At the age of Mahabharata, there was a small but independent state named Manipur whose king Chitravahan wanted a prince for himself. He then worshipped Lord Shiva and got a girl. According to Mahadev's order and his own desire, he rared her as a boy...
"I want you to go on a peace treaty with the north-eastern Indian states, Partha (Arjuna's other name)."
Lord Vasudeva told Arjuna while the two friends were sitting lazily and relaxing.
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Lord Krishna Vasudeva
"But why, Keshav?!! What's the need?" Surprised Arjun asked Lord Krishna.
"It has two ulterior motives. One to expand your territory and make new friends; and the second to decrease the amount of hatred and enmity with the Nag clan. They will be useful for your victory in upcoming war."
As usual Lord Vasudeva's reasonings were not to be refuted.
Arjuna looked at his friend in shock. He did not understand that kind of logic behind his friends reasonings but he knew from experience that Vasudeva never uttered anything loosely in his entire life. He must have some plan.
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Yudhhisthir entered the room and out of respect they both stood up. A king should be shown some respect. He sat down with them both and lovingly put his hand on Arjuna's shoulder.
With firm voice he declared "Anuj (younger brother), I think you should give our peace message to north east as soon as possible. Nag clan (todays Nagaland) and Manipur are two small yet independent states. We need to be befriended with them. I am sending you their in the advice of Vasudeva."
Arjuna never refuted his brother's advice or order in his entire life. So he willingly accepted this responsibility nested on him. He bowed to both his brother and Lord Vasudeva. Then he went away of the room to arrange for his mission.
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Yidhhisthir turned back to Krishna and told him "He Vasudeva (o Lord Krishna), I told him as you instructed me. But I myself fail to notice the urgency of this mission. Why send my Priyo Anuj (favorite brother) there?"
Lord Krishna Vasudeva smiled big. A bright smile lighted his face when he said this -
"Bhatasree (brother), it is necessary. My sisters, Ulupi and Chitrangada are two beautiful princesses of Nag clan and Manipur. They are waiting very eagerly for Partha (Arjuna). We need both of their clans support."
"I don't understand, Vasudeva. What Ulupi and Chitrangada has to do with our peace treaty?" Yudhhisthir asked him.
"Rajan (king), in india, the peace can be obtained by two terms. Either you win them or they surrender to you. If Arjuna goes there, then these two powerful states will surrender to you without any bloodshed. The marriage with the respective Princesses will help you to strengthen your bondage with them. In the impeding war of Kurukshetra, they will fight either on your side or be neutral. In either way it will be a win-win situation to you. Isn't it?" Lord Vasudeva's logic was very practical to hear. Even the King of Indraprastha had to admit it.
"But why Arjuna?!! Why not Bheem?" He asked again.
"These two princesses are made for Arjuna, Bade Bhaiya (elder brother), not for Bhrata (brother) Bheem. As a king doent you want that your peace treaty's sucess is guaranteed?!! Huh!" Lord Krishna Vasudeva smiled again divinely.
Yudhhisthir opened his eyes wide. He had to praise the political sense of his cousin (Lord Vasudeva was his matul or maternal uncle Basudeva's son) with whole-heart. It was indeed a real master stroke.
