225.1 Urvashi's curse on Arjuna
One day, knowing that Arjuna's glances were cast upon Urvasi, Vasava, calling Chitrasena to himself, addressed him in private saying "O king of Gandharvas, I am pleased; go you as my messenger to that foremost of Apsaras, Urvasi, and let her wait upon that tiger among men, Phalguna. Tell her, saying these words of mine,'As through my instrumentality Arjuna has learnt all the weapons and other ares, worshipped by all, so shouldst you make him conversant with the ares of acquitting one's self in female company.'
Thus addressed by Indra, the chief of the Gandharvas in obedience to that command of Vasava, soon went to Urvasi that foremost of Apsaras. And as he saw her, she recognised him and delighted him by the welcome she offered and the salutation she gave. And seated at ease he then smilingly addressed Urvasi, who also was seated at ease, saying, 'Let it be known, O you of fair hips, that I come hither despatched by the one sole lord of heaven who asks of you a favour. He who is known amongst gods and men for his many inborn virtues, for his grace, behaviour, beauty of person, vows and self-control; who is noted for might and prowess, and respected by the virtuous, and readywitted; who is endued with genius and splendid energy, is of a forgiving temper and without malice of any kind; who has studied the four Vedas with their branches, and the Upanishads, and the Puranas also; who is endued with devotion to his preceptors and with intellect possessed of the eight attributes, who by his abstinence, ability, origin and age, is alone capable of protecting the celestial regions like Mahavat himself; who is never boastful; who shows proper respect to all; who beholds the minutest things as clearly as if those were gross and large; who is sweet-speeched; who showers diverse kinds of food and drink on his friends and dependents; who is truthful, worshipped of all, eloquent, handsome, and without pride; who is kind to those devoted to him, and universally pleasing and dear to all; who is firm in promise; who is equal to even Mahendra and Varuna in respect of every desirable attribute, viz., Arjuna, is known to you. O Urvasi, know you that hero is to be made to taste the joys of heaven. Commanded by Indra, let him today obtain your feet. Do this, O amiable one, for Dhananjaya is inclined to you."
Thus addressed, Urvasi of faultless features assumed a smiling face, and receiving the words of the Gandharva with high respect, answered with a glad heart, saying "Hearing of the virtues that should adorn men, as unfolded by you, I would bestow my favours upon any one who happened to possess them. Why should I not then, choose Arjuna for a lover? At the command of Indra, and for my friendship for you, and moved also by the numerous virtues of Phalguna, I am already under the influence of the god of love. Go you, therefore, to the place you desire. I shall gladly go to Arjuna."
Having thus sent away the Gandharva successful in his mission, Urvasi of luminous smiles, moved by the desire of possessing Phalguna, took a bath. And having performed her ablutions, she decked herself in charming ornaments and splendid garlands of celestial odour. And inflamed by the god of love, and her heart pierced through and through by the shafts shot by Manmatha keeping in view the beauty of Arjuna, and her imagination wholly taken up by the thoughts of Arjuna, she mentally sported with him on a wide and excellent bed laid over with celestial sheets. And when the twilight had deepened and the moon was up, that Apsara of high hips set out for the mansions of Arjuna. And in that mood and with her crisp, soft and long braids decked with bunches of flowers, she looked extremely beautiful. With her beauty and grace, and the charm of the motions of her eye-brows and of her soft accents, and her own moon like face, she seemed to tread, challenging the moon himself. And as she proceeded, her deep, finely tapering bosoms, decked with a chain of gold and adorned with celestial unguents and smeared with fragrant sandal paste, began to tremble. And in consequence of the weight of her bosoms, she was forced to slightly stoop forward at every step, bending her waist, exceedingly beautiful with three folds. And her loins of faultless shape, the elegant abode of the god of love, furnished with fair and high and round hips and wide at their lower part as a hill, and decked with chains of gold, and capable of shaking the saintship of recluses, being decked with thin attire, appeared highly graceful. And her feet with fair suppressed ankles, and possessing flat soles and straight toes of the colour of burnished copper and her back high and curved like tortoise back and marked by the wearing of ornaments furnished with rows of little bells, looked exceedingly handsome.
And exhilarated with a little liquor which she had taken, and excited by desire, and moving in diverse attitudes and expressing a sensation of delight, she looked more handsome than usual. And though heaven abounded with many wonderful objects, yet when Urvasi proceeded in this manner, the Siddhas and Charanas and Gandharvas regarded her to be the handsomest object they had cast their eyes upon. And the upper half of her body clad in an attire of fine texture and cloudy hues, she looked resplendent like a digit of the moon in the firmament shrouded by fleecy clouds. And endued with the speed of the winds or the mind, she of luminous smiles soon reached the mansion of Phalguna. Urvasi of beautiful eyes, having arrived at the gate of Arjuna's abode, sent word through the keeper in attendance. And she soon entered that brilliant and charming palace.
But, upon beholding her at night in his mansion, Arjuna, with a fear-stricken heart, stepped up to receive her with respect and as soon as he saw her,from modesty Arjuna closed his eyes. And saluting her, he offered the Apsara such worship as is offered unto a superior.Arjuna said "O you foremost of the Apsaras, I reverence you by bending my head down. O lady, let me know your commands. I wait upon you as your servant."
Hearing these words of Phalguna, Urvasi became deprived of her senses. And she soon represented unto Arjuna all that had passed between her and the Gandharva, Chitrasena. And she said "O best of men, I shall tell you all that has passed between me and Chitrasena, and why I have come hither. On account of your coming here, O Arjuna, Mahendra had convened a large and charming assembly, in which celestial festivities were held. Unto that assembly came the Rudras and the Adityas and the Aswins and the Vasus. And there came also numbers of great Rishis and royal sages and Siddhas and Charanas and Yakshas and great Nagas. And, O you of expansive eyes, the members of the assembly resplendent as fire or the sun or the moon, having taken their seats according to rank, honour, and prowess, the Gandharvas began to strike the Vinas and sing charming songs of celestial melody. The principal Apsaras also commenced to dance. Then you hadst looked on me only, with a steadfast gaze. When that assembly of the celestials broke, commanded by your father, the gods went away to their respective places. And the principal Apsaras also went away to their abodes, and others also,commanded by your father and obtaining his leave. It was then that Chitrasena,sent to me by Sakra, arrived at my abode.He addressed me, saying "O you of the fairest complexion, I have been sent unto you by the chief of the celestials. Do you something that would be agreeable to Mahendra and myself and to yourself also. O you of fair hips, seek you to please Arjuna, who is brave in battle even like Sakra himself, and who is always possessed of magnanimity." Even these were his words. Thus commanded by him and your father also, I come to you in order to wait upon you. My heart has been attracted by your virtues, and am already under the influence of the god of love. And, O hero, even this is my wish, and I have cherished it for ever!"
While in heaven, hearing her speak in this strain, Arjuna was overcome with bashfulness. And shutting his ears with his hands, he said, "O blessed lady, fie on my sense of hearing, when you speak thus to me. For you are certainly equal in my estimation unto the wife of a superior. of high fortune or Sachi the queen of Indra, are you to me, O auspicious one, of this there is no doubt! That I had gazed particularly at you, O blessed one, is true. There was a reason for it. I shall truly tell it to you, O you of luminous smiles! In the assembly I gazed at you with eyes expanded in delight, thinking, 'Even this blooming lady is the mother of the Kaurava race.' O blessed Apsara, it behoveth you not to entertain other feelings towards me, for you are superior to my superiors, being the parent of my race."
Hearing these words of Arjuna, Urvasi answered, saying "O son of The chief of the celestials, we Apsaras are free and unconfined in our choice. It behoveth you not, therefore, to esteem me as your superior. The sons and grandsons of Puru's race, that have come hither in consequence of ascetic merit do all sport with us, without incurring any sin. Relent, therefore, O hero, it behoveth you not to send me away. I am burning with desire. I am devoted to you. Accept me, O you giver of proper respect."
Arjuna replied "O beautiful lady of features perfectly faultless, listen. I truly tell you. Let the four directions and the transverse directions, let also the gods listen. As Kunti, or Madri, or Sachi, is to me, so are you, the parent of my race, an object of reverence to me. Return, O you of the fairest complexion: I bend my head unto you, and prostrate myself at your feet. you deserve my worship as my own mother; and it behoves you to protect me as a son."
Thus addressed by Partha, Urvasi was deprived of her senses by wrath. Trembling with rage, and contracting her brows, she cursed Arjuna, saying "Since you disregard a woman come to your mansion at the command of your father and of her own motion--a woman, besides, who is pierced by the shafts of Kama, therefore, O Partha, you shall have to pass your time among females unregarded, and as a dancer, and destitute of manhood and scorned as a eunuch." Having cursed Arjuna thus, Urvasi's lips still quivered in anger, herself breathing heavily all the while. And she soon returned to her own abode.
And Arjuna also sought Chitrasena without loss of time. And having found him, he told him all that had passed between him and Urvasi in the night. And he told Chitrasena everything as it had happened, repeatedly referring to the curse pronounced upon him. And Chitrasena also represented everything unto Sakra. And Harivahana, calling his son unto himself in private, and consoling him in sweet words, smilingly said, 'O you best of beings, having obtained you, Pritha has to-day become a truly blessed mother. you have now vanquished even Rishis by the patience and self-control. But the curse that Urvasi has denounced on you will be to your benefit and stand you in good stead. On earth ye will have to pass the thirteenth year of your exile, unknown to all. It is then that you shall suffer the curse of Urvasi. And having passed one year as a dancer without manhood, you shall regain your power on the expiration of the term." Thus addressed by Sakra,Phalguna, experienced great delight and ceased to think of the curse. And Dhananjaya sported in regions of heaven with the Gandharva Chitrasena of great celebrity. The desires of the man that listeneth to this history of the son of Pandu never run after lustful ends. The foremost of men, by listening to this account of the awfully pure conduct of Phalguna, the son of the lord of the celestials, become void of pride and arrogance and wrath and other faults, and ascending to heaven, sport there in bliss.
Thus addressed by Indra, the chief of the Gandharvas in obedience to that command of Vasava, soon went to Urvasi that foremost of Apsaras. And as he saw her, she recognised him and delighted him by the welcome she offered and the salutation she gave. And seated at ease he then smilingly addressed Urvasi, who also was seated at ease, saying, 'Let it be known, O you of fair hips, that I come hither despatched by the one sole lord of heaven who asks of you a favour. He who is known amongst gods and men for his many inborn virtues, for his grace, behaviour, beauty of person, vows and self-control; who is noted for might and prowess, and respected by the virtuous, and readywitted; who is endued with genius and splendid energy, is of a forgiving temper and without malice of any kind; who has studied the four Vedas with their branches, and the Upanishads, and the Puranas also; who is endued with devotion to his preceptors and with intellect possessed of the eight attributes, who by his abstinence, ability, origin and age, is alone capable of protecting the celestial regions like Mahavat himself; who is never boastful; who shows proper respect to all; who beholds the minutest things as clearly as if those were gross and large; who is sweet-speeched; who showers diverse kinds of food and drink on his friends and dependents; who is truthful, worshipped of all, eloquent, handsome, and without pride; who is kind to those devoted to him, and universally pleasing and dear to all; who is firm in promise; who is equal to even Mahendra and Varuna in respect of every desirable attribute, viz., Arjuna, is known to you. O Urvasi, know you that hero is to be made to taste the joys of heaven. Commanded by Indra, let him today obtain your feet. Do this, O amiable one, for Dhananjaya is inclined to you."
Thus addressed, Urvasi of faultless features assumed a smiling face, and receiving the words of the Gandharva with high respect, answered with a glad heart, saying "Hearing of the virtues that should adorn men, as unfolded by you, I would bestow my favours upon any one who happened to possess them. Why should I not then, choose Arjuna for a lover? At the command of Indra, and for my friendship for you, and moved also by the numerous virtues of Phalguna, I am already under the influence of the god of love. Go you, therefore, to the place you desire. I shall gladly go to Arjuna."
Having thus sent away the Gandharva successful in his mission, Urvasi of luminous smiles, moved by the desire of possessing Phalguna, took a bath. And having performed her ablutions, she decked herself in charming ornaments and splendid garlands of celestial odour. And inflamed by the god of love, and her heart pierced through and through by the shafts shot by Manmatha keeping in view the beauty of Arjuna, and her imagination wholly taken up by the thoughts of Arjuna, she mentally sported with him on a wide and excellent bed laid over with celestial sheets. And when the twilight had deepened and the moon was up, that Apsara of high hips set out for the mansions of Arjuna. And in that mood and with her crisp, soft and long braids decked with bunches of flowers, she looked extremely beautiful. With her beauty and grace, and the charm of the motions of her eye-brows and of her soft accents, and her own moon like face, she seemed to tread, challenging the moon himself. And as she proceeded, her deep, finely tapering bosoms, decked with a chain of gold and adorned with celestial unguents and smeared with fragrant sandal paste, began to tremble. And in consequence of the weight of her bosoms, she was forced to slightly stoop forward at every step, bending her waist, exceedingly beautiful with three folds. And her loins of faultless shape, the elegant abode of the god of love, furnished with fair and high and round hips and wide at their lower part as a hill, and decked with chains of gold, and capable of shaking the saintship of recluses, being decked with thin attire, appeared highly graceful. And her feet with fair suppressed ankles, and possessing flat soles and straight toes of the colour of burnished copper and her back high and curved like tortoise back and marked by the wearing of ornaments furnished with rows of little bells, looked exceedingly handsome.
And exhilarated with a little liquor which she had taken, and excited by desire, and moving in diverse attitudes and expressing a sensation of delight, she looked more handsome than usual. And though heaven abounded with many wonderful objects, yet when Urvasi proceeded in this manner, the Siddhas and Charanas and Gandharvas regarded her to be the handsomest object they had cast their eyes upon. And the upper half of her body clad in an attire of fine texture and cloudy hues, she looked resplendent like a digit of the moon in the firmament shrouded by fleecy clouds. And endued with the speed of the winds or the mind, she of luminous smiles soon reached the mansion of Phalguna. Urvasi of beautiful eyes, having arrived at the gate of Arjuna's abode, sent word through the keeper in attendance. And she soon entered that brilliant and charming palace.
But, upon beholding her at night in his mansion, Arjuna, with a fear-stricken heart, stepped up to receive her with respect and as soon as he saw her,from modesty Arjuna closed his eyes. And saluting her, he offered the Apsara such worship as is offered unto a superior.Arjuna said "O you foremost of the Apsaras, I reverence you by bending my head down. O lady, let me know your commands. I wait upon you as your servant."
Hearing these words of Phalguna, Urvasi became deprived of her senses. And she soon represented unto Arjuna all that had passed between her and the Gandharva, Chitrasena. And she said "O best of men, I shall tell you all that has passed between me and Chitrasena, and why I have come hither. On account of your coming here, O Arjuna, Mahendra had convened a large and charming assembly, in which celestial festivities were held. Unto that assembly came the Rudras and the Adityas and the Aswins and the Vasus. And there came also numbers of great Rishis and royal sages and Siddhas and Charanas and Yakshas and great Nagas. And, O you of expansive eyes, the members of the assembly resplendent as fire or the sun or the moon, having taken their seats according to rank, honour, and prowess, the Gandharvas began to strike the Vinas and sing charming songs of celestial melody. The principal Apsaras also commenced to dance. Then you hadst looked on me only, with a steadfast gaze. When that assembly of the celestials broke, commanded by your father, the gods went away to their respective places. And the principal Apsaras also went away to their abodes, and others also,commanded by your father and obtaining his leave. It was then that Chitrasena,sent to me by Sakra, arrived at my abode.He addressed me, saying "O you of the fairest complexion, I have been sent unto you by the chief of the celestials. Do you something that would be agreeable to Mahendra and myself and to yourself also. O you of fair hips, seek you to please Arjuna, who is brave in battle even like Sakra himself, and who is always possessed of magnanimity." Even these were his words. Thus commanded by him and your father also, I come to you in order to wait upon you. My heart has been attracted by your virtues, and am already under the influence of the god of love. And, O hero, even this is my wish, and I have cherished it for ever!"
While in heaven, hearing her speak in this strain, Arjuna was overcome with bashfulness. And shutting his ears with his hands, he said, "O blessed lady, fie on my sense of hearing, when you speak thus to me. For you are certainly equal in my estimation unto the wife of a superior. of high fortune or Sachi the queen of Indra, are you to me, O auspicious one, of this there is no doubt! That I had gazed particularly at you, O blessed one, is true. There was a reason for it. I shall truly tell it to you, O you of luminous smiles! In the assembly I gazed at you with eyes expanded in delight, thinking, 'Even this blooming lady is the mother of the Kaurava race.' O blessed Apsara, it behoveth you not to entertain other feelings towards me, for you are superior to my superiors, being the parent of my race."
Hearing these words of Arjuna, Urvasi answered, saying "O son of The chief of the celestials, we Apsaras are free and unconfined in our choice. It behoveth you not, therefore, to esteem me as your superior. The sons and grandsons of Puru's race, that have come hither in consequence of ascetic merit do all sport with us, without incurring any sin. Relent, therefore, O hero, it behoveth you not to send me away. I am burning with desire. I am devoted to you. Accept me, O you giver of proper respect."
Arjuna replied "O beautiful lady of features perfectly faultless, listen. I truly tell you. Let the four directions and the transverse directions, let also the gods listen. As Kunti, or Madri, or Sachi, is to me, so are you, the parent of my race, an object of reverence to me. Return, O you of the fairest complexion: I bend my head unto you, and prostrate myself at your feet. you deserve my worship as my own mother; and it behoves you to protect me as a son."
Thus addressed by Partha, Urvasi was deprived of her senses by wrath. Trembling with rage, and contracting her brows, she cursed Arjuna, saying "Since you disregard a woman come to your mansion at the command of your father and of her own motion--a woman, besides, who is pierced by the shafts of Kama, therefore, O Partha, you shall have to pass your time among females unregarded, and as a dancer, and destitute of manhood and scorned as a eunuch." Having cursed Arjuna thus, Urvasi's lips still quivered in anger, herself breathing heavily all the while. And she soon returned to her own abode.
And Arjuna also sought Chitrasena without loss of time. And having found him, he told him all that had passed between him and Urvasi in the night. And he told Chitrasena everything as it had happened, repeatedly referring to the curse pronounced upon him. And Chitrasena also represented everything unto Sakra. And Harivahana, calling his son unto himself in private, and consoling him in sweet words, smilingly said, 'O you best of beings, having obtained you, Pritha has to-day become a truly blessed mother. you have now vanquished even Rishis by the patience and self-control. But the curse that Urvasi has denounced on you will be to your benefit and stand you in good stead. On earth ye will have to pass the thirteenth year of your exile, unknown to all. It is then that you shall suffer the curse of Urvasi. And having passed one year as a dancer without manhood, you shall regain your power on the expiration of the term." Thus addressed by Sakra,Phalguna, experienced great delight and ceased to think of the curse. And Dhananjaya sported in regions of heaven with the Gandharva Chitrasena of great celebrity. The desires of the man that listeneth to this history of the son of Pandu never run after lustful ends. The foremost of men, by listening to this account of the awfully pure conduct of Phalguna, the son of the lord of the celestials, become void of pride and arrogance and wrath and other faults, and ascending to heaven, sport there in bliss.