Pandu Performs Austerities and Kunti Summons Indra for Arjuna
After Bhima's birth, Pandu desires a supreme son, the best in all worlds. He performs severe austerities for a year to please Indra, king of the gods. When Indra grants the boon, Kunti summons him, and Arjuna is born amid celestial celebrations and a prophecy of his future glory.
When Bhima was born, Pandu began to think. “How can I obtain a supreme son who will be the best in all the worlds?” He decided. “Indra is the king and the best of the gods. By pleasing him with austerities, I can obtain a son who is immensely strong. The son that he will give me will be the best.”
The immensely energetic Pandu consulted with the great sages, then instructed Kunti to observe a sacred vow for one year. He himself stood on one leg for that entire year, performing severe austerities, immersed in supreme meditation, worshipping the sun to propitiate the lord of the thirty gods.
Indra responded after a long time. “I will give you a son who will be famous in the three worlds. He will ensure the welfare of gods, Brahmanas and relatives. I will give you a son who will destroy all his enemies.”
Pandu, remembering the words of the king of the gods, spoke to Kunti. “O one with the beautiful hips! Devoted to morality, great-souled, radiant as the sun, invincible—this is the son we will receive through the grace of the king of the gods. Summon him.”
Kunti summoned Shakra—Indra. The lord of the gods arrived, and Arjuna was born from him.
As soon as the son was born, an invisible voice thundered from the sky. “O Kunti! He will be like Kartavirya and Shibi in prowess, invincible like Indra. He will spread your fame everywhere. As Vishnu increased Aditi’s happiness, like Vishnu, Arjuna will increase your happiness. He will bring under his sway the countries of Madra, Kuru, Kekaya, Chedi, Kashi and Karusha and establish the prosperity of the Kurus. Through the valour of his arms, Havyavahana [the fire god] will be supremely satisfied with the fat of all beings in Khandava. With his brothers, this immensely strong warrior will vanquish all small chiefs and perform three sacrifices. In valour, he will be the equal of Vishnu and Jamadagni’s son Rama. He will be the greatest among those endowed with valour and he will be invincible. He will acquire all kinds of divine weapons. He will be a bull among men and he will regain the lost fortune.”
The ascetics living on Mount Shatashringa heard these loud words and were delighted. The sky erupted in an enormous clamour. Devarshis, Indra and the other gods, and the sound of drums filled the air. A shower of flowers covered the entire place.
All the classes of gods assembled. The serpents Shesha and Vasuki were there. Garuda and the other sons of Vinata were there. The great sages—the Saptarishis including Vashishtha and Vishvamitra—were there. Gandharvas like Tumburu and Chitraratha sang. Apsaras like Menaka and Urvashi danced, wearing divine garlands and ornaments. The Adityas, the Rudras, the Vasus, the Maruts—all the hosts of heaven gathered in the sky to increase the glory of the great Pandava.
When they saw this great wonder, the supreme hermits were astounded. Their affection towards Pandu’s sons increased even more.