When Kunti was thus addressed, the illustrious lady invoked Shakra, the lord of the gods. Responding to her call, mighty Indra himself descended and begot upon her a son. In due course, when the lunar asterisms Uttarā and Pūrvā Phalgunī were in conjunction during the day, a radiant child was born in the month of Phalguna. Because of this auspicious timing, he came to be known as Phalguna. At the very instant of the boy’s birth, a wondrous, bodiless voice—deep and resonant—echoed across the sky, filling all beings with joy. This celestial proclamation addressed Kunti, who was still in the period of postnatal impurity, and was heard clearly by all the dwellers of the hermitage. The voice, ringing with truth and blessing, spoke to gentle-smiling Kunti: “O Kunti, your son will be the equal of Kartavirya in might, with prowess like Shiva himself. Unconquerable as Shakra, he will spread your fame across the world. As Aditi’s happiness was magnified by Vishnu, so too will Arjuna—equal even to Vishnu—bring you endless joy. He will subdue the Madras, the Kurus with the Somakas, and the Cedis, Kasis, and Karushas, upholding the glory of the Kuru race. “By the strength of his arms, in Khandava, Agni will be supremely satisfied, nourished by the fat of all beings. This mighty hero, having conquered the foremost kings, will, alongside his brothers, perform three great sacrifices. O Kunti, he will be the peer of Jamadagni’s son, with valor like Vishnu’s, foremost among the mighty, and will attain great renown. “He will delight the great god Shankara in battle, and from the pleased deity he will receive the divine weapon called Pashupata. At Indra’s command, your strong-armed son will destroy the Daityas known as the Nivatakavachas, those haters of the gods. In the same way, he will acquire all the celestial weapons in their entirety, and this best of men will restore lost prosperity. “Kunti, you hear this wondrous proclamation at the very time of your delivery, these words spoken loudly by the ascetics.” As these words resounded, great joy arose among the dwellers of Shataśṛṅga, as well as among the gods, the great sages, and all celestial beings with Indra at their head. Tumultuous drums thundered in the heavens, and a rain of fragrant flowers, beautiful yet awe-inspiring, fell from above. Then, the hosts of gods assembled and honored Partha. The Nagas, the descendants of Garuda, the Gandharvas, the Apsarases, the lords of all beings, and the seven great sages all gathered. Among the sages were Bharadvāja, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, Vasiṣṭha, and venerable Atri, who had appeared when the sun was lost. Also present were Marīci, Aṅgiras, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, and Dakṣa, lord of creatures, joined by the Gandharvas and Apsarases. Adorned with divine garlands and garments, decked with every ornament, they sang the praises of Bhībhatsu, while the Apsarases danced in delight. The great sages, too, chanted from every side, and, together with the Gandharvas, the illustrious Tumburu began to sing. Among those gathered were Bhīmasena, Ugrasena, Ūrṇāyura, the sinless Anagha, Gopati, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Sūryavarcās as the eighth, Tṛṇapa, Kārṣṇi, Nandi, Citraratha, Śāliśiras as the thirteenth, and Parjanya as the fourteenth. Kali appeared as the fifteenth, and Nārada as the sixteenth, followed by Ṛtvā, Bṛhattvā, Bṛhaka, Karāla, and the great-minded Mahāmanas. There, too, were the celibate Bahuguṇa, renowned Suvarṇa, Viśvāvasu, Bhumanyu, Sucandra, and Śaru. Gifted in the sweetness of song, famed Hahā and Huhū, the divine Gandharvas, also arrived. The delighted Apsarases, adorned in every ornament, danced joyfully, their wide eyes shining, while their melodious voices filled the air. Among these Apsarases were those learned, flawless, and foremost in virtue—Adrikā, Somā, Miśrakeśī, and Alambuṣā; Marīci, Śucikā, Vidyutparṇā, Tilottamā, Ambikā, Lakṣaṇā, Kṣemā, Devī, Rambhā, and Manoramā; Asitā, Subāhu, Supriyā, Vapu, Puṇḍarīkā, Sugandhā, Surasā, and Pramāthinī; Kāmyā, Śāradvatī, Menakā, Sahajanyā, Karṇikā, and Puñjikasthalā, all dancing in groups. Also present were Ṛtusthalā, Ghṛtācī, Viśvācī, Pūrvacitti, and the renowned Umloce and Pramloce—these ten. Urvaśī, the eleventh among them, sang sweetly, her wide eyes shining. The gods Dhātā, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuṇa, Aṃśa, and Bhaga were there; Indra, Vivasvān, Pūṣā, Parjanya, Tvaṣṭā, and Viṣṇu, the youngest and last-born—these twelve Ādityas blazed with the radiance of the sun. Among the Rudras were Mṛgavyādha, Sarpa, the famed Nirṛti, Ajaikapāda, Ahirbudhnya, Pinākī, Dahana, Īśvara, Kapālī, Sthāṇu, Bhaga, and the blessed Rudras themselves. The two Aśvins, the eight Vasus, the mighty Maruts, the Viśvedevas, and the Sādhyas also surrounded the scene. The serpent Karkoṭaka, Vāsuki, Kacchapa, Kuṇḍa, Takṣaka—the great serpent—along with many other Nāgas, endowed with austerity, great wrath, and immense strength, all assembled there. Thus, at the birth of Arjuna, the son of Indra and Kunti, the heavens and earth alike rejoiced, and all the gods, sages, celestial beings, and serpents gathered to honor this divine child, destined for greatness and glory.