Arjuna is Abducted by the Naga Princess Ulupi
While living in exile at the source of the Ganga, Arjuna enters the river to bathe and is suddenly pulled under the water. Ulupi, a Naga princess, has abducted him to her father's palace, desperate and smitten. She pleads with him to save her life by breaking his vow of celibacy, arguing it is the greater dharma.
Arjuna’s exile had brought him to the source of the Ganga, surrounded by brahmanas who performed sacred rites. The place became beautiful with the smoke of agnihotra (fire offerings) and the scattered flowers of their devotions. One day, Arjuna entered the river to bathe, performed his ablutions, and offered water to his ancestors. As he was about to climb out to perform his own rites to the fire, a hand grasped him and pulled him under.
He found himself in a palace under the water, before a well-built fire. He performed his rites there, and the fire-god, witnessing his unwavering oblations, was satisfied. Only then did Arjuna turn to the one who had brought him there — a beautiful woman.
He smiled and asked her, “O beautiful one! How did you perform such a courageous act? What land is this? Whose daughter are you?”
She was Ulupi, daughter of the Naga king Kouravya, who was descended from the great serpent Airavata. “I saw you descend into the water to bathe,” she said, “and was robbed of my senses by the god of love. He is churning me. I am yet a maiden. Please me today by giving yourself to me.”
Arjuna’s reply was gentle but firm. He was under a command from his elder brother, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, to observe brahmacharya (celibacy) for twelve years. He did not have control over himself in this matter. “I do wish to do that which brings you pleasure,” he said. “But never before this have I spoken that which is untrue. How can I bring pleasure to you and yet not violate dharma?”
Ulupi knew why he was roaming the earth. She knew of the rule the Pandavas had made for Draupadi — that anyone who entered her chamber while she was with another brother would retire to the forest for twelve years. “You are observing that dharma for Draupadi’s sake,” she said. “But in this case, dharma does not suffer.”
Her argument was not about passion, but about duty. “It is your duty to save those who are distressed. By saving me, dharma is not violated. Even if there is a slight transgression of dharma, by granting me life, you will achieve greater dharma.” She told him her desire was for him alone. “Know that if you do not do this, I will certainly die. Grant me life and achieve supreme dharma.”
Then she framed her plea as a formal refuge. “I am now seeking refuge with you. You have always protected those who are weak and without protectors. I am miserable and weeping and am seeking refuge with you. I am overcome with desire and am seeking you. Satisfy my desire by giving yourself to me.”
Hearing these words, Arjuna accepted dharma as the reason. He did what she wanted. The powerful Pandava spent the night in the palace of the serpent. When the sun rose, he arose from Kouravya’s abode and left.