Arjuna Meets the Lokapalas and Receives Weapons
After spending the night through Tryambaka's favours, Arjuna meets the brahmana who had guided him earlier. The brahmana tells him he will see the lords of the worlds and receive weapons from Indra. That afternoon, all the lokapalas — Kubera, Yama, Varuna, and Indra — appear before him, and Arjuna receives their celestial weapons according to prescribed rites.
"Through the favours of the great-souled Tryambaka, the god of the gods, I happily spent the night there," Arjuna said. "When the night had passed and I had completed the morning rituals, I saw the best of brahmanas whom I had met earlier. I told him everything that had happened — my meeting with the illustrious Mahadeva.
"That supreme of brahmanas then happily told me: 'You have seen Mahadeva in a way that no one else has. You will see Vaivasvata and all the other lords of the worlds. You will see Indra of the gods and he will give you weapons.'
"Having said this, he embraced me again and again. Then that brahmana, who was like the sun, went where he desired.
"In the afternoon of that day, a pure breeze began to blow and it seemed to make the world new again. Near me, at the foot of Shaishira mountain, divine, fragrant, and fresh flowers appeared. The sound of delightful and divine musical instruments was heard on all sides, together with chants in praise of Indra. Masses of apsaras and gandharvas began to sing various songs in front of the god of the gods. Masses of Maruts arrived in celestial vehicles, together with Mahendra's followers and those who live in his abode. Marutvan, accompanied by Shachi, arrived in ornamented chariots yoked to tawny horses, together with all the other immortals.
"At that instant, Naravahana Kubera, supreme in prosperity, appeared before me. I saw Yama established in the southern direction and Varuna and the king of the gods, each established in one's respective place.
"That bull among the gods then spoke to me in comforting words: 'O Savyasachi! Look at all of us lokapalas established here. You have seen Shankara to accomplish a task for the gods. You will receive weapons from all of us who are around here.'
"I then purified myself and prostrated myself before those best of the gods. In accordance with the prescribed rites, I received those powerful weapons. Having obtained the weapons, I obtained leave of the gods. Then all the gods returned the way they had come." Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 461