Kirateshwar Avatar: The Descent of Lord Shiva to Bestow Arjuna

The story of Lord Shiva's descent into the world as Kirateshwar Awatara, has a close relationship with the feud between the five pandavas and the kurawas. During the exile of the five pandavas in the forest, Resi Agung Vyasa came to visit the pandavas to provide information about the kurawas. Resi Agung Vyasa told the pandawas, especially Arjuna, that they would have to fight in future wars. Resi Agung Vyasa advised Arjuna to meditate and ask for the Divine blessing of Lord Indra and Lord Shiva. After the departure of Resi Agung Vyasa, Yudhistira ordered Arjuna to go to the mountains of Himavat to meditate in order to receive blessings from Lord Shiva.

Yudhistira and Vyasa The Great Brahmin discuss about Siva puja (source: private collection)

Hearing the order from his eldest brother, Arjuna went straight to the Himovat mountains. Once Arjuna entered the foot of Mount Himavat, he saw that the forest was empty without any humans there. He could hear the sound of snails and drums from heaven. thus nurturing his desire to reach the top of Mount Himavat. Arjuna continued to climb until he reached the top.

Himavat peak (source: private collection)

There are many types of birds, the color of the river water there is very blue. Seeing the beauty he witnessed, Arjuna decided to take a retreat and make pujing to Lord Shiva there. At the beginning of his life, Arjuna ate fallen leaves, as well as fruits every three days for the first month. In the second month, Arjuna eats fruits every sixth day and every two weeks in the third month.In the middle of her hermitage, Arjuna's tangled hair turned into a lightning-like color. This causes heat that affects all receipts. The monks went to Lord Shiva to complain, "Oh god of the gods, we don't know the reason why Kunti's son is doing tapa so hard. However, it caused us pain." Hearing the request from the Brahmins. Lord Shiva then took the form of Kirata, which is an indigenous tribe in the mountains. She disguised herself as a hunter, along with many people, especially other Kirata women. Basically, Lord Shiva came down to the world not only to bestow Arjuna, but also to stop one of the asuras, namely Muka. Muka took the form of a wild boar, in order to disturb the tapa, and kill Arjuna.  Arjuna, who was disturbed, finally got out of his mouth. he also tried to shoot Muka, with various arrows. However, the arrow did not hit the face. Until finally one attack hit . When Arjuna's arrow hit the form of the wild boar, it seemed as if there was a thunderous sound like a thunderbolt belonging to Lord Indra.

Muka in his boar form get hit by Arjuna arrow's (source: private collection)

Arjuna said to the boar, "I didn't come here to hurt you, but you tried to kill me. Therefore, I must send you to be tried at the Yamaraja residence." Seeing Arjuna about to destroy the wild boar, Lord Shiva called out to Arjuna, "Don't kill this wild boar because I have aimed at it first!" But Arjuna ignored the order and shot the wild boar." At the same time, Kirata also shot his arrow and the two arrows hit the wild boar. When the wild boar was hit by an arrow, he immediately gave up his life using his original form of Raksasha. Suddenly, there was someone who also wanted to catch his prey, that was Kirata. Kirata and Arjuna argue about whose arrow is the first to hit the wild boar. Arjuna with an arrogant look said that there was no archer in this world who could match him. However, Kirata actually underestimated Arjuna. Knowing that Kirata underestimated him, Arjuna also felt challenged. Arjuna released a deadly arrow, towards Kirata.

Arjuna and Kirata Fighting using a bow and aiming each other (source: private collection)

Then the two mighty knights began to release arrows in various forms at each other. Kirata, who is Awatara Shiva, was not shaken by the attack given by Arjuna. Seeing that, Arjuna said, "Very good!," In his mind Arjuna said, "Who is he? Whether he is Lord Shiva or any other demigod, could he be a yaksha or an asura. Then Arjuna pulled Kirata's bow string and hit it repeatedly until it sounded like lightning. However, Kirata snatched the bow from Arjuna's hand. After that, Arjuna immediately picked up his sword and ran towards Kirata to end it. Arjuna, with full force, drew his sword towards Kirata's glittering crown. When it touched the kirata's crown, the sword shattered into hundreds of pieces. Feeling angry, Arjuna then threw trees and stones then Arjuna hit Kirata with a clenched fist. However, Kirata also pressed Arjuna's chest until Arjuna fell unconscious. Arjuna soon came to his senses, he mentioned the name of Lord Shiva in his heart. In his heart, Arjuna presented a bouquet. When he looked up, the wreath was in Kirata's crown. Arjuna finally learns the original identity of Kirata, he is Lord Shiva. Arjuna was overwhelmed with happiness, seeing Lord Shiva, seeing Arjuna's persistence that the god Shiva wanted to bestow him with an invincible weapon.

Arjuna get his knees down to praise Lord Siva (source: private collection)

Arjuna prostrated himself before Lord Shiva, and he said, "Oh Lord Shiva, it is appropriate for you to forgive my mistakes. In order to get your vision, I came to this mountain to do tapa. I adore you to earn your bounty. Please don't take my rashness as a mistake. I beg your protection, forgive me for all the transgressions I have committed."Lord Shiva, then took Arjuna's hand and he said, "I have forgiven you. In your previous life, you were Nara (Human), Narayana's best friend. O god, lift up your fierce bow, which sounds like a deep thunderstorm, you, as well as Lord Krishna, punish the demons at the coronation of Indra."

The great bow Pasupata Astra (source: private collection)

Arjuna finally asked for Lord Shiva's astra pasupata. Because of Arjuna's persistence, Lord Shiva gave him his favorite weapon, Pasupata Astra. This weapon will serve Arjuna just as he serves Lord Shiva. However, if Pasupata Astra is used to attack weaker people, then the World will be destroyed instantly.