Birth of Sri Arjuna

 

That Nara Narayan rsi, who is a partial expansion of Krishna has now appeared in the dynasties of Yadu and Kuru, in the forms of Krishna and Arjuna respectively, in order to mitigate the burden of the world

PURPORT: Narayan is the supreme personality of the godhead and Nara is part of the supreme personality of godhead Narayan. Thus the energy and the energetic together are the supreme personality of godhead. Nara, the portion of Narayan, appeared in the family of the Kurus as Arjuna and that Narayan, the plenary expansion of Krishna, had come as Krishna, the supreme personality of godhead, with the purpose of delivering the suffering humanity from the pangs of material burdens. In other words,  Nara Narayan rsi was now present in the world in the forms of Krishna and Arjuna

The birth of Sri Arjuna is the most celebrated after Krishna. Just as the entire universe celebrated the birth of Nara-Narayan. Similarly in the Dvapara Yuga, Nara appeared as Arjuna in the Kuru Dynasty and Narayan appeared as Krishna in the Yadu Dynasty. Because this time they appeared separately, the demigods and other celestial beings celebrated their appearances separately. Arjuna appeared seven months after Krishna. Arjuna was born on the full moon day of Phalguna (March) which is the same day as Gaur Purnima. Now let's see what prophecies were made during his birth and how the demigods celebrated it. 

 

Just one year after Bhima was born, Pandu began contemplating if he could get another son who would be supremely devoted to Krishna. Pandu consulted with the rsis and was advised that he and Kunti should practice an ascetic vow for one year to please Indra. Kunti and Pandu had to perform severe penances for one year when they desired Arjuna to be their child. They never performed any penances for fathering the other Pandavas. This was because Arjuna was the energy of the Lord and therefore it was difficult to achieve him without any endeavors. At the end of that period, Kunti summoned Indra with her mantra. Arjuna was born from Indra’s boon. As soon as he was born, an invisible voice was heard in the sky, with a thundering and deep roar. O Kunti, this child will be equal in strength to Indra and indeed Siva himself. He shall be called Arjuna and he will spread your fame everywhere. He will subjugate many powerful kings and greatly increase the prosperity of your dynasty. Agni, Siva, and Indra will all be gratified by this boy’s service. He shall have no equal in prowess and will be famous throughout the three worlds. Just as Vishnu increases Aditi's happiness, Arjuna will increase your happiness." 

Arjuna's bodily hue was like that of a dark rain cloud. His eyes were expansive like the lotus petals and curly jet black hair framed his face. Even the Gods were eager to take a look at baby Arjuna, just after his birth. 

The ascetics who lived on Shatashringa also heard these loud words and were supremely delighted. The devarshis, Indra, and the other gods and the sound of drums being played raised an enormous clamor in the sky. Amidst this thunderous roar, the entire place was covered with a shower of flowers. All the classes of gods assembled to pay their respects to Partha. 

The offspring of Kadru and Vinata, the Gandharvas, the apsaras, the lords of all beings, and all the seven maharishis, Bharadvaja, Kashyapa, Goutama, Vishvamitra, Jamadagni, Vashishtha, and the illustrious Atri, who arose when the sun was destroyed. Marichi, Angira, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Prajapati and all the Gandharvas and apsaras also came.

Wearing divine garlands and garments, adorned in every ornament, the apsaras danced and sang Bibhatsu’s (Arjuna) praise. With the handsome Tumburu, the other Gandharvas began to sing—Bhimasena, Ugrasena, Urnayu, Anagha, Gopati, Dhritarashtra, Suryavarcha, Yugapa, Trinapa, Karshni, Nandi, Chitraratha, Shalishira, Parjanya, Kali and Narada, the sixteenth one; and Sat, Brihat, Brihaka, the immensely famous Karala, Brahmachari, Bahuguna, the famous Suparna, Vishvavasu, Bhumanyu, Suchandra the tenth and the famous Haha and Huhu, whose songs are sweet. These were the divine Gandharvas who sang.

The apsaras were delighted and were adorned in every ornament. Those illustrious long-eyed ones danced—Anuna, Anavadya, Priyamukhya, Gunavara, Adrika, Shachi, Mishrakeshi, Alambusha, Marichi, Shuchika, Lakshana, Kshema, Devi, Rambha, Manorama, Asita, Subahu, Supriya, Suvapu, Pundarika, Sugandha, Suratha, Pramathini, Kamya, and Sharadvati. All of them danced in groups. Menaka, Sahajanya, Parnika, Punjikasthala, Kratusthala, Ghritachi, Vishvachi, Purvachitti, the one who is famous as Umlocha and Pramlocha—these ten and Urvashi as the eleventh were long-eyed apsaras who sang.

The Adityas, radiant like the flames of fire, were assembled in the sky to increase the glory of the great Pandava—Dhata, Aryama, Mitra, Varuna, Amsha, Bhaga, Indra, Vivasvat, Pusha, Tvashta, Parjanya, and Vishnu. O Lord of the earth. The illustrious rudras were there—Mrigavyadha, Sharva, the immensely famous Nirriti, Aja Ekapada, Ahirbudhnya, Pinaki the destroyer of enemies, Dahana, Ishvara, Kapali, Sthanu, and the illustrious Bhaga. The Ashvins, the eight vasus, the immensely powerful maruts, the vishvadevas, and the saddhyas were also assembled there.

The serpents Karkotaka, Shesha and Vasuki, Kacchapa, Apakunda, and the mighty serpent Takshaka were there, with great energy, great anger, and great strength. Many other serpents also assembled there. There were also Vinata’s sons—Tarkshya, Arishtanemi, Garuda, Asitadhvaja, Aruna, and Aruni. When they saw this great wonder, the supreme hermits were astounded. Their affection towards Pandu’s sons increased even more. As mentioned above all the beings celebrated Arjuna’s birth, he was born like a superhuman and performed all the deeds that were heard from Celestial voice.