ir flowers began to bloom.
And on all sides there were heard charming symphony and captivating hymns
relating to Indra. And before the lord of the celestial hosts of Apsaras
and Gandharvas chanted various songs. And ascending celestial cars, there
approached the Marutas and the followers of Mahendra and the dwellers of
heaven. And afterwards, Marutvan together with Sachi and all the
celestials appeared on the scene in cars yoked with horses elegantly
adorned. And at this very moment, O king, he that goeth about on the
shoulders of men manifested himself unto me in excellent grace. And I saw
Yama seated on the south and Varuna and the lord of the celestials at
their respective regions. And, O foremost of men, O mighty monarch, they
after having cheered me said, 'O Savyasachin, behold us--the
Lokapalas--seated. For the performance of the task of the gods thou hast
obtained the sight of Sankara. Do thou now receive weapons from us seated
around.' Thereupon, O lord, having bowed down unto those foremost of the
celestials with regard, I duly accepted those mighty weapons. And then
they recognised me as one of their own. Afterwards the gods repaired to
the quarter from whence they had come. And that lord of the celestials,
the divine Maghavan too having ascended his glorious chariot, said, 'O
Phalguna, thou shalt have to repair unto the celestial region. O
Dhananjaya, even before this thy arrival I knew that thou wouldst come
hither. Then I, have O best of the Bharatas, manifested myself unto thee.
As formerly thou hadst performed thy ablution in the various tirthas and
now hast performed severe austerities, so thou wilt be able to repair
unto the celestial regions, O Pandava. Thou wilt, however, again have to
practise extreme penance, for thou shouldst at any rate journey to
heaven. And at my command, Matali shall take thee to the celestial
regions. Thou hast already been recognised by the celestials and the
celestial sages of high soul.' Thereupon I said unto Sakra, 'O divine
one, be thou favourable unto me. With the view of learning arms do I
beseech thee that thou mayst 'be my preceptor.' At this Indra said, 'O
child, having learnt weapons thou wouldst perform terrible deeds and with
this object thou desirest to obtain the weapons. However, obtain thou the
arms, as thou desirest.' Then I said, 'O slayer of foes, I never would
discharge these celestial weapons at mortals except when all my other
arms should have been baffled