Story of Uloopi I am omitting he reason for which Arjuna was in exile for 12 years
Arjuna with a heavy heart set out of Indraprasta on an exile for twelve years. He traveled all over the country to distant places and had many adventures.
As he was traveling, Arjuna was once going to the river for his morning bath. As he entered the water, he felt the current pull him. Arjuna gasped and struggled to break free. But he could not pull himself free. He felt himself being pulled deeper and deeper inside the water. He could not breath and soon everything went black...
As Arjuna opened his eyes, wondering whether he was dead, he saw a beautiful woman standing before him. She was looking at him with lovely eyes and sweet smile in her face. Arjuna was struck by her beauty. 'Who...who are you?' He asked the woman in a dazed manner.
The woman smiled, 'I am Uloopi. I am the daughter of King Kauravya, the king of serpents...great Arjuna!' She said in a soft melodious voice. 'I am a Naga princess.' She said with looking at Arjuna with a smile.
Arjuna looked around him, 'Where am I?'
Uloopi spoke, 'Arjuna! I have been watching you daily...You are the greatest archer I have ever seen...Ever since I saw you, I fell in love with you...' She said speaking in a rush looking at Arjuna shyly, 'Today when I saw you, I dragged you though the water to my kingdom and here you are...'
Uloopi looked at Arjuna shyly and spoke, 'Will you marry me Arjuna...'
Arjuna explained about his exile and told her. 'You are a Naga princess...I cannot stay here for long...I will need to go back to my own people...'
Uloopi pleaded with Arjuna. 'Please Arjuna...'
Arjuna looked at the woman and nodded his head. 'I will live with you for a year...but after that...' Uloopi happily nodded her head.
Arjuna and Uloopi were happily married. Living with Uloopi, Arjuna was about to forget everything about himself...she was so kind and considerate...Arjuna also found that Uloopi was very skilled in archery and warfare...Arjuna enjoyed her company even more. Soon Uloopi and Arjuna had a son Iravan.
Arjuna was very happy with Uloopi, but after some time, he remembered his life, his exile...
He talked with Uloopi, 'Uloopi,you have kept me very happy here...'
Uloopi sensed her husband was telling her some grave news did not speak. She waited for him to continue, 'I...I have to get back to my own place...to my people...they will be waiting for me...' Uloopi realized that Arjuna belonged to the land of the people and not among the Nagas. Though she loved Arjuna dearly, she made preparations for him to be sent back immediately. Saying goodbyes to Uloopi and Iravan, Arjuna emerged from the river where he was first dragged by Uloopi.
However, his dharma beckoned and mine was to let him go in order to fulfill it. I had after all given him my word that it would be so, if he willed it. Therefore, for the very last time, I embraced him, bestowed upon him the gift that he would be invincible against all water-borne threats and prepared to send him upon his way.
Years later, when Iravan, now a strapping young man, heard of the Great War at Kurukshetra, he expressed his desire to go meet his father and offer his services. Much as I dissuaded him from going to a place, where no one would recognize him or care for him as one of their own, he was determined to head on to meet his father and help him out on the battlefield. What I dreaded ensued. Iravan, being one of the three perfect warriors on the side of Dharma, was requested to sacrifice his life to Kali to ensure victory in the war. My son willingly gave up his life for his father's victory, a father who did not even remember him, a father who acknowledged him as his son only to have more warriors that are able on their side of the war. And what could I do, except accept it as my son's destiny and move on with life.
I had heard of Arjuna's other marriages during his 12 year self-exile, one of them being to Chitrangada, warrior princess of Manipura. I went ahead to meet her, introducing myself as I did so. She accepted me as her sister and entrusted me with the care of her son - Babruvahana, a boy like none other. I took care of him as I did my own son, Iravan and trained him in the art of war and mastery of weapons. The winds that flew from the battlefield, had whispered into my ears, a curse that had been laid upon Arjuna for the offence of felling the grand-sire of the dynasty, Bhishma. Cursed by the other Vasus, that Arjuna would meet his death at the hands of his son this was made known to me by the river-goddess Ganga, whose waters I inhabited from time to time. I looked up to her for advice on how to alleviate the curse from my husband and she was the one who guided me to use the fabled Mritasanjivini gem of my clan. This gem, with its miraculous properties could bring back the dead to life. Therefore, I had landed at my foster-son's kingdom to witness the scene that had just unfolded in front of my eyes.
Following the sacred horse from the Ashwamedha Yagna that his elder brother Yudhishthira was conducting, Arjuna had landed at the city of Manipura and challenged Babruvahana to a duel. When my foster son looked upon me for counsel, I had asked him to go ahead and engage his father in battle. After a fierce duel, a well-placed arrow had found its mark and had struck the mightiest archer in the world dead. While mother and son glared at me with blame etched on their faces, seeking answers to what had just transpired; I had smiled and moved over to do my part.
I brought back my husband to life with the powers bestowed upon me through my ancestors.
When he awoke, Arjuna embraced his son and rejoiced in his prowess. He was delighted to see his wife, Chitrangada and exulted in the fact that their son was a fine warrior indeed. However, he had no recollection of me. I was not part of his memories. He only had a vague remembrance of a Naga princess that he had met once on his voyages. To him, I was inconsequential. Just as his son, Iravan, who had sacrificed his life for his father's success had been.
I, on the other hand, have no grievances whatsoever. I am content with my reminiscences of him. Of the times that we spent in my world.
To the world, I may be one of Arjuna's many wives. To Arjuna, I may have just been another conquest on his journey of life.
My son sacrificed his life to ensure his father's triumph.
The very least I could do was to ensure his efforts do not end up in vain.
In the cycle of Karmic dues, I have fulfilled my Dharma.
To me, that is the utmost gratification of the life that I have striven to live.
I am Uloopi - Queen of Nagas. Descendent of the mighty Airavata. Daughter of King Kauravya. Wife to Arjuna.
And, most importantly, Mother of Iravan.
Edited by PutijaChalhov - 9 years ago
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