Arjuna Wins the Pashupatastra

In the forest the sage Vyasa came to see the Pandavas. He told Yudhishthira, 'The coming war will be against great warriors like Bhishma, Drona and Karna. Arjuna must obtain divine weapons from the gods.' With Yudhishthira's blessing, Arjuna set out alone for the Himalayas and reached the mountain Indrakila.

There he met an old ascetic who was really his father Indra. Indra said, 'Son, first please Lord Shiva, and then I will give you my weapons.' Arjuna began severe penance. First he lived on fruit, then on leaves alone, then on air alone, standing on one foot and meditating on Shiva.

One day a demon named Muka took the form of a wild boar and charged at Arjuna. Arjuna raised Gandiva and shot. At the very same moment a Kirata hunter also shot at the boar. Both arrows struck together, and the boar died. 'That was my prey!' said Arjuna. The Kirata laughed: 'No, my arrow struck first.'

The quarrel became a fight. Arjuna rained arrows, but they had no effect on the Kirata. Even his never-empty quivers ran dry. The Kirata snatched away Gandiva. Arjuna fought with his fists, but the Kirata pinned him down until he fainted. When he came to, Arjuna made a Shivling of clay and offered flowers on it. To his amazement, those same flowers appeared on the Kirata's head.

Arjuna understood: the Kirata was Lord Shiva himself, with Mother Parvati beside him as a hunter woman. He fell at their feet and begged forgiveness. Pleased, Shiva said, 'I am delighted with your courage.' He gave Arjuna his great weapon, the Pashupatastra, and warned him never to use it on a weaker foe. Afterwards Arjuna went to heaven with Indra, where he received divine weapons from other gods and also learned music and dance.