The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1
Religion
The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa Translated into English Prose: Vana Parva, Part 1
Epic literature, Sanskrit
Vaisampayana said, "The gods and the Gandharvas then, understanding the
wishes of Indra, procured an excellent _Arghya_ and reverenced the son
of Pritha in a hurry. And giving water to wash both his feet and face,
they caused the prince to enter the palace of Indra. And thus
worshipped, Jishnu continued to live in the abode of his father. And the
son of Pandu continued all the while to acquire celestial weapons,
together with the means of withdrawing them. And he received from the
hands of Sakra his favourite weapon of irresistible force, _viz_., the
thunder-bolt and those other weapons also, of tremendous roar, _viz_.,
the lightnings of heaven, whose flashes are inferable from the
appearance of clouds and (the dancing of) peacocks. And the son of
Pandu, after he had obtained those weapons, recollected his brothers.
And at the command of Indra, however, he lived for full five years in
heaven, surrounded by every comfort and luxury.
"After some time, when Arjuna had obtained all the weapons, Indra
addressed him in due time, saying, 'O son of Kunti, learn thou music and
dancing from Chitrasena. Learn the instrumental music that is current
among the celestials and which existeth not in the world of men, for, O
son of Kunti, it will be to thy benefit.' And Parandana gave Chitrasena
as a friend unto Arjuna. And the son of Pritha lived happily in peace
with Chitrasena. And Chitrasena instructed Arjuna all the while in
music; vocal and instrumental and in dancing. But the active Arjuna
obtained no peace of mind, remembering the unfair play at dice of
Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and thinking with rage of Dussasana and his
death. When however, his friendship with Chitrasena had ripened fully,
he at times learned the unrivalled dance and music practised among the
Gandharvas. And at last having learnt various kinds of dance and diverse
species of music, both vocal and instrumental, that slayer of hostile
heroes obtained no peace of mind remembering his brothers and mother
Kunti."
SECTION XLV
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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