Ulupi, a Naga princess and daughter of Kauravya, encountered Arjuna during his twelve-year exile, imposed due to breaching a compact with Yudhishthira. She saw him while he was bathing and, captivated by him, abducted him to her underwater palace. Initially hesitant due to his vow of celibacy, Arjuna relented after Ulupi clarified that the vow only applied to his wife Draupadi. They spent time together, and she granted him a boon making him invulnerable in water. Later, Arjuna married Chitrangada of Manipur, whose father Chitravahana – King of Manipur, the king of Manipur, stipulated that their son would remain in Manipur to carry on the lineage, and Subhadra, Krishna – An Incarnation of Vishnu’s sister.
Connections to Other Entities and Stories:
| Character | Relation to Ulupi | Role in Mythology |
|---|---|---|
| Kauravya | Father | King of the Nagas, Ulupi’s father |
| Arjuna | Husband | Pandava prince, who married Ulupi during his exile |
| Chitrangada – Princess of Manipur | Arjuna’s other wife | Princess of Manipur, married to Arjuna after his time with Ulupi |
| Subhadra | Arjuna’s wife | Subhadra Arjuna’s wife Half-sister of Krishna, whom Arjuna married later during the events surrounding Tvashta’s celestial interventions |
Themes and Significance:
- Divine and Mortal Relationships: Ulupi’s story highlights the connections between the Nagas (serpent beings) and the human world, illustrating the intersection of divine and mortal realms. This dynamic is also echoed in narratives involving Babruvahana, the son of Arjuna and Chitrangada, whose birth further cemented ties between the earthly and celestial lineages.
- Vows and Exceptions: Arjuna’s adherence to his vow of celibacy reflects the importance of dharma, but Ulupi’s reasoning shows flexibility in interpreting these vows based on context.
- Boons and Protection: Ulupi’s boon, making Arjuna invulnerable in water, reflects the granting of divine protections by celestial beings, a common theme in Hindu mythology.
Ulupi’s story intertwines with Arjuna’s larger narrative, demonstrating themes of love, duty, and divine intervention, while also connecting to broader tales of his other marriages to Chitrangada and Subhadra. These events unfold within the expansive canvas of the Mahabharata – The Great Epic, particularly during Arjuna’s wanderings as detailed in this retelling of his exile and adventures.
Sources & further reading
These themes are explored in greater depth across the following authoritative resources:
- Britannica, Asura
- Britannica, Naga
- Mythopedia, Hindu Mythology
- Internet Sacred Text Archive, Mahabharata
- Wendy Doniger, Hindu Myths (Penguin Classics, 1975)
External resources for further reading. Apam Napat is not affiliated with these publishers; citation does not imply endorsement.
Based on the classical texts of Hindu mythology, see our sources.