Arjuna and Maya

Maya, the divine architect, is formally presented to King Yudhishthira. After recounting ancient tales and performing the proper rites, he selects an auspicious day, honors thousands of brahmanas, and measures out a vast, divine plot of land. The site for the wondrous Maya Sabha is prepared.

Saved from certain death by Arjuna, the divine architect Maya insists on repaying the debt. Arjuna declines any personal favor but, not wishing to obstruct Maya's resolution, suggests he do something for Krishna instead. Krishna, after a moment's thought, gives the architect a monumental task.

Saved from the burning Khandava forest, the asura architect Maya offers Arjuna a gift: a divine assembly hall for the Pandavas. He describes the treasures he will retrieve—a supreme club for Bhima and the conch Devadatta for Arjuna—and sets off to the north-east to begin his work.

Maya travels to the sacred peaks near Kailasha, retrieves the club, conch, and crystal treasures, and then marshals his rakshasa servants to construct a matchless, jewel-encrusted assembly hall. In fourteen months, a divine sabha stands complete, and Maya presents the weapons to Bhima and Arjuna.