The lord of the celestials
hath been gratified, and is willing to give thee a son such as thou
desirest, of superhuman achievements and great fame. He will be the
oppressor of all enemies and possessed of great wisdom. Endued with a
great soul, in splendour equal unto the Sun, invincible in battles, and of
great achievements, he will also be extremely handsome. O thou of fair
hips and sweet smiles, the lord of the celestials hath become gracious to
thee. Invoking him, bring thou forth a child who will be the very home of
all Kshatriya virtues.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'The celebrated Kunti, thus addressed by her lord,
invoked Sakra (the king of the gods) who thereupon came unto her and begat
him that was afterwards called Arjuna. And as soon as this child was born,
an incorporeal voice, loud and deep as that of the clouds and filling the
whole welkin, distinctly said, addressing Kunti in the hearing of every
creature dwelling in that asylum, 'This child of thine, O Kunti, will be
equal unto Kartavirya in energy and Siva in prowess. Invincible like Sakra
himself he will spread thy fame far and wide. As Vishnu (the youngest of
Aditi's sons) had enhanced Aditi's joy, so shall this child enhance thy
joy. Subjugating the Madras, the Kurus along with the Somakas, and the
people of Chedi, Kasi and Karusha, he will maintain the prosperity of the
Kurus. (Surfeited with libations at the sacrifice of king Swetaketu), Agni
will derive great gratification from the fat of all creatures dwelling in
the Khandava woods (to be burnt down) by the might of this one's arms.
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