Maya Offers to Build a Sabha for the Pandavas
Saved from the burning Khandava forest, the asura architect Maya offers Arjuna a gift: a divine assembly hall for the Pandavas. He describes the treasures he will retrieve—a supreme club for Bhima and the conch Devadatta for Arjuna—and sets off to the north-east to begin his work.
Maya, the asura architect, stood before Arjuna. The fire of Khandava was behind them, and his life was a debt he intended to repay. He asked for permission to leave, but promised a swift return. He had a plan.
To the north of Kailasha, near Mount Mainaka, was a sacred region where the danavas (demons) performed sacrifices by the beautiful Lake Bindu. There, Maya explained, he had stored a collection of jewels and treasure. He had left it in the sabha (assembly hall) of Vrishaparva, a danava known for keeping his promises. If it was still there, he would bring it all back. With it, he would build a sabha for the Pandavas—one that would be famous, beautiful, pleasing to the heart, and adorned with every kind of gem.
But the jewels were not the only prize. In Lake Bindu itself lay a supreme club. King Youvanashva had placed it there after slaying his enemies in battle. It was heavy, firm, embellished with golden knobs, and possessed the power of one hundred thousand ordinary clubs. "That," Maya told Arjuna, "will be for Bhima what the Gandiva is for you." There was also a great conch shell belonging to Varuna, the god of the waters, named Devadatta, which produced an excellent sound. Maya promised to give them all.
Having laid out his intention, the asura took his leave and departed towards the north-east, setting his course for the distant, jewel-filled peaks.