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STORIES · THE MAHĀBHĀRATA · Ādi

Ulupi drags Arjuna underwater

Classical

Arjuna's celibacy-vow loophole: Ulupi argued it applied only to Draupadi.

During Arjuna's twelve-year exile, the Naga princess Ulupi, daughter of Kauravya, pulls him into the Ganga while he bathes and carries him to the Naga kingdom. She proposes; Arjuna cites his celibacy vow, and she argues the vow only concerned Draupadi. He agrees; their son is Iravan, and she grants him power over water creatures.

Who: Ulupi, Arjuna, Kauravya, Iravan

Bound to

Iravan, the Naga-born son causes

Babruvahana kills his father; Ulupi's jewel causes

The Draupadī rule and Arjuna's twelve-year exile origin

Arjuna frees the five Apsarases cursed as crocodiles origin

Places: Haridwar/Ganga (Gangadvara)

Where this comes from

• vulgate (Ganguli) · Ganguli translation of the Mahabharata (read via Ibiblio SriPedia mirror) Ganguli, Adi Parva, Section CCXVI
• commentary · Wikipedia: Ulupi (summarising the epic) Adi Parva (per article)

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