Arjuna and Shakra

Vaishravana (Kubera) addresses Yudhishthira directly, critiquing Bhimasena's violent and undisciplined nature. He delivers a discourse on perseverance, place, time, and valour, ordering Yudhishthira to dwell at Arshtishena's hermitage for a lunar fortnight. He promises protection from gandharvas, yakshas, and rakshasas, and reveals that Shantanu is pleased with Arjuna in heaven.

Arjuna and Matali, Indra's charioteer, are surrounded by the nivatakavacha asuras, who rain down lances, clubs, and arrows from every direction. Arjuna drives them back with the Gandiva, Matali tramples them under the horses' hooves, and when the asuras press the attack, Arjuna deploys the brahmastra and the madhava weapon — slicing their weapons to pieces and piercing each asura with ten arrows.

After the battle, Arjuna enters the Nivatakavacha city — a place more beautiful than the abode of the gods themselves. He asks Matali why the gods do not live there, and learns that his entire mission was divinely ordained: the gods could not kill these asuras, but Arjuna, arriving at the destined time, has accomplished what they could not.

Arjuna returns to Indra's abode, his mission complete. Matali recounts every detail of the battle — the destruction of Hiranyapura, the maya, the slaying of the nivatakavachas. Indra, delighted, declares that Arjuna has paid a great preceptor's fee and that Yudhishthira will conquer the earth through his strength.