It was the thirteenth day of that great battle between the Kauravas and the Pandavas. That entire day of the battle belonged to Abhimanyu - the heroic son of Arjuna and Subhadra (Sri Krishna’s sister). Fighting alone, Abhimanyu had caused a great carnage amongst the Kaurava troops and it took six of their mightiest warriors to slay (un-righteously) that young hero. Arjuna, fighting as he was in a different part of the battlefield, was unaware of the death of his son. Thus, as Arjuna and Sri Krishna returned to their camp in the evening, Arjuna was surprised at the atmosphere of gloom prevailing all around. He said to Sri Krishna, “Why is my heart afraid, O Kesava, and why does my speech falter? Evil omens encounter me and my limbs are weak. Thoughts of disaster continually possess my mind without leaving it. O Janardana, no auspicious trumpet blows today along with the beat of drums and the loud blare of conchs. The warriors of our army, seeing us, all recede hanging down their heads. Beholding me, they do not tell me as before the feats achieved by them in today’s battle. I also do not see Subhadra’s son. Ever cheerful, he does not come out with his brothers today to receive me returning from battle.”
Thus conversing, Sri Krishna and Arjuna entered their own camp and saw all the Pandavas plunged in great grief. Then, with great fortitude, King Yudhishthira informed Arjuna of the death of Abhimanyu and the circumstances surrounding it. Filled with rage, especially when he came to know that Jayadratha (King of the Sindhus) was the chief cause of his son’s death, Arjuna vowed that before sunset on the following day he would slay Jayadratha and if unable to do so, he would enter the blazing fire!
Sri Krishna, on hearing Arjuna’s words, expressed his concern, “With the consent of your brothers alone (and without consulting me) you have sworn - I will slay the ruler of the Sindhus. This has been an act of great rashness (on your part). I had sent some spies into the camp of the Kauravas. These spies have informed me that the Kauravas, hearing of your vow, have firmly resolved to defeat you. It has been planned by the enemies that in tomorrow’s battle Jayadratha would be placed behind their entire eleven akshauhini of troops. Also, six of the foremost warriors of the Kaurava army would be standing in front of Jayadratha. Each one of these six warriors - Kripa, Asvatthama, Karna, Salya, Bhurisravas, Vrishasena - is difficult to defeat in battle and when united together they are virtually invincible. Without consulting me you have taken up a great weight upon your shoulders. Alas, how shall we escape the ridicule of all men?”
Arjuna comforted Sri Krishna in brave words but the Lord was nevertheless in deep thought as to how Arjuna’s vow could be fulfilled. Thus, after comforting His sister Subhadra and Uttara (Abhimanyu’s wife), Sri Krishna retired to his own tent. There he summoned Daruka, His charioteer, and instructed him in the following words:
“O Daruka, when morning comes after the expiry of this night, equip my excellent chariot according to the rules of military science. Place on it my celestial mace Kaumodaki, my discus, my excellent bow Saranga, arrows and every other thing necessary. Thus equipped bring my chariot to me and follow me as I drive Arjuna’s chariot in tomorrow’s battle. O Daruka, I will do everything within My means to see that Arjuna’s vow is fulfilled tomorrow. My wives, my kinsmen, my relatives - non amongst these is dearer to me than Arjuna. I shall not be able to cast my eyes, even for a single moment, on the earth bereft of Arjuna. Tomorrow the three worlds with the Gods, the Gandharvas, the Pisachas, the Snakes and the Rakshasas will know me as a true friend of Savyasachin (Arjuna). O Daruka, know that Arjuna is half of Myself. He that hates him, hates Me. He that follows him, follows Me.”
Thus instructing Daruka, Sri Krishna retired for sleep. Meanwhile Arjuna too, thinking of how his vow could be accomplished, retired for sleep in his own tent. While sleeping, Sri Krishna appeared to Arjuna in his dream. The pure hearted Arjuna, in consequence of his love and veneration for Kesava, never omitted, under any circumstances, to stand up and advance a few steps for receiving Sri Krishna. Rising up therefore, now (in his dream) he gave unto Govinda a seat and spoke the following words of grave import to the Lord: “O Kesava, grave is the vow that I have made about the slaughter of Jayadratha. For frustrating my vow, Jayadratha, protected by all the mighty car warriors of the Kuru army, would be kept in the rear. With the eleven Akshauhini of Kaurava troops, all deployed for Jayadratha’s protection tomorrow, how shall I even obtain a sight of that wicked wretch? Also, at this time of the year, the sun sets early. O Kesava, my vow will not be fulfilled. How can a person like me live having failed to accomplish his vow?”
Hearing these words of Arjuna, Sri Krishna touched water and sat with his face turned east. He then spoke the following words: “O Partha, there is a supreme, indestructible weapon called Pasupata. With it the God Maheswara slew in battle all the Daityas. Thinking of that great God in your mind, remember him, O Dhananjaya! You are His devotee. Through His grace you shall receive that rich possession.”
Hearing these words of Sri Krishna, Arjuna touched water and sat in deep meditation on Lord Shiva. Soon he saw himself and Sri Krishna proceeding rapidly (in their astral bodies) towards Mount Kailash. Arrived at the mountain, he beheld on its’ top the high-souled God having the bull for His mark, ever engaged in ascetic penances, like a thousand suns collected together and blazing with his own effulgence. Trident in hand, matted locks on the head, of snow-white colour, he was robed in bark and skin. He was seated with Parvati and many creatures of brilliant form surrounded Him. Beholding him, Vasudeva and Partha bowed to that great deity, touching the earth with their head.
Beholding those two arrived, Bhava (Lord Shiva) smilingly said unto them: “Welcome, ye foremost of men. Rise up and tell me the desire of your heart. I will accomplish it and do what would benefit you. I will grant everything that you may desire.”
Hearing those words of Bhava, Sri Krishna and Arjuna both rose and began to gratify that Lord of the Universe with an excellent hymn:
“We bow to Bhava, to Sarva, to Rudra, to the boon-giving deity. We bow to the Lord of all creatures endued with life, to the god who is always fierce, to him who is called Kapardin!
We bow to Mahadeva, to Bhima, to the three-eyed, to him who is peace and contentment. We bow to Isana, to him who is the destroyer of Daksha’s sacrifice.
Let salutations be to the slayer of Andhaka, to the father of Kumara (Kartikeya), to him who is of blue throat, to him who is the creator.
Let salutations be to the wielder of Pinaka, to one worthy of the offer of libations of clarified butter, to him who is truth, to him who is all-pervading, to him who is unvanquished!
To him who is always of blue locks, to him who is armed with the trident, to him who is of celestial vision.
To him who is Hotri, to him who protects all, to him who is of three eyes, to him who is disease, to him whose vital seed fell on fire.
To him who is inconceivable, to him who is the Lord of Ambika, to him who is adored by all the gods!
To him who has the bull for his mark, to him who is bold, to him who is of matted locks, to him who is a Brahmacharin!
To him who stands as ascetic in water, to him who is devoted to Brahma (Spirit), to him who has never been conquered!
To him who is the soul of the universe, to him who is the creator of the universe, to him who lives pervading the whole universe!
We bow to thee that art the object of reverence of all, to thee that art the original cause of all creatures. To thee that art called the Brahmachakra, Sarva, Sankara and Siva!
We bow to thee that art the lord of all great beings. We bow to thee that has a thousand heads, to thee that has a thousand arms, to thee that art called Death!
We bow to thee whose complexion is that of gold, to thee that art cased in armour of gold, to thee that art ever compassionate to thy devotees! O Lord, let our wish be accomplished.”
Thus adored by Sri Krishna and Arjuna, Lord Siva became well pleased and granted the Pasupata weapon to Arjuna.
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