The Lokapalas Grant Divine Weapons to Arjuna

Shiva vanished like a setting sun before the eyes of the worlds. Arjuna stood alone on the Himalayan peak, stunned. He had seen Mahadeva in person — had touched him with his own hands. He spoke aloud to no one: "I am blessed. I have accomplished my objective. All my enemies are already defeated in battle. All my wishes have been attained." Then the directions lit up. The lord of the waters arrived first — Varuna, his complexion like lapis lazuli, surrounded by aquatic creatures, nagas, rivers both male and female, daityas, sadhyas, and gods. Kubera came next, followed by yakshas, his complexion like gold, riding a splendid chariot that illuminated the sky. Yama followed — the powerful destroyer of the worlds, accompanied by the ancestors, embodied and disembodied, carrying his staff, arriving in a chariot that brightened the three worlds like a second sun at the end of a yuga. And finally Shakra — Indra himself — seated on the head of Airavata, his white umbrella shining like the moon amidst white clouds, surrounded by masses of gods, praised by gandharvas and rishis. All four protectors of the worlds had assembled on that peak. Yama spoke first, his voice like the roar of clouds. "Behold. All the protectors of the worlds have assembled here. We will give you sight, because you deserve to see us. In the past, you were an immensely strong rishi named Nara. Instructed by Brahma, you have been born on earth. You have been born from Vasava, who is immensely valorous and powerful. You will pacify kshatriyas who are like fire to the touch and are protected by Bharadvaja, immensely valorous danavas who have been born as men, and the nivatakavachas. The greatly valorous Karna is a part of my father, the sun-god, who heats all the worlds. He will be slain by you. You will kill in battle those parts of the gods, danavas, and rakshasas that have been born on earth. Your fame will remain eternal in the world. You have pleased Mahadeva himself in a great battle. Along with Vishnu, you will lighten the burden of the earth. Accept the staff — my weapon that cannot be repulsed. With this weapon, you will accomplish great deeds." Arjuna accepted it in accordance with the prescribed rites — with the mantras for holding, releasing, and withdrawing. Varuna spoke next, his complexion dark as a cloud. "You are foremost among the kshatriyas and you are established in the dharma of kshatriyas. Behold me with your large and copper-red eyes. I am Varuna, lord of the waters. When discharged by me, Varuna's noose cannot be resisted. I am giving it to you — together with the mysteries and means of withdrawal. At the time of the tarakamaya battle, I used it to restrain thousands of great-souled daityas. Even Death will not be able to escape if you assault him with this. When you are armed with this weapon and roam in the field of battle, there is no doubt that the earth will be bereft of all kshatriyas." Arjuna accepted the noose. Then Kubera, the lord of riches who lives on the peak of Kailasa, spoke. "In an earlier era, your endeavours were always at our side. Accept this favourite weapon of mine, known as antardhana. It is energetic, vigorous, and resplendent. It can put the enemy to sleep." Arjuna accepted the divine weapon in accordance with the rites. Finally Indra spoke, his voice like a cloud or a kettledrum. "You are the ancient Ishana. You have already obtained supreme salvation earlier and have personally gone the way of the gods. You must now accomplish a great task for the sake of the gods. You will now ascend to heaven. Prepare yourself. My chariot will descend to earth for you, driven by Matali. I will give you divine weapons there." Arjuna paid homage to the assembled lords of the worlds in accordance with the rites — with words, water, and fruit. The gods honoured him in return. Then all of them returned as they had come, capable of going wherever they wished, with the speed of thought. Arjuna stood alone on the peak, now armed with weapons from the four protectors of the world. He was delighted. He considered that his wishes had been satisfied and that his desires had been completely satisfied.