01.206
Pancharatra: Arjuna marries the Surpent Ulupi
Vaiśampāyana said.
As he departed, the mighty-armed bringer of fame to the Kauravas was followed by great-souled Brāhmaṇas who were well-versed in the Vedas.
Those who are knowers of the Veda and its limbs, as well as spiritual thinkers, pure ones, devotees of the Lord, bards, and Purāṇa reciters.
O king, there are storytellers, other people, ascetics, forest-dwellers, and Brāhmaṇas who also recite divine stories in a sweet manner.
The son of Pāṇḍu, surrounded by many companions who spoke gently, set out, just as Indra departs with the Maruts.
O Bhārata, there are beautiful and varied forests, lakes, rivers, oceans, and also many regions.
The illustrious Bharata, seeing the holy places and sacred fords, reached the gateway of the Ganga and established his encampment there.
O Janamejaya, hear from me about the wonderful deed performed there by the pure-hearted, foremost charioteer of the Pāṇḍavas.
O Bhārata, when the son of Kunti was seated there among the Brāhmaṇas, the Brāhmaṇas performed many Agnihotra rituals.
In those places where people are being awakened, fires are kindled, oblations are offered, flower-offerings are made, and people have crossed to the other bank.
O king, that Ganga's gateway shone exceedingly, consecrated by the learned and self-controlled great souls who stood on the righteous path.
Thus, in that troubled residence, the son of Pāṇḍu, Arjuna, descended to the Ganges for the consecration.
There, after performing the anointing and offering oblations to the forefathers, he wished to cross the water, O king, in order to perform the fire-rite.
O great king, Arjuna, the mighty-armed, was drawn away in the water by Ulūpī, the daughter of the king of serpents, who was filled with desire.
The Pāṇḍava saw a well-arranged fire in the highly honored house of the Nāga belonging to the Kaurava.
There, Dhanañjaya, the son of Kuntī, performed the fire-rite. Because he made the offering without any doubt, the fire-god was pleased.
After performing the fire-rite, the son of Kunti, as if smiling, spoke these words to the serpent-king's daughter.
O timid one, what is this adventure you have undertaken, O beautiful lady? Who is this fortunate person, what is this place, who are you, and whose daughter are you?
Ulūpi spoke.
A serpent named Kauravya was born in the lineage of Airāvata. O Pārtha, I am his daughter, Ulūpī by name, a serpent-woman.
O son of Kunti, having seen you, who have descended to the ocean for the purpose of consecration, I, she, have indeed fainted by (the god of) love.
O delight of the Kurus, today, for your sake, make her—me, who is struck by Kāma and devoted solely to you—happy by giving yourself in privacy.
Arjuna said.
O auspicious one, this twelve-year vow of celibacy is mine, commanded by Dharmarāja, and I am not independent in this matter.
O water-dweller, I also wish to do what is dear to you. I have never spoken any falsehood at any time.
How can it be that I do not speak falsehood, and yet what is dear to you may happen? And my duty is not afflicted; thus should I act towards the serpent.
Ulūpi spoke.
O son of Pāṇḍu, I know how you conduct yourself on earth and how your teacher has instructed you in this vow of celibacy.
While living together with Drupada's daughter, if any one of us enters (her chamber) out of delusion, that person must live in the forest for twelve years practicing celibacy—this was the agreement made among us.
This exile of each other, undertaken by you for Draupadī's sake, was done there for the sake of dharma; here, dharma is not violated.
O wide-eyed one, it is your duty to protect the distressed; by granting me protection, your righteousness will not be lost.
If there is even a subtle transgression of this dharma, O Arjuna, even that would be your dharma, having given up my life.
O Pārtha, honor the devoted ones; this is the view of the virtuous, O lord. If you do not act thus, then consider me as dead.
O mighty-armed one, practice the highest dharma rather than giving life. Today, O best among men, I have sought refuge in you.
O son of Kunti, you are always the protector of the afflicted and the helpless. Therefore, I, being distressed, seek your refuge and cry out.
I earnestly request you, so please do what pleases me. By giving yourself, you can fulfill my wish.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, having been addressed by the daughter of the lord of serpents, the son of Kunti did all that, aiming at duty as the reason.
He, the glorious one, spent that night in the Nāga palace, and when the sun had risen, he departed from the residence of Kauravya.
