Lomasha Reports Arjuna's Achievements to Yudhishthira
Yudhishthira asks the sage Lomasha about his travels. Lomasha is pleased to reply — he has been sent by Indra himself with news of Arjuna. He tells Yudhishthira that he saw Arjuna seated on half of Indra's throne, that Arjuna has obtained the Brahmashira weapon from Rudra and other divine weapons from the guardians of the world, and that he has mastered the gandharva veda. Then Lomasha delivers Indra's message: Arjuna will return after accomplishing a great task for the gods, Yudhishthira should devote himself to austerities, his fear of Karna will be dispelled, and he should accept Lomasha's guidance on tirthas.
Yudhishthira asked Lomasha about his travels — where he had been, what he had seen. The great-souled sage was pleased to answer. He spoke in soft words that delighted the Pandava.
"I travelled all the worlds according to my wishes," Lomasha said. "I went to Shakra's residence — the abode of Indra, king of the gods — and I saw the lord of the gods there. And I saw your brave brother Savyasachi — Arjuna — seated beside him. He shared half of Indra's throne. I was extremely astonished."
When Lomasha had seen Arjuna seated in that fashion, Indra himself had spoken: "Go to Pandu's sons." So Lomasha had come swiftly, to see Yudhishthira and his younger brothers. He had come because of the words of Puruhuta (Indra) and the great-souled Arjuna himself.
"O son! O descendant of the Pandava lineage! I will tell you that which will bring you great delight. Listen to my words, with your brothers and with Krishna."
On Yudhishthira's instructions, the mighty-armed Arjuna had gone out for weapons. And he had obtained them.
From Rudra, Arjuna had obtained a great and unrivalled weapon — the Brahmashira, which Rudra himself had obtained after great austerities. That terrible weapon had arisen with the ambrosia itself, and Savyasachi had now obtained it, together with the mantras for withdrawing, repulsing, and releasing it.
From Yama, Kubera, Varuna, and Indra — the guardians of the four directions — Arjuna had obtained other divine weapons: vajra (the thunderbolt), danda (the rod), and more.
From Vishvavasu's son, Arjuna had learned singing, dancing, the chanting of samans (melodic hymns), and the playing of musical instruments — all according to the rules and norms of learning. He had become skilled in weapons and had mastered the gandharva veda (the science of music and dance).
"Bibhatsu — Arjuna — younger to your younger brother, lives happily there," Lomasha said.
Then he delivered the message Indra had given him for Yudhishthira.
"Your younger brother Arjuna will swiftly return, after obtaining weapons, but after accomplishing a great task for the gods — a task the gods themselves are incapable of. Together with your brothers, devote yourself to austerities. Austerities are supreme; there is nothing greater than austerities. I know Karna exactly. In battle, he is not worth a sixteenth part of Arjuna. I will dispel the fear that exists in your mind about him when Savyasachi has returned. You have a desire in your mind towards visiting the tirthas (sacred pilgrimage sites). Lomasha will tell you everything about this. Whatever the maharshi tells you about the fruits of austerities and tirthas should be accepted by you as the bringer of welfare. It should not be otherwise."
Lomasha fell silent. The message from the king of the gods was complete. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 386