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Mahabharata
Arjunavanvasa Parva
Departure of Arjuna, for the forest. Meeting with Ulupi. Marriage with Chitragnada. Rescue of the crocodiles. Arjuna's Tirtha visiting. Arjuna's arrival at Dvarka.
Vaishampayana said:
Having made that rule (amongst themselves), the Pandavas continued to live there (at Khandhavaprastha). They brought under their sway many kings by their prowess of arms.
Krishna (Draupadi) became obedient to all the five sons of Pritha, those five best men of immeasurable energy.
She became exceedingly happy in her five heroic husbands as the Sarasvati in elephants; and they (the Pandavas) also were exceedingly happy in her.
In consequence of the illustrious Pandavas being virtuous, all the Kurus, being free from sin and becoming very happy, grew in prosperity.
O king, O best of monarchs, many days after (it so happened) that a robber stole some kine of a certain Brahmanas.
When his wealth (kine) was thus stolen, the Brahmana lost his senses in anger; and coming to Khandavaprastha, he thus reproved the Pandavas.
The Brahmana said:
O Pandavas, despicable and wicked wretches are robbing away my kine in your dominion. Parsue the robbers.
Alas! the sacrificial ghee of a peaceful Brahmana is being carried away by crows. Alas, the wretched jackal is invading the empty cave of a lion!
A king, who takes the sixth part of the produce, but does not protect his subjects, is called by all men as the most sinful in all the worlds.
The wealth of a Brahmana is being taken away by thieves; virtue is going to be destroyed. Take me up by the hand, for I am in great grief.
Vaishampayana said:
Thus were the Pandavas reproved by the Brahmana weeping in bitter grief. The son of Kunti, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) heard his (weeping) words.
As soon as he heard it, the mighty-armed hero told the Brahmana, "Don't fear". But in the room where the arms of the illustrious Pandavas were, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira was then sitting with Krishna (Draupadi). The Pandavas (Arjuna) was, therefore, unable to enter the room or to go (with the Brahmana).
Being repeatedly urged by the weeping words of the Brahmana, the son of Kunti (Arjuna) pondered in sorrow.
Arjuna said:
"Alas, this ascetic Brahmana's wealth is being rubbed! It is certainly my duty to dry up his tears.
If I do not protect him who is weeping at our gate, the king (Yudhishthira) will be touched by sin for my indifference.
Our own irreligiousness will also be talked all over the kingdom and we shall certainly incur a great sin.
There is no doubt that if I enter (the room) disregarding the king, I shall not truthfully behave towards that enemiless monarch.
If I enter (the room) where the king is, an exile in the forest will be my lot. But I must overlook every thing. I do not care if I am to incur sin by disregarding the king. I care not if I am to go to the forest and die there. Virtue is superior to body and it lasts after the body perishes.
O king, having resolved this, the son of Kunti Dhananjaya (Arjuna) entered the room and talked with the king (Yudhishthira).
Bringing the bow, he cheerfully told the Brahmana, O Brahmana, come soon, so that those wretched thieves may not go far off. I shall accompany you and restore to you your wealth that has fallen into the hands of the robbers."
He then went away, armed with bow-cased in mail, riding on the chariot and holding the standard. Piercing those thieves with arrows, he took back that wealth (kine).
Thus helping the Brahmana by returning to him his kine and winning great renown, the Pandava. The heroic Savyasachi Dhananjaya returned to the city. He then bowed to all the elders and was in return congratulated by them all.
He then said to Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), "O Lord, give me permission to observe the vow. The rule that was established by us has been violated by me on my seeing you.
I shall go into exile to the forest, for we made this rule." Suddenly hearing those most painful words uttered (by Arjuna), Yudhishthira, was afflicted with grief and sad in an agitated voice, "Why?" Then Yudhishthira thus spoke in grief to his vow-observing brother Gudakesha (curly haired) Dhananjaya (Arjuna), "O sinless one, if I am an authority worthy of regard, listen to what I say -
O hero, I know full well why you entered the room and did what you thought would be disagreeable to me. But I have not felt any displeasure for it.
The younger brother may enter the room in which his elder brother sits with his wife. There is no fault to be found in this. If the elder brother enters the room where his younger brother is with his wife, then he acts against the rules of propriety.
O mighty-armed hero, therefore, desist from your purpose. Do what I say. Your virtue has suffered no diminution and you have not also shown any disregard towards me.
Arjuna said:
I have heard from you that the virtue should not be practiced by quibbling. I shall not waver from truth. Truth is my weapon.
Vaishampayana said:
Having obtained the king's permission, he made preparations to live in the forest. He went away to dwell in the forest for twelve years.
When that mighty-armed hero, the spreader of the fame of the Kuru race, went away, the Veda-knowing Brahmanas followed him.
Followed by the Veda and Vedanga knowing Brahmanas, ever devoted in the contemplation of the Supreme spirit by persons skilled in music, by ascetics devoted to the Deity, by Pauranika Sutas (men learned in the Puranas), by Kathakas (the reciters of sacred stories), by celebrate, by dwellers of forests, by Brahmanas who recited sweetly the celestials histories.
And by many other sweet-speeched men. With those men, the son of Pandu (Arjuna) travelled over the country like Indra followed by the Marutas.
O descendant of Bharata, that best of men (Arjuna) saw many charming and picturesque forests, lakes, rivers, seas and countries and many sacred pilgrimages. Coming to the source of the Ganges, the lord (Arjuna) thought of dwelling there.
O Janamejaya, listen to the wonderful feat which that foremost of the Pandavas, the high-souled hero, performed.
O descendant of Bharata, when the son of Kunti (Arjuna) and the Brahmanas lived there the letter performed many Agnihotras (fire sacrifices).
O King, in consequence of those learned, vow-observing, undeviatingly righteous Brahmanas" daily establishing and kindling fires for their sacrifices on the banks of that sacred river and pouring libations of ghee into it and worshipping it with flowers that region from which the Ganges flowed became exceedingly beautiful.
One day that best of the Pandavas, the son of Kunti (Arjuna), in order to perform his ablutions, went to the Ganges which flowed in the midst of the Brahmanas.
O king, performing his ablutions and offering water to the grandsires, as he was getting out of the water with the desire of performing his sacrificial rites before the fire. O great king the mighty-armed hero was dragged into water by the daughter of the Naga king, named Ulupi, maddened with desire.
He saw a fire there in the house of the Naga, named Kaurava and the son of Kunti, Dhananjaya, performed his sacrificial rites with devotion before that fire. Agni was much pleased to see the fearlessness with which he poured the libations.
Having performed the sacrificial rites me for the fire, the son of Kunti (Arjuna) spoke thus smilingly to the daughter of the Naga king.
Arjuna said:
O handsome maiden, O timid girl, what a bold act have performed! O blessed damsel, where is this beautiful region situated? Who are you and whose daughter are you?
Ulupi said:
O king there is a Naga, named Kaurava, born in the race of Airavata. I am his daughter, I am the Naga maiden, named Ulupi.
O best of men, seeing you descend into the river in order to perform your ablutions, I was deprived of my senses by the god of love.
O descendant of Kuru, I am still unmarried. O sinless, afflicted as I am by the god of love, gratify me to-day by giving yourself up to me.
Arjuna said:
O amiable girl, commanded by Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), I am observing Brahmacharya for twelve years. I am not in my sway.
O aquatic lady desirous of doing what is agreeable to you. I have never before spoken an untruth in my life.
Therefore, tell me, O snake-lady, how I may act so that while doing your pleasure, I may not be guilty of any untruth or sin.
Ulupi said:
O son of Pandu, I know why you are roaming over the world and why you observe Brahmacharya at the command of your elder (brother).
This was the rule which all of you made amongst you for having Draupadi as you common wife, that he who would by ignorance enter the room in which one of you would be with her, he must adopt Brahmacharya for twelve years.
The exile of any you, therefore, is only for the sake of Draupadi. You are but observing that vow, Your virtue cannot suffer any diminution. O large-eyed hero, it is your duty to relieve the distressed.
Your virtue cannot suffer any diminution by relieving me. O Arjuna, if your virtue (really) suffer a small diminution, you will acquire great merit by relieving me. O Partha, I am your adorer O lord accept me. This is the opinion of the wise.
If you do not accept me know that I will destroy myself. O mighty-armed hero, earn great merit by saving my life.
O best of men I solicit protection. O son of Kunti, you always protect the distressed and the helpless. Weeping in sorry I solicit your protection.
Being filled with desire, I woo you. Therefore, do what is agreeable to me. You should gratify my wise by giving up yourself to me.
Vaishampayana said:
Thus addressed by the daughter of the Naga king, the son of Kunti, making virtue his motive, did everything as she desired.
The powerful hero passed the night in the mansion of the Naga and rose with the of the sun. From the mansion of Kaurava,
He came with her (Ulupi) back to the region from which the Ganges flowed to the plains, Taking his leave, the chaste Ulupi returned to her own abode.
O descendant of Bharata, she gave a boon (to Arjuna) making him invincible in water. (She said) "Every aquatic creature will certainly be vanquished by you."
Vaishampayana said:
O descendant of Bharata, the son of the wielder of thunder (Indra), having narrated everything to the Brahmanas, started for the side of the Himalayas.
Arriving first at Agastya Vata, the son of Kunti, then went to the Vasishtha's hill. On the peak of Bhrigu hill he performed his ablutions.
O descendant of Bharata, the best of the Kurus gave away to many Brahmanas thousands of king and houses.
That best of then bathed at the pilgrimage, named, Hiranyabindu and then that best of Pandavas went to many other sacred pieces.
O best of Bharata race, that best of men accompanied by the Brahmanas then descended (form those hills) and the countries situated in that direction.
The best of the Kurus saw the pilgrimages one after the other. O descendant of Bharata, he saw the river Utpalasa in the forest of Naimisha: (he saw) the Nanda, the Upananda, the famous Kaushika, the great rivers Gaya and Ganga and other Tirthas and hermitages where he purified himself and gave away to the Brahmanas (many) kine.
Whatever Tirthas and other holy places were in Anga, Vanga and Kalinga, he went to all of them.
O descendant of Bharata, seeing them all and performing many ceremonies and giving away much wealth, he went to the gate of the kingdom of Kalinga where the Brahmanas, who were following him, bade the son of Kunti farewell and desisted from following him any further.
Having obtained their leave, the son of Kunti, the brave Dhananjaya, accompanied by only a few attendants, went there where the was.
Crossing (the country of) the Kalingas and seeing on his way many countries, holy places and charming mansions, that lord preceded on.
Seeing the Mahendra mountain adorned with the ascetics and going slowly along the sea-shores, he went to Manipur.
O king seeing all Tirthas and other holy places, the mighty-armed hero went.
To the king of Manipur, the virtuous Chitravahana, who had a beautiful daughter named Chitrangada.
He saw her in capital roaming at pleasure. Seeing the handsome of Chitravahana, he was filled with desire.
Going to the king, he told him what he desired, saying, "O king, give your daughter to son of an illustrious Kshatriya.
Having heard this, the king said "Whose son are you and what is your name?" He (Arjuna) replied, "I am the Pandava, the son of Kunti, Dhananjaya".
The king then spoke thus in sweet accents, "There was born a king in our race named Prabhanjana.
He was childless. In order to get a child he performed excellent penances. By his severe austerities, the god of gods, the wielder of Pinaka (Shiva). The supreme lord the god of gods and the husband of Uma, O Partha, was gratified. The illustrious Deity gave him the boon that only one child would be born in our race (in succession).
Thence only one child is born to every successive descendant of race. All my ancestors had each a male child. But I have only a daughter to perpetuate my race. O best of men, I always consider her as my son.
O best of the Bharata race, I have made her a Putrika (heir). O descendant of Bharata, the one son that will be born to her will be the perpetuator of my race. That son will be the dower in this marriage. O Pandava, you can take her if you like on this condition.
Promising to he accepted that maiden and the son of Kunti lived in that city for three years.
When she gave birth to a son, he (Arjuna) embraced her with affection and taking leave of the king, he set out again in his travels.
Vaishampayana said:
That best of the Bharata race Arjuna then went to the sacred Tirthas situated on the shores of the south sea, all adorned with the ascetics.
There were five Tirthas where also lived many ascetics, but these sacred waters themselves were shunned by the ascetics.
(They were named) Agastya, Subhadra, the greatly holy Pauloma, Karandhama which yielded the fruit of a horse-sacrifice and the great washer of sins Bharadvaja; these five Tirthas that best men saw.
The Pandava, the descendant of Kuru (Arjuna), finding them uninhabited and ascertaining that they were shunned by the ascetics, asked with joined hands those pious men that lived near them, "Why these Tirthas are shunned by the Brahmavadis (the utterers oftheVedas)."
The Celestial said:
O descendant of Kuru, there dwell (in their waters) five large crocodiles which carry away the ascetics (who go to bathe in them); therefore these Tirthas are shunned by all.
Vaishampayana said:
Having heard these words of the ascetics, the mighty armed hero, that best of men, though dissuaded by them, went to see those Tirthas.
Then coming to that excellent Tirtha Subhadra, named after a great Rishi, that hero, that chastiser of foes, plunged into it to take a bath.
Thereupon a large crocodile under the water seized the leg of that best of men, the son of Kunti Dhananjaya.
But the mighty-armed, the son of Kunti, thee foremost of all strong men, seized that aquatic animal and dragged it up to the shore.
Dragged up by the illustrious Arjuna, that crocodile became a most handsome women adorned with all ornaments.
O king, that charming and ceJestials-like damsel appeared to shine in her own beauty. Thereupon the son of Kunti Dhananjaya, seeing that wonderful sight, spoke thus in great happiness to that lady, "O beautiful lady, who are you? O lady of the lake, where do you live? Why did you commit such a dreadful sin before?"
Varga said:
O mighty-armed hero, I am an Apsara, a sporter in the celestials gardens.
O greatly strong one, my name is Varga, I am ever beloved of the celestials treasurer (Kubera). I had four other friends, all handsome and all capable of going everywhere at will.
One day accompanied by them, I was going to the abode of the protector of the world; when we were all going, we saw a Brahmana of rigid vows.
Who was exceedingly handsome and who was studying the Vedas in solitude. O king, the whole forest was covered with the effulgence of his asceticism.
He seemed to have illuminated the whole region like the sun. Seeing his that severe, excellent and wonderful asceticism, we alighted in that region, wishing to disturb his asceticism.
O descendant of Bharata, myself Saurabhi, Samichi, Budabuda and Lata all came to that Brahmana at the same time. O hero, we sang, we laughed, we tried to tempt the Brahmana in various ways.
But he did not set his mind on us even for a moment. O best of the Kshatriyas, his mind, being fixed on the meditation of the pure, the greatly effulgent (Brahmana), did not suffer his heart to waver.
Angrily looking at us, he cursed us saying, "Becoming crocodiles, live in water for one hundred years."
Varga said:
O best of the Bharata race, we were all greatly distressed. We sought the protection of that ascetic of undeviating vows.
(We said), "O Brahmana, intoxicated with beauty and youth and maddened by the god of love, we have acted very improperly, you should pardon us.
I was enough death to us that we had at all come here to tempt such an ascetic of controlled soul as you are.
The virtuous men consider that women are created as non-slayable, therefore you should not kill us. Grow yourself in virtue.
O virtuous man, it is said that a Brahmana has always friendly feelings over all creatures. O Rishi of blessedness, let this saying of the learned be made true.
The good man always protects those that seek protection at his hands. We solicit your protection; you should therefore pardon us."
Vaishampayana said:
O hero, having been thus addressed, that virtuous-minded Brahmana of good deeds, as effulgent as the sun or the Moon, became propitious to them.
The Brahmana said:
The words "hundreds" and "hundred thousands" all indicate eternity. The "hundred" used by me should be understood as a limited period and not as eternity.
You shall, becoming crocodiles, seize and drag men into water. (After the expiration of one hundred years), a best of men will drag you all from the water to the land. You will then resume your own real forms. I have never spoken an untruth even in jest.
From that day all those sacred Tirthas will be known by the name of Nari Tirthas all over the world. All of them will be sacred and sin-cleansing in the eyes of the virtuous and the wise.
Varga said:
Having saluted that Brahmana with reverence and walked round him, we left that place in great grief; and we all came away thinking (all the while), "Where shall we soon meet with that man who will give us own old forms?"
O descendant of Bharata, as we were, thinking, at that very moment we met with the illustrious celestials Rishi Narada.
O Partha, seeing that celestials Rishi of immeasurable effulgence, our hearts were filled with joy. Having saluted him with revenge we stood before him with faces covered with blushes.
He asked us the cause of our sorrow and we told him all. Having heard what had happened, he thus spoke to us,
"In the low lands on the coast of the southern sea there are five sacred and delightful Tirthas, go there without delay.
That best of men the pure-souled Pandava Dhananjaya (Arjuna) will certainly deliver you from your this distressful state." O hero, hearing the Rishi's words, all of us came here. O sinless one, I have been really delivered by you to-day.
But, those others of my friends are still within the waters of the other lakes. O hero, perform a good work, deliver them all.
Vaishampayana said:
O king, thereupon that best of the Pandavas (Arjuna) of great prowess gladly delivered all of them from that curse.
O king, rising from the waters, they all regained their old forms and those Apsaras then all looked as they looked before.
Making safe those Tirthas and giving them (Apsaras) leave to go away, that lord (Arjuna) went again to Manipur to see Chitrangada once more.
He saw there on the throne Babhruvahana, begotten by him (on Chitrangada). Seeing her, O king, the Pandava (Arjuna) said to Chitravahana.
O king! kindly accept this Babhruvahana as the subscription of Chitrangada. Thus, I will be free from your debt.
Again the son of Pandu told Chitrangada-Dear! May God grant you all happiness. You live here and protect Babhruvahana
In due course, you shall live extremely happily at our dwelling place Indraprastha. Reaching there, you shall get an opportunity to see my mother Kunti, Yudhisthira, Bhimsena, my younger brothers Nakula and Sahadeva and other relatives. O innocent lady! you shall be extremely pleased after meeting my all relatives.
Always crowned with righteousness and truth, the son of Kunti, Yudhisthira after conquering whole earth will perform Rajsuya sacrifice.
At that time, all great kings of earth will arrive there. Your father too will come there with many gems (for gift).
For the service of Chitravahana, you should come to attend Rajsuya sacrifice along with them, where I shall meet you. At this time, leave the grief and protect your child.
I am leaving on earth only because of Babhruvahaua's name. Therefore, you should bring up this child who is spreader of our dynasty.
He is the son of Chitravahana by inheritance but in real he is the dearest son of Pandavas, therefore, you may protect him always.
O chaste lady! you should not be sad. Thus telling to Chitrangada, Arjuna left for Gokama tirtha.
This pilgrimage is the first place of lord Shiva and gives salvation only by seeing it and, where even a sinful man gets fearless place.
Vaishampayana said:
The immeasurably powerful (Arjuna) then saw one after the other all the sacred waters and other holy places that were on the shores of the western ocean.
Seeing them all, he at last came to the Prabhasa. When the invincible Bibhatsa (Arjuna) came to the holy and charming Prabhasa, the slayer of Madhu (Krishna) heard of it. Madhava (Krishna) went there to see his friend, the son of Kunti. Krishna and the Pandava (Arjuna) met together.
They embracing each other, enquire after one another's health. Those two friends, who were none else than the Rishis Nara and Narayana of old, then both sat down together.
Then Vasudeva (Krishna) asked Arjuna about his travels, saying, "O son ofPandu, why are you roaming over the earth seeing all the Tirthas?"
Thereupon Arjuna narrated to him every thing that had happened. Having heard all, the lord of the Vrishni race (Krishna) said, "This is what is should be."
Krishna and the Pandava sported at pleasure for same time at the Prabhasa and they then went to the Raivataka mountain to live there for some time.
Before their arrival (at Raivataka), that hill at the command of Krishna, was adorned by many artificers. Much food was also collected there.
Enjoying every thing that was provided there for him, the Pandava Arjuna sat with Vasudeva (Krishna) to see the performances of the actors and dancers. Having dismissed them all with proper respect, the high-souled Pandavas laid himself down on a well-adorned and excellent bed.
When that mighty-armed hero lay on that excellent bed, he described to him (Krishna) the sacred waters, the lakes the mountains, the rivers and the forests that he had seen.
O Janamejaya, when he was thus talking as he lay on the celestials-like bed, sleep (slowly) stole on the son of Kunti.
He rose in the morning, awakened by the sweet songs and melodious notes of the Vina, by the penegyrics and benedictions on the bards.
After he had performed the daily rites, he was accosted with affection by the hero of the Vrishni race (Krishna). Then riding on a golden car he set out for Dvarka.
O Janamejaya, Dwarka with its streets, gardens and houses was well adorned to give a grand reception to the son of Kunti.
The citizens of Dvarka, in order to see the son of Kunti, eagerly came to the royal (Public) streets in hundreds and thousands.
In order to see him hundreds and thousands of women and men of the Vrishni, the Andhaka and the Bhoja races formed into a great crowd.
He was respectfully welcomed by all the Bhojas, the Vrishnis and the Andhakas. He in return worship and received their blessings in return.
The hero was accorded the most welcome and affectionate reception by all the young men (of the Yadava race). He too again and again embraced those that were of his own age.
In the delightful mansion of Krishna, adorned with gems and filled with every article of enjoyment, he passed many nights with Krishna.
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