नानापुष्पफलोपेतं नानापक्षिनिनादितम्। नानामृगगणाकीर्णं सिद्धचारणसेवितम्
That forest was filled with various flowers and fruits, resounded with the cries of many birds, teemed with diverse beasts, and was frequented by Siddhas and Charanas.
ततः प्रयाते बीभत्सौ वनं मानुषवर्जितम्। शङ्खानां पटहानां च शब्दः समभवद्दिवि
When Vibhatsu entered that forest devoid of people, a sound of conches and drums arose in the sky.
पुष्पवर्षं च सुमहन्निपपात महीतले। मेघजालं च सततं छादयामास सर्वतः
A great shower of flowers fell upon the earth, and masses of clouds continually covered everything on all sides.
सोतीत्य वनदुर्गाणि सन्निकर्षे महागिरेः। शुशुभे हिमवत्पृष्ठे वसमानोऽर्जुनस्तदा
Traversing the difficult forest regions near the great mountain, Arjuna shone as he dwelled upon the slopes of Himavat.
तत्रतत्र द्रुमान्फुल्लान्विहगैर्वल्गुनादितान्। नदीश्च विपुलावर्ता वैदूर्यनीलसंनिभाः
Here and there he saw blossoming trees filled with sweetly singing birds, and rivers with broad eddies, shining like beryl and sapphire.
हंसकारण्डवोद्गीताः सारसाभिरुतास्तथा। पुंस्कोकिलरुताश्चैव क्रौञ्चबर्हिणनादिताः
There were swans and cranes singing, and the cries of sarasa birds, as well as the calls of male cuckoos, and the sounds of curlews and peacocks.
मनोहरवनोपेतास्तस्मिन्नतिरथोऽर्जुनः। पुण्यशीतामलजलाः पश्यन्प्रीतमनाऽभवत्
In that enchanting forest, Arjuna, the mighty chariot-warrior, beheld pure, cool, spotless waters and became joyful at heart.
रमणीये वनोद्देशे रममाणोऽर्जुनस्तदा। तपस्युग्रे वर्तमान उग्रतेजा महामनाः
Delighting in that beautiful part of the forest, Arjuna, possessed of great energy and mind, engaged in severe austerities.
दर्भचीरं निवस्याथ दण्डाजिनबिभूषितः। शीर्णं च पतितं भूमौ पर्णं समुपभुक्तवान्
Clad in grass-garments, adorned with staff and deer-skin, he ate fallen and withered leaves lying on the ground.
पूर्णेपूर्णे त्रिररात्रे तु मासमेकं फलाशनः। द्विगुणेनैव कालेन द्वितीयं मासमत्ययात्
For a month, eating only fruits every third night, he completed the period; then, for twice that time, he continued with even greater restraint.
तृतीयमपि मासं स क्रमेणाहारमाचरन्। चतुर्थे त्वथ संप्राप्ते मासे भरतसत्तमः
He practiced his regimen through the third month as well; and when the fourth month arrived, O best of the Bharatas—
वायुभक्षो महाबाहुरभवत्पाण्डुनन्दनः। ऊर्ध्वबाहुर्निरालम्बः पादाङ्गुष्ठाग्रधिष्ठितः
The mighty-armed son of Pandu became one who lived on air alone, standing with arms raised, unsupported, balanced on the tips of his toes.
सदोपस्पर्शनाच्चास्य बभूवुरमितौजसः। विद्युदम्भोरुहनिभा जटास्तस्य महात्मनः
Because of his constant contact with water, the matted locks of that great-souled one, radiant with immeasurable energy, resembled lightning and blue lotuses.
ततो महर्षयः सर्वे जग्मुर्देवं पिनाकिनम्। विवेदयिषवः पार्थं तपस्युग्रे समास्थितम्
Then all the great sages went to the god Pinākin, and informed him that Partha was engaged in severe austerities.
नीलकण्ठं महादेवमभिवाद्य प्रणम्य च। सर्वे निवेदयामासुः कर्म तत्फल्गुनस्य ह
Having saluted and bowed to the great god Nīlakaṇṭha, all of them reported to him the actions of Phalguna.
एकः पार्थो महातेजा हिमवत्पृष्ठमाश्रितः। उग्रे तपरसि दुष्पारे स्थितो धूमापयन्दिशः
That one Partha, possessed of great energy, has taken refuge on the slopes of Himavat; he stands firm in severe and difficult austerity, causing the quarters to be filled with smoke.
तस्य देवेश न वयं विद्मः सर्वे चिकीर्षितम्। संतापयति नः सर्वानसौ साधु निवार्यताम्
O Lord of the gods, none of us knows what he intends; he is tormenting us all—let him be restrained, if it is proper.
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा मुननां भावितात्मनाम्। उमापतिर्भूतपतिर्वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह
Hearing those words of the sages, whose souls are purified, the Lord of Uma, the Lord of beings, spoke these words.
न वो विषादः कर्तव्यः फल्गुनं प्रति सर्वशः। शीघ्रं गच्छत संहृष्टा यथागतमतन्द्रिताः
You should not be troubled at all regarding Phalguna; go quickly, delighted and untiring, just as you came.
अहमस्य विजानामि संकल्पं मनसि स्थितम्। नास्य स्वर्गस्पृहा काचिन्नैश्वर्यस्य न चायुषः। यत्तस्य काङ्क्षितं प्राप्तुं तत्करिष्येऽहमद्य वै
I know the resolve that is fixed in his mind; he has no desire for heaven, nor for sovereignty, nor for long life. What he seeks to obtain, I shall surely grant him today.
तच्छ्रुत्वा शर्ववचनमृषयः सत्यवादिनः। प्रहृष्टमनसो जग्मुर्यथास्वं पुनराश्रमम्
Hearing these words of Sharva, the truth-speaking sages, their minds gladdened, returned each to their own hermitage.
गतेषु तेषु सर्वेषु तपस्विषु महात्मसु। पिनाकपाणिर्भगवान्सर्वपापहरो हरः
When all those great-souled ascetics had departed, the blessed Hara, bearer of the Pinaka and destroyer of all sins, appeared.
कैरातं वेषमास्थाय काञ्चनद्रुमसन्निभम्। विभ्राजमानो वपुषा गिरिर्मेरुरिवापरः
Assuming the guise of a Kirata, shining like a golden tree, he blazed with radiance like another Meru mountain.
श्रीगद्धनुरुपादाय शरांश्चाशीविषोपमान्। निष्पपात महार्चिष्मान्दहन्कक्षमिवानलः
Taking up a splendid bow and arrows resembling venomous serpents, he descended, blazing like fire burning a forest.
देव्या सहोमया श्रीमान्समानव्रतवेषया। नानावेषधरैर्हृष्टैर्भूतैरनुगतस्तदा
Accompanied by the illustrious Uma, who was dressed and vowed like himself, and followed by delighted spirits in various forms, he proceeded then.
किरातवेषसंछन्नः स्त्रीभिश्चापि सहस्रशः। अशोभत तदा राजन्स देशोऽतीव भारत
Concealed in the guise of a Kirata and surrounded by thousands of women, O Bharata, that place shone exceedingly at that time.
क्षणेन तद्वनं सर्वं निःशब्दमभवत्तदा। नादः प्रस्रवणानां च पक्षिणां चाप्युपारमत्
In a moment, that entire forest became silent; the sounds of waterfalls and birds ceased.
स सन्निकर्षमागम्य पार्थस्याक्लिष्टकर्मणः। मूकं नाम दितेः पुत्रं ददर्शाद्भुतदर्शनम्
Coming near to Partha, whose deeds were blameless, he beheld Muka, the son of Diti, a wondrous sight.
वाराहं रूपमास्थाय तर्जयन्तमिवार्जुनम्। हन्तुं परमदुष्टात्मा तमुवाचाथ फल्गुनः
Assuming the form of a boar, terrifying Arjuna as if to slay him, that most wicked being was then addressed by Phalguna.
गाण्डीवं धनुरादाय शरांश्चाशीविषोपमान्। सज्यं धनुर्वरं कृत्वा ज्याघोषेण निनादयन्
Taking up the Gandiva bow and arrows resembling venomous serpents, stringing the excellent bow, he made it resound with the twang of the bowstring.