Arjuna Crosses the Ocean and Reaches the Daitya City
Arjuna crosses the terrible ocean, passes through its wonders, and descends into the city of the daityas. The roar of his chariot fills the streets — and the danavas, mistaking him for Indra, tremble, close their gates, and arm themselves for what is coming.
Wherever Arjuna went, the maharshis (great sages) praised him. Then he beheld the terrible ocean — the eternal lord of the waters.
Towering waves rose and fell, full of foam, dashing against each other and scattering like moving mountains. Thousands of boats laden with gems floated in every direction. Timingilas (whale-like sea creatures), tortoises, whales, and crocodiles could be seen immersed in the water like mountains. Thousands of conch shells lay submerged, looking like stars in the night sky covered by thin clouds. Thousands of gems floated in heaps. A terrible wind whirled over everything — extraordinary to behold.
Arjuna crossed that supreme and extremely forceful storehouse of waters and drew near to the city of the daityas (demonic beings). He saw it — infested with danavas.
Matali swiftly descended onto the ground. He drove the chariot into the city, filling it with the roar of the chariot — like the sound of thunder in the sky.
On hearing it, the danavas took Arjuna to be the king of the gods. Their minds trembled. All of them stood there, holding arrows and bows, spears, swords, battleaxes, clubs, and maces in their hands. Their minds trembling with fear, the danavas closed the gates. They arranged for the protection of the city — and nothing could be seen. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 463