Vyasa once met with Pandavas in the Dweta forest during their exile. As per his advice, Yudhishthira recommended Arjuna learn extra about weapons and meditate for Indra. Since Arjuna used to be the son of Indra, he ought to acquire the expertise of Astravidya from Indra only. Arjuna reached Indrakeel Mountain and did meditation there. There he saw one monk who asked him to depart his Gandiva Dhanush there. Arjuna agreed and was about to leave his weapons there. The monk appeared in his original form. He was Indra only who blessed him that Arjuna would soon meet Lord Shiva and Indra would grant him all the divine weapons in Indraloka. For that, Arjuna had to do meditation with all his devotion. Arjuna observed his wordings, took back his Dhanush, reached the Kantakakirna forest, and practised rigorous penance and austerities there. He ate up only fruits first, then lived solely on air. He did meditation while standing on his toes even.
Then some monks seeing Arjuna's meditation went to Lord
Shiva and requested him to distract Arjuna from his penance. Lord Shiva denied
him by way of pronouncing," I am aware of the actual intention of
Arjuna behind such dedication. He neither desires to live long nor wishes for Indrasana. He only wants to reach heaven so he could learn more about weapons
and obtain those." Mahadeva sent these monks back to their places.
Then he disguised himself as a barbarian, went to the forest, and watched Arjuna secretly. Instantly a demon named Muka, who used to be formed as a pig rushed closer to him in order to kill him. Arjuna took the Dhanush in his hand and aimed to kill the pig. Mahadev stopped him from killing the pig as he had already seen it earlier than him. Arjuna disregarded him and shoot the arrow at the pig. Mahadev also did at the same time. The pig came back to his demon form and died there. Arjuna was amazed to see this and curiously asked how could the barbarian kill the pig at an equal time. Arjuna asked him as if he was trying to mock him by displaying his skills and additionally threatened the barbarian that he would take his life for doing such a sinful act. Arjuna insisted that he had killed the wild pig who used to be a demon in real. Mahadev advised him that he had killed the pig with his arrow before Arjuna's arrow could reach it. Also, he challenged Arjuna to fight with him and defeat him seeing that he was proud of his archery skills.
Enraged Arjuna shot arrows from his Gandiva Dhanush at the Barbarian. But it did not hurt him at all. He was astounded to see this. He then shot arrows which made it rain stones on the barbarian but it even did not have any influence on him at all. Arjuna was scared to discover all his weapons no longer hurting him then shot akhyay tunir at him but the weapon also got absorbed in Lord's body. Next Arjuna attacked him with his sword however failed. Finally, he fought with him his sturdy fist. Lord Shiva hit him with his powerful fist and blocked Arjuna with his muscular shoulder. Arjuna could not fight back and lost his senses. He was badly injured and bleeding everywhere. He made a statue of Lord Shiva from clay, offered him a garland, and worshipped him there. Then Arjuna could locate that the barbarian was wearing the same garland around his neck at that time. Arjuna offered his prayers to him. Lord Shiva was pleased with that time to see his power and skills. Arjuna apologized for fighting with him as he was not aware of his actual form. Lord Shiva excused him and returned all his divine weapons to him. Also, he blessed him by giving Pashupatastra at that time and warned him only to use it towards the warrior, not at any common man.
This is the story behind Arjuna getting blessed with the aid
of Lord Shiva.
I have additionally studied from the book that Shiva had cited to him that Arjuna used to be a sage named Nara in his preceding birth. Narayana was his friend at that time. Arjuna had meditated for a long time in Badrikaashram in that birth. As Nara and Narayana, they each had slain many demons with their Dhanush in the course of appointing Indra on his Indrasan in Indraloka. He was once close to Lord Vishnu.
Ref: Mahabharata book
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