaParvati.
Arjun looked at the most handsome God,The Three Eyed Lord,Mahadev smiling benevolently at him. The mother of the Fourteen worlds,The Shakti is showering grace on him. He touched their feet and pleaded. ' Forgive me Lord,Forgive me Mata,I did a blunder fighting with the father of the creation.Please forgive my ignorance,my arrogance." With tears in his eyes Arjun chanted the Stava Praise of Siva.Sri Kantha,Lokesa,...( The Siva Stuti done by Arjun is very famous and powerful.That I am unable to include here.)
Sankar Shiv pulled up Arjun with great affection.He placed his hand on Arjun's hand and still holding his hand said.' Arjun,I am immensely pleased with your extraordinary valour. No one can stand before me and hold on like you.
Narastvam Purva dehe Narayana Sahayavan
Badaryam taptavaugram Tapo varshayutanbahun
You are sage Nara,the friend of Narayana,now your Madhav. Both of you did severe penance for many years at Badarivan. Your Gandiv was held by you in many battles before.
Sakrabhisheke...tvaya Krishnena cha prabho
You held this Gandiv at the time of coronation of Indra and fought many battles along with Krishna.Gandiv didn't disappear. I created illusion. Take your bow.
I am granting you the most devastating Pasupatastr with Prayog and Upasamhar.You will win your rivals in the forth coming war. Now you have to go to heaven and learn all other Devine Astras. I bless you Arjun. You will always be victorious. There is none equal to you in valour either on earth or in heaven.
" Having said thus Shiv instructed the mantras of Pasupatastr to Arjun . He said " Except me and Shakti no one has Pasupatastr. But you should never use it on smaller rivals. It will destroy the whole universe."
Parvati blessed Arjun with so much kindness. As both of them disappeared the gods,demons ,Yakshas and other tribes looked at Arjun in awe because he possessed The Pasupat along with Brahmasira which he already had.
Note: We see here sage Ved Vyas identifying Arjun with Nar. Then Mahadev reminded Arjun of his previous form.
Nar and Narayan played pivotal roles in establishing the kingdom of dharma in Aryavarth.
There is no surprise at all if we see Krishna and Arjun inseparable and appear like one soul in two bodies.Krishna's love for Arjun is unparalleled.
Lakshmi
Fan Fictions
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
