O King, thus it was that Dhritarashtra’s line was blessed with a hundred sons and, in addition, a hundred and one daughters. Their names and the order of their birth were carefully recounted, and all of them became renowned as mighty chariot-warriors—valiant, skilled in the arts of battle, learned in the Vedas, and accomplished in every weapon. At the proper time, Dhritarashtra, after careful consideration, chose suitable spouses for each of his children, ensuring their alliances were both fitting and auspicious. When the time was right, the king gave his daughter Duḥśalā in marriage to Jayadratha, following the sacred customs of their house. Thus, O King, the line of Dhritarashtra was graced with a hundred sons, with Yuyutsu making the count one more than a hundred, and the noble daughter Duḥśalā, as has been duly recounted. Meanwhile, when the best among the strong was born to Pandu, a deep anxiety stirred in his heart. He wondered how another of his sons might surpass all others and become the greatest in the world. Pandu reflected upon the nature of destiny, recognizing that this world stands upon both fate and human effort, yet fate itself can only unfold in its ordained time. He recalled the glory of Indra, king and foremost among the gods—possessed of immeasurable strength, boundless energy, valor, and radiance. Pandu resolved, “By pleasing Indra through austerity, I shall obtain a son of great might, endowed with heroism, who will vanquish both superhuman and human foes in battle by deed, thought, and word. For this, I will undertake great austerity.” Having made his decision, Pandu consulted with the great sages and instructed Kunti, O Kaurava, to observe a sacred vow for a full year. He himself, mighty-armed and resolute, stood on one foot, performing fierce austerities with unwavering concentration, seeking to propitiate the Lord of the gods. Together with the Sun, he engaged in these sacred practices, his heart set on his goal. Moved by Pandu’s devotion, Indra, the great king of the gods, appeared and spoke: “I will grant you a son, renowned throughout the three worlds. He will bring benefit to Brahmanas, cows, and friends; he will cause grief to the wicked and delight all his relatives. I will give you a son foremost among heroes, destroyer of all enemies.” So spoke mighty Indra to Pandu, husband of Kunti. Remembering Indra’s promise, Pandu addressed Kunti: “O blessed one, the Lord of the gods is pleased with you. He wishes to grant you a son as you have desired—one of superhuman deeds, famed, and unconquerable by foes. He will possess virtue, a great soul, brilliance like the Sun, difficult to defeat, accomplished in action, and wondrous in form. Bear this son, O fair-hipped one, the very embodiment of Kshatriya energy. Having gained Indra’s favor, name him accordingly, O pure-smiled one.” Thus instructed, the illustrious Kunti invoked Shakra, and Indra, lord of the gods, came and begot upon her a son. When the lunar asterisms Uttarā and Pūrvā Phalgunī were in conjunction during the day, in the month of Phalguna, the child was born. Because of this, he was called Phalguna. At the very moment of his birth, a deep and resonant bodiless voice resounded in the sky, bringing joy to all beings and addressing Kunti, who was still in the period of impurity. All beings and the residents of the hermitage heard the voice as it spoke clearly to Kunti, the pure-smiled one: “O Kunti, he will be equal to Kartavirya in prowess, like Shiva in might, and unconquerable like Shakra. He will spread your fame far and wide. As Aditi’s joy was increased by Vishnu, so too will Arjuna, equal to Vishnu, increase your happiness. He will subdue the Madras, the Kurus with the Somakas, the Cedis, Kasis, and Karushas, and uphold the glory of the Kurus. By the strength of his arms, in Khandava, Agni will find supreme satisfaction with the fat of all beings. This mighty hero, after conquering the foremost kings, will perform three great sacrifices with his brothers. O Kunti, he will be equal to Jamadagni’s son, with valor like Vishnu, foremost among the mighty, and famed throughout the worlds. He will please the great god Shankara in battle and, from the satisfied deity, obtain the weapon called Pashupata. At Indra’s command, your mighty-armed son will slay the Daityas known as Nivatakavachas, haters of the gods. In the same way, he will acquire all the divine weapons and will restore lost prosperity to your house.” Kunti heard these wondrous words at the time of her delivery, the voices of ascetics resounding loudly. Great joy arose among the dwellers of Shataśṛṅga, as well as among the gods, great sages, and celestial beings with Indra himself. The sky reverberated with the tumult of drums, and a great, fearsome rain of flowers poured down. The hosts of gods gathered to honor Partha. The Nāgas, Garuḍa’s descendants, Gandharvas, Apsarases, the lords of all beings, and the seven great sages—Bharadvāja, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, Vasiṣṭha, and venerable Atri—arrived there. Alongside them came Marīci, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Dakṣa the lord of creatures, and the Gandharvas and Apsarases as well. Adorned with divine garlands and garments and decked in every ornament, they sang the praises of Bhībhatsu, while the hosts of Apsarases danced in joy, celebrating the birth of Arjuna, the peerless hero whose fame would resound throughout the three worlds.