Chapter 1: The Sage's Visit

For fourteen long years, Bhima had stubbornly refused to accept the curse of living in the forest. Draupadi, too, found no peace, her heart burning with the need to avenge her insult. Yet, Yudhishthira remained steadfast in his belief, holding on to the truth as his guiding light. In the quiet of the forest, where the leaves whispered secrets, Sage Vyasa came to visit.

The sage, wise and revered, approached Yudhishthira with a knowing look. "Yudhishthira," Vyasa began, his voice gentle yet firm, "I am aware of the great worry in your heart. My son, do you fear the Kaurava warriors? Is it the thought of facing Bhishma, Dronacharya, and Ashwatthama that troubles you? You believe that unless they are defeated, Duryodhana cannot be controlled, correct?"

Yudhishthira bowed his head respectfully. "Forgive me, great sage. I am a Kshatriya, and weakness is not part of my duty. I am not weak, O wise one. I remember the insult to Panchali in the Kaurava court and the humiliation of my brothers. But, sage, there is a terrible worry that I cannot share with anyone, and I want to tell you about it today."

Vyasa nodded encouragingly. "Speak, my son, speak without fear. I have come to listen to you."

Yudhishthira took a deep breath. "I respect not only Grandfather Bhishma and Teacher Drona but also Karna's bravery. A warrior as swift and skilled as Karna is rare in this world. If there is anyone as quick as Arjuna, it is Karna. Can my brothers withstand the combined strength of Karna and his powerful horses, O sage?"

The sage's eyes twinkled with wisdom. "I have no bias towards anyone. In my eyes, everyone is equal. But, my son, I always follow the truth. The real truth cannot be proven false in any situation. If a warrior is as strong as Bhima and as swift as Arjuna, he can conquer the three worlds. Karna is indeed a great hero. However, during the attack on Panchal to give Guru Dakshina to Dronacharya, Karna was there, but the victory was Arjuna's. Do not forget that, my son."

"No, great sage, I have not forgotten anything," Yudhishthira replied earnestly. "But that battle and today’s situation are different."

Vyasa smiled gently. "Yudhishthira, the future great war will not resemble that past battle. That is why I want to teach you something that will ease all your worries. Have Draupadi and Bhima's reproaches disturbed your usual calm? Then return to your eternal patience, my child. I want to give you a lesson."

Yudhishthira nodded, his resolve firm. "I am calm, my lord. Please, teach me, O greatest of teachers."

"Yudhishthira, the time for your well-being and success is drawing near. Your brother Arjuna will defeat your enemies and reclaim the rightful kingdom. But before that, I want to give you a special knowledge. This knowledge is the great secret to achieving your goals."

"Please, my lord, tell me what I must do," Yudhishthira implored.

Vyasa's expression was solemn as he spoke. "I am giving you a great knowledge called 'Pratishmruti,' Yudhishthira. It is very powerful. In the Vedas, it is known as the Indra Mantra. Accept this knowledge, my son. From you, Arjuna will learn it. Then, to use this knowledge, he will need to practice..."

"Please tell me, great sage, what will be the result of practicing this knowledge?" Yudhishthira asked eagerly.

"Yudhishthira, my son, this Pratishmruti knowledge is very special. By practicing it, Arjuna will become very powerful. With this strength, he will gain divine weapons. He will also be worthy of meeting great gods like Indra, Rudra, Varuna, and Kubera. Among the five Pandavas, only Arjuna is worthy of this divine closeness because in a previous life, he was known as Nara, a companion of Narayana."

Yudhishthira listened intently, his heart swelling with hope. "King Yudhishthira, you should help Arjuna quickly gain these divine weapons."

"Yes, master," Yudhishthira agreed, determination in his voice. "I will learn this knowledge from you and then teach it to Arjuna. With your blessing, Arjuna will surely bring back all kinds of divine weapons from the heavenly world."

Vyasa nodded, satisfied. "Great sage, I have another piece of advice for you. King, do not stay in this forest for too long because if you live in one place for a long time, the deer, fruits, and medicinal plants start to disappear. There are many sages who do not go anywhere else but this forest. They have more right to the resources of this forest than you do. It is your responsibility to ensure they do not face any trouble. Instead of staying in one place for a long time, you should travel through the forest."

Yudhishthira bowed deeply, grateful for the sage's wisdom and guidance. The path ahead seemed daunting, but with Vyasa's teachings, he felt a renewed sense of purpose and hope.

Chapter 2: The Call to Arms

Yudhishthira stood before the great sage with a sense of reverence. "As you command, great sage, I accept your advice. We will leave this forest soon," he promised, feeling the weight of the sage's words.

The sage nodded, satisfied. "You are a devoted student, Yudhishthira," he said warmly. "After purifying you, I have imparted the Pratishmruti knowledge to you. Many royal men have undertaken severe penance to learn this from my father, Vedavyasa. Yet, none have been as true as you. To learn directly from me, one must be pure, a state only you could achieve."

Yudhishthira listened intently, knowing the significance of the knowledge he had received. Though he practiced it in his mind from time to time, he understood that only Arjuna had the right to fully wield it. His practice was merely an effort to remember the Vedic mantra.

Later, Yudhishthira turned to his brothers and said, "We have been living in the Dvaita forest for quite a while. Staying in one place for too long is not the way of forest life. I think it's time for us to move elsewhere. What do you think, Arjuna?"

Arjuna nodded thoughtfully. "If my elder brother has no objection, we can go back to the Kamyaka forest. It is ideal and safe for living in every way."

"Yes, Arjuna, I have the same intention," Yudhishthira agreed. "With Rishi Dhaumya's permission, we will choose an auspicious day to go to the Kamyaka forest."

Rishi Dhaumya, hearing Yudhishthira's words, smiled with approval. "You have my consent," he said warmly.

On an auspicious day, the Pandavas bid farewell to the sages and learned Brahmins of Dvaitavana. Led by Rishi Dhaumya, they set out for the Kamyaka forest. Upon their arrival, the pilgrims were overjoyed to have the five Pandavas back among them, feeling blessed by their presence. The Pandavas spent their days happily, immersed in the reading of the Vedas, singing hymns, hunting deer, and gathering fruits.

Yet, beneath this surface of happiness, Yudhishthira knew that change was imminent. The time had come for one of the Pandavas to leave for a long period, a fact only he was aware of. It was Arjuna's turn to depart.

One day, Yudhishthira called Arjuna aside. "Brother Arjuna," he began, his voice steady, "I want to give you an important task."

Arjuna bowed his head, ready to serve. "Please command me, King. I am always ready to follow your orders."

"Listen, brother," Yudhishthira continued, "in the royal court of Hastinapura, great archers like Drona, Kripa, Karna, and Ashwatthama are present. They have special blessings in archery, and because of this, they know all kinds of weapons and how to use and counter them. This is why Duryodhana serves them and acts like an obedient student."

Arjuna listened intently, his confidence unwavering. "Forgive me, elder brother, I am not boasting in front of you. But Guru Dronacharya has taught me many kinds of weaponry. My skills are not less than those of Karna and Ashwatthama."

"This is not a time for pride, Arjuna," Yudhishthira cautioned. "We should not underestimate others in weaponry. Instead, consider their strengths and weaknesses, brother. We must prepare for future battles. Moreover, villages, seas, cities, and forests are all under Duryodhana's control now. All the warriors of the kingdom are under his command."

Arjuna looked at his brother with determination. "Are you worried about something, King? As long as Arjuna is alive, you need not fear, King. That wicked Duryodhana and his followers cannot harm you."

"I have no fear, Arjuna," Yudhishthira assured him. "I am only thinking of a great preparation. In this preparation, you have a special duty to fulfill, brother."

"Give me the order, King. I am ready," Arjuna replied, his resolve firm.

"You must carry our burden, brother. And for that, a fierce penance is required. You are very dear to me, and I have great faith in you. That's why I hesitate to give you this dangerous task, but I have no choice."

Arjuna's eyes gleamed with determination. "With your blessings, nothing is difficult for me. Please tell me what I need to do, Your Majesty."

Yudhishthira drew a deep breath. "I have received a Vedic mantra from the great sage Vedavyasa. I am now sharing this mantra with you. Practice this mantra, Arjuna. Through this practice, you will gain incredible energy and strength, which will take you to the court of Indra, the king of the heavens. All the divine weapons are kept in that court. Arjuna, the gods, fearing the demon Vidrasura, have entrusted their weapons to Indra. Please the king of the gods and the other deities, and acquire those weapons."

Arjuna nodded, understanding the gravity of the task ahead. He was ready to embrace his destiny, to prepare for the battles that lay in the future, and to become a beacon of hope for his brothers and their kingdom.

Chapter 3: The Quest for Divine Weapons

Arjuna stood resolute, his heart brimming with determination. "Come, Arjuna, your command is my duty. O King," he declared to Yudhishthira, his eldest brother, "I will go in search of divine weapons to defeat the wicked Kauravas. Please initiate me into that sacred mantra."

Yudhishthira nodded, his eyes filled with trust and hope. He granted Arjuna the knowledge of the sacred mantra, a powerful incantation that would guide him on his quest. With the initiation complete, Arjuna joined the priests and sages to perform a holy ritual. The air was thick with the sound of chanting as the priests invoked blessings for his success.

Once the ritual was over, Arjuna armed himself for the journey ahead. He took his mighty bow, two quivers filled with endless arrows, a gleaming sword, and sturdy armor. He sought the blessings of the priests, who raised their hands in unison, their voices resonating with power.

"O son of Kunti, may you achieve what you desire. May you be victorious, great hero," they intoned.

With their blessings and the good wishes of his four brothers, Arjuna went to bid farewell to Draupadi. Her eyes were heavy with unshed tears, her heart aching with the thought of his long absence. Yet, she spoke with unwavering resolve, her spirit as fierce as ever.

"May the wish that Goddess Kunti expressed at your birth, and the dream you now have, come true," Draupadi said, her voice steady. "May no one else in our warrior clan have to live on charity. Remember the terrible insult I suffered at the hands of the wicked Duryodhana in the crowded court. I will keep myself busy talking about your bravery and achievements to forget your absence. Return victorious, Partha, may you be blessed."

Arjuna smiled gently at her words. "Your good wishes will be my strength, Panchali," he replied, his voice filled with gratitude. He circled his two elder brothers and sage Dhaumya, showing respect, before setting off northward, carrying his Gandiva bow.

His journey was arduous, taking him through dangerous forests, groves, hills, and mountains. Yet, Arjuna's spirit remained unyielding as he reached the majestic Himalayas. Following the path of yoga, his steps and thoughts were as swift and tireless as the wind.

He crossed the vast expanse of the Himalayas and the towering Gandhamadana mountains, his heart set on his goal. Eventually, Arjuna arrived at the Indrakila mountain, where a mysterious voice suddenly echoed from the sky.

"Arjuna, stop here."

Confused, Arjuna looked around, wondering who had spoken. "Who told me to stop? Was it a god, a human, a spirit, or someone else?" he pondered aloud, curious to know who dared to halt his journey. He stood on the slopes of the Indrakhil Mountain, surrounded by a deep forest with towering trees that obscured his view. As he scanned the area, he finally spotted a sage sitting serenely at the base of a tree.

The sage's skin glowed with a golden hue, spreading light all around him. Despite his large matted hair, he appeared thin and fragile. The sage looked at Arjuna with gentle curiosity. "Who are you, young man? From your weapons, you seem to be a warrior. But here on this mountain, there is no need for weapons," the sage said softly. "This place is for sages. They have no anger or joy. So why are you here with a bow? Who do you plan to fight? No wild animal in the forest can attack me. Young man, there is no place for violence here. No one will attack you here. There are no battles here. That's why no warrior is allowed to enter. You are very lucky to have come here. Now, put down your bow."

The sage's smile never wavered as he repeatedly requested Arjuna to lay down his weapon. But Arjuna stood firm, his resolve unshaken. He held his bow tightly, unwilling to relent. Seeing Arjuna's determination, the sage's eyes softened with approval.

"Young Arjuna, I am Indra, the king of gods. I am very pleased with you. May you be blessed, my son. Ask me for a boon," the sage revealed, his voice echoing with divine authority.

Arjuna bowed respectfully. "O King of Gods, please accept my respects. If you are truly pleased with me, grant me the power to possess all divine weapons."

Indra's face filled with warmth. "Why do you need more weapons, Arjun? You have already achieved great success. Now, ask for the heaven you desire."

"Forgive me, King of Gods," Arjuna replied, his voice steady with purpose. "I do not seek heaven, liberation, power over gods, or any other happiness. My only goal is to take revenge on my enemies. If I do not defeat them, my duty as a warrior will be lost. Please, grant me the divine weapons."

Indra smiled, seeing the fire of righteousness in Arjuna's eyes, and knew the young warrior's heart was true.

Chapter 4: The Hunter's Challenge

Arjuna stood before Indra, his heart resolute and unwavering. The King of the Gods acknowledged his determination with a nod. "Arjun, I am pleased with your determination and dedication. But, young man, to gain the divine weapons, you must please Lord Shiva, the god of destruction. You must seek his presence. Only when you succeed in meditating on Lord Shiva will you gain those weapons, not before."

With these words, Indra vanished, leaving Arjuna with a daunting task. Undeterred, Arjuna set off towards the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, knowing that his journey would be long and challenging. His path led him into a dense and frightening forest, a place of lurking dangers and whispering shadows. The forest teemed with venomous snakes, and though fruits and berries hung from the trees, no human soul resided there. Arjuna, ever brave and determined, decided that this wild jungle would be the perfect place for his meditation.

As he stepped deeper into the forest, the sky above erupted in a cacophony of conch shells. Clouds rolled in, dark and foreboding, yet from them descended a shower of fragrant flowers, carpeting the forest floor. It was as if the very heavens acknowledged his resolve. Arjuna cast aside his royal garments and donned simple attire made from the forest—bark, a loincloth, a staff, and a deer skin. Thus attired, the third Pandava began his arduous meditation.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. Arjuna's sustenance dwindled to mere dry leaves, occasionally a fruit every three days. By the second month, he allowed himself only one fruit every fifteen days, and as the fourth month approached, he subsisted solely on air, balancing on the tip of one toe. With arms raised, he focused all his energy on meditating upon Lord Shiva, his intense devotion sending ripples of power across the land.

The sages, feeling the tremors of his meditation, grew anxious. They hurried to Mount Kailash to beseech Lord Shiva. "O Lord of Lords, O Maheshwar, protector of all beings, please save us," they implored. "The third Pandava, Arjuna, has begun a fierce meditation. The world cannot bear the power of his meditation. Everything around him is turning smoky gray. Please, Lord, give peace to all living beings. If Arjuna meditates to gain heaven, it will lead to a conflict with the gods, causing chaos in both heaven and earth."

Shiva, calm and all-knowing, assured them, "Do not worry. There is nothing to fear from Arjuna. I know his intentions. He does not wish for heaven, endless wealth, or eternal life. I will fulfill Arjuna's prayer. He will not harm the world. Be at ease."

With the sages’ worries eased, Lord Shiva took on the guise of a hunter, or Kirata. In one hand, he held a bow, and in the other, a snake-like arrow. He was a sight of blazing glory as he descended from his abode, accompanied by Goddess Uma and his followers, all in hunter form.

The forest fell silent as they approached; no bird sang, no leaf rustled. Arjuna, eyes closed in deep meditation, remained unaware of their presence. Suddenly, a terrifying roar shattered the stillness. The unexpected sound snapped Arjuna from his trance. His eyes flew open to the sight of a fierce boar charging towards him, each step shaking the ground. This was Mukh, the mighty monster of the forest, though Arjuna knew not its name.

Quickly, Arjuna abandoned his meditation, seized his bow, and prepared to defend himself. "I haven't harmed anyone here. But if you want to attack me, listen, boar, whoever you are, I will send you to the afterlife right now," he declared with unwavering confidence.

A voice rang out, firm and commanding. "Hold on, brave one, this fearsome boar is actually my prey. I decided to hunt it first."

Arjuna turned to see a hunter, the Kirata, standing confidently before him. "I've never seen you before. Your arrow flies as fast and strong as mine. Both arrows struck the boar at the same time, ending its life. How do you have such incredible power, Kirat? And why are there so many women around you? Aren't you afraid to live in this lonely forest?"

The hunter chuckled, a sound like rolling thunder. "Afraid? Me, afraid? You mock me. You took my prey, and now you mock me. Are you trying to insult me on purpose? Wait, Kirat, you won't escape me alive. We've always lived here, Prince; this forest is not unfamiliar to us. You have nothing to fear from me."

The two stood facing each other, the air between them charged with tension and unspoken challenge.

Chapter 5: The Divine Duel

The hunter's eyes gleamed with a fiery intensity as he spoke, "But you, with your brightness like fire and the majesty of a king, roam this jungle alone, Prince. This dangerous place is not for you. You don't even know the rules of hunting, yet you dare to shoot your arrow at my prey. Do you think a mere hunter like me will teach you the rules? You come to my domain and insult me! You want to steal my prey from my hands. Now there's no escape for you. Come, fight me. Answer my arrow with yours and show me your strength. Look, now you will die, fool, fool, fool!"

Arjuna, bewildered by the hunter's audacity, thought to himself, Who is this hunter really? Is he the mighty Shiva, the god of death Yama, or some other spirit or celestial being? He watched in disbelief as the hunter effortlessly swallowed all his powerful arrows, one by one. How is it that my endless quiver can't supply more arrows? What will I fight with now? Desperate, he resolved, No, I will strike the hunter with the tip of my bow.

The hunter laughed heartily, his voice echoing through the trees. "I accept your strike with a smile, warrior. Do you have any other weapons left? Have you seen this shiny sword? Even Yama himself cannot ignore it. With this sword, I will send you to the afterlife." He brandished a gleaming sword and laughed loudly as he continued, "Look, even such a sharp sword couldn't draw a drop of blood from the Kirat's head! Incredible! No, no, whoever this Kirat is, spirit or celestial, I will defeat him with the blow of this huge tree and rock. Beware, now you will die, Kirat, you will die, fool, fool!"

The hunter's challenge was relentless. "Do you want to fight me? Come, let's have a wrestling match. Let's see how brave you really are." With that, he grabbed Arjuna so tightly that the great warrior was left bloody and almost unconscious. Suddenly, the hunter's body began to glow and grow larger, filling Arjuna's vision. Using the last of his strength, Arjuna tried to focus on the sight, but soon he fainted and fell to the ground.

After what seemed like an eternity, Arjuna regained consciousness. He stood up, still covered in blood, and made a clay statue of Lord Shiva using the soil around him. He began to worship it, his hands trembling with devotion. But when he was about to place a garland on the statue, something unexpected happened. The garland somehow ended up on the hunter's head! Arjuna gasped, his mind racing. How could this be? Was the hunter actually...

Overwhelmed by realization, Arjuna fell to his knees. "Oh Lord, oh great god, please forgive all my mistakes. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't recognize you, Lord Shiva, standing right in front of me. Please forgive all my faults."

A gentle, divine voice responded, "You have done nothing wrong, Arjuna. I am very pleased with your bravery and patience. There is no one as worthy as you in this world, my child. You will be able to defeat all your enemies and even the gods. I grant you divine vision, Arjuna. Now, look at my true form. See, Arjuna, look at me with my supreme power, alongside Parvati. This divine form is something no one else can see, Arjuna."

The next day, Arjuna prayed earnestly to Lord Shiva, the creator of all things. "I have come to you, Lord, remembering your greatness. Please forgive the mistakes I made without understanding."

"I have forgiven you, Arjuna," Lord Shiva replied warmly. "Come, let me embrace you. In a past life, you were a sage named Nara, meditating alongside Narayana in the Badarikashrama for countless years. Together, with your immense power, you have protected this world. Arjuna, you have the endless grace of the supreme god.

"Arjuna, during the coronation of the king of gods, Indra, you and Vishnu wielded a mighty bow and defeated all the demons. Here, take this bow, which I had kept safe. This is the Gandiva bow, and it suits only your hands. May your quivers always be full, and may your body be free from pain. Arjuna, I wish to grant you a boon. Tell me, what do you desire?"

"O Great Lord," Arjuna began, his voice filled with awe and gratitude, "if you truly favor me, please grant me the mighty Pashupata weapon, which can destroy enemies and worlds. During the great battle with Drona, Kripa, and Karna, this weapon will be my only hope. When brought to life with a chant, it releases thousands of spears, terrifying maces, and countless arrows. Without the blessing of this weapon, I cannot win, dear God."

Chapter 6: The Gift of Pashupata

Arjuna stood before Lord Shiva, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and reverence. The air around them seemed to shimmer with divine energy. The great Lord gazed at him with eyes that held the wisdom of ages.

"Arjuna," Shiva declared, his voice resonating like thunder, "in all the three worlds, there is no one but you who is worthy of wielding the Pashupata weapon. Even mighty gods like Indra, Yama, Kubera, and Varuna cannot command it, and humans are far less capable. But I shall grant it to you, for you have proven yourself worthy. Remember, use it with great care. Never aim it at the weak, for if you do, the world will burn."

Arjuna bowed deeply, his heart swelling with gratitude and responsibility. "I will follow your command, Lord," he promised earnestly. "Please teach me how to use and withdraw this weapon."

Lord Shiva nodded, his eyes twinkling with approval. "The Pashupata is as fearsome as Yama himself," he explained. "You can launch it with your mind, eyes, words, and bow. Come, Partha," he said, gesturing for Arjuna to sit. "Focus your mind, and I will teach you how to wield this weapon."

With great care and patience, Lord Shiva began instructing Arjuna in the secret arts of the Pashupata. As he learned, Arjuna felt a profound connection forming between himself and the divine weapon. Just as it had been loyal to Shiva, the Pashupata now pledged its allegiance to him, standing by his side with a fierce, blazing fire.

The sheer power of the weapon was awe-inspiring. As Arjuna grasped its might, gods, demons, spirits, and all creatures sighed in relief, knowing it was in safe hands. Mountains trembled, forests quivered, and cities seemed to hold their breath. The seas roared as if sensing the presence of something monumental. The sky echoed with the sound of thousands of conches, trumpets, and drums, while trees in distant forests shook violently as if caught in a storm.

With the Pashupata on his right and Lord Shiva standing before him, Arjuna felt as though he was witnessing the end of the world unfold in his mind. Despite the chaos, Shiva's gentle smile reassured him, though peace still eluded his anxious heart. Silently, Arjuna prayed, "O Lord, praised by all worlds, grant me your grace."

After mastering the world-destroying Pashupata weapon, Arjuna received an invitation from Indra, the king of the gods, to visit the heavens. There, he was promised more divine weapons to aid his quest. Eagerly, Arjuna prepared for this celestial journey, unaware of the looming peril.

In the heavens, a terrible curse awaited him. A serpent, harboring a deep grudge, cast a curse upon Arjuna, setting the stage for unforeseen danger. But that tale, dear reader, is one for another time. For now, Arjuna's journey continues, with challenges yet to be faced and victories yet to be won.