Urvashi's Curse

After receiving the right to use the Pashupata weapon from Mahadeva, Mahārudra Shiva himself, Arjuna still could not fully return to his normal state. By Mahadeva’s touch, all pain had left his body. The wounds caused by the fierce beating from Shiva Shambhu in the form of the Kirata were gone. Arjuna now felt completely free and fearless.

He bowed with his head at Mahadeva’s feet. Then he stood before him with a calm and steady mind, looking at his face.

Blessing him, Mahadeva said, "Son, go now to heaven."

"As you command, Lord," Arjuna replied.

Then Mahadeva, taking Parvati with him, slowly vanished into the sky.

With folded hands and unblinking eyes, Arjuna kept looking in that direction in deep wonder. In his heart he thought, without any doubt, I have seen with my own eyes the three-eyed, blessing-giving Mahadeva. I still cannot believe it. I am blessed, truly blessed. All the enemies of the world are already defeated before me. I have received the touch of Mahadeva himself. There is nothing left for me to conquer. I have reached success in all my efforts. I have nothing more to ask for.

As Arjuna stood thinking of his great fortune, suddenly a beautiful divine form appeared and lit up everything around him. His body shone like beryl. Many water creatures surrounded him. As he walked, rivers, streams, and seas seemed to stir around him.

In a deep voice he called out, "Child Arjuna, I am Varuna, god of water and water creatures. I have come to bless you. In this world there will be no hero greater than you. May your Gandiva bow remain inexhaustible. Arjuna, I give you my Varuna noose. Even Yama himself cannot escape from this weapon. With this weapon you will be able to destroy Duryodhana’s armies."

Arjuna bowed low and said, "Accept Arjuna’s humble bow, Lord Varuna. You came of your own will to give me your darshan. I am blessed, Lord."

Then another voice called to him, "Arjuna, look to your left, son. Can you see me?"

Arjuna turned and said, "Light. This light is blinding my eyes. Who are you, Lord? I cannot see anyone through the light."

"Can you not see me and my chariot?" the voice asked.

"Yes, yes, yes. There, there, that shining chariot covered with gems and pearls. Yes, I can see it, Lord."

"Now control your mind and look, child. Can you see my form?"

"Arjuna can see, Lord. I can see you now."

The radiant being said, "I am Kubera, lord of all the wealth of heaven. I myself have come to bless you. Son, may all the wealth of the three worlds come under your power. May you be victorious, Arjuna. Take this, take this, my great weapon called Antardhana. With this very weapon Mahadeva himself destroyed demons. I give this weapon to you."

Arjuna bowed again. "O Lord, your kindness is endless. I will remain forever grateful to you. Please accept my bow."

Then another great being spoke. "Arjuna, I am Time itself, the god of death and punishment. I am Yamaraja. No living being sees me. Whoever sees me has no need left in earthly life. But you are an exception, Arjuna. Mahakala himself has touched you, and by that touch you have gained a divine nature. I myself have come to see you."

Arjuna folded his hands and said, "Arjuna bows to you, O god of death, O god of destruction, O Yamaraja, son of the Sun. I am blessed to have your darshan in this life. I bow to your great rod of justice, Lord. Countless bows from me to the ruler of all beings in creation."

Yamaraja blessed him and said, "Child Arjuna, by birth itself you are blessed by my lord, King Indra. There is nothing I would refuse you. Son, you will conquer all worlds. There is no one who will not respect your heroism. Son Arjuna, we guardians of the directions stand around you now in the sky. You can see us with divine sight. Listen, Arjuna, I myself bless you. You will be able to defeat in battle your grandsire Bhishma, mighty and supremely righteous, who holds a part of the power of one of the Ashta Vasus. You will defeat the great Kshatriya army of your teacher Drona. Those demons who are now born as men, those man-demons too will come under your power. Arjuna, you will also be able to kill Karna, who bears a part of my father, the Sun. Do not doubt my words, Arjuna. Victory will surely be yours. Your fame will shine in this world. Take this, child, I place my rod in your hands. With this rod carry out your great duty."

With folded hands, Arjuna received the divine weapons given by the gods. By their divine touch, a heavenly brightness began to shine from his ascetic body. He bowed flat upon the ground before them. After blessing him, the other gods vanished.

Then King Indra said to him, "Mighty-armed Arjuna, you are a part of the eternal Lord. Through that hard penance you have gained divinity itself. To free the earth from sin, you must bear a great duty, child. And for that, you must go up to heaven. My charioteer Matali will bring a chariot for you. Prepare to go to the kingdom of heaven, son. There I will place all weapons in your hands."

Arjuna bowed and said, "Arjuna is blessed, O King of the gods. By your blessing I am fulfilled."

With fruits, roots, and water, Arjuna honored King Indra in the proper way. Pleased and happy, Indra and the gods blessed him and departed for Amaravati with Queen Shachi.

After King Indra left, Arjuna made his mind steady and waited for Indra’s chariot.

After a short while, he heard a deep sound like thunderclouds roaring. Slowly that sound filled the sky and air. Tearing through all sides and driving away all darkness, Indra’s chariot, swifter than the wind, was brought down before Arjuna by Matali.

As Arjuna came near that chariot, he was filled with wonder. Inside it were terrible swords, fearful maces, magical spears, the great shining thunderbolt hard as lightning, huge cannons that could throw balls by the power of wind, huge and dreadful serpents, and mountain-like heaps of stones. Though the chariot was drawn by horses, ten thousand guiding devices were joined with them.

Seeing Matali, the charioteer of King Indra, dressed in golden ornaments, Arjuna felt that even this charioteer must be some god. So he greeted him with great respect.

"O brave Matali, accept Arjuna’s greeting."

Matali bowed and answered, "Son of Indra, Arjuna, Matali bows to you as well. The King of the gods wishes to see you, so he has sent his own chariot for you. Please quickly climb into this chariot and go to heaven. Your father is especially proud of you. He told me that all the gods of heaven know well of your fame. Now they wish to see you with their own eyes."

Arjuna said in surprise, "The gods wish to see an ordinary man! What a surprising thing you say, Matali."

Matali replied, "O Arjuna, you are not ordinary, and you do not belong only to the race of men. You have a divine nature. The Vishnu-power of Narayana, protector of the world, is in you. That is why your father waits for you with divine weapons. Not everyone has the power to go bodily from earth to heaven, but you do. So the King of the gods waits for you. After receiving the weapons of heaven, you will return again to earth. Come, Arjuna, let me take you now to Amaravati."

But Arjuna stepped back and said, "No, no, Matali, first you climb into this chariot. Only one who has gained the merit of many Rajasuya and Ashvamedha sacrifices can ride in this chariot. Without hard penance, even seeing this chariot is difficult. To climb into it is far beyond me. I am not even worthy to touch it. Matali, please sit in the chariot and steady the horses first. Then, like a pilgrim, I will follow you."

Hearing Arjuna’s words, Matali quickly got into the chariot and began to yoke the horses.

Arjuna then bathed and purified himself. He chanted his chosen mantras and offered libations. Then, deeply moved, he looked toward the countless peaks of the Himalayas and prayed and bowed. Now he would have to take leave of the Himalayas. Bowing to that great holy place, the eternal seat of Sanatan Dharma, Arjuna climbed into the divine chariot of King Indra.

Then Matali drove the chariot upward on its path.

Slowly Arjuna went beyond the sight of the earth. It was like a completely new world. Rather than a world, it may be called outer space. There was no sunlight there like on earth, yet everything there shone by its own light. Each thing was full of brightness and radiance. From earth this great sky cannot truly be seen by ordinary eyes.

And that place was not empty of beings.

Passing through the many upper regions, Matali moved toward heaven. Arjuna saw many royal sages, perfected beings, and heroes killed in battle, moving in those worlds according to their own destiny. He also saw Gandharvas, worthy sages, and Apsaras.

Amazed by the wonderful light of that upper path, Arjuna asked, "O divine charioteer, why cannot this upper land be seen from the earth? By what power does it remain hidden?"

Matali answered, "This land is not completely hidden from sight, Arjuna. Even from earth you have seen part of it. The faint lights, like tiny stars in the sky, which you once saw from far away, are in truth countless worlds. Now you see them shining in their full glory. These are what you know as Pitrloka, Chandraloka, and Suryaloka. Look now with your own eyes upon those worlds, son of Kunti."

Passing through many worlds, Matali’s chariot at last brought Arjuna to the world of royal sages. There Arjuna saw a huge white victorious elephant with four tusks upon Mount Kailasa, welcoming him before a beautiful youth.

Matali said, "Great hero Arjuna, this is Amaravati, the own realm of King Indra. I welcome you to Amaravati, the most beautiful place in all creation."

Arjuna asked, "Is this Nandana garden before Amaravati?"

"Yes, son of Kunti," Matali replied. "You will also be able to see Nandana garden. Look there, the sages who gained perfection through hard penance move freely in Amaravati. Those kings too who gained merit by performing many sacrifices live here in happiness. And there, great hero Arjuna, look there, that is Nandana garden of Indrapuri. Every season is beautiful there. In every season it is filled with flowers and fruits. Their beauty is wonderful, and their fragrance is amazing. The greatest Apsaras of heaven wander in that Nandana garden."

As Matali took him closer and closer to Indrapuri, Arjuna began to hear the sweet sounds of many instruments, anklets, and many other sounds. Those sounds took away all his tiredness. A divine joy rose in his heart.

Looking eagerly for the source of that music, he saw groups of Gandharvas and Kinnaras with wonderfully sweet voices. They were playing music and singing, while the Apsaras were dancing.

Watching the strange beauty of heaven, Arjuna came to a star-path called Devaratha. As soon as he arrived there, perfected ascetics and Apsaras together bowed their heads and began praising Arjuna. Some blew conch shells, and some played drums.

On that star-path Arjuna saw the Ashta Vasus, the eleven Rudras, the twelve Adityas, the divine sage Narada, King Dilipa, and two Gandharvas named Haha and Huhu.

Then, after passing that star-world, Matali brought Arjuna to the gate of Indrapuri. As soon as he stepped down from the chariot, praise for him rose on all sides. Attendants and the Yakshas of heaven led Arjuna into the royal court of King Indra.

In his hall, seated upon a golden throne and shining with bright light, was the King of the gods. Two servants held a white umbrella above his head. Two Apsaras waved yak-tail fans. Gandharvas led by the Vasus were reciting the Vedas.

Arjuna bowed flat upon the ground to King Indra, the great hero, destroyer of enemies, served by sages.

Indra called to him warmly, "Come Arjuna, come, come. I welcome you to this Amaravati of mine, son. All the people of this Indrapuri of mine have been eagerly waiting to see you with their own eyes. Arjuna, you alone are the hero who has earned the merit to enter Indrapuri in your mortal body. Stay in this Indrapuri as long as you wish. Enjoy all the happiness and wealth of this Amaravati of mine. Arjuna, the doors here are open to you. Whatever authority is mine in Indrapuri, all that I now give to you, son. Come, come, son, sit beside me on this seat."

Just as a father, after long years, lovingly touches the body of his own son, so now King Indra behaved with Arjuna. He touched Arjuna’s strong arms with great care. On the wounds made by weapons, he gently passed his hand with a father’s love. Even while looking at Arjuna with a smiling face, King Indra did not seem satisfied. With unblinking eyes he kept looking at him again and again.

In Indra’s court, the dance of the Apsaras and the songs of the Gandharvas began. Ghritachi, Menaka, Rambha, Urvashi, Mishrakeshi, Gopali, Chitrasena and the other Apsaras were skilled enough to delight even the minds of holy sages. Their playful side glances could steal away mind and wisdom. By Indra’s command and in honor of Arjuna, even the gods joined in this heavenly music and dance. Then together with the Gandharvas, the gods welcomed Arjuna with noble offerings.

After rest and enjoyment, and with the permission of the gods, Arjuna entered the dwelling of King Indra. Then King Indra himself came to teach him the exact rules and methods for using divine weapons.

"Son Arjuna," said Indra, "I myself am teaching you the use and withdrawal of all the weapons that exist in these heavens. There are many mantras to call those weapons, son. You must meditate upon those mantras. Come Arjuna, stand with folded hands and closed eyes. Now repeat after me..."

Arjuna learned from Indra the full methods for using all divine weapons. Then the King of the gods taught him the use of his own thunderbolt. He also taught Arjuna how to use two more electric weapons called Meghastra and Mayurastra.

King Indra was a very skilled teacher, and Arjuna was an amazingly attentive student. So this period of weapon-training passed very quickly. Now Arjuna had mastery over all divine weapons.

Many days had passed from the time he had begun his journey for penance to Mahadeva until he reached heaven. And now Arjuna grew restless with longing for his brothers.

One day he said, "My whole training is complete now, O King of the gods. Please permit me to return to earth."

Indra looked at him and replied, "Arjuna, is learning ever complete? There is still some learning left for you, son. Beyond the knowledge and arts I have taught, there are still other things left in heaven."

Arjuna asked, "King of the gods?"

Indra said, "Arjuna, your weapon-training is complete. Now you will learn music and dance from Chitrasena, king of the Gandharvas. Become skilled in those instruments that exist only in heaven and that no people of earth yet know about. This will be good for you, child."

Arjuna bowed. "Your command is on my head, O King of the gods. But forgive me. Beyond destroying enemies in open battle, I have no other great goal before me."

Indra replied, "Arjuna, you are a hero. You must fulfill every duty of a hero. But you must still stay in heaven for some more time, son. So I want every art of heaven to be within your command."

"As you command, King of the gods," Arjuna said.

Arjuna longed for Mother Kunti and the other four Pandavas. At the same time, he was full of joy at mastering the wealth of heavenly weapons. In this state, he wished greatly to send the truth of everything to his beloved elder brother King Yudhishthira. He wished to punish Duhshasana and Shakuni for insulting Draupadi. But without the command of the King of the gods, it was not possible for him to return to his brothers.

So though his mind was restless, he began to learn the arts from Chitrasena.

"ধা তেরে কেটে, তাকে তেরে কেটে, ধা তেরে কেটে তাক, তা তেরে কেটে, ধা তেরে কেটে তাক, তা তেরে কেটে।"

Chitrasena praised him and said, "Well done, well done. Just as in warfare, you have become excellent in the arts too, Arjuna. May this unmatched art of heaven spread on earth through your hands, Dhananjaya."

While Arjuna was living in the palace of King Indra, one day Indra thought that perhaps Arjuna secretly desired Urvashi, the greatest Apsara of heaven. As soon as he thought this, he called Chitrasena, king of the Gandharvas.

"Chitrasena, go at once to Urvashi. Tell her that by my command she should satisfy the great hero Arjuna."

"As you command, King of the gods," Chitrasena replied.

The moment he received Indra’s command, Chitrasena went swifter than the wind to Urvashi’s palace. After greeting her with proper respect, he said, "O beautiful one, I have come to you with a message from the King of the gods. Kunti’s son Arjuna is now an honored guest in heaven. He has become very skilled in the use of divine weapons and in heavenly song and dance. In beauty he is like Kamadeva himself. There is no quality in the three worlds that Arjuna has not mastered. The King of the gods believes that this greatest of mortal men has become attached to you. Therefore, quickly fulfill his desire for love. This is the command of the King of the gods to you."

Urvashi smiled and said, "This is my great good fortune. Who does not desire the great hero Arjuna? I too wish for Arjuna’s company. I will soon obey the command of the King of the gods."

After Chitrasena left, the heart of Urvashi, the most beautiful of heaven, became deeply marked by Arjuna’s manliness. Thinking of Arjuna, she became enchanted. Her own beauty seemed to bloom even more.

Urvashi bathed in pure, sweet-smelling water. Then she ordered her companions to dress her in a most wonderful way. Adorned with fragrance, flowers, sandalwood, and many jeweled ornaments, she waited for the night.

Evening passed, and silent-footed night came down. Moonlight floated across the sky. Making herself even more beautiful and charming in lovely dress, Urvashi began her journey of love toward Arjuna. Thinking only of Arjuna with her whole being, she moved along the path. Today a new excitement rose in the sound of her anklets. That lively sound stirred even the hearts of the ascetics of heaven again and again.

Urvashi noticed nothing else. Having drunk a little wine and wrapped herself in a shining blue cloth, making herself even more enchanting, she walked straight toward Indra’s palace, where she believed Arjuna was waiting for her.

At last Urvashi came and stood at the door of the palace where Arjuna was staying in Amaravati. Seeing the proud waves of her youth, the guard understood everything at once. He quickly went and informed Arjuna.

Hearing that Urvashi had come at such a night hour, Arjuna was surprised and came before her.

He bowed low and said, "Lady, you are chief among the Apsaras. I bow at your feet with my head. Your servant stands before you. What is your command for me, Lady?"

Urvashi answered, "What are you saying, Arjuna? I have come to this palace desiring you. Do you not know this?"

Arjuna stepped back in distress. "Shame, shame, Lady. I beg you, please hold back this desire of yours. Even hearing such words will bring sin to me."

Urvashi said, "Sin? Have you not heard what Chitrasena, king of the Gandharvas, said? He said that at the gathering of song and dance in Indra’s court, you kept looking only at me with enchanted eyes. The King of the gods himself noticed it, and after that he ordered me to fulfill your desire. I know all about you. Your beauty and your virtues have strongly drawn me too. So this command of the King of the gods is like a blessing to me. Fulfill my longing for love, Arjuna."

Arjuna folded his hands and said, "Mother Kunti, revered mother Shachi, and you also, to me all of you are mothers. So even hearing anything else would be wrong for me, Lady."

Urvashi looked at him sharply. "Is it false that in the divine court you looked at me without blinking?"

"No, it is not false, Lady," Arjuna replied. "But the true reason is not what you think. You are the first mother of our line. From your womb was born the great Ayu. His descendant was King Puru. I am a later son of that same line. I can never look upon you with desire."

Urvashi answered, "O lady? No, Arjuna, you are afraid because of your family line. I can be no one’s mother. I am an Apsara of heaven. Sometimes, because of curses, we must be born on earth. There may be husbands and children in such births, yes, but that birth is only the result of a curse. In truth we are not mothers or wives of anyone. We are eternal lovers. The worthy men of your Kuru line who came to heaven through their good deeds also saw me as a beloved woman. You too accept this offering of my love, Partha."

But Arjuna remained firm. "Forgive me, Lady. I do not belong to heaven, I am a dweller of earth. I cannot live by the rules of heaven. You are worthy of worship like my mother’s mother, and I am bound to protect your honor like that of a mother. Beyond this I cannot even dream of any other relation with you, Lady."

Then Urvashi’s face changed.

"Arjuna, I asked for your love, and you turned me away. You did not even obey the command of your father, King Indra. You acted like a eunuch, Arjuna. You will be punished for this wrong. I am Urvashi, greatest of the Apsaras of heaven. I curse you—your pride in your manhood will be broken. Like a eunuch you will move among women. My curse will not fail, Arjuna. You will remain without manhood."

After cursing Arjuna, Urvashi returned to her own palace.

Arjuna stood there with bowed head, deeply troubled by this unexpected blow. He passed the night with a sad and heavy heart.

Early the next morning, he went to Chitrasena and told him everything. Chitrasena comforted him and at once went to Indra’s court and told him the whole matter openly. He also described fully Arjuna’s sorrow and worry.

With a gentle smile, King Indra rose from the court. Then he called Arjuna to a lonely place.

"Son Arjuna," Indra said, "you have gained such endless patience as men cannot win even through penance. From birth you have been filled with divine qualities. You are fearless and a great hero. Then why has the curse of the great Apsara Urvashi disturbed you so, child?"

Arjuna answered anxiously, "O King of the gods, if I become without manhood, then my heroism, my divine weapons, my learning, all will become useless, Lord. I will not be able to win the great war. I will not be able to destroy my enemies. It is this fear that has shaken me. King of the gods, please tell me the way to be saved, Lord."

Indra replied, "No, Arjuna. There is no reason for this fear, son. Do not be restless."

Arjuna quickly asked, "Then then will the curse of Lady Urvashi not take effect?"

Indra said, "You will indeed have to bear the result of Urvashi’s curse. But this curse will be good for you, son. After twelve years of forest exile, you and your brothers must spend the thirteenth year in hiding. At that time you will be able to hide yourself in the form of a eunuch, singing and dancing. After one year your curse will end, and you will gain your manhood again, son. So do not grieve without reason."

Arjuna’s heart became peaceful. He bowed and said, "Your kindness is endless, King of the gods. My mind is now at peace. I bow to you."

As time passed, five years went by in heaven.

In Arjuna’s absence, the pain of separation was growing strong in the hearts of the Pandavas too. At that time the sage Lomasha, perfected in the three worlds, came to heaven and was amazed to see Arjuna.

Meanwhile, news of Arjuna’s unmatched glory also reached Hastinapura. Dark clouds of fear gathered in the mind of King Dhritarashtra. Would the Kauravas weave some new net of conspiracy again?

Vidura now became watchful. Unable to place full trust in the great minister Vidura, Dhritarashtra began discussing the future instead with his charioteer Sanjaya.