Arjuna Tells of His Journey to Indra's Heaven

Verse 1 (3.169.1)

ततस्तामवसं प्रीतो रजनीं तत्र भारत । प्रसादाद्देवदेवस्य त्र्यम्बकस्य महात्मनः ॥

tatastāmavasaṃ prīto rajanīṃ tatra bhārata | prasādāddevadevasya tryambakasya mahātmanaḥ

Then, by the grace of the great-souled Tryambaka, God of gods, I spent that night there in happiness, Bharata.

Note on the text: Corrected देवदेवस्यत्र्यम्बकस्य → देवदेवस्य त्र्यम्बकस्य (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 2 (3.169.2)

व्युषितो रजनीं चाहं कृत्वा पौर्वाह्णिकीः क्रियाः । अपश्यं तं द्विजश्रेष्ठं दृष्टवानस्मि यं पुरा ॥

vyuṣito rajanīṃ cāhaṃ kṛtvā paurvāhṇikīḥ kriyāḥ | apaśyaṃ taṃ dvijaśreṣṭhaṃ dṛṣṭavānasmi yaṃ purā

When the night had passed and I had performed the morning rites, I saw that best of brahmins whom I had seen before.

Note on the text: Corrected चाहंकृत्वापौर्वाह्णिकीः → चाहं कृत्वा पौर्वाह्णिकीः (word-spacing slips in Wikisource).

Verse 3 (3.169.3)

तस्मै चाहं यथावृत्तं सर्वमेव न्यवेदयम् । भगवन्तं महादेवं समेतोस्मीति भारत ॥

tasmai cāhaṃ yathāvṛttaṃ sarvameva nyavedayam | bhagavantaṃ mahādevaṃ sametosmīti bhārata

I told him everything just as it had happened, that I had met the blessed Mahadeva, Bharata.

Verse 4 (3.169.4)

स मामुवाच राजेन्द्र प्रीयमाणो द्विजोत्तमः । दृष्टस्त्वया महादेवो यथा नान्येन केनचित् ॥

sa māmuvāca rājendra prīyamāṇo dvijottamaḥ | dṛṣṭastvayā mahādevo yathā nānyena kenacit

Delighted, that best of the twice-born said to me, lord of kings, "You have seen Mahadeva as no one else has.

Verse 5 (3.169.5)

समेतं लोकपालैस्तु सर्वैर्वैवस्वतादिभिः । द्रष्टास्यनघ देवेन्द्रं स च तेऽस्त्राणि दास्यति ॥

sametaṃ lokapālaistu sarvairvaivasvatādibhiḥ | draṣṭāsyanagha devendraṃ sa ca te'strāṇi dāsyati

Sinless one, you will see the king of the gods together with all the world-guardians, Vaivasvata (Yama) and the rest, and he will give you weapons."

Note on the text: Speaker: the brahmin's words fill the whole verse without a printed heading; given to him.

Verse 6 (3.169.6)

एवमुक्त्वा स मां राजन्नाश्लिष्य च पुनः पुनः । अगच्छत्स यथाकामं ब्राह्मणः सूर्यसन्निभः ॥

evamuktvā sa māṃ rājannāśliṣya ca punaḥ punaḥ | agacchatsa yathākāmaṃ brāhmaṇaḥ sūryasannibhaḥ

Having said this to me, king, and embraced me again and again, the brahmin, radiant as the sun, went where he pleased.

Verse 7 (3.169.7)

अथापराह्णे तस्याह्नः प्रावात्पुण्यः समीरणः । पुनर्नवमिमं लोकं कुर्वन्निव सपत्नहन् ॥

athāparāhṇe tasyāhnaḥ prāvātpuṇyaḥ samīraṇaḥ | punarnavamimaṃ lokaṃ kurvanniva sapatnahan

Then, in the afternoon of that day, a holy breeze began to blow, slayer of rivals, as if making this world new again.

Verse 8 (3.169.8)

दिव्यानि चैव माल्यानि सुगन्धीनि नवानि च । शैशिरस्य गिरे पादे प्रादुरासन्समीपतः ॥

divyāni caiva mālyāni sugandhīni navāni ca | śaiśirasya gire pāde prādurāsansamīpataḥ

And divine garlands, fragrant and fresh, appeared close by at the foot of the snowy mountain.

Verse 9 (3.169.9)

वादित्राणि च दिव्यानि सुघोषाणि समन्ततः । स्तुतयश्चेन्द्रसंयुक्ता अश्रूयन्त मनोहराः ॥

vāditrāṇi ca divyāni sughoṣāṇi samantataḥ | stutayaścendrasaṃyuktā aśrūyanta manoharāḥ

On every side sounded divine instruments with a sweet ring, and delightful hymns in praise of Indra were heard.

Note on the text: Corrected वादित्राणिच → वादित्राणि च (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 10 (3.169.10)

गणाश्चाप्सरसां तत्र गन्धर्वाणां तथैव च । पुरस्ताद्देवदेवस्य जगुर्गीतानि सर्वशः ॥

gaṇāścāpsarasāṃ tatra gandharvāṇāṃ tathaiva ca | purastāddevadevasya jagurgītāni sarvaśaḥ

There troops of Apsarases and of Gandharvas sang songs of every kind before the king of the gods.

Note on the text: Corrected तत्रगन्धर्वाणां → तत्र गन्धर्वाणां (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 11 (3.169.11)

मरुतां च गणास्तत्र देवयानैरुपागमन् । महेन्द्रानुचरा ये च देवसद्मनिवासिनः ॥

marutāṃ ca gaṇāstatra devayānairupāgaman | mahendrānucarā ye ca devasadmanivāsinaḥ

Hosts of Maruts came there in their celestial cars, and so did great Indra's attendants who dwell in the abode of the gods.

Verse 12 (3.169.12)

ततो मरुत्वान्हरिभिर्युक्तैर्वाहैः स्वलंकृतैः । शचीसहायस्तत्रायात्सह सर्वैस्तदाऽमरैः ॥

tato marutvānharibhiryuktairvāhaiḥ svalaṃkṛtaiḥ | śacīsahāyastatrāyātsaha sarvaistadā'maraiḥ

Then Marutvat (Indra), with Shachi at his side, came there with all the immortals, drawn by bay horses in splendid harness.

Note on the text: Corrected मरुत्वानहरिभिः → मरुत्वान्हरिभिः (misprint in Wikisource; the joined form would read "without horses"; the critical edition reads marutvān haribhir).

Verse 13 (3.169.13)

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु कुबेरो नरवाहनः । दर्शयामास मां राजँल्लक्ष्म्या परमया युतः ॥

etasminneva kāle tu kubero naravāhanaḥ | darśayāmāsa māṃ rājam̐llakṣmyā paramayā yutaḥ

At that very time Kubera, who rides on men, showed himself to me, king, endowed with supreme splendour.

Note on the text: Corrected एतस्मिन्नैव → एतस्मिन्नेव (misprint in Wikisource; ऐ for ए turns "at this very" into "not at all"; the critical edition reads etasminn eva).

Verse 14 (3.169.14)

दक्षिणस्यां दिशि यमं प्रत्यपश्यं व्यवस्थितम् । वरुणं देवराजं च यथास्थानमवस्थितम् ॥

dakṣiṇasyāṃ diśi yamaṃ pratyapaśyaṃ vyavasthitam | varuṇaṃ devarājaṃ ca yathāsthānamavasthitam

In the southern quarter I saw Yama standing, and Varuna and the king of the gods, each in his own place.

Note on the text: Corrected व्यस्थितम् → व्यवस्थितम् (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped akshara that leaves the line a syllable short; the critical edition reads vyavasthitam).

Verse 15 (3.169.15)

ते मामूचुर्महाराज सान्त्वयित्वा सुरर्षभाः । सव्यसाचिन्निरीक्षास्माँल्लोकपालानवस्थितान् ॥

te māmūcurmahārāja sāntvayitvā surarṣabhāḥ | savyasācinnirīkṣāsmām̐llokapālānavasthitān

Those bulls among the gods spoke to me kindly, great king: "Savyasachin, look at us, the world-guardians, standing here.

Verse 16 (3.169.16)

सुरकार्यार्थसिद्ध्यर्थं दृष्टवानसि शंकरम् । अस्मत्तोऽपि गृहाण त्वमस्त्राणीति समन्ततः ॥

surakāryārthasiddhyarthaṃ dṛṣṭavānasi śaṃkaram | asmatto'pi gṛhāṇa tvamastrāṇīti samantataḥ

For the success of the gods' purpose you have seen Shankara. Take weapons from us as well," they said on every side.

Note on the text: Speaker: the world-guardians' words fill the whole verse without a printed heading; given to them.

Verse 17 (3.169.17)

ततोऽहं प्रयतो भूत्वा प्रणिपत्य सुरर्षभान् । प्रत्यगृह्णां तदाऽस्त्राणि महान्ति विविधानि च ॥

tato'haṃ prayato bhūtvā praṇipatya surarṣabhān | pratyagṛhṇāṃ tadā'strāṇi mahānti vividhāni ca

Then, composing myself and bowing low to those bulls among the gods, I received from them weapons, great and of many kinds.

Verse 18 (3.169.18)

गृहीतास्त्रस्ततो देवैरनुज्ञातोस्मि भारत । अथ देवा ययुः सर्वे यथागतमरिंदम ॥

gṛhītāstrastato devairanujñātosmi bhārata | atha devā yayuḥ sarve yathāgatamariṃdama

When I had received the weapons, the gods gave me leave, Bharata, and then all the gods went back as they had come, tamer of foes.

Note on the text: Corrected सर्वेयथागतम् → सर्वे यथागतम् (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 19 (3.169.19)

मघवानपि मां देवो रथमारोप्य सुप्रभम् । उवाच भगवान्वाक्यं स्मयन्निव महायशाः ॥

maghavānapi māṃ devo rathamāropya suprabham | uvāca bhagavānvākyaṃ smayanniva mahāyaśāḥ

The god Maghavat too, the blessed and glorious one, placed me on his shining chariot and, as if smiling, spoke these words:

Verse 20 (3.169.20)

पुरैवागमनादस्माद्वेदाहं त्वां धनंजय । अतः परं त्वहं वै त्वां दर्शये भरतर्षभ ॥

puraivāgamanādasmādvedāhaṃ tvāṃ dhanaṃjaya | ataḥ paraṃ tvahaṃ vai tvāṃ darśaye bharatarṣabha

"Even before you came here I knew you, Dhananjaya. From now on I shall show myself to you, bull of the Bharatas.

Note on the text: Corrected भरत्रषभ → भरतर्षभ (misprint in Wikisource; a misplaced र, the critical edition reads bharatarṣabha). Speaker: Indra's words (verses 20–24) have no printed heading; given to him.

Verse 21 (3.169.21)

त्वया हि तीर्थेषु पुरा समाप्लावः कृतोऽसकृत् । तपश्चेदं महत्तप्तं स्वर्गं गन्तासि पाण्डव ॥

tvayā hi tīrtheṣu purā samāplāvaḥ kṛto'sakṛt | tapaścedaṃ mahattaptaṃ svargaṃ gantāsi pāṇḍava

You have bathed at the sacred fords many times in the past, and you have performed this great austerity; you will go to heaven, Pandava.

Note on the text: Corrected महत्त्प्तं → महत्तप्तं (misprint in Wikisource; a broken conjunct).

Verse 22 (3.169.22)

भूयश्चैव च तप्तव्यं तपश्चरणमुत्तमम् । दुश्चरं घोरमस्त्राणां तपोबलकरं तव ॥

bhūyaścaiva ca taptavyaṃ tapaścaraṇamuttamam | duścaraṃ ghoramastrāṇāṃ tapobalakaraṃ tava

Yet a further supreme course of austerity must still be performed, hard and fearsome, which will give you the strength of austerity for the weapons.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (` and ') around the second line. Line 1 is CE 3.164.22ab; line 2 is not in the critical edition's text, but its apparatus has a close variant as 3.164.22b*0841 (duścaraṃ ghoram astrāṇāṃ tapasaś copadarśanam).

Verse 23 (3.169.23)

स्वर्गस्त्ववश्यं गन्तव्यस्त्वया शत्रुनिषूदन । मातलिर्मन्नियोगात्त्वां त्रिदिवं प्रापयिष्यति ॥

svargastvavaśyaṃ gantavyastvayā śatruniṣūdana | mātalirmanniyogāttvāṃ tridivaṃ prāpayiṣyati

You must certainly go to heaven, destroyer of enemies; at my command Matali will bring you to the realm of the Thirty.

Note on the text: Line 1 is not in the critical edition's text (found in the vulgate recension; its apparatus has it as 3.164.22d*0842); line 2 is CE 3.164.23ab.

Verse 24 (3.169.24)

विदितस्त्वं हि देवानां मुनीनां च महात्मनाम् । इहस्थः पाण्डवश्रेष्ठ तपः कुर्वन्सुदुष्करम् ॥

viditastvaṃ hi devānāṃ munīnāṃ ca mahātmanām | ihasthaḥ pāṇḍavaśreṣṭha tapaḥ kurvansuduṣkaram

For you are known to the gods and to the great-souled sages, best of the Pandavas, as one practising here an austerity most hard to perform."

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (` and ') around the second line and corrected त्वंहि → त्वं हि (word-spacing slip). Line 1 is CE 3.164.23cd; line 2 is not in the critical edition's text (found in the vulgate recension; its apparatus has it as 3.164.23d*0843).

Verse 25 (3.169.25)

ततोऽहमब्रुवं शक्रं प्रसीद भगवन्मम । आचार्यं वरयेऽहं त्वामस्त्रार्थं त्रिदशेश्वर ॥

tato'hamabruvaṃ śakraṃ prasīda bhagavanmama | ācāryaṃ varaye'haṃ tvāmastrārthaṃ tridaśeśvara

Then I said to Shakra, "Be gracious to me, Lord. I choose you as my teacher for the weapons, lord of the Thirty gods."

Verse 26 (3.169.26)

क्रूरकर्माऽस्त्रवित्तात भविष्यसि परंतप । यदर्थमस्त्राणीप्सुस्त्वं तं कामं पाण्डवाप्नुहि ॥

krūrakarmā'stravittāta bhaviṣyasi paraṃtapa | yadarthamastrāṇīpsustvaṃ taṃ kāmaṃ pāṇḍavāpnuhi

"Once you know the weapons, my son, you will become a doer of cruel deeds, scorcher of foes. Yet win that wish for which you seek the weapons, Pandava."

Verse 27 (3.169.27)

ततोऽहमब्रुवं नाहं दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि शत्रुहन् । मानुषेषु प्रयोक्ष्यामि विनाऽस्त्रप्रतिघातनात् ॥

tato'hamabruvaṃ nāhaṃ divyānyastrāṇi śatruhan | mānuṣeṣu prayokṣyāmi vinā'strapratighātanāt

Then I said, "Slayer of foes, I will not use the divine weapons against men, except to counter weapons.

Note on the text: Speaker: Wikisource carries the इन्द्र उवाच heading over, but these are Arjuna's words (ततोऽहमब्रुवं); the critical edition prints arjuna uvāca here (3.164.26). Given to Arjuna.

Verse 28 (3.169.28)

तानि दिव्यानि मेऽस्त्राणि प्रयच्छ विबुधाधिप । लोकांश्चास्त्रजितान्पश्चाल्लभेयं सुरपुङ्गव ॥

tāni divyāni me'strāṇi prayaccha vibudhādhipa | lokāṃścāstrajitānpaścāllabheyaṃ surapuṅgava

Give me those divine weapons, lord of the gods; and afterwards, bull among the gods, may I win the worlds that are won by weapons."

Note on the text: Corrected लेकांश्च → लोकांश्च (misprint in Wikisource; े for ो, the critical edition reads lokāṃś).

Verse 29 (3.169.29)

परीक्षार्थं मयैतत्ते वाक्यमुक्तं धनंजय । ममात्मजस्य वचनं सूपपन्नमिदं तव ॥

parīkṣārthaṃ mayaitatte vākyamuktaṃ dhanaṃjaya | mamātmajasya vacanaṃ sūpapannamidaṃ tava

"I said that to you to test you, Dhananjaya. These words of yours are well befitting a son of mine.

Verse 30 (3.169.30)

शिक्ष मे भवनं गत्वा सर्वाण्यस्त्राणि भारत । वायोरग्नेर्वसुभ्योऽपि वरुणात्समरुद्गणात् ॥

śikṣa me bhavanaṃ gatvā sarvāṇyastrāṇi bhārata | vāyoragnervasubhyo'pi varuṇātsamarudgaṇāt

Go to my abode and learn all the weapons, Bharata: from Vayu, from Agni, from the Vasus, from Varuna together with the hosts of Maruts;

Note on the text: Corrected गत्वासर्वाण्यस्त्राणि → गत्वा सर्वाण्यस्त्राणि (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 31 (3.169.31)

साध्यं पैतामहं चैव गन्धर्वोरगरक्षसाम् । वैष्णवानि च सर्वाणि नैर्ऋतानि तथैव च ॥

sādhyaṃ paitāmahaṃ caiva gandharvoragarakṣasām | vaiṣṇavāni ca sarvāṇi nairṛtāni tathaiva ca

the weapon of the Sadhyas, that of the Grandsire (Brahma), those of the Gandharvas, serpents and Rakshasas, all those of Vishnu, and likewise those of Nirriti;

Note on the text: CE 3.164.30ab–cd.

Verse 32 (3.169.32)

मद्गतानि च जानीहि सर्वास्त्राणि कुरूद्वह ॥

madgatāni ca jānīhi sarvāstrāṇi kurūdvaha

and know too all the weapons that are mine, joy of the Kurus."

Note on the text: Split from Wikisource verse 32 at the change of speaker: this line (CE 3.164.30ef) ends Indra's speech; the next line resumes Arjuna's narrative, where the critical edition prints arjuna uvāca (3.164.31). Both parts keep number 32.

Verse 33 (3.169.33)

एवमुक्त्वा तु मां शक्रस्तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ॥

evamuktvā tu māṃ śakrastatraivāntaradhīyata

Having said this to me, Shakra vanished on the spot.

Note on the text: Second line of Wikisource verse 32 (CE 3.164.31ab), split off where Arjuna resumes his narrative.

Verse 34 (3.169.34)

अथापश्यं हरियुजं रथमैन्द्रमुपस्थितम् । दिव्यं मायामयं पुण्यं यत्तं मातलिना नृप ॥

athāpaśyaṃ hariyujaṃ rathamaindramupasthitam | divyaṃ māyāmayaṃ puṇyaṃ yattaṃ mātalinā nṛpa

Then I saw Indra's chariot standing ready, yoked with bay horses: divine, wondrous as magic, holy, and kept in readiness by Matali, king.

Note on the text: CE 3.164.31cd–ef. Speaker: Arjuna's narrative, not Indra (the carried-over heading is corrected).

Verse 35 (3.169.35)

लोकपालेषु यातेषु मामुवाचाथ मातलिः । द्रष्टुमिच्छति शक्रस्त्वां देवराजो महाद्युते ॥

lokapāleṣu yāteṣu māmuvācātha mātaliḥ | draṣṭumicchati śakrastvāṃ devarājo mahādyute

When the world-guardians had gone, Matali said to me, "Shakra, king of the gods, wishes to see you, radiant one.

Verse 36 (3.169.36)

संसिद्धस्त्वं महाबाहो कुरु कार्यमनुत्तमम् । पश्य पुण्यकृतां लोकान्सशरीरो दिवं व्रज ॥

saṃsiddhastvaṃ mahābāho kuru kāryamanuttamam | paśya puṇyakṛtāṃ lokānsaśarīro divaṃ vraja

You have attained perfection, mighty-armed one. Do your peerless work: see the worlds of those who have done holy deeds, and go to heaven in your body.

Note on the text: Speaker: Matali's words fill the whole verse without a printed heading; given to him.

Verse 37 (3.169.37)

देवराजः सहस्राक्षस्त्वां दिदृक्षति भारत । इत्युक्तोऽहं मातलिना गिरिमामन्त्र्य शैशिरम् ॥

devarājaḥ sahasrākṣastvāṃ didṛkṣati bhārata | ityukto'haṃ mātalinā girimāmantrya śaiśiram

The thousand-eyed king of the gods longs to see you, Bharata." Thus addressed by Matali, I took leave of the snowy mountain,

Note on the text: Line 1 is not in the critical edition's text (found in the vulgate recension; its apparatus has it as 3.164.33d*0844); line 2 is CE 3.164.34ab.

Verse 38 (3.169.38)

प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य समारोहं रथोत्तमम् । चोदयामास स हयान्मनोमारुतरंहसः ॥

pradakṣiṇamupāvṛtya samārohaṃ rathottamam | codayāmāsa sa hayānmanomārutaraṃhasaḥ

walked around it keeping it on my right, and mounted that finest of chariots. Then he urged on the horses, swift as thought and wind,

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 3.164.34cd, line 2 is CE 3.164.35ab.

Verse 39 (3.169.39)

मातलिर्हयतत्त्वज्ञो यथावद्भूरिदक्षिणः । अवैक्षत च मे वक्त्रं स्थितस्याथ स सारथिः । तथा भ्रान्ते रथे राजन्विस्मितश्चेदमब्रवीत् ॥

mātalirhayatattvajño yathāvadbhūridakṣiṇaḥ | avaikṣata ca me vaktraṃ sthitasyātha sa sārathiḥ | tathā bhrānte rathe rājanvismitaścedamabravīt

Matali, who knows the true nature of horses and is lavish in his gifts, as is fitting. Then the charioteer looked at my face as I stood there, and, as the chariot whirled along, king, he said in amazement:

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki bracket ([) and corrected वक्रृं → वक्त्रं, स्तितस्य → स्थितस्य and ससारथिः → स सारथिः (misprints in Wikisource; a broken conjunct, त for थ, and a word-spacing slip that turns "that charioteer" into "with the charioteer"; the critical edition reads vaktraṃ sthitasyātha sa sārathiḥ). Line 1 is CE 3.164.35cd, lines 2–3 are CE 3.164.36.

Verse 40 (3.169.40)

अत्यद्भुतमिदं त्वद्य विचित्रं प्रतिभाति मे । यदास्थितो रथं दिव्यं पदान्न चलितः पदम् ॥

atyadbhutamidaṃ tvadya vicitraṃ pratibhāti me | yadāsthito rathaṃ divyaṃ padānna calitaḥ padam

"This seems to me most wonderful and strange today: mounted on the divine chariot, you have not moved a step from your place.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (।।]) at the verse end and corrected त्वद्यविचित्रं → त्वद्य विचित्रं (word-spacing slip). Speaker: Matali's speech (verses 39–41) has no printed heading; given to him.

Verse 41 (3.169.41)

देवराजोऽपि हि मया नित्यमत्रोपलक्षितः । विचलन्प्रथमोत्पाते हयानां भरतर्षभ ॥

devarājo'pi hi mayā nityamatropalakṣitaḥ | vicalanprathamotpāte hayānāṃ bharatarṣabha

Even the king of the gods, I have always noticed, sways at the horses' first leap, bull of the Bharatas.

Note on the text: Corrected देवराजोऽपिहि → देवराजोऽपि हि (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 42 (3.169.42)

त्वं पुनः स्थित एवात्र रथे भ्रान्ते कुरूद्वह । अतिशक्रमिदं सर्वं तवेति प्रतिभाति मे ॥

tvaṃ punaḥ sthita evātra rathe bhrānte kurūdvaha | atiśakramidaṃ sarvaṃ taveti pratibhāti me

But you stood quite steady here while the chariot whirled, joy of the Kurus. All this of yours seems to me to surpass even Shakra."

Note on the text: Corrected एवात्ररथे → एवात्र रथे (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 43 (3.169.43)

इत्युक्त्वाऽऽकाशमाविश्य मातलिर्विबुधालयान् । दर्शयामास मे राजन्विमानानि च भारत ॥

ityuktvā''kāśamāviśya mātalirvibudhālayān | darśayāmāsa me rājanvimānāni ca bhārata

Having said this, Matali rose into the sky and showed me the dwellings of the gods and their aerial palaces, king, Bharata.

Verse 44 (3.169.44)

स रथो हरिभिर्युक्तो ह्यूर्ध्वमाचक्रमे ततः । ऋषयो देवताश्चैव पूजयन्ति नरोत्तम ॥

sa ratho haribhiryukto hyūrdhvamācakrame tataḥ | ṛṣayo devatāścaiva pūjayanti narottama

That chariot, yoked with bay horses, then climbed upward, while sages and gods paid it honour, best of men.

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki bracket ([). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); its apparatus has verses 43–44 as 3.164.40d*0845.

Verse 45 (3.169.45)

ततः कामगमाँल्लोकानपश्यं वै सुरर्षिणाम् । गन्धर्वाप्सरसां चैव प्रभावममितौजसाम् ॥

tataḥ kāmagamām̐llokānapaśyaṃ vai surarṣiṇām | gandharvāpsarasāṃ caiva prabhāvamamitaujasām

Then I saw the worlds of the divine sages, where one moves at will, and the splendour of the Gandharvas and Apsarases of boundless might.

Note on the text: Removed stray wiki marks (।।]) at the verse end. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); its apparatus has it as part of 3.164.40d*0845.

Verse 46 (3.169.46)

नन्दनादीनि देवानां वनान्युपवनानि च । दर्शयामास मे शीघ्रं मातलिः शक्रसारथिः ॥

nandanādīni devānāṃ vanānyupavanāni ca | darśayāmāsa me śīghraṃ mātaliḥ śakrasārathiḥ

Matali, Shakra's charioteer, swiftly showed me Nandana and the other forests and groves of the gods.

Verse 47 (3.169.47)

ततः शक्रस्य भवनमपश्यममरावतीम् । दिव्यैः कामफलैर्वृक्षै रत्नैश्च समलंकृताम् ॥

tataḥ śakrasya bhavanamapaśyamamarāvatīm | divyaiḥ kāmaphalairvṛkṣai ratnaiśca samalaṃkṛtām

Then I saw Shakra's abode, Amaravati, adorned with divine trees that bear whatever fruit one wishes, and with jewels.

Note on the text: Corrected अपश्यभमरावतीम् → अपश्यममरावतीम् (misprint in Wikisource; भ for म, the critical edition reads apaśyam amarāvatīm).

Verse 48 (3.169.48)

न तां भासयते सूर्यो न शीतोष्णे न च क्लमः । न बाधते तत्र रजस्तत्रास्ति न जरा नृप ॥

na tāṃ bhāsayate sūryo na śītoṣṇe na ca klamaḥ | na bādhate tatra rajastatrāsti na jarā nṛpa

The sun does not light it; there is neither cold nor heat nor weariness there; no dust troubles anyone there, and there is no old age, king.

Note on the text: Corrected तत्ररजः → तत्र रजः (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 49 (3.169.49)

न तत्र शोको दैन्यं वा वैवर्ण्यं चोपलक्ष्यते । दिवौकसां महाराज न ग्लानिररिमर्दन । न क्रोधलोभौ तत्रास्तामशुभं वा विशांपते ॥

na tatra śoko dainyaṃ vā vaivarṇyaṃ copalakṣyate | divaukasāṃ mahārāja na glānirarimardana | na krodhalobhau tatrāstāmaśubhaṃ vā viśāṃpate

No grief, misery or pallor is seen there among the dwellers of heaven, great king, nor any weariness, crusher of foes; anger and greed are not there, nor anything inauspicious, lord of the people.

Note on the text: Corrected तत्रशोको → तत्र शोको (word-spacing slip) and अशुबं → अशुभं (misprint in Wikisource; ब for भ, the critical edition reads aśubhaṃ). Lines 1–2 are CE 3.164.44, line 3 is CE 3.164.45ab.

Verse 50 (3.169.50)

नित्यं तुष्टास्ते राजन्प्राणिनः सुरवेश्मनि । नित्यपुष्पफलास्तत्र पादपा हरितच्छदाः ॥

nityaṃ tuṣṭāste rājanprāṇinaḥ suraveśmani | nityapuṣpaphalāstatra pādapā haritacchadāḥ

The beings in the gods' abode are always content, king. The trees there are always in flower and fruit, with green leaves.

Note on the text: Corrected तुष्टाश् ते → तुष्टास्ते (misprint in Wikisource; a wrong sandhi consonant before त). Line 1 corresponds to CE 3.164.45cd, line 2 is CE 3.164.46ab.

Verse 51 (3.169.51)

पुष्करिण्यश्च विविधाः पद्मसौगन्धिकायुताः । शीतस्तत्र ववौ वायुः सुगन्धो वीजते शुभः ॥

puṣkariṇyaśca vividhāḥ padmasaugandhikāyutāḥ | śītastatra vavau vāyuḥ sugandho vījate śubhaḥ

There are pools of many kinds, full of lotuses and fragrant water-lilies. A cool, fragrant and pleasant breeze blows there, fanning gently.

Note on the text: Corrected शीतस्तत्रववौ → शीतस्तत्र ववौ (word-spacing slip in Wikisource). Line 1 is CE 3.164.46cd, line 2 is CE 3.164.47ab.

Verse 52 (3.169.52)

सर्वरत्नविचित्रा च भूमिः पुष्पविभूषिता । मृगद्विजाश्च बहवो रुचिरा मधुरस्वराः । विमानगामिनश्चात्र दृश्यन्ते बहवोऽमराः ॥

sarvaratnavicitrā ca bhūmiḥ puṣpavibhūṣitā | mṛgadvijāśca bahavo rucirā madhurasvarāḥ | vimānagāminaścātra dṛśyante bahavo'marāḥ

The ground is bright with every kind of jewel and decked with flowers; there are many lovely beasts and birds with sweet voices, and many immortals are seen there travelling in aerial cars.

Note on the text: Corrected विमानगामिनश्चात्रदृश्यन्ते → विमानगामिनश्चात्र दृश्यन्ते (word-spacing slip in Wikisource). Line 1 is CE 3.164.47cd, lines 2–3 are CE 3.164.48.

Verse 53 (3.169.53)

ततोऽपश्यं वसून्रुद्रान्साध्यांश्च समरुद्गणान् । आदित्यानश्विनौ चैव तान्सर्वान्प्रत्यपूजयम् ॥

tato'paśyaṃ vasūnrudrānsādhyāṃśca samarudgaṇān | ādityānaśvinau caiva tānsarvānpratyapūjayam

Then I saw the Vasus, the Rudras, the Sadhyas together with the hosts of Maruts, the Adityas and the two Ashvins, and I paid homage to them all.

Verse 54 (3.169.54)

ते मां वीर्येण यशसा तेजसा च बलेन च । अस्त्रैश्चाप्यन्वजानन्त संग्रामे विजयेन च ॥

te māṃ vīryeṇa yaśasā tejasā ca balena ca | astraiścāpyanvajānanta saṃgrāme vijayena ca

They blessed me with valour, fame, splendour and strength, with weapons, and with victory in battle.

Verse 55 (3.169.55)

प्रविश्य तां पुरीं दिव्यां देवगन्धर्वपूजिताम् । देवराजं सहस्राक्षमुपातिष्ठं कृताञ्जलिः ॥

praviśya tāṃ purīṃ divyāṃ devagandharvapūjitām | devarājaṃ sahasrākṣamupātiṣṭhaṃ kṛtāñjaliḥ

Entering that divine city, honoured by gods and Gandharvas, I approached the thousand-eyed king of the gods with joined palms.

Verse 56 (3.169.56)

ददावर्धासनं प्रीतः शक्रो मे ददतां वरः । बहुमानाच्च गात्राणि पस्पर्श मम वासवः ॥

dadāvardhāsanaṃ prītaḥ śakro me dadatāṃ varaḥ | bahumānācca gātrāṇi pasparśa mama vāsavaḥ

Shakra, best of givers, was pleased and gave me half his seat, and Vasava, in his great regard, touched my limbs.

Note on the text: Corrected ददतांवरः → ददतां वरः (word-spacing slip in Wikisource).

Verse 57 (3.169.57)

तत्राहं देवगन्धर्वैः सहितो भूरिदक्षिणैः । अस्त्रार्थमवसं स्वर्गे शिक्षाणोऽस्त्राणि भारत ॥

tatrāhaṃ devagandharvaiḥ sahito bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ | astrārthamavasaṃ svarge śikṣāṇo'strāṇi bhārata

There I lived in heaven for the sake of the weapons, among the gods and the bountiful Gandharvas, learning the weapons, Bharata.

Note on the text: Corrected अस्त्रार्तम् → अस्त्रार्थम् (misprint in Wikisource; त for थ, the critical edition reads astrārtham).

Verse 58 (3.169.58)

विश्वावसोश्च वै पुत्रश्चित्रसेनोऽभवत्सखा । स च गान्धर्वमखिलं ग्राहयामास मां नृप ॥

viśvāvasośca vai putraścitraseno'bhavatsakhā | sa ca gāndharvamakhilaṃ grāhayāmāsa māṃ nṛpa

Chitrasena, son of Vishvavasu, became my friend, and he taught me the whole art of the Gandharvas, king.

Verse 59 (3.169.59)

तत्राहमवसं राजन्गृहीतास्त्रः सुपूजितः । सुखं शक्रस्य भवने सर्वकामसमन्वितः ॥

tatrāhamavasaṃ rājangṛhītāstraḥ supūjitaḥ | sukhaṃ śakrasya bhavane sarvakāmasamanvitaḥ

There I lived happily in Shakra's palace, king, my weapons mastered, highly honoured and provided with every pleasure,

Note on the text: Corrected शक्रस् → शक्रस्य (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped akshara, the critical edition reads śakrasya).

Verse 60 (3.169.60)

शृण्वन्वै गीतशब्दं च तूर्यशब्दं च पुष्कलम् । पश्यंश्चाप्सरसः श्रेष्ठा नृत्यन्तीर्भरतर्षभ ॥

śṛṇvanvai gītaśabdaṃ ca tūryaśabdaṃ ca puṣkalam | paśyaṃścāpsarasaḥ śreṣṭhā nṛtyantīrbharatarṣabha

hearing the sound of song and the rich music of instruments, and watching the finest Apsarases dance, bull of the Bharatas.

Verse 61 (3.169.61)

तत्सर्वमनवज्ञाय तथ्यं विज्ञाय भारत । अत्यर्थं प्रतिगृह्याहमस्त्रेष्वेव व्यवस्थितः ॥

tatsarvamanavajñāya tathyaṃ vijñāya bhārata | atyarthaṃ pratigṛhyāhamastreṣveva vyavasthitaḥ

Without slighting any of it, Bharata, yet judging it for what it truly was, I set the weapons above all else and devoted myself to them alone.

Verse 62 (3.169.62)

ततोऽतुष्यत्सहस्राक्षस्तेन कामेन मे विभुः । एवं मे वसतो राजन्नेष कालोऽत्यगाद्दिवि ॥

tato'tuṣyatsahasrākṣastena kāmena me vibhuḥ | evaṃ me vasato rājanneṣa kālo'tyagāddivi

Then the lord, the thousand-eyed one, was pleased with me for that desire of mine. Living thus in heaven, king, I passed this time away.