Arjun's Encounter with Lord Shiv: The Tale of the Boar and the Hunter

Arjun's Encounter with the Growling Boar

One day, when Arjun was in the forest, deep in meditation, a boar came near him and started growling.

Arjun and the Hunter: A Clash of Arrows

Arjun picked up his bow, the Gandiv, and was about to shoot an arrow at the boar when he saw a hunter. The hunter was also getting ready to shoot an arrow at the boar from another direction.

Arjun's Dispute with the Hunter over Mookasur

The two simultaneously fired arrows at the boar, which died immediately. Arjun and the hunter argued about whose arrow killed the boar. The hunter said that the boar was actually the demon Mookasur.

Arjun's Unyielding Battle with the Hunter

Arjun fired many arrows at the hunter, but the latter intercepted every one of them. Next, Arjun engaged the hunter in a sword fight but failed to leave even a scratch.

Arjun's Divine Revelation: The Hunter's True Identity

"Wait a while," Arjun told the hunter. "Let me pray to Lord Shiv. Then I will show you the power of my Gandiv."

After saying this, Arjun made a Shivling out of mud. He then made a garland out of wildflowers and offered it to the Shivling. He then started praying. When he opened his eyes, the wreath of flowers was not on the Shivling but on the hunter's neck. Arjun realized that the hunter was none other than Lord Shiv in disguise.

Lord Shiv's Gift: Arjun Receives the Pashupati Weapon

The hunter then transformed into Lord Shiv, who gave Arjun his most deadly weapon, the Pashupati. Lord Shiv also explained to Arjun the technique of using it.