Page:Cradle Tales of Hinduism .djvu/231

KRISHNA PARTHA SARATHI 207 at the first glance, have recognised these heroes. For Arjuna, the third brother, was that soul who had been born for the express purpose of re- cognising His divinity, and by this fact sharing His glory. One of Arjuna's names was Partha, and Krishna is known, in the south of India, as Partha Sarathi, the Charioteer of Arjuna.

Many times during the ensuing years did these two friends visit one another, now in the forest and again in the palace, and hold deep converse together on matters concerning the soul and God. Deep was the trust of Arjuna in Krishna's insight mto those affairs of men and nations through which the higher laws find visible expression. And he, with all his brothers, and Draupadi, and their whole household, worshipped and loved the Lord Krishna, holding Him to be the Saviour of men.

It is told, indeed, of this period in their lives that a certain wicked man was the enemy of the Pandavas, and, in order to obtain power to conquer them, he went and lived for some time on the banks of the Ganges, there offering prayers and great penances to Siva, whose other name is Mahadeva, the Great God. At last the austerities practised by this man became so great and manifold that they could not fail of their accom- plishment, and Siva appeared in a vision to His worshipper. "Speak!" commanded He. "Tell