Reading Notes: PDE Mahabharata, Part C

During today's reading, I read about Arjuna and his journey to the mountains. He went up to the mountains to pray and live off of the land. Whatever the land provided to him was what he could have for food. Arjuna stayed in the mountains for several months eating smaller and smaller amounts until he only needed air to sustain himself. The air alone would supply him and he would no longer need food. He kept praying until he reached a point that he could stand with his arms lifted and without support for days at a time. I like the idea that he was living and breathing nothing but what he wanted to accomplish. He was seeking strength from the gods and nothing would be able to stop him once he attained that strength. During his prayers, a boar charged at Arjuna with intentions of killing him. Arjuna pulled out his bow and shot an arrow at the boar while at the same time, a hunter shot a dart at the boar. Hitting it at the same time, Arjuna and the hunter both got angry accusing each other of interfering with their shots and claiming it was their boar to kill. The hunter had his wife and several followers and appeared to be some king of the land. Arjuna said they should battle for it and the hunter agreed. Arjuna knew that this hunter must have been important since he was being followed by so many. Still, Arjuna challenged the hunter. After Arjuna shot until his quiver was empty, the hunter had absorbed all of the darts and was clearly not mortal. Arjuna didn't give up and challenged the hunter to wrestle for it. Being touched by a hand, Arjuna began to pray some more and cast garlands of flowers onto an image of the god he was praising. Instantly the garland was around the hunters neck and it was revealed that the hunter was the god and was pleased with Arjuna for recognizing and praising him. Arjuna was granted weapons and was blessed for his time spent on the mountain. I see this as Arjuna putting in time and effort to a goal and attaining that goal.

Arjuna receives the Pashupata from Shiva

Source:Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists by Sister Nivedita
Found here