In the land of snakes

Arjuna reached the city called Manipur, the capital city of Naga (naaga) which was the land of snakes, after passing through several friendly and hostile domains. He had married a princess, Citrangada, of the kingdom and begot a son by name Babhruvahana in her. Besides, he also had wedded Uloopi of the Nagas and fathered another son by name Iravan through her. The former was the ruling monarch of the land at that time.

A royal welcome

Babhruvahana, hearing the arrival of his illustrious father, went to receive him with all royal honours. Arjuna accepted the hospitality, but, instead of showing appreciation, rebuked his son. The Pandava said. “What you have done is not worthy of your Kshatriya blood. You could see very well that I have come in full armour and am holding my famous Gandiva. As a valiant king it was your duty to challenge me. Instead, you meekly submitted to the free movement of my horse. This was not what I expected of you, especially, being one of my own.”

Babhruvahana was in two minds even after hearing the words of reprisal from his father. He thought that his duty as king conflicted with his obligation as son of Arjuna. How could he fight against his own father?

Uloopi advises her step-son.

At that time, Uloopi arrived on the scene hearing the arrival of her husband. She, on evaluating the situation, advised her step son to fight. And, so did the king. He was reluctant in the beginning. But, Arjuna encouraged him, especially when one of his well aimed arrows pierced into the Pandava’s body through his armour.

The fight soon developed all the seriousness of a battle between two enemies. Arjuna killed the horses of the Naga king and destroyed his chariot. Babhruvahana, continued to fight from the ground and startled his father with the very power of his arrows. Then, one of his well aimed ones found the gap in the Pandava’s armour and pierced deeply into the latter’s heart. In the next moment the hero of the Mahabharata war fell down and lost his life. Krishna, who always warned Arjuna of all dangers ahead and even saved him at the last moment was not present.

The tragic scene

Babhruvahana had never wished to fight in the first place. The desire to kill his own father whom he loved and revered was never in his mind. The tragedy struck him with remorse and he also fell down unconscious.

Citrangada got news of the tragedy and immediately arrived on the scene. Soon, she also lost her senses, finding the dead body of her husband and assuming her son also to be dead. In a short while Uloopi also arrived there. At that time Citrangada regained her consciousness and started lamenting about the double tragedy, the death of her husband and son, in her family. She swore that she would fast until death (praayopaveSam), unless the two, her husband and son, get back their lives.

Babhruvahana soon opened his eyes and found his father lying down on the ground, killed by his own arrow. He also learned about the pledge of his mother to end her own life by way of penance. He was grief stricken and pledged to end his life, too, by stopping to eat forthwith. He purified himself with water (aacamanam), sat down on the ground and remained silent.

Uloopi was overwhelmed by the turn of events in which she bore part of the blame. She had urged the king to fight against the Pandava against his own will. Now she looked with aching heart at her dead husband and the other two who swore to kill themselves.”

Suddenly, she remembered the magical gem in possession of the Nagas which had life giving powers. She prayed to the (guardian deity of) the gem and found it in her own hands instantaneously.

Uloopi, then, spoke to Babhruvahana. “Son, do not grieve. Look at the life giving gem of ours in my hand. Place this on the heart of your father and you shall see the miracle for yourself in the next moment.” Babhruvahana did accordingly and was pleased to observe signs of life appearing on the fallen hero of the Pandavas. Arjuna, soon, opened his eyes filling the heart of all around with joy.

(To be continued)