Arjuna Ascends to Heaven in Indra's Chariot
Matali arrives in Indra's divine chariot and tells Arjuna he will go to heaven in his physical body. As the chariot soars upward with the speed of mind and wind, Arjuna sits so steadily that Matali is astonished — noting that even Indra himself loses his balance when the horses first move.
Arjuna saw Indra's chariot arrive. It was yoked to tawny horses, divine and magical and sacred, driven by Matali. The lokapalas (guardians of the worlds) had departed, and Matali spoke:
"O immensely radiant one! Shakra, the king of the gods, wishes to see you. First attain perfection. Then perform supreme deeds. Behold the regions earned by those with pure deeds. Go to heaven in your physical body."
At Matali's words, Arjuna took his leave of Shaishira mountain. He circumambulated it and ascended that supreme chariot. Matali, expansive in generosity and an expert about horses, drove those steeds in the proper fashion — with the speed of the mind and the wind.
The chariot swung and swayed as it rose. But Arjuna sat steadily, unmoving.
Matali was surprised. He said, wonderingly: "Today, this seems to me to be wonderful and extraordinary. You are seated in this divine chariot but have not moved even a foot. When the horses make their first movements, I have noticed that even the king of the gods loses his balance. But you are seated in this fashion, though the chariot is swinging. It seems to me that your powers have surpassed those of Shakra."
Having said this, Matali soared up into the sky. He lovingly showed Arjuna Nandana and many other groves of the gods. Arjuna saw Shakra's abode of Amaravati — adorned with divine trees that yielded every object of desire and jewels. The sun did not light it up. No chill or heat was felt there. There was no fatigue, dust, mud, darkness, or old age. No sorrow, misery, or pallor could be noticed. There was no weariness among the inhabitants of heaven. There was no anger or greed, nor anything inauspicious. Beings in the abodes of the gods were always satisfied and happy. Trees were always green with foliage, bearing flowers and fruit. There were many ponds full of lotuses and sougandhika flowers. The breeze was cool, fragrant, refreshing, and pure. Jewels lay everywhere and the ground was strewn with flowers. Beautiful animals and birds with sweet voices moved through the groves. Many immortals could be seen, riding their vimanas (celestial vehicles).
Arjuna saw the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas, the masses of Maruts, the Adityas, and the Ashvins. He offered homage to all of them. They gave him their blessings — for valour, fame, energy, strength, the learning of weapons, and victory in battle. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 461