Ulupi - Chitrangada

“Dear Duryodhan, you look very worried.”

Duryodhan turned with a bitter face and said, “Tell me, maternal uncle, can a son ever be happy when his own father carries his greatest enemies on his head? I know, O King, that Duryodhan has ordered the rat to bring the Pandavas back to Hastinapur with great honor. But, but this very order has shattered all my dreams, maternal uncle. This order from my father feels like a death warrant to me.”

“Shame, friend, what are you saying?” Karna replied. “You are the eldest son of the king. The king loves you greatly.”

“Friend, love?” Duryodhan said sharply. “This is the proof of that love, right before my eyes. Angaraj Karna, the road to Hastinapur should have been closed forever for the Pandavas. Then the throne of the Kuru line would have been mine, mine alone. But father, he is too busy forgetting his own son and doing justice to those sons of Pandu. Tell me, Karna, did father support your proposal for war?”

“Perhaps,” Duryodhan went on in anger, “but Mahamantri Vidur, Mahamantri Vidur wants to destroy us while living on Hastinapur’s wealth. He has always been partial to the Pandavas. I think that in the house at Varanavat, he, he somehow saved the Pandavas.”

“The Mahamantri?” Karna asked in surprise.

Then Shakuni spoke in a calm voice. “Duryodhan, calm down. Your father may not see the danger before him, but you, though you have eyes, do not seem to know how to use them properly.”

“What do you mean, maternal uncle?” asked Duryodhan.

“I mean,” said Shakuni, “that whatever the king has done, he has done after careful thought. The Pandavas are no longer helpless. King Panchal now stands behind them. You know the strength of the Panchal army. Do not forget your past experience, child. And if the Yadav army joins them too, will you be able to defeat the Pandavas? No, you will not.”

He paused and continued, “Besides, because of the wax house, the people are already angry with us. If this war happens, have you thought what their feelings may be? The people may even begin to rebel. Thinking of all sides, the king has made the right decision, child. In a game, stepping back one step does not mean accepting defeat. Sometimes stepping back is needed so that you can leap on your enemy with twice the force. Do you understand, Duryodhan? Let the Pandavas come to Hastinapur.”

Karna’s eyes burned with another fire. “Duryodhan, in the svayamvar hall Panchali insulted me by calling me a charioteer’s son. Panchali will pay for that. And the five Pandavas must also suffer for the fault of their wife.”

At that moment a voice came from the doorway.

“Son Duryodhan.”

Duryodhan stood at once. “Mother, my respects. Mother, why did you come yourself? If you had ordered me, I would have come to you.”

Gandhari said, “I had sent news to brother Shakuni’s chamber, but I heard that all three of you were sitting here in your room in discussion. I wish to say something to all three of you together, so I came here myself.”

“Please command me, Mother,” Duryodhan said.

Gandhari spoke with grave dignity. “Panchali is the royal bride of this kingdom of Hastinapur, the daughter-in-law of our Kuru line. In honor and affection, your wife Bhanumati and the Pandavas’ wife Panchali are equal to me. So do nothing that may insult Panchali. Angaraj Karna may be your dearest friend, but perhaps he does not know the customs of the Kuru line. So in this matter he has no responsibility. The duty of protecting the honor of this family is yours alone, my son. Brother Shakuni is also a guest here. He is not of the Kuru line. Remember my words, Duryodhan.”

“As you command, Mother,” Duryodhan answered.

The Pandavas were soon going to return with mother Kunti and the daughter-in-law of the Kuru line. Vidur himself had gone to the kingdom of Panchal to bring them back. This news spread among the people of Hastinapur like wildfire.

They waited eagerly for the good moment. Each person decorated his home as much as he could. The chariot of the Pandavas would come by this very road with Panchali. Hastinapur began trying to make the path of their arrival beautiful.

Meanwhile Vidur reached the kingdom of Panchal with the invitation of King Dhritarashtra and many costly gifts. He met King Drupad of Panchal and gave him the messages of Dhritarashtra and Dronacharya. Vidur also spoke of the blessings of the great Bhishma and family teacher Kripacharya for the Pandavas and Panchali. He carefully told them too how happy the others of the Kuru line were at the good fortune of the Pandavas.

Then Vidur said to King Drupad, “Drupad, please accept Vidur’s greetings. The relatives of the Kuru line and the people of Hastinapur are all eager to see Queen Kunti, Yajnaseni Draupadi, and the five Pandavas, O King. Besides, the bride and Yudhishthir have all been away from the kingdom for a long time. Surely they too are eager to return to Hastinapur. Please grant them that gift. I promise that whenever the Pandavas and Krishnaa wish, I myself will arrange swift chariots and messengers for them to come quickly to Panchal. This I promise you, great one.”

Drupad replied, “Vidur, accept Drupad’s greetings. You yourself have come to my kingdom as a messenger. This has honored the kingdom of Panchal. I am also very happy to receive the message of King Dhritarashtra of Hastinapur and my friend Dronacharya. But I cannot order the five Pandavas and Krishnaa to return to Hastinapur. Only if Dharmaputra Yudhishthir himself decides so can the journey be arranged. Besides, the best of men, Krishna, is present in this sabha. His opinion about returning to Hastinapur should also be known.”

Yudhishthir bowed and said, “My respects. We are now under King Panchal. We will follow whatever decision he makes. He wishes to hear the opinion of Vasudev. In the matter of returning to Hastinapur, we are all waiting for the word of Vasudev. We will accept his decision as final.”

Vidur turned with respect. “Vasudev Krishna, please accept Vidur’s greetings.”

Krishna said, “Vasudev bows to the righteous Vidur. I wish for your complete well-being.”

“Best of men, Vasudev,” Vidur asked, “do you agree that the Pandavas should return to Hastinapur?”

Krishna answered, “I think it is now our highest duty to accept the invitation of Hastinapur. That kingdom is the rightful place of the Pandavas. If elder brother Yudhishthir has no different opinion, then the Pandavas should return there with mother Kunti and Krishnaa.”

Yudhishthir said at once, “Vasudev, when you give your consent, then I have nothing more to say. Mother, brothers, and Panchali, I wish to return there. Please allow it.”

Then Krishna smiled and said, “Though I was not invited, I too want to go to Hastinapur with the Pandavas.”

Vidur’s face lit up with joy. “Vidur, this is most fortunate. Vasudev, you yourself wish to come! This is such a great honor for Hastinapur. On behalf of the kingdom, I welcome you there from my heart.”

And so it was settled.

“Vasudev,” Vidur said, “tomorrow at the proper holy time we shall set out on the road to Hastinapur.”

Vidur set out on the road to Hastinapur with Krishna, Kunti, Draupadi, and the five Pandavas. The news that the five Pandavas would return had already come through swift messengers. Now it became known that Krishna was also coming with them.

To welcome the great Krishna and the family bride Krishnaa, preparations spread across the kingdom. The capital was decorated with garlands and lamps. All the people dressed in their finest ornaments.

When Dhritarashtra heard the news that the chariots of the Pandavas had reached near the border of the kingdom, he sent Vikarna, Chitrasen, Dronacharya, and Kripacharya to welcome them.

As the chariots of the Pandavas came nearer, the people of Hastinapur grew more eager to see Krishna with their own eyes. Some climbed to the tops of their houses, some to the branches of tall trees, and some onto the walls, and looked without blinking at Krishna and the five Pandavas.

From the chariot itself Yudhishthir bowed to the people of the kingdom. To the people of Hastinapur it seemed as if King Pandu himself had returned once again to the soil of the kingdom in his loving form. They welcomed the son of Pandu with great joy.

“Victory to Yudhishthir!”

Just behind Yudhishthir’s chariot was Krishna’s chariot. At the sight of him, the city of Hastinapur burst with joy.

“Victory to Vasudev Krishna! Victory to Vasudev! Come, Vasudev, come to Hastinapur! We welcome you! Today it truly feels as if a thousand suns have risen in Kuru land.”

When they arrived, Krishna bowed to Bhishma.

“Great Bhishma, Vasudev Krishna offers his respects.”

Yudhishthir also bowed. “My respects, Grandfather.”

Bhishma’s heart overflowed. “Live long, child Yudhishthir. Today I feel deep peace seeing that all of you are well.”

Yudhishthir asked, “My respects, Grandfather. Are you yourself well?”

Bhishma then called with love, “Arjun, dear Arjun, come, come, come, my son, come to me. Be fortunate, live long.”

Then Bhishma turned to Vidur. “Vidur.”

“Please command me, elder father,” Vidur replied.

“Take the five brothers to Pandu’s palace.”

Then Bhishma said to Krishna, “Come, come, Vasudev. Come to my palace. You must surely be very tired from the journey. I am arranging your rest.”

The Pandavas came to the royal court and bowed to King Dhritarashtra. Then Bhishma took Krishna with him to his own palace. Pandu’s palace was opened for the five Pandavas.

Kunti then went toward the inner chambers with Panchali. Gandhari herself was coming to receive them. They met her on the way.

“Kunti’s greetings, elder sister,” said Kunti.

“Come, Panchali,” Kunti said softly. “Bow to your elder mother.”

Gandhari stretched out her arms. “Kunti, come, sister, come to me. What a joyful day this is, what can I say! Today is my day of good fortune. Kunti, the goddess of fortune of my house has come.”

Draupadi bowed. “My respects, elder mother.”

“May blessings be upon you, Panchali,” Gandhari said. “I welcome you to the Kuru line, daughter. You are the fortune-goddess of this family. I shall welcome you properly. Blessed one, may you live long, daughter. Give birth to heroic sons. Become honored through husband and sons. Come, come, come into my embrace, daughter Panchali.”

“As you command, elder mother,” Draupadi said.

Then Gandhari spoke words full of meaning. “If anyone of the Kuru line ever insults you, then forgive him as if he were of your father’s family, daughter.”

Draupadi answered with humility, “What are you saying, elder mother? You are all my elders. May my respect always remain so forever.”

By Dhritarashtra’s order, the duty of hosting Krishna and the five Pandavas remained with Vidur. A festive mood spread throughout the kingdom. Seeing all that, taking part in the joy, and meeting their relatives, the Pandavas spent a few days quite happily.

But it goes without saying that Duryodhan and his companions had not a moment of peace at the return of the Pandavas.

Yet in the inner chambers one more person felt deep fear. It was Gandhari.

The moment she embraced Draupadi, her heart trembled. At Draupadi’s touch, Gandhari’s inner mind seemed to become full of speech. Suddenly she felt that because of this woman, great danger would come upon her hundred sons. Great destruction would come upon the Kuru line.

The thought made Gandhari tremble without knowing it herself. But she could say nothing to anyone.

In this way a few days passed in Hastinapur.

One day, at the call of King Dhritarashtra and the elders, the five Pandavas came to the royal court of Hastinapur. After bowing to the elders of the court, and after the Pandavas took their seats by Dhritarashtra’s order, Dhritarashtra said to Yudhishthir,

“Child Yudhishthir, you are the heirs of my younger brother, King Pandu. You too have a right over the Kuru kingdom. Therefore I am dividing this great Kuru kingdom into two parts. One part will remain under my rule. The prince of that part will be Duryodhan. And you shall be king of the other part. I give you Khandavaprastha. Go there with your four brothers, Draupadi, and your relatives and household, my child. When the kingdom is divided, it will be good in every way. There will be no quarrel or conflict with Duryodhan. And if Arjun himself stands as the protector of Khandavaprastha, then no one will be able to harm you. Son, be victorious.”

Yudhishthir bowed and answered, “Father, as you command, elder father, may your wish be fulfilled. We will set out toward Khandavaprastha. My respects, O King.”

With Krishna before them, the chariots of the five Pandavas sped toward Khandavaprastha through the dangerous and deep Khandava forest.

But after crossing that terrible forest and reaching the city, the Pandavas were amazed.

As they looked at the walls, the beautiful mansions, the many trees full of flowers and fruits, the rivers, the many lovely buildings, the wide roads, the secure city, and its guards and armies shining with fine weapons, the five Pandavas entered that city with Krishna.

When the news spread that the Pandavas would establish a new capital at Khandavaprastha, many Brahmins and merchants came and settled in that city. Trade moves smoothly under a king who does not make people fear for their lives and honor, and under Dharmaputra Yudhishthir the victory of religion and justice would be declared everywhere. For that reason these two groups of people became followers of the Pandavas.

In politics, religion, economy, and nature, Khandavaprastha soon shone like the bright court of Indra. In people’s talk, the name of that kingdom became Indraprastha.

After establishing the people-loving King Yudhishthir in the new kingdom, Vasudev Krishna returned to Dwaraka.

Meanwhile, on the advice of the sage Narad, the Pandavas had made a rule among themselves regarding Draupadi. Each brother would live with their shared wife Draupadi in his own house for one year. During that time, if any other brother happened to see them, then he would have to go to the forest for 12 years as a celibate.

Even after making this hard vow, quite some time passed.

One morning Arjun had gone out to see with his own eyes whether the protection of the city was being properly maintained. Just then a Brahmin came running to him, crying loudly.

“Alas, alas, alas, alas, alas, alas, alas! Some cruel criminals have again stolen all my cattle. Such an insult to Brahmins in the kingdom of this righteous king! O Pandavas, protect this poor Brahmin. If I lose my cattle, I will have nothing left at all. A king who takes one-sixth of the harvest as tax and still cannot protect his people becomes a sharer in sin. By your strength, by your strength, recover my cattle for me. I ask for nothing else.”

Arjun said, “O Brahmin, do not cry so. Return to your home. I am Arjun. I promise you, do not worry. I will bring back your cattle.”

Arjun gave his word to the Brahmin. But the room where his weapons were kept was the very room where Yudhishthir was then living with Draupadi. How could he enter that room and break the vow? Then he would have to go into exile for 12 years. But if he failed to recover the Brahmin’s cattle, then King Yudhishthir’s name would be dishonored. Dharmaputra would then fail in his duty as king.

Which should he choose, his own vow or his duty?

Arjun’s mind became troubled. Thinking many thoughts, at last Arjun chose duty. Then with a fearless heart he entered that room, took his weapons with Yudhishthir’s permission, and went out to recover the Brahmin’s cattle.

Very easily he snatched the cattle back from the criminals and kept his word to the Brahmin. Then with a calm mind he asked Yudhishthir for permission to go into exile.

Yudhishthir said, “Arjun, if you truly think of me as your lord, then listen carefully to my words. For an elder to enter the room of a younger is wrong, but a younger may enter the room of an elder. There is no wrong in that, brother. I have not been insulted in the least. Besides, you have acted according to duty. If you had not done this, then it would have been my own failure in duty. Then why should you be guilty? You do not have to go into exile, younger brother. I tell you, you have done no wrong.”

But Arjun bowed and answered, “Forgive me, elder brother. For the first time in my life I must disobey your order. I was bound by a vow. I must bear the burden of breaking that vow. Otherwise I will fall from righteousness. Touching this bow, I say, O King, I cannot turn away from the path of truth. Do not free me from the guilt of breaking the vow. I ask you with folded hands for permission to go into exile.”

What else could King Yudhishthir do? He had to give Arjun permission to go into exile for 12 years.

Bowing to Yudhishthir, Arjun left Indraprastha on foot. Several learned Brahmins of the kingdom also set out on the road with him. Crossing many rivers, lakes, and lands, and taking part in sacrifices at the hermitages of sages, Arjun went farther and farther.

He dressed like a celibate student and did not even touch weapons unless it was truly needed. With sacrifices, hearing religious teachings, fasting, and studying the Vedas, the third Pandava was now living a completely new life.

While traveling, one day Arjun reached the bank of the Ganga.

He stood by the holy river and said, “Ah, what a wonderful breeze! It cools both body and mind. Today, before bathing in the holy water of the Ganga, I will offer water to my ancestors. O Goddess Ganga, please allow my feet to touch your water, Goddess. Tasmai swadha namah, tasmai swadha namah, tasmai swadha namah. Om, destroyer of sins, destroyer of sorrows, giver of joy and liberation, O Ganga, supreme one.”

But suddenly he cried out, “What is this! Who is pulling me into the water? Are you a god or a yaksha?”

A voice answered, “O mighty-armed Arjun, I am Ulupi, daughter of the Naga king Kauravya. Welcome to the Naga kingdom.”

Arjun looked at her with surprise. “Daughter of the Naga king, how did you dare bring Arjun here, girl?”

Ulupi replied without fear, “Love perhaps makes a lover brave. When you entered the Ganga for your offering and bath, Arjun, I saw you and became enchanted. So I brought you to this Naga kingdom. Accept my offer of love, beloved. I ask from you a mighty son equal to yourself. Do not turn me away, mighty-armed one. If you do, you will become a killer.”

“A killer?” Arjun said. “What are you saying, girl? I have killed no one. I have no enemy in this kingdom.”

Ulupi answered, “O brave Arjun, if you reject me, I will give up my life that very moment. With death all my pain will end.”

Arjun said gently, “Ulupi, I do not wish to reject your love, but I am helpless. I set out from Indraprastha under a vow of celibacy. How can I break that vow?”

Ulupi replied, “I know of your vow, Arjun. But that vow of celibacy is only in the matter of Draupadi, not in the matter of any other woman. Do not fear, third Pandava. If you fulfill my wish, you will not be guilty of breaking your vow.”

Arjun thought for a moment and then said, “Very well, then let it be so. I will marry you today. But I will stay here only for this one night. Tomorrow, with sunrise, I will set out again on my wandering. Do not stop me, beautiful one.”

“No, best of men, I will not stop you,” Ulupi said. “May you conquer all moving beings. I give you this boon, Arjun.”

From that one day of married life between Arjun and Ulupi, Arjun’s son Iravan was born in Ulupi’s womb. But Arjun was already far away from the Naga world by then.

As promised, he then set out toward the Himalayas. Arjun became satisfied after crossing the Vashishta mountain, other mountains, the Nanda and Mahananda rivers, and visiting many holy places in Gaya, Anga, Banga, and Kalinga.

The Brahmins who had come with him from Indraprastha took leave of him from the kingdom of Kalinga. Arjun was now completely alone.

After crossing Kalinga and visiting other holy places, Arjun came by way of Mahendra mountain to the kingdom of Manipur. While visiting the temples and holy hermitages there, Arjun reached the capital of Manipur.

As he looked with wonder at that beautiful capital, lovely like a picture, and at its roads, markets, mansions, and gardens, he passed garden after garden and slowly moved toward the royal palace.

On the way he suddenly saw a young woman riding a horse and stood still like stone.

She wore royal dress, a crown on her head, and a sword hung from her waist. She was wonderfully beautiful. Dignity, strength, and freedom seemed to form a strange shining circle around her. No one had ever seen such a woman before.

Arjun asked a passerby, “Who is she?”

Then he said more clearly, “Honored sir, that lady sitting on horseback in royal dress, who is she? What is her identity? Why does she have to wear royal dress?”

The man replied, “She is the crown prince of this kingdom.”

“Crown prince?” Arjun said. “But she is a woman!”

“Sir, perhaps you have come to Manipur for the first time. That is why you do not know Prince Chitrangada.”

“Prince Chitrangada? Forgive me, I do not understand.”

The man smiled. “You are a new guest. Welcome to Manipur. Our princess Chitrangada, though she is a woman, has been raised by the king himself like a son. In warfare, in the use of weapons, in attacking an enemy, and in answering an attack, she is no less than any prince.”

“How strange!” Arjun said. “I have never seen such a princess. I must speak with her once. Her proud manner draws me like a magnet.”

Then he looked up. “Look there, look there, she is riding this way. Let me stand before her once.”

The princess reined in her horse before him and said, “You are standing in front of my galloping horse! Do you not care for your life, traveler?”

Arjun replied, “I have come from a far country. I waited here so that I might speak with you once.”

Chitrangada answered boldly, “Princess Chitrangada is not a hidden woman behind curtains. Why should anyone wait in such secrecy to speak with her? You may see me anywhere in the city. Besides, I do not speak with an unknown man of uncertain birth and conduct. If you have some special trouble, you may say it.”

Arjun said, “My trouble is very great. But I shall speak of it to the king of Manipur himself.”

Arjun came before Chitravahana, the king of Manipur. Since he was a guest from a foreign land, the guards brought him to the royal court. Bowing and greeting the king, Arjun took his seat in the court by the king’s order.

Seeing his shining beauty, long arms, bright eyes, noble head, and calm manner, King Chitravahana felt that this man was not from an ordinary house. He must surely be the descendant of some great hero. With respect, King Chitravahana asked Arjun his identity.

“O guest, do you have some special need before me? Tell me, what do you want?”

Arjun answered plainly, “O King, I desire your daughter Chitrangada. I am a Kshatriya by birth, so there is no barrier for you to give your daughter into my hands.”

“But I do not know you, prince,” said the king. “What is your identity? Whose son are you? From what land have you come?”

“O King, I am Arjun, son of Kunti. While traveling through many lands on my long wandering, I reached Manipur. Here on the royal road I saw your daughter Chitrangada and was enchanted, O King.”

The king’s face brightened. “So, you are Arjun, son of Kunti! Truly this is a day of great joy. I have long known that no one but Arjun could be a worthy husband for my Chitrangada. But I have one condition for this marriage, Dhananjay.”

“Please command me, O King,” said Arjun.

The king said, “Long ago in our line there was a king named Prabhanjan, who had no child. Wishing for a son, that king performed hard penance. Pleased by his penance, Lord Shiva granted him a boon and said that in every generation of this line one son would be born. Though all my forefathers had sons, I myself had no son. I have only this one daughter, Chitrangada. But I think of her as my son. I have raised her in that way. The son born from Chitrangada’s womb will be counted as my heir and will sit on the throne of Manipur. If you can promise this, then I have no objection to your marriage with Chitrangada.”

“As you command, O King,” Arjun replied. “Your wish shall be fulfilled. I have no objection to this condition.”

Arjun agreed to the condition of King Chitravahana of Manipur. And when Princess Chitrangada learned Arjun’s true identity, she too had no objection. Perhaps in her heart that strong princess had been waiting for the third Pandava.

Then all across the kingdom of Manipur, great preparations began for the marriage of the princess. Even the gods of heaven became eager to see the union of Arjun dressed as the groom and Chitrangada as the bride. The blessings of the king of gods, Indra, rained upon the head of his son Arjun.

Arjun became deeply happy to gain such an unmatched woman as Chitrangada.

In truth, though Arjun had won Draupadi in the svayamvar hall, Yajnaseni had not become Arjun’s wife alone, but the shared wife of all five Pandavas. It is true that Arjun had no jealousy in his heart. But Draupadi, queen of the royal line, was tied in many ways by rules and duties. Along with that, the brothers themselves had fixed the rule that each would live with her for only one year at a time. So there was little chance for private love between Yajnaseni and Arjun.

Into that empty place in his heart came Chitrangada. She may not have been Arjun’s first love, yet this bond too remained in his heart like light.

Of the 12 years of wandering, Arjun spent the longest time in Manipur. After nearly three years of married life, Arjun again set out on his wandering, leaving Chitrangada in Manipur.

Embracing Chitrangada and taking leave from King Chitravahana, Arjun went toward the five holy places of the southern sea. These five holy places were Agastya, Saubhadra, Pauloma, Karandhama, and Bharata.

But what was this? Why were there no sages and ascetics at these holy places? Why were these sacred places lying empty like this?

Arjun was greatly surprised. Far from the holy place he found a sage in a hut. Bowing to him and giving his identity, Arjun asked, “O revered sage, the scriptures praise these five holy places so highly. Why then are these places so empty of people?”

The sage replied, “Arjun, in the waters of each of these five holy places there is a terrible crocodile. Whoever enters the water is dragged away. Out of fear of them no one comes here. These holy places, where even the gods once came to perform penance, now lie deserted.”

Arjun said, “Do not be troubled, revered sage. I will make such arrangements that life may return again to all these holy places. I will bathe in the waters of this holy place.”

The sage cried out, “No, no, Arjun, no. It is a most terrible crocodile. No one survives its bite. You will not be able to kill it even with arrows. Your arrows will not pierce its skin, child.”

“Do not be afraid, revered sage,” Arjun answered. “If your blessing is with me, I will be able to do everything.”

After calming the sage, Arjun entered the river at the Saubhadra holy place to bathe. The moment he entered, a huge crocodile bit his leg. Arjun then dragged the crocodile out by force and threw it onto the riverbank.

But as soon as it came out and fell there, the covering of the crocodile began to fall away. From inside that terrible shape there slowly came out a most beautiful woman.

Seeing that ornamented woman, Arjun stood amazed.

“O lady, who are you? And why were you here in the form of a crocodile?”

She answered, “I am no ordinary woman. I am a heavenly apsara. My name is Varga. In heaven I was dear to Kubera. Once I had gone with four of my friends to visit Indra’s world. On our way back we saw a handsome young Brahmin in a forest reciting the Vedas. We all tried together to tempt him, and he became terribly angry and cursed us. By that curse we five friends were born as terrible crocodiles in the rivers of these five holy places.”

Then she continued, “But after hearing our pleading, the Brahmin said that if some best of men could lift us from the water and bring us onto the riverbank, then we would regain our old forms. A hundred years after that curse, you have freed me. I request you, please free my other four friends too, O hero. In the rivers of the other four holy places they too are counting the moments of their sorrow, just as I was. I cannot return to heaven without them.”

Arjun said, “I accept your command upon my head. Please show me the way, lady. I will free your friends too.”

Taking the apsara Varga with him, Arjun went one by one to the other four holy places. From those holy places too he freed four more apsaras who were in the form of crocodiles.

The five apsaras then happily returned to heaven.

When the news spread that the curse of the five holy places had ended, the sages, seers, and ascetics were stirred with joy. They all raised both hands and blessed Arjun.

Bowing to the sages and seers, Arjun again set out on the road. His wandering had still not ended. He still had to move forward. But in some hidden string of his heart, Manipur still kept sounding. There Chitrangada still stood in living form.

Was Arjun then growing weak? No, he was a hero. He needed freedom from every weakness. A hero must have no bond pulling him back. He had to become detached.

To cut away all the cords of his weakness, Arjun returned once again to Manipur. He had to draw his heart away from Chitrangada. But before that, according to the condition of King Chitravahana, he had to leave a child in Chitrangada’s womb. Yet that child would not belong to the Kuru line. So except for memory, Arjun had nothing to take with him. He would leave behind no claim, no right of his own.

Perhaps it was to free himself from those duties that Arjun returned once more to Manipur. He returned to his Chitrangada.

In all his wandering life, this was the only time that his feet touched again the land he had once left.

Had this struggle between heart and duty become a heavy burden upon Arjun?

Fighting with himself, Arjun returned to Manipur. He would have to leave even this attraction behind.