Arjuna Returns to Gandhamadana in Indra's Chariot
While the Pandavas are thinking of Arjuna, Indra's chariot driven by Matali suddenly appears in the sky, carrying Arjuna. He descends, pays respects to Dhoumya, Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Draupadi, is worshipped by Nakula and Sahadeva, and the Pandavas honor Matali before he departs. Arjuna presents the gifts from Indra, recounts his acquisition of weapons from Indra, Vayu, and Shiva, and his entry into heaven, then happily goes to sleep with his brothers.
One day, while the maharathas were thinking of Arjuna, they saw Indra's chariot approaching in the sky — a sudden blaze like a flash of lightning, yoked to tawny horses, blazing in the firmament like a giant meteor hidden in clouds or the flaming crest of a fire without smoke. It was driven by Matali.
Inside stood Kiriti — Arjuna, the one with the diadem on his head — garlanded and adorned in the finest ornaments, equal to the wielder of the vajra (thunderbolt) in his power. He arrived at the mountain, dazzling in his beauty.
When he descended from Indra's chariot, he first paid his respects at Dhoumya's feet. Then he bowed before Ajatashatru — Yudhishthira. Then he bowed down at Vrikodara's — Bhima's — feet. He was himself worshipped by Madri's sons, Nakula and Sahadeva. Then he went to Krishna — Draupadi — and comforted her. With humility, he stood below his brother.
Those who were there were extremely delighted at being reunited with the one who cannot be measured. The one with the diadem on his head was also delighted on seeing them and praised the king. With happiness in their hearts, the Parthas approached and circled Indra's chariot.
The princes of the Kuru lineage showed honor to Matali, equal to what the king of the gods would have warranted. As was appropriate, they asked him about the welfare of the gods. Matali greeted them and instructed them, like a father does his sons. Then, in that chariot unmatched in its splendor, he returned to the lord of the gods.
When the chariot had departed, Shakra's great-souled son — the destroyer of all enemies — presented all the expensive and beautiful gifts that Shakra had given. The ornaments he lovingly gave to his beloved, Sutasoma's mother — Draupadi — glittered like the sun's rays.
Then he seated himself in the midst of the bulls of the Kuru lineage, resplendent like the sun and the fire. He sat in the midst of the brahmana rishis and recounted everything that had happened.
"I have learnt these weapons from Shakra, the wind-god, and Shiva themselves. Together with the gods, Indra was pleased at my conduct and my concentration."
Having briefly told them about his entry into heaven, Kiriti, the performer of pure deeds, happily went to sleep, spending the night with Madri's sons. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 458