MH_03_01 Shiva and Arjuna

சிவனும் அர்ஜுனனும்

(கிராதார்ஜுனீயம்)

Mahabharata – Aranya Parva

Pandavas along with Draupati reached the forest surrounded by thousands of Rishis and Kings like Drupata and the people of Hastinampura. The Kings vowed to kill the sons fo Dridharashtra, Karna and Shakuni. Lord Krishna who came there pacified the Kings and advised Yudhishtra to send back all the Kings and people and live an austere life alone in the forests. Accordingly, all of them left to their places.

Sage Vyasa came and met the Pandavas. He consoled Yudhishtra for the unfortunate events that happened in Hastinapura and advised that Arjuna should go and perform Tapas towards Lord Shiva and get Pasupatha Astra from Him. (Pasupatha Astra is a deadly weapon, which signifies death to enemies in the battlefield). He advised the Pandavas that without the Pasupatha Astra, they would not be able to destroy the enemies.

Accordingly, Arjuna went to the Himalayas and reached Mount Kailash and started severe penance towards Lord Shiva. He was standing in one leg and did Tapas in the midst of Agni. His body was filled with Bakthi to Lord Shiva. Lord Indra wanted to test his son Arjuna and sent damsels like Urvasi, Menaka, etc. to distract him. But Arjuna could not be distracted with Agni surrounding him. The damsels returned without success. Indra came there and blessed Arjuna, and he continued his Tapas.

Lord Shiva and His consort Devi Parvathi were happy to see the steadfastness of Arjuna and decided to go to him.

Meanwhile Duryodhana on hearing Arjuna’s penance to get Pasupatha Astra, sent one Asura named Mookasura to kill Arjuna during his Tapas. Mookasura took the form of a wild Boar and was nearing Arjuna to kill him.

Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati took the form of a hunter and his wife and went to Arjuna’s place first to kill Mookasura and then bless Arjuna with what he wanted. Shiva traced the wild boar through its steps and saw it approaching Arjuna who was under penance. Arjuna, who was eating nothing but dry leaves, also saw the boar approaching him and immediately sent an arrow piercing its mouth, while at the same time Shiva in the form of hunter sent an arrow through its back. Mookasura fell dead.

அதிர்ந்துவருகேழலைக் கண்டருந்தவத்தை அழிக்குமென அஞ்சிநாளும்

உதிர்ந்த சருகுணவொழிய உணவிலான் விரைவினிற்றன் ஒரு வில்வாங்கி

முதிர்ந்த சினத்துடன் எய்தான் முகம்புதைய அக்கணைக்கு முன்னேயண்டம்

பிதிர்ந்திட இண்ணாணெரிந்து வேடனதன் அபராங்கம் பிளக்கவெய்தான்

(வில்லி பாரதம், ஆரணிய பர்வம், 90)

The hunter claimed that it was his prey and Arjuna argued with him saying it was he who hit the boar first. Lord Shiva in the form of a hunter abused Arjuna and asked him to fight with him. Arjuna started to fight with him with his bow Kandeeva, and hit Lord Shiva with lot of arrows. The hunter ignored the arrows and sent an arrow to cut the string of his great Kandeeva which was given to Arjuna by Agni. Arjuna was surprised at the strength of the hunter (Kiraathan), then  hit him in his neck with the tip of his bow. When Lord Shiva was hit like that, the entire Universe was hit and His consort Parvati who was watching the drama was worried.

Arjuna now without his bow started wrestling with the hunter and embraced him with his hands trying to crush him. Lord Shiva then threw him in the air; Arjuna fell down and stood up ready to fight again.

மல்லமர்தொடங்கி இவரிவரும் வெகுண்டு பொரமாதிரமுமாநிலமுமேல்

எல்லையுமதிர்ந்து கழல்கின்ற பொழுதத்திமயவின்ப மயில்கேள்வன் வெகுளா

நல்லிசை புனைந்த மணிநூபுர விசாலவொளி நண்ணுபத நாண்மலரினால்

வில்லியரில் எண்ணுதிறல் வில்லுடைய காளைதனை விண்ணுலகில் வீசினனரோ.

(வில்லி பாரதம், ஆரணிய பருவம், 111)

Immediately, Lord Shiva appeared with Devi Parvati and his entire Ganaas in front of Arjuna. Arjuna was immensely pleased to see the Lord and prostrated at His feet and prayed to Him. The Lord embraced Arjuna and asked for his wish, Arjuna asked for Pasupatha Astra, which the Lord gave immediately. Lord Shiva blessed Arjuna and left for his abode with Devi Parvati.

Arjuna with an embrace from none other than Lord Shiva and his Pasupata Astra, was glowing with strength,

The King of Devas, Indra appeared before his son Arjuna and took him to his Paradise town of Amaravati.

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