The Story of the Staircase to Heaven…

Hi!!! I read today's story very recently, in a book that we Dunzo'd home. I really liked this story because it portrays the meaning of perseverance and devotion. It's about Arjuna, the third Pandava, and how he- I don't want to spoil the story!! Let's go…

When King Pandu died, his widow, Kunti went to Hastinapur with her five sons, the Pandavas. They went to live with their cousins, the Kauravas, in the hope that they would accept them. Pandu's blind brother, Dhritarashtra, had become the ruler of Hastinapur after his brother denied the throne. Pandu, when in the forest, had killed the Sage Kindama and his wife. He had earned the curse, that if he ever loved a woman, he would die on the spot. So, he had decided to throw away his right to the throne and live in the forest.
Pandu's curse had come to fruition when he declared his love for his second wife, Madri. He died on the spot. Madri, thinking that she had been the cause for her husband's death, jumped into the funeral pyre along with Pandu's body.

Kunti, who was also known as Pritha, felt strongly that her children were only called princes. They were only princes for namesake. Since they didn't have a father or a kingdom to inherit, the Pandavas were nothing but commoners. They were only the relatives of the King. Soon, Kunti thought that she was an unwelcome guest at the palace and didn't think her sons were given enough importance in her brother-in-law's house. They pondered how long they would be welcome at their cousins' place. They knew that their stay would end soon.
One day, Sage Narada, the wandering messenger of the gods, came to the Palace of Hastinapur and happened to eye Kunti and Gandhari, the mother of the Kauravas, chatting. He strolled to them, chanting his trademark verse, "Narayana!! Narayana!! Hello, ladies!! What are you two discussing? I am filled with an immense feeling of intrigue towards your discussion," Kunti answered Narada with respect, "Pranam, Rishi Narada!!  We were just talking about the welfare of our children. Why do you ask?" "You must pray to Goddess Parvati. After all, she is the greatest mother of all," Gandhari butted in, "We know the power of Mother Parvati. But, how do we pray to her for the sake of our children?!"
Narada laughed, "Narayana!! Narayana!! You should perform the Gaja Gowri Pooja!! It must be done before the Ganesha Fest, and in the month of Bhadrapada, at the end of the monsoon!! Your offsprings' welfare will be sealed with Parvati's blessings," Kunti asked Narada, "But how do we perform this pooja, Rishi?" "You must welcome Parvati to your home. She must arrive on an elephant. Provide Mother Parvati with lovely clothes, vessels and flowers. Pray to her and she will protect your children," said Narada. With that, Narada left Hastinapur.

In her chambers, Kunti thought to herself, "Gandhari is the Queen and has a hundred boys that can wait on her, hand and foot. She can easily get an elephant. A REAL elephant, too. She can perform the pooja with glory and show. What authority do I have? I'm a widowed forest-dweller, with only five sons. What do I do?!" Kunti sulked with dismay.
Meanwhile, Gandhari did the pooja with pomp and pizzazz. They brought a real elephant, with a sandalwood statue of Parvati placed above it. They prayed deeply to it, showering it with flowers and silk cloth. They offered delicious food to it and adorned the statue with beautiful garlands. Gandhari didn't invite any of the Pandavas or Kunti, thinking that she would get upset and reminisce of her title of Queen and it's capabilities.
When news of the pooja reached Kunti, she wept with sadness, "Waah!! Gandhari didn't invite me because I don't hold a status that befits her company!! Waah!!!!" When her sons saw her in such a desolate state, they asked her, "Mother, what bothers you?" Kunti narrated the whole incident.
Arjuna proclaimed, "Mother, the strength of us five is greater than that of a hundred Kauravas. Just as Gandhari Auntie got a real elephant for their pooja, I will get one too. In fact, I will get the white elephant, Airavata, from Indra's court and bring it here. I shall also bring the real Mother Parvati here."

So, Arjuna set off to bring Airavata and Parvati back from the heavens. He walked until he reached the outskirts of Hastinapur and saw an open stretch of land. Walking to the patch, Arjuna shot thousands, no, MILLIONS of arrows up into the sky. When they fell, they carefully weaved themselves into a staircase!! Arjuna strolled up the staircase, with the arrows falling into the shape of a staircase. Once the staircase was complete, it reached all the way up to Indra's court!! Arjuna saw all of the arrows stop falling, so he ran up the staircase, leaping two steps at a time.
When Indra saw Arjuna's staircase, he became worried. A human entering Heaven was not natural. Now anyone would be able to walk into their abode and take away their wealth.
When Arjuna reached the heavens, he shouted, "I AM PANDUPUTRA ARJUNA!!!! I HAVE COME FOR AIRAVATA!!!!!" Indra recognized the young warrior and asked him with affection," Dear Arjuna, why do you desire Airavata? If I give him to you, you must destroy the staircase and promise never to come up here again!!" Arjuna bowed at Indra's feet and said, "Namaskara, Devendra!! My mother needs Airavata to perform the Gaja Gowri Pooja. May I ask for all of the materials, other than Airavata, for the pooja?" Indra ushered Arjuna to tell him of his desires, "May I request that you talk to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and invite them to attend the pooja in person?" Indra nodded his head and smiled, "I shall, young one. I shall."

Arjuna brought Airavata down to the earthly realm along with the necessary materials and burnt down the steps to heaven. Airavata trumpeted in joy and danced about the burning sticks of wood.
During the auspicious day of the pooja, Parvati arrived with Shiva and their followers. She sat on Airavata and Kunti worshipped her with sincerity and loyalty.
As the pooja drew to a close, Parvati blessed Kunti, "May your children's names be remembered when people talk about Dharma and good deeds. May your son, Arjuna, who came all the way to Heaven to fulfil your wish, be known as Partha, or the son of Pritha."
Thus, Kunti performed the Gaja Gowri Pooja with the help of Arjuna, who built a staircase all the way to Heaven.

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