लोकानात्मप्रभान्पश्यन्फल्गुनो विस्मयान्वितः। पप्रच्छ मातलिं प्रीत्या स चाप्येनमुवाच ह
Beholding those worlds shining with their own radiance, Phalguna, filled with wonder, questioned Matali with affection, and he replied to him.
एते सुकृतिनः पार्थ स्वेषु धिष्ण्येष्ववस्थिताः। तान्दृष्टवानसि विभो तारारूपाणि भूतले
These, O Partha, are the virtuous, established in their own seats; you have seen them, O mighty one, those star-like forms upon the earth.
ततोऽपश्यत्स्थितं द्वारि मत्तं विजयिनं गजम्। ऐरावतं चतुर्दन्तं कैलासमिव शृङ्गिणम्
Then he saw at the gate a victorious, intoxicated elephant—Airavata, four-tusked, towering like Kailasa with its peaks.
स सिद्धमार्गमाक्रम्य कुरुपाण्डवसत्तमः। व्यरोचत यथापूर्वं मान्धाता पार्थिवोत्तमः
Having entered the path of the perfected, the best of the Kurus and Pandavas shone as Mandhata, the foremost of kings, did before.
अभिचक्राम लोकान्स राज्ञां राजीवलोचनः
That lotus-eyed one proceeded through the worlds of kings.
[एवं स संक्रमंस्तत्र स्वर्गलोके महायशाः ।] ततो ददर्श शक्रस्य पुरीं ताममरावतीम्
Thus, in that passage in the world of the gods, the illustrious one then beheld the city of Shakra, that Amaravati.
ददर्श स पुरीं रम्यां सिद्धचारणसेविताम्। सर्वर्तुकुसुमैः पुण्यैः पादपैरुपशोभिताम्
He beheld that delightful city, frequented by perfected beings and celestial bards, adorned with auspicious trees blooming in all seasons.
तत्र सौगन्धिकानां च पुष्पाणां पुण्यगन्धिनाम्। उपवीज्यमानो मिश्रेण वायुना पुण्यगन्धिना
There, fanned by a gentle, fragrant wind mingled with the sacred scent of Saugandhika flowers, he was refreshed.
नन्दनं च वनं दिव्यमप्सरोगणसेवितम्। ददर्श दिव्यकुसुमैराह्वयद्भिरिव द्रुमैः
He saw the divine Nandana grove, attended by hosts of Apsarases, with celestial trees inviting with their heavenly blossoms.
नातप्ततपसा शक्यो द्रष्टुं नानाहिताग्निना। स लोकः पुण्यकर्तॄणां नापि युद्धे पराङ्युखैः
That world of the virtuous cannot be seen by one who has not performed austerities, nor by one who has not offered sacred fires, nor by those who turn away in battle.
नायज्वभिर्नाव्रतिकैर्न वेदश्रुतिवर्जितैः। नानाप्लुताङ्गैस्तीर्थेषु यज्ञदानबहिष्कृतैः
One who does not perform sacrifices, who does not observe vows, who is devoid of Vedic study, or who is impure in body, and who is excluded from sacrifices and gifts at holy places—
नापि यज्ञहनैः क्षुद्रैर्द्रष्टुं शक्यः कथंचन। पानपैर्गुरुतल्पैश्च मांसादैर्वा दुरात्मभिः
Nor by those who destroy sacrifices, who are base, who drink intoxicants, who approach their teacher’s wife, who eat meat, or who are wicked—such a one can never behold me.
स तद्दिव्यं वनं पश्यन्दिव्यगीतनिनादितम्। प्रविवेश महाबाहुः शक्रस्य दयितां पुरीम्
Then that mighty-armed one beheld that divine forest, resounding with celestial songs, and entered the beloved city of Indra.
तत्र देवविमानानि कामगानि सहस्रशः। संस्थितान्यभियातानि ददर्शायुतशस्तदा
There he saw thousands upon thousands of celestial chariots, moving at will, stationed and arriving in great numbers.
संस्तूयमानो गन्धर्वैरप्सरोभिश्च पाण्डवः। पुष्पगन्धवहैः पुण्यैर्वायुभिश्चानुवीजितः
The son of Pandu was praised by Gandharvas and Apsaras, and fanned by auspicious breezes carrying the fragrance of flowers.
ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः। हृष्टाः संपूजयामासुः पार्थमक्लिष्टकारिणम्
Then the gods, along with Gandharvas, Siddhas, and great sages, delighted, honored Partha, the doer of blameless deeds.
आसीर्वादैः स्तूयमानो दिव्यवादित्रनिःस्वनैः। प्रतिपेदे महाबाहुः शङ्खदुन्दुभिनादितम्
Praised with blessings and the sounds of celestial instruments, the mighty-armed one advanced, as conches and drums resounded.
नक्षत्रमार्गं विपुलं सुरवीथीति विश्रुतम्। इन्द्राज्ञया ययौ पार्थः स्तूयमानः समन्ततः
By Indra’s command, Partha traveled the broad path of the stars, renowned as the way of the gods, being praised on all sides.
तत्र साध्यास्तथा विश्वे मरुतोऽथाश्विनौ तथा। आदित्या वसवो रुद्रास्तथा ब्रह्मर्षयोऽमलाः
There were the Sadhyas, the Vishvedevas, the Maruts, the Ashvins, the Adityas, the Vasus, the Rudras, and the pure Brahmarshis.
राजर्षयश्च बहवो दिलीपप्रमुखा नृपाः। तम्बुरुर्नारदश्चैव गन्धर्वौ च हाहा हूहूः
And many royal sages, foremost among them Dilipa, kings, Tamburu, Narada, and the Gandharvas Haha and Huhu.
तान्स सर्वान्समागम्य विधिवत्कुरुनन्दनः। ततोऽपश्यद्देवराजं शतक्रतुमरिंदमः
Having met all of them properly, O joy of the Kurus, he then beheld the king of the gods, Shatakratu, subduer of foes.
ततः पार्थो महाबाहुरवतीर्य रथोत्तमात्। ददर्श साक्षाद्देवेशं पितरं पाकशासनम्
Then Partha, mighty-armed, descended from his excellent chariot and saw with his own eyes the lord of the gods, his father, the wielder of the thunderbolt.
पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण हेमदण्डेन चारुणा। दिव्यगन्धाधिवासेन व्यजनेन विधूयता
He was shaded by a white parasol with a golden handle, fanned by a charming fan scented with divine fragrance.
विश्वावसुप्रभृतिनिर्गन्धर्वैः स्तुतिवन्दिभिः। स्तूयमानं द्विजाग्र्यैश्च ऋग्यजुःसामसंस्तवैः
Praised by Gandharvas led by Vishvavasu, by singers and bards, and by foremost Brahmins with hymns from the Rig, Yajur, and Sama Vedas.
ततोऽभिगम्य कौन्तेयः शिरसाऽभ्यगमद्बली। स चैनं वृत्तपीनाभ्यां बाहुभ्यां प्रत्यगृह्णत
Then the strong son of Kunti approached and bowed his head; and he was embraced by him with arms broad and strong.
ततः शक्रासने पुण्ये देवर्षिगणसेविते। शक्रः पाणौ गृहीत्वैनमुपावेशयदन्तिके
Then, on the auspicious throne of Indra, attended by hosts of divine sages, Shakra took him by the hand and seated him nearby.
मूर्धि चैनमुपाघ्राय देवेन्द्रः परवीरहा। अङ्कमारोपयामास प्रश्रयावनतं तदा
Devendra, slayer of enemy heroes, smelled his head and lifted him, who was humbly bowed, onto his lap.
सहस्राक्षनियोगात्स पार्थः शक्रासनं तदा। आरुरुक्षुरमेयात्मा द्वितीय इववासवः
By the command of the thousand-eyed one, that Partha, of immeasurable soul, then wished to ascend Indra’s throne, like a second Vasava.
ततः प्रेम्णा वृत्रशत्रुरर्जुनस्य शुभं मुखम्। पस्पर्श पुण्यगन्धेन करेण परिसान्त्वयन्
Then, with affection, the slayer of Vritra gently touched Arjuna’s radiant face with his hand, soothing him with its auspicious fragrance.
प्रमार्जमानः शनकैर्बाहू चास्यायतौ शुभौ। ज्याशरक्षेपकिनौ स्तम्भाविव हिरण्मयौ
Slowly wiping Arjuna’s two strong arms—long and beautiful, skilled in drawing the bow and releasing arrows, like golden pillars—