As the encounter unfolded by the sacred river, the Gandharva Angaraparna confronted the Pandavas, astonished by their boldness. He exclaimed, “Neither spirits, nor horned beings, nor gods, nor humans—no one, not even Kubera’s own attendants, would approach me as you do. Why do you come near me?” He challenged their right to be there, questioning, “O foolish one, on the ocean, beside the Himalaya, or in this river—by night, by day, or at twilight—who has the right to claim possession here?” He continued, “Whether one has eaten or not, by night or by day, or while moving through the sky—there is no fixed time for approaching the Ganga, the best of rivers. We possess strength and have approached you at an unseasonable time; but in battle, O cruel one, powerless men worship you.” Angaraparna then spoke of the Ganga’s origin: “Long ago, this Ganga issued forth from the golden peak of the Himalaya, and after reaching the ocean’s waters, she divided into seven streams: Ganga, Yamuna, Sarasvati born from the Plaksha tree, Sarayu flowing by chariot, as well as the Gomati and Gandaki. Those who drink from these seven rivers, whose sins are not yet settled, become pure; and this river, having become one again, ascends to the sky, pure once more.” He described the Ganga’s forms: “Among the gods, O Gandharva, Ganga becomes Alakananda; for the ancestors, she is the Vaitarani, hard to cross for those of evil deeds. Thus, having attained the Ganga, so said Krishna Dvaipayana. The divine river is unimpeded, bestowing heaven, and auspicious. How do you wish to obstruct her? This is not the eternal law. How could we, by your words, be prevented from freely touching the holy water of Bhagirathi, which is irresistible and unimpeded?” Hearing this, Angaraparna was enraged. He bent his bow and released sharp arrows, like venomous serpents. But Pandava Dhananjaya—Arjuna—swiftly whirled a blazing torch and raised his shield, repelling all those arrows. Arjuna declared, “O Gandharva, terror is not used against those skilled in weapons; when used against such, it dissolves like foam. I see all the Gandharvas and humans here, O Gandharva; therefore, I will fight with a divine weapon, not with illusion.” He recounted the lineage of his weapon: “Long ago, Brhaspati, the revered teacher of Indra, gave this Agneya weapon to Bharadvaja. From Bharadvaja it went to Agnivesya, from Agnivesya to my teacher; the noble Brahmin Drona gave this knowledge to me.” With anger, Arjuna released the blazing Agneya weapon at the Gandharva, burning his chariot. Deprived of his chariot and bewildered by the weapon’s energy, Angaraparna fell headlong, cast down and unconscious. Arjuna seized the garlands from the Gandharvas’ heads and dragged them before his brothers, those who had fallen unconscious from the weapons. The wife of Angaraparna, named Kumbhīnasī, seeking protection for her husband, approached Yudhiṣṭhira for refuge. She pleaded, “Protect me, O greatly fortunate one, and release my husband for me; I, a Gandharva woman named Kumbhīnasī, have come to you for shelter, O lord.” Yudhiṣṭhira, compassionate, said, “Who would slay an enemy, O father, who is defeated in battle, deprived of fame, the protector of women, and lacking in valor? Release this one, O slayer of foes.” He assured Angaraparna, “Regain your life and go, O Gandharva, do not grieve; today King Yudhiṣṭhira of the Kurus grants you safety.” Angaraparna, humbled, replied, “I am defeated, bearing the name Pūrvaka; I release Aṅgāraparṇa; one deprived of fame does not praise his own name among people. Blessed am I to have gained this fortune, that I wish to unite Arjuna, wielder of divine weapons, with the Gandharva woman by my own will. My excellent chariot was burned by the fire of weapons; thus, having become Citraratha, I am now called Dagdharatha by name.” Grateful for his life, Angaraparna offered knowledge to Arjuna: “This knowledge, long gathered by me through austerity, I shall now impart to the great-souled one who granted me life. Who, having subdued an enemy by force, who has come seeking refuge after defeat, would not deserve prosperity if he joins that foe with his own life?” He explained the lineage of the knowledge: “This knowledge called Cākṣuṣī, which Manu gave to Soma, Soma gave to Viśvāvasu, and Viśvāvasu gave to me. This, received from a teacher, perishes when given to an unworthy man; I have spoken its lineage—now listen to its power. Whatever one wishes to see with the eye among all worlds, that he sees; whatever form he desires, that he is able to behold. By standing on one foot for six months, I obtained this knowledge; I myself shall impart it to you, if you undertake the vow.” Angaraparna continued, “By this knowledge, O king, we are distinguished among men, and not inferior to the gods, displaying their power. O best of men, of the Gandharva horses, I shall give a hundred each to your brothers and to you separately. Those divine Gandharva steeds, with celestial forms and swift as thought, become exhausted and unexhausted, and their speed does not diminish.” He spoke of the thunderbolt’s origin: “Long ago, the thunderbolt was made for Mahendra to slay Vṛtra; that was shattered into ten and a hundred pieces on Vṛtra's head. Then, divided among the gods, a portion of the thunderbolt is revered; in the world, whatever brings fame and wealth is considered to have the nature of the thunderbolt. A brahmin is said to wield the thunderbolt in his hand; the kshatriya is remembered as the chariot of the thunderbolt; the vaishyas are the givers of the thunderbolt, and the shudras are those whose actions are the lesser thunderbolts.” He revealed, “By a portion of the kshatriya's thunderbolt, horses are considered invincible; the mare gives birth to the wheel of the chariot, and those who are renowned as heroes among horses. With forms as desired, with speed as desired, appearing at will—thus, the Gandharva-born horses will fulfill my desire.” Thus, through battle, compassion, and the sharing of sacred knowledge and celestial gifts, the Pandavas and the Gandharva forged a bond, and the river’s mystery and blessings were revealed.