उलूपि
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 and Subhadra, Krishna’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 | Arjuna’s other wife | Princess of Manipur, married to Arjuna after his time with Ulupi |
Subhadra | Arjuna’s wife | Half-sister of Krishna, whom Arjuna married later |
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.
- 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.