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—
वज्रग्रहणचिह्नेन करेण परिसान्त्वयन्। मुहुर्मुहुर्वज्रधरो बाहू चास्फोटयञ्शनैः
With his hand marked by holding the thunderbolt, the wielder of the thunderbolt repeatedly and gently patted Arjuna’s arms.
स्मयन्निव गुडाकेशं प्रेक्षमाणः सहस्रदृक्। हर्षेणोत्फुल्लनयनो न चातृप्यत वृत्रहा
Looking at Gudakesha with a smile, the thousand-eyed one’s eyes blossomed with joy, and the slayer of Vritra could not be satisfied.
एकासनोपविष्टौ तौ शोभयांसचक्रतुः सभाम्। सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ व्योम चतुर्दश्यामिवोदितौ
Seated together on one seat, the two adorned the assembly like the sun and moon risen in the sky on the fourteenth day.
तत्र स्म गाथा गायन्ति साम्ना परमवल्गुना। गन्धर्वास्तुम्बुरुश्रेष्ठाः कुशला गीतसामसु
There, the foremost Gandharvas, skilled in song and melody, led by Tumburu, sang hymns in the sweetest tones.
घृताची मेनका रम्भा पूर्वचित्तिः स्वयंप्रभा। उर्वशी मिश्रकेशी च दण्डगौरी वरूथीनि
Ghritachi, Menaka, Rambha, Purvachitti, Swayamprabha, Urvashi, Mishrakeshi, Dandagauri, and Varuthini—
गोपाली सहजन्या च कुम्भयोनिः प्रजागरा। चित्रसेना चित्रलेखा सहा च मधुरस्वरा
Gopali, Sahajanya, Kumbhayoni, Prajagara, Citrasena, Citralekha, Saha, and Madhurasvara—
एताश्चान्याश्च ननृतुस्तत्रतत्र शुचिस्मिताः। चत्तप्रमथने युक्ताः सिद्धानां पद्मलोचनाः
These and other fair-smiling, lotus-eyed Siddha women, skilled in dance and delight, performed there in various places.
महाकटितटश्रोण्यः कम्पमानैः पयोधरैः। कटाक्षहावमाधुर्यैश्चेतोबुद्धिमनोहरैः
With broad hips and slender waists, their trembling breasts, and sweet glances and gestures enchanting heart and mind—
[ततो देवाः सगन्धर्वाः समादायार्घ्यमुत्तमम्। शक्रस्य मतमाज्ञाय पार्थमानर्चुरञ्जसा
Then the gods, along with the Gandharvas, bringing excellent arghya, honored Partha in accordance with Shakra’s command.
पाद्यमाचमनीयं च प्रतिग्राह्य नृपात्मजम्। प्रवेशयामासुरथो पुरंदरनिवेशनम्
They offered the prince water for washing feet and sipping, and then led him into the abode of Purandara.