Mahabharata Adhyaya 45
Vana ParvaAdhyaya 4517 Verses

Adhyaya 45

Arjuna Honored in Indra’s Court; Lomāśa’s Audience; Indra’s Disclosure of Lineage and Mission (Book 3, Chapter 45)

Upa-parva: Indraloka-gamana / Divyāstra-adhigama Episode (Arjuna in Indra’s abode)

Vaiśaṃpāyana reports that the gods and Gandharvas, acting in accordance with Indra’s intent, honor Arjuna with formal offerings and conduct him into Purandara’s residence. Arjuna resides in his father’s abode, receiving instruction in major celestial weapons together with their saṃhāra (methods of withdrawal/containment), and is further directed to learn divine music, dance, and instruments from the Gandharva Citrasena, who is assigned as his companion. The wandering sage Lomāśa arrives to see Indra, observes Arjuna seated near Indra, and internally questions how a kṣatriya has attained such a station. Indra, discerning the thought, explains that Arjuna is not merely human: he is Indra’s son born to Kuntī, present for the purpose of acquiring weapons. Indra then identifies Kṛṣṇa (Hṛṣīkeśa) and Arjuna (Dhanaṃjaya) as the ancient ṛṣi-pair Nara–Nārāyaṇa associated with Badarī, linking their incarnation to the task of relieving Earth’s burden. Indra outlines the threat posed by the Nivātakavaca adversaries and states Arjuna’s capacity to counter them. Finally, Indra commissions Lomāśa to return to Kāmyaka forest to inform Yudhiṣṭhira not to worry—Arjuna will return soon, now properly trained—and advises pilgrimage and protective vigilance against dangers during forest wandering. Lomāśa assents and reaches Kāmyaka, where he finds Yudhiṣṭhira surrounded by ascetics and his brothers.

Chapter Arc: इन्द्र, स्वर्ग में अर्जुन के तेज और संयम को देखकर, गन्धर्वराज चित्रसेन को एकान्त में बुलाकर एक गुप्त कार्य सौंपते हैं—उर्वशी को अर्जुन के पास भेजना। → चित्रसेन उर्वशी के पास पहुँचकर अर्जुन के गुणों का वर्णन करता है—एकाकी रक्षक, प्रियंवद, मानयिता, और स्वर्गफल का अधिकारी। उर्वशी के भीतर आकर्षण जागता है; वह इन्द्र की आज्ञा और अपने मन के प्रणय—दोनों के बीच खिंचती है। → उर्वशी स्पष्ट स्वीकार करती है कि इन्द्र के नियोग और चित्रसेन के वर्णन से वह अर्जुन के गुणसमूह पर मोहित हो गई है और उसके पास जाने का निश्चय करती है। → चित्रसेन को अनुमति देकर उर्वशी कहती है कि वह स्वयं सुखपूर्वक अर्जुन के पास जाएगी; दूत का कार्य पूर्ण होता है और स्वर्ग की योजना आगे बढ़ती है। → उर्वशी का अर्जुन के समीप गमन—और अर्जुन की प्रतिक्रिया—अगले प्रसंग के लिए उत्कंठा छोड़ देती है।

Shlokas

Verse 1

/ हि आय न [छुक हि ० पजञज्चचत्वारिशो< ध्याय: चित्रसेन और उर्वशीका वार्तालाप वैशम्पायन उवाच आदावेवाथ त॑ शक्रश्नित्रसेनं रहो5ब्रवीत्‌ । पार्थस्य चक्षुरुर्वश्यां सक्तं विज्ञाय वासव:

Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Oh Janamejaya, una vez Śakra (Indra), al percibir que la mirada de Pārtha (Arjuna) se había prendado de Urvaśī, mandó llamar al gandharva Citrasena y, desde el principio, le habló en privado acerca del asunto».

Verse 2

गन्धर्वराज गच्छाद्य प्रहितो5प्सरसां वराम्‌ । उर्वशीं पुरुषव्याघप्र सोपातिष्ठतु फाल्गुनम्‌

«Rey de los gandharvas, ve hoy, enviado por mí, a Urvaśī, la más excelsa entre las apsaras. Oh varón preeminente, te envío con este propósito: que Urvaśī se presente para servir a Phālguna (Arjuna)».

Verse 3

यथार्चितो गृहीतास्त्रो विद्यया मन्नियोगत: । तथा त्वया विधाततयं स्त्रीषु संगविशारद:

«Así como, por mi mandato, lo honraste con el saber de la música después de que hubo recibido las armas y aprendido la ciencia de las armas, del mismo modo dispón tú—experto en el trato con las mujeres—que llegue a ser diestro en la compañía femenina».

Verse 4

एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा सो<नुज्ञां प्राप्प वासवात्‌ | गन्धर्वराजो5प्सरसमभ्यगादुर्वशीं वराम्‌,इन्द्रके इस प्रकार कहनेपर “तथास्तु” कहकर उनसे आज्ञा ले गन्धर्वराज चित्रसेन सुन्दरी अप्सरा उर्वशीके पास गये

Así interpelado, respondió: «Así sea». Y habiendo obtenido el permiso de Vāsava (Indra), el rey de los Gandharvas, Citraseṇa, se acercó entonces a la excelsa apsará Urvaśī.

Verse 5

तां दृष्टवा विदितो हृष्ट: स्वागतेनार्चितस्तया । सुखासीन: सुखासीनां स्मितपूर्व वचो<ब्रवीत्‌

Al verla, él—ya reconocido—se llenó de júbilo. Urvaśī, sabiendo de su llegada, lo recibió con la debida hospitalidad y lo honró. Cuando él se hubo sentado cómodamente, sonrió y le habló con palabras gratas, mientras ella también reposaba en un asiento excelente.

Verse 6

विदितं ते<स्तु सुश्रोणि प्रहितो5हमिहागत: । त्रिदिवस्यैकराजेन त्वत्प्रसादाभिनन्दिना

Dijo Vaiśaṃpāyana: «Oh dama de hermosas caderas, sábelo: he sido enviado y he venido aquí por mandato del único soberano del cielo, Indra, quien reconoce con gratitud la gracia que tú has concedido».

Verse 7

यस्तु देवमनुष्येषु प्रर्यात: सहजैर्गुणै: । श्रिया शीलेन रूपेण व्रतेन च दमेन च । प्रख्यातो बलवीर्येण सम्मत: प्रतिभानवान्‌

Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Pero aquel que, entre dioses y hombres por igual, es célebre por sus virtudes innatas—dotado de fortuna, buena conducta y hermosura; firme en sus votos y en el dominio de sí; afamado por su fuerza y su valor; estimado por todos y de aguda inteligencia—(tal es el que se describe).»

Verse 8

वर्चस्वी तेजसा युक्त: क्षमावान्‌ वीतमत्सर: । साड्रोपनिषदान वेदांश्ष॒तुराख्यानपञ्चमान्‌

Dijo Vaiśampāyana: «Estaba dotado de resplandor y vigor; era paciente y tolerante, y estaba libre de envidia. Había dominado los Vedas junto con sus saberes auxiliares y las Upaniṣads, y conocía las narraciones tradicionales como una quinta rama.»

Verse 9

यो<थीते गुरुशुश्रूषां मेधां चाष्टगुणा श्रयाम्‌ । ब्रह्मचर्येण दाक्ष्येण प्रसवैर्वयसापि च

Vaiśampāyana dijo: «Aquel que ha seguido el servicio devoto a sus maestros y se ha acogido a una inteligencia aguda, dotada de excelencia en ocho aspectos—sostenida además por la disciplina del brahmacarya, la destreza práctica, la madurez que nace de las etapas de la vida e incluso por la edad—(es apto para la responsabilidad pretendida)».

Verse 10

एको वै रक्षिता चैव त्रिदिवं मघवानिव । अकत्थनो मानयिता स्थूललक्ष्य: प्रियंवद:

Vaiśaṃpāyana dijo: «Era, en verdad, un protector solitario—como Maghavān (Indra) custodiando el cielo de los dioses. Libre de jactancia, honraba a los demás; recto en su propósito y fácil de leer, hablaba con palabras gratas».

Verse 11

सुहृदश्चान्नपानेन विविधेनाभिवर्षति । सत्यवाक्‌ पूजितो वक्ता रूपवाननहंकृत:

Vaiśampāyana dijo: Colma a sus amigos con variados manjares y bebidas; es veraz en el hablar, honrado como orador, de buen parecer y libre de arrogancia.

Verse 12

भक्तानुकम्पी कान्तश्न प्रियश्न स्थिरसंगर: । प्रार्थनीयैर्गुणगणैमहेन्द्रवरुणोपम:

Vaiśampāyana dijo: Era compasivo con sus devotos y dependientes, moderado en el comer y firme en la batalla. Por una multitud de virtudes dignas de alabanza, era alguien a quien buscar y honrar, semejante a Mahendra y a Varuṇa en excelencia.

Verse 13

विदितस्ते<र्जुनो वीर: स स्वर्गफलमाप्नुयात्‌ । त्वं तु शक्राभ्यनुज्ञाता तस्य पादान्तिकं व्रज । तदेवं कुरु कल्याणि प्रसन्नस्त्वां धनंजय:

Vaiśaṃpāyana dijo: «Arjuna, el héroe, ya te es conocido; alcanzará el fruto del cielo. Pero tú, habiendo recibido el permiso de Śakra (Indra), ve hasta sus mismos pies. Hazlo así, señora de buen augurio: Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna) quedará complacido contigo».

Verse 14

'सुन्दरी! जो अपने स्वाभाविक सदगुण

Vaiśampāyana said: “Fair one! You know Arjuna well—the hero renowned among gods and men for his innate virtues: prosperity, noble character, pleasing beauty, excellent vows, and mastery over the senses. His fame, born of strength and valor, is everywhere. He is beloved by all, gifted, radiant in influence, brilliant, patient, and free from envy. He has studied the four Vedas together with their six auxiliaries, the Upaniṣads, and the ‘fifth Veda’—the Itihāsa and Purāṇa. Through service to his teachers and the eightfold excellences, he has attained keen intelligence. By his celibate discipline, efficiency in action, the vigor of youth, and the strength of lineage, he is able—like Indra himself—to safeguard the realm of heaven. He never praises his own qualities; he honors others, grasps even subtle matters swiftly as though they were obvious, and speaks words dear to everyone. For his friends he provides abundant food and drink, and he always speaks truth. He is respected everywhere; though eloquent and handsome, he is without pride. His heart is filled with compassion toward those who love him devotedly. He is radiant, dear, faithful to his vows, and steadfast in battle. Others long for his virtues, and by those virtues he is honored like Mahendra and Varuṇa. Such a man deserves the reward of coming to heaven. Therefore, by the command of the king of the gods, go today to Arjuna’s feet. Auspicious one, strive so that Dhanañjaya, Kuntī’s son, may be pleased with you.” When Citrasena spoke thus, Urvaśī’s lips curved into a smile. Taking the command as a great honor, the blameless beauty Urvaśī, delighted, replied to Citrasena as follows.

Verse 15

यस्त्वस्य कथित: सत्यो गुणोद्देशस्त्वया मम । त॑ श्रुत्वाव्यथयं पुंसो वृणुयां किमतो<र्जुनम्‌

Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “O king of the Gandharvas, the brief account of Arjuna’s virtues that you have related to me is entirely true. Hearing his praise even from the mouths of others, I am moved with anxious concern for that man. Therefore, what more is there for me to choose in Arjuna beyond this?”

Verse 16

महेन्द्रस्य नियोगेन त्वत्त: सम्प्रणयेन च । तस्य चाहं गुणौघेन फाल्गुने जातमन्मथा । गच्छ त्वं हि यथाकाममागमिष्याम्यहं सुखम्‌

Vaiśampāyana said: “By Mahendra’s command, by your affectionate mediation, and by the flood of Phālguna’s virtues, desire has arisen in me for him. Therefore go now as you please; I shall come to him in due course, at my own will, and in comfort.”

Verse 45

इति श्रीमहाभारते वनपर्वणि इन्द्रलोकाभिगमनपर्वणि चित्रसेनोर्वशीसंवादे पज्चचत्वारिंशो5 ध्याय:

Thus, in the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the Vana Parva, in the section concerning the journey to Indra’s world, the dialogue between Citraseṇa and Urvaśī concludes; this is the forty-fifth chapter. The colophon marks the formal close of the episode, signaling a transition in the narrative from the completed exchange to what follows, and reminding the listener that the text is carefully organized into parvans and sub-sections to frame its moral and narrative progression.

Frequently Asked Questions

The chapter implicitly addresses the ethics of capability: whether a leader may responsibly enter high-stakes conflict without adequate preparation. Indra’s counsel indicates that confronting formidable figures requires disciplined training and controlled power, not mere valor.

Arjuna’s role is framed within a larger cosmic and historical order: personal effort (training, discipline) operates inside a providential mission (bhūmer bhāra-avataraṇa), integrating agency with transcendental purpose.

No explicit phalaśruti formula appears here; the meta-function is achieved through Indra’s directive and reassurance to Yudhiṣṭhira, which positions the episode as narrative validation that ethical success in future engagements depends on prior qualification and guided instruction.

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