This episode is from [Maha:3.36-3.40].
Though Bheema outwardly affected to despise Karna and to belittle his prowess in battle, in reality, he had a very deep respect for the skill of that son of Radha. It was well known that the armor of Karna was of celestial origin. It was also generally believed that he was invincible as long as he possessed it.
In addition to his obvious skill with the bow and his impregnable armor, Karna had obtained many missiles of divine origin, both from his Guru Parashurama and by pleasing various deities with his devotions. In addition, he was beloved of learned Brahmanas and of the poor, for he was a notable philanthropist. His character, save for the virulent animosity he cherished towards the Pandavas, was without blemish, and it was known that he had the favor of many deities, especially Surya, to whom he offered special worship daily.
So the objection raised by Yudhishtra was based on sound reasoning. It is very well to seek revenge when you believe that your cause is just, but only a fool would rush to face an army led by Karna, Drona, and Bhishma, without first obtaining means of neutralizing them.
While Yudhishtra and Bheema were pondering this conundrum, the sage Parasara came there. By his yogic powers, he already knew the thoughts going through the minds of the two brothers.
Yudhishtra rose immediately from his seat and offered welcome to the sage as befitting his ascetic merit. The sage spoke, “Dear Yudhishtra, the unmerited hardships undergone by you have caused a great deal of sorrow among the sages. Our sympathies are entirely on your side. I also know that you are wondering if your combined might will be able to defeat the Kuru army in the inevitable battle to come. We have a suggestion for you. To increase your strength, one of you must please the celestials with your devotions and obtain powerful boons and weapons. Among you five, Arjuna is possessed of the most self-control. He would be the ideal person to embark on this quest.
“Send him to the Himalayas to do his penance. He is sure to obtain the favor of Mahadeva and Indra. It is also not proper for you to reside in the same place for a long time. Already this part of the forest has been denuded of its plant and animal life. You must seek out another place to establish your camp while Arjuna is gone.”
Yudhishtra readily acquiesced to this plan. Then the sage imparted knowledge concerning the interpretation of omens and celestial signs to the prince and took his leave.
Mindful of the Rishi’s instructions, the Pandavas then went to reside in another portion of the Kamyaka forest. After they had settled into a routine there, Yudhishtra recalled the advice of Parasara and also that of Vyasa, and called Arjuna to him.
He said, “Dear brother, you know very well that trusting to your prowess with the bow and the great strength of Bheema, we cherish hopes of winning back our patrimony, so cruelly snatched away by our kinsmen. Knowing the enormity of the task ahead of us, the great sages have advised me to send you to obtain the favor of your divine father. Go forth and please Indra by your devotions. Obtain from him powerful boons and all his divine missiles. With the help of these, we shall conquer the strong army of the Kurus.”
Arjuna readily consented to it. On the very same day, at an auspicious time, he set forth on this quest, first saluting and circumambulating his elder brothers and his priest Dhaumya. All the Brahmanas assembled there uttered benedictions for the success of his endeavors.
Knowing no fatigue, Arjuna walked without resting, crossing many great rivers, and climbing over many inhospitable mountains, his goal being the great mountain of Himavat in the north. Neither men nor animals dared to obstruct him, none of them crossed his path, for one look at the radiant warrior, with his massive bow and inexhaustible quivers, was enough for them to know that he was not a man to be trifled with.
Possessing great speed, Arjuna reached Himavat in a single day, after crossing the Gandhamadana mountains. When he arrived at Indrakila, a hallowed spot on this mountain, he stopped for a while. While he was taking a well-earned rest, a booming voice addressed him.
He looked around and saw that he was being addressed by an ascetic, who was standing in the shade of a nearby tree. It was at once obvious to the Pandava that this was no ordinary person. The sense of power exuded from this being was not merely from his eyes, which were very remarkable, but his whole body shone with divine radiance. He was of a tawny color and exceedingly thin.
The ascetic said to Arjuna, “You appear to be of the Kshatriya order. I can see by your bow that you have come here prepared for battle. Know that this place is sacred, and there is no need for weapons of any kind here. Only the blessed, the truly brave, and virtuous can reach here. You have attained a great position merely by making it this far. Discard your weapons, and take to asceticism.”
Arjuna introduced himself and told his purpose in coming there. The ascetic once again asked Arjuna to embrace a life of austerity and to discard his weapons. However, Arjuna was unmoved.
His obstinacy, instead of angering the ascetic, seemed to please him. At last, the sage said, “Such devotion to a cause is praiseworthy indeed! You have gratified me, your father, for I am none other than Indra. Ask me what boon you will.”
Arjuna worshiped his father with great love and said, “Lord, if it pleases you, I desire instruction from you in the art of war, and for all your divine missiles. Armed with these, I shall scatter the host of the Kurus.”
Indra replied, “When you have obtained the favor of the three-eyed lord of the world, the great Shiva, all that you seek shall be yours. Endeavor to please him by devotions, and victory will be assured.” With these words, Indra disappeared.
Arjuna then fashioned a Linga (an iconic representation of Shiva, roughly cylindrical with the top being domed) out of clay and began his penance to please the supreme deity, Mahadeva. He wore the same clothes that he wore in the forest, made of grass and black deerskin. He ate naught but the withered leaves fallen on the ground. He supplemented this diet by eating some fruits every third night. He continued this regimen for a month. In the next month, he reduced his food by eating fruits only every sixth day. The third month saw a further reduction, and he ate only once a fortnight. Still, there was no sign of Shiva. When the fourth month came, he gave up all food, and began to subsist on air alone.
In the higher regions, there was a great deal of speculation about the object of this severe asceticism. As a consequence of the rigid penance, the celestials were tormented by the blaze of Arjuna’s asceticism. Unable to bear this pain, they went to Shiva and beseeched him to intervene.
Shiva said, “I know fully well the objective of this Pandava. He has proven his devotion and strength of mind. I shall go to him and bring his penance to a logical conclusion. Have no fears.”
Shiva took the guise of a hunter and went to the place where Arjuna was performing his penance. He was accompanied by Parvati who was disguised as a huntress. The Ganas accompanied them, becoming the dogs of the hunt. At the same time, impelled by his fate, a Rakshasa named Muka, who had cherished an enmity with Arjuna, arrived there, assuming the shape of a boar, and sought to gore the Pandava to death.
Though he was deep in meditation, a sixth sense warned Arjuna of the danger, and he immediately took up his bow and shot his unerring arrows at the boar’s mouth. At the same time, Shiva, as the hunter, had also shot arrows from his divine bow at the boar. Muka fell down dead, his body looking more like a porcupine than a boar.
As per the law of the hunt, Arjuna came to the boar to claim his kill. He found a hunter already in possession of the carcass. Both of them staked a claim for the body of the boar.
“I aimed first at the boar, and mine was the arrow that slew him. Yours arrived later. So the boar is mine. Yield its body to me!”, said the hunter.
“It cannot be! My arrows were the swiftest. Besides, the demon had come to kill me, and as per the law of the hunt, this boar is mine!”, argued Arjuna.
Neither would yield. Finally, in exasperation, Arjuna challenged the hunter to a duel. The hunter gladly accepted the challenge, and a very intense, wonderful battle began to shape.
Arjuna began with utmost confidence. Though he realized that the hunter was a very good archer, he believed that apart from