SECTION XLIV

Vaisampayana said, “The gods and the Gandharvas then, understanding the

wishes of India, 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 Purandara 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.”

The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 Books 1, 2 and 3 · 第 44 / 313 章