Yudhishthira Sends Arjuna to Obtain Divine Weapons

After some time, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira remembered the sage's words. He spoke privately to Arjuna, bull among the Bharata lineage, whose wisdom was known. He smiled at him and gently took him by the hand. After thinking for an instant about their abode in the forest, the destroyer of enemies spoke secretly to Dhananjaya. "O descendant of the Bharata lineage! The four parts of dhanurveda (the science of archery) are today established in Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Drona's son. They know all types of brahma, divine and asura weapons — how to release them and how to counter them. All of them have been pacified by Dhritarashtra's son. He has gratified them with gifts and treats them like preceptors. He always exhibits the best of conduct towards all the warriors. Thus revered by him, they will not fail to show their power when the time comes. "Today, the entire earth is under Duryodhana's suzerainty. You are our last refuge and a great burden is vested in you. O destroyer of enemies! I see that the time has come for you to perform a task. I obtained secret knowledge from Krishna Dvaipayana. If you use it, the entire universe will become visible to you. Having attentively received this brahman, when the time is right, you must seek the favour of the gods. "Devote yourself to terrible austerities. Armed with a bow, armour and sword, be like a revered sage. Without allowing anyone to pass you, traverse a path towards the northern direction. Indra possesses all the divine weapons. Out of their fear from Vritra, the gods gave all their powers to Indra. They are all accumulated in one place. Go to Shakra and he will give all the weapons to you. Be consecrated and set out immediately for the god Purandara." Having uttered these words, the lord Dharmaraja imparted the knowledge to him, after Arjuna was consecrated according to the rites and controlled in speech, body and mind. The elder brother then gave the warrior brother permission to leave. On Yudhishthira's instructions that he should meet the god Purandara, Arjuna grasped the bow Gandiva and the great inexhaustible quivers. He clad himself in armour, leather gloves, leather arm-guards and finger-guards. The mighty-armed one offered oblations into the fire and, having received gold coins, the brahmanas pronounced their blessings. Grasping his bow and arrows, sighing and casting a glance upwards, he left — for the sake of the destruction of Dhritarashtra's sons. On seeing Kounteya grasp his bow and arrows, the brahmanas, the siddhas and the invisible beings said, "O Kounteya! May you swiftly obtain the desire in your heart." Arjuna's gait was like that of a lion and his thighs were like the trunks of shala trees. The hearts of everyone went with him. Krishna told him, "O mighty-armed Dhananjaya! O Kounteya! All that Kunti wished for you at the time of your birth and all that you desire for yourself must come true. Let none of us ever be born in the lineage of kshatriyas again. I always salute the brahmanas, who never have to make a living out of war. All your brothers will spend their waking hours in repeatedly praising and recounting your valorous deeds. O Partha! But if your sojourn proves to be a long one, we will find no satisfaction in our minds in our comforts, riches and even in our lives. All our happiness and unhappiness is now established in you — our life and death, our kingdom and our prosperity. O Kounteya! I take leave of you. O Pandava! May all be well with you. I bow down before Dhata and Vidhata. May all be well along your path and may you be healthy. May you be safe from all beings in the sky, the earth and heaven, and may all other beings not create obstructions in your path." The mighty-armed Pandava circumambulated his brothers and Dhoumya, and grasping his beautiful bow, departed.

Yudhishthira Sends Arjuna to Obtain Divine Weapons

The Pandavas' Exile and the Great Dharma Debate