Arjuna and Shiva fighting - Pashupatastra





Lord Shiva giving Pashupatastra to Arujuna





Duryodhana had robbed the Pandavas of their rightful share of the kingdom in a game of dice.



As a result of this, the Pandavas had to spend many years in the forest. While they were in the forest, Sri Vedavyasa Ji (remember he is also an avatar of Sri Hari) came to visit the Pandavas. Sri Vedavyasa Ji told them that they should pray to Lord Shiva. But since Arjuna was the best suited amongst the Pandavas for worshipping Lord Shiva, Sri Vedavyasa Ji taught Arjuna a special mantra (incantation). Then he asked Arjuna to go to Mount Indrakila and pray to Lord Shiva there. Mount Indrakila was on the banks of the river Bhagirathi.



Arjuna went to Mount Indrakila. He made a linga out of clay and started to pray to Lord Shiva. The news of Arjuna’s wonderful tapasya spread everywhere. Arjuna stood on one leg and continually chanted the mantra that Sri Vedavyasa Ji had taught him.



Suddenly, Arjuna saw a boar. Arjuna thought that this fierce boar might have come to distract him from his tapasya. Alternatively, it might be a relative of the several demons that he had killed and therefore might wish him harm. Thinking this, Arjuna picked up his bow and arrow and let fly an arrow at the boar.



Meanwhile, Lord Shiva had decided to subject Arjuna to a test and he had also arrived at that spot disguised as a hunter.





When Arjuna shot an arrow at the boar, so did Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva’s arrow struck the boar in its hindquarters and Arjuna’s arrow struck the boar in its mouth. The boar fell down dead.



A dispute started between Arjuna and the hunter about who had killed the boar. Each claimed it for his own. They began to fight. But whatever weapons were hurled by Lord Shiva were easily repelled all of Arjuna’s weapons. When all the weapons were exhausted, the two started to wrestle.



After the fight had gone on for a while, Lord Shiva gave up his disguise of a hunter and displayed his true form to Arjuna. Arjuna was ashamed that he had been fighting with the very person to whom he had been praying.



Please forgive me Lord Shiva, said Arjuna.



It is all right, replied Lord Shiva. I was just trying to test you. Your weapons have been like offerings to me, you are my devotee. Tell me, what boon do you desire?



Arjuna wanted the boon that he might obtain glory on earth. Lord Shiva gave Arjuna his Pashupata weapon (Pashupatastra). This was such a divine weapon that its possession made Arjuna invincible.





PS: We should always remember that Bhagavan Sri Hari is is the main tester. Sri Hari also tests us through several Devas, Devis, starting from Sri Mahalakshmi Devi, Sri Brahma Deva, Sri Rudra Deva etc etc etc. Ultimate goal is to teach lessons to us.





Here Lord Shiva tests Arjuna and finally Lord Shiva is one of the best bhakta / devotee of Sri Hari / Sri Krishna gives the great Pashupastra to his bhakta / devotee Arjuna.





If one is having great bhakti in Bhagavan Sri Hari / Sri Krishna, he will surely and definitely get all the things as per his / her capabilities. We have seen a great example here of the Arjuna.





You can LIKE this, COMMENT on this and also SHARE this on your various social media networks and also visit my other posts to better understand our GREAT SANATANA DHARMA.



SRI GURUBHYO NAMAHA