Shiva Reveals Arjuna's Identity and Grants a Boon

Shiva looked at Arjuna — at the man who had fought him in the form of a hunter, who had wrestled him to exhaustion without knowing who he was — and spoke. "You were Nara in an earlier body, the companion of Narayana. You spent many ayuta (tens of thousands) of years in fearful austerities at Badari. There is supreme energy in you, like that in Vishnu himself. The universe is held up through the energy of the two of you — Nara and Narayana, foremost among men. At the time of Indra's consecration, you and Krishna oppressed the danavas (demons) and you took up the great bow that thunders like clouds. This Gandiva is fit for your hands. It was that which I snatched from you, using my powers of maya (divine illusion). These two quivers will again be inexhaustible, as they used to be for you." Then Shiva said: "I am pleased with you. Truth is your valour. Accept a boon from me. What is it that you desire? You are the one who shows respect. There is no one on earth who is your equal. Nor is there anyone in heaven. The kshatriyas find their chief in you." Arjuna did not hesitate. "O illustrious god! O Vrishadhvaja (the bull-bannered one)! If you wish to grant me that which I desire, I wish for the terrible and divine weapon known as pashupata. It is known as brahmashira. It is fearful and terrible in prowess. When the terrible end of a yuga (age) approaches, it destroys the entire world. Through this weapon, I can burn down in battle danavas, rakshasas (demons), spirits, pishachas (ghouls), gandharvas (celestial musicians) and pannagas (serpents). When unleashed with mantras, it releases thousands of spears, fearful clubs and arrows that have virulent poison in them. With it, I will fight in battle Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and the son of the suta (charioteer) — Karna — who always speaks very harshly. This is my first wish. Through your grace, let me be empowered in my pursuit." Shiva said: "I will give you the great pashupata weapon, dear to me. You will be capable of bearing, releasing and withdrawing it. The great Indra, Yama, the king of the yakshas (nature spirits), Varuna and Vayu do not know it. How can it be known to humans? But it must not be suddenly released at any man. If it is released at someone who lacks in energy, it will destroy the entire universe. There is no one in the three worlds, mobile or immobile, who cannot be killed by it. It can be released through thought, eyes, words or the bow." Arjuna purified and composed himself. He went to the lord of the universe, who said: "Learn." Then Shiva taught the best of the Pandavas the mysteries of this weapon, including its withdrawal. It was like the embodied form of death. From then on, it waited on the great-souled Arjuna as it did on Tryaksha (the three-eyed one), the husband of Uma. Arjuna accepted it with a delighted heart. At that, the entire earth — with its mountains, forests, trees, oceans, groves, villages, cities and towns — began to tremble. The sounds of thousands of conch shells, drums and kettledrums were heard. A great whirlwind occurred. The gods and the demons saw the embodied form of the blazing and terrible weapon standing by the side of the immensely energetic Pandava. Tryambaka (the three-eyed god) touched Arjuna, and everything impure in his body was immediately destroyed. Then Shiva gave Arjuna permission to leave and go to heaven. Lowering his head in obeisance, Partha joined his hands in salutation and looked at the god. Then the lord of the residents of heaven, the immensely wise Girisha (the mountain lord), Shiva the husband of Uma, gave that supreme of men the great bow known as Gandiva — the destroyer of demons and pishachas. In front of Arjuna's eyes, the great god rose up into the sky, accompanied by Uma, leaving that supreme of mountains with its white peaks, sides and caverns, frequented by birds and maharshis (great sages).