Chapter 9 : Rise of Kaarttaveeryaarjun

Kaarttaveerya Arjun is a just child

Equal in strength and in being mild,

Studies, rides horses, wields weapons,

Respects parents. In his actions

Satisfied is the King, looks forward,

Keeping at bay the mind bothered

For the shrinking of Haihaya Empire,

The future grandeur subjects aspire.

Kaarttaveeryaarjun becomes a fine man.

To ensure subjugation of all that he can

Decided to do penance

For his King-father's convenance

For Dattaatreya the merging of Trinity -

Tridev, to bring out people from life of pity

And degradation; gain power and confidence,

Reach higher level to be ruler of men.

Seeking blessing from his father great

He goes to forest to meditate

Sitting on a tiger-hide

With determination for one goal eyed

With water only a kamandalu-full,

A drop a day only to pull,

Hand resting on danda holding

Rudraaksha, each bead of string

Being dedicated to his name holy

Unceasingly chanting loudly or lowly.

A stern body straight as stick,

Tanned rough skin, hollowed cheek,

A stern face, tough and strong,

No person can face with intention wrong,

Matted hair, uncared, long,

Longer beard, coming along,

Red dhooti, waist to ankle,

Red uttareeya that fankle

Shoulder left to waist right,

Masculine torso with all its might.

With one thought only in his mind

Regular in worship, disciplined, kind,

He but thinks of a divine face

Merciful, pleasant, full of grace,

Brahmaa, Vishnu, Maheshwar - the God Great

Shiv - all the mighty set

On one shoulder tender, childish,

Four-armed, with body shortish,

Radiating mercy, kindness personified,

Innocence idolled. The Gods unified

Surrounds his being. Excelled,

He mutters his glory, "Marvelled

But one be upon the sinless one,

Killer of Jambha, killable by none

Individually by Tridevs. You are

the one keeping restlessness at bar.

The Trinity on your shoulder

Bolder than boldest you are..."

A man came running, calling "Rajkumaar, rajkumaar,

Has breathed his last the czar.

You have to take up the ruins, empty is the throne.

The kingdom is to disaster prone."

Silent remained the prince for a while,

Tried to grope the situation vile.

Then he said, "I will complete my austerity,

Then be King. This verity

Will stay, no one can change.

Let the ministers arrange

Ruling the empire, as much as they can

Caring benefit for every man.

Go back quick with my message

To prevent any empire's wreckage."

The man ran back, Arjuna again

concentrated wholly his brain

On his favorite god Dattatreya the great

To change his and the empire's fate.

Brought Dattatreya king's severity.

"I am pleased with your austerity.

What do you want?" asked the god.

Arjun offered pranaam, awed,

"O Aatreya, make me a powerful King

Domination and respect of all that bring

A great empire. Powerful man I want to become.

To me all valiants, down-headed, crumb.

Make me a great emperor." He bowed

His head. Datta said, "You will defeat all

Other than God, to you all will fall.

Your empire will be greatest known,

Supersede your valor to all that shown.

I give you a thousand arms,

Stay righteous so nobody harms.

Arjun! Your name will shine through.

Whoever has lost his clue

Of his belongings, by taking your name

Will find back truly its claim."

Heartily returned the King-to-be.

Now with his mind free,

The King sat on throne

Decided to conquer the world known.

Kaarttaveeryaarjun is just and great,

On his ability he creates his fate.

His army ran through five super-islands -

Mahaadweeps. Under his guidance

And orders, are townships built.

His determination never to tilt.

Sahasrabaahu, the thousand handed king

Increases frontier as one being

One of the best emperors ever,

Destroyer of adharma, good people saver.

Raavan, the raakhsas of old,

Once challenged Arjun the bold.

They collided at Narmada River,

When Sahasraarjun was ready to deliver

His thousand wives some royal charm,

While Raavan, Shiv's devotee firm,

Was not in a mind to forgive

Disturbance in Puja. Misgive

He gave, Pulastya's grandson,

Vishrab's son, angry with puja undone,

Believing he can be defeated by none,

Challenged Arjun to wrestling strong.

Both locked their hands for long.

Droplets spread hither thither,

The flow stopped of Jamuna river.

Sahasrabhujadhari with his thousand arms

Pinning Raavan on river-bed harms

With gadaa thundering on chest

Bringing power at its best.

With a loud cry Raavan fell

Sky torn apart at his yell.

Paraakrami Arjun tied his hands and feet

With iron shackles after beat,

Dragged him against ground,

Haihayaraajaa to capital bound.

For seven long days Raavan stayed

In prison Kritaviryanandan made

In Mahishmaati his capital.

That was first Raavan's fall.

Pulastya hurried to meet him,

Singing all the way his hymn.

"Raajraajeshwar, leave my grandson.

Punishment for his ego is done."

Arjun said politely, "O guru,

Ego is connected with Raavan as glew.

He will never learn,

But still do what he can.

Let's make friendship between two powerfuls.

Peace may stay whatever it pulls."

"Agreed" said Pulastya "should not collide

You and Raavan, should be same side.

I bless you both, run great empires.

May the zeal in you fires

To run Empires hither not seen,

Immortal be your names, don't be mean."

Pulastya took Raavan away,

Raavan had nothing to say.

Arjun continued his quest for lands,

Named Naagaapaal defeating Naagaa bands.

Fails to understand Brahmin dharm,

Abides anyway by his karm.

"Where to go now?" thought the king.

Rides over heaven when Indra was being

Seated together with Shachee, his queen

Under Kalpabriksha, the desire-tree,

In his Nandan Kanan- garden- free.

Indra, scared to challenge Arjun,

Thought, "To destroy you I need a boon."

With other gods for Vishnu he prayed.

Vishnu hurriedly came to his aid.

All around were yellow sparkles

Like Brahma realm that beautifully circles

Vishnu amidst with his hands four.

Gods can quickly reach the core.

"My dear ones, what do you want?"

Asked Shree Vishnu. "Daunt

I feel seeing Arjun ride

To heaven. My heart cried.

O Parameshwar, please do something.

His power gives world nothing.

His subjects are awed, not respectful.

Free us from his reign dreadful."

Indra stopped, trembling in emotion.

Vishnu said, "At your devotion

I am always pleased. Don't worry,

Your pain I will carry.

As a human I will take birth,

Destroy all misgivers in earth.

Kill indomitable Arjun, I swear,

Till that long please beware."

So saying Vishnu unrevealed Himself.

Indra returned with peace in self.

The Almighty comes always

To save the good, Avijit says.