Arjun left Indraprastha and went into the forest in exile. He travelled the length and breath of India in these 12 years. Arjun met several sages, rishis, kshatriyas and visited many places of worship. 12 years is a long time to be away from one's home. In this time, Arjun encountered many magical and divine beings.
One day Arjun was performing his daily rites on the banks of river ganga. Once he was done he went on to immerse himself in the holy waters of Ganga. As he was doing this, the daughter of the king of Nagas, Ulupi saw this magnificent warrior from beneath the river. Taken in by the radiant Arjun, she grabbed him and dragged him deep within the waters into the Naga Kingdom called Kauravya. Ulupi asked Arjuna who he was and he told her. Ulupi said "O great warrior of the Bharata race. I am taken in by your strength and charm. Please accept me as your wife." Arjun politely refused but Ulupi was insistent. She pleaded with Arjun "I lost my heart to you the minute I set eyes on you. You must marry me or I will end my life as I see no purpose in living if I am not with the one I love." After debating with Ulupi for some time, Arjun eventually consented. After spending a day in the land of Kauravya, Arjun left the place. Before retreating back to her kingdom, Ulupi granted Arjun a boon that he would be invincible in water. That even creatures of sea would be defeated by Arjun. Arjun left the banks of Ganga and continued his exile.
Ulupi went on to have Arjun's son and named him Iraavaan. (Later,Iraavaan returns during the Kurukshetra war to help the Pandavas in battle.)
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Gandivdhari Arjun-The Warrior Prince
Narrativa StoricaArjun was one of the five Pandava brothers of the Mahabharat epic. He was born to Kunti and King Pandu with the energy of Indra, the leader of the gods. At a very young age he got acclaim for the sincerity and skill in archery. He was known for his...
