Rishis Complain to Shiva About Arjuna's Austerities
The smoke from Arjuna's terrible austerities spreads in all directions, disturbing the maharshis who dwell in the Himalayas. They go to Shiva, prostrate before him, and ask him to restrain the ascetic who is tormenting them. Shiva tells them he knows what Arjuna intends — and that he will accomplish everything the warrior wishes for.
The smoke from Arjuna's austerities emerged in all directions. It reached the maharshis (great sages) who lived in the Himalayas, and they were disturbed.
They went to Pinaki — Shiva, the wielder of the pinaka bow. They prostrated themselves before the immensely illustrious one with the dark throat — Nilakantha, the blue-throated god who had drunk the poison of the churning of the ocean. They sought his favours.
They told him about Phalguna's deeds.
"This immensely energetic Partha has established himself on the peak of the Himalayas. He is engaged in difficult and terrible austerities and smoke is emerging in all the directions. O lord of the gods! None of us knows what he wishes for. He is tormenting us. It would be better if he were to be restrained."
Maheshvara — the great lord — replied.
"In a happy frame of mind and without fatigue, swiftly return to wherever you have come from. I know the resolution that is fixed in his mind. He does not wish for heaven, or riches, or a long life. I will accomplish today everything that he wishes for."
Having heard Sharva's words — Sharva, another name for the archer god — all the truthful rishis returned to their hermitages in happy frames of mind. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 336