| The legend is as
follows: During their wanderings in the forest, the
Pancha Pandavas came to Darukavana, where Vedavyasa met them, and told them that one of
them should perform Tapascharya in praise of Lord Siva, and obtain from him, the
Pasupatastra as a boon, so that they may easily conquer their enemies. Arjuna was chosen
for this task and be betook himself to the top of the Indrakila hill (which is said to be
the same as the Indrakila hill of Vijayawada) and was performing intense Tapascharya, with
his arms upraised, and standing on one foot, and surrounded by the Pancha Agnis or five
fires, with four artificial fires around him, and the fifth being the Sun God himself
above him. Being pleased with the great Tapascharya of Arjuna, Lord Siva wanted to further
test his sincerity, before granting him the desired boon, and therefore took the form of a
Kirata or hunter. Parvati also dressed herself as a huntress and the Sivagana of the Lord
also came in several disguises. Accompanied by all these, Lord Siva was hunting on the
Indrakila bill, driving a wild boar in front of him. |
