Sunda and Upasunda 
King Janamejaya said: 
O ascetic, what did the noble Päëòavas do after attaining a kingdom at Indraprastha? They were all my great-grandfathers, those great souls, but how could Draupadé follow, as a religious wife, five husbands? And how could those five exalted princes live with Draupadé as their only wife and not fight among themselves? Dear sage, I want to hear everything in detail–how they dealt with each other and managed their relationship with Draupadé. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
The Päëòavas were truly tigers of men, warriors who burned their enemies, yet they were noble and submissive to their elders, and so with the permission of Dhåtaräñöra they and Draupadé enjoyed their new kingdom. On obtaining the realm, powerful Yudhiñöhira, fixed in truthfulness, ruled over the country with his brothers according to the pious law. Conquering their enemies and devoted to truth and justice, the very learned sons of Päëòu dwelled there with the greatest of joy. Taking their seats on priceless royal thrones, they who were the best of men administered to all the needs of the citizens. 
Once when all those great souls were sitting on their thrones, the godly sage Närada happened to come there, and Yudhiñöhira immediately gave him his own lovely seat. When the Devarñiö was seated, wise Yudhiñöhira personally honored him with the customary gift of arghya and then offered his kingdom to the sage. Närada happily accepted the honorable welcome, and after blessing the king to prosper, he told him, «Please be seated.» 
King Yudhiñöhira sat down with Närada's permission and at once sent word to Draupadé: «The holy one has come.» Hearing this, Draupadé quickly cleansed herself and then with great attention went to where Närada was sitting with the Päëòavas. Worshiping the Devarñi's feet, that very religious woman, the daughter of Drupada, stood before him, her body chastely covered and her hands folded in reverence. 
The greatest of sages, ever truthful and immersed in the spiritual life, pronounced various blessings upon the princess, and then godly Närada told that faultless woman, «You may go now.» 
When Kåñëä had left, the godly sage said to the Päëòavas, headed by Yudhiñöhira, as they sat together in private, «The glorious princess of Päïcäla is the lawful wife of all of you, and a rule must be instituted so that there will be no conflict among you. It is well known that there were two demonic brothers named Sunda and Upasunda, and because they were united no one in the three worlds could slay them. They shared one kingdom, one house, one bed, and one seat, and they ate from one plate. But they eventually killed each other over a girl named Tilottamä. Therefore the loving friendship you share with one another must be protected. Yudhiñöhira, you must act so that there will be no division among you.» 
Yudhiñöhira said: 
O great sage, whose sons were those two demons, Sunda and Upasunda? How did a conflict arise between them, and how did they slay one another? The two brothers became completely insane and killed each other out of lust for the Apsarä named Tilottamä. Please tell me whose daughter was that celestial maiden? O ascetic sage, you have aroused tremendous curiosity in us, and we desire to hear the whole story as it happened and in detail. 
Närada Muni said: 
Hear from me, Yudhiñöhira, son of Påthä, along with your brothers, this ancient history in detail and just as it happened. Long ago, among the descendants of the great demon Hiraëyakaçipu, there was a strong and mighty demon named Nikumbha, who became the leader of the Daityas. Two sons were born of him, and both were endowed with unusual prowess and frightening audacity. These two enjoyed everything together and would do nothing separately. Always trying to please each other with their words and deeds, they developed the same behavior, as if one person had been made into two. As the two mighty creatures grew in strength they shared a single determination in all their tasks, and gradually they focused their determination on the single objective of conquering the three worlds. 
Taking initiation into the Vedic science, they went to Vindhya and there performed dreadful austerities. For a very long time those two did not desist from their ambitious practice of self-discipline. They wore tree bark and long matted hair and drove themselves to the limits of hunger, thirst, and exhaustion. With their limbs caked with dirt, they began to eat only air. For a long time they stood on the tips of their toes, arms upraised, staring with unblinking eyes and offering pieces of their own flesh in sacrifice, and they did not waver from their vows. 
The two Vindhya hills, which for a long time had been heating up from the power of their fiery austerities, finally belched out clouds of smoke. It was a wondrous sight. Even the gods were frightened by this, seeing how fierce were the austerities of the two brothers, and the gods created obstacles to break the austerities. Again and again they tried to seduce the brothers with jewels and women, but the two would not break their vows, for they had sworn them with utmost determination. 
The gods tried again by creating magical effects in front of the two mighty souls, who suddenly saw their sisters, mother, aunts, wives, and other relatives being cruelly attacked by a Räkñasa, spear in hand. The terrified women ran about, their hair and ornaments disheveled, and finally, losing all of their clothes, they all screamed out to the two brothers, «We beg you! Save us! Save us!» 
Mighty in their vows, the two would not break their discipline. When neither of the brothers would allow himself to be disturbed or feel any grief, the women and the Räkñasa and the whole scene vanished before them. 
At last Lord Brahmä, the grandfather of all the worlds, approached the two great demons and offered to grant them whatever they desired, [for by their austerities they had earned a boon]. The two brothers Sunda and Upasunda were fixed in their determination, and upon seeing the creator and grandfather standing before them, they stood with folded hands and in unison they said to the creator, «If the grandfather is satisfied with our austerity, then let us both become knowers of magic, knowers of weapons, most powerful, and able to change our bodies at will. And if the lord is truly satisfied with us, then grant us immortality!» 
The Grandfather said: 
Except for immortality, all that you request will be granted. Select some other arrangement for your death, as even the gods do. You have undertaken these mighty austerities to achieve a material objective, and by any such materially motivated endeavor one can never achieve immortality. You took to austerity to conquer the universe, and for that reason, O leaders of the Daityas, I cannot fulfill your desire. 
Sunda and Upasunda said: 
We wish that within the universe there be no danger for us from any creature–moving or unmoving. Our death will come only from each other, O Grandfather. 
The Grandfather said: 
That which you have requested, exactly as you have stated it, I now grant to you. The arrangement of your death will be according to this boon. 
Närada Muni said: 
Then, having given them this boon and restrained them from further austerities, the grandfather returned to his own planet, Brahmaloka. The two mighty demons also went home, for having achieved all these wishes they were now invulnerable in all the material worlds. Seeing that the two great demons had achieved their wishes and fulfilled their desires, all of their close associates and relatives began to rejoice and celebrate. The two of them gave up their matted locks and placed crowns on their heads, adorned themselves with priceless jewelry, and dressed in the purest garments. At an incorrect time the two demon leaders and their relatives celebrated the full-moon festival, but still they managed to satisfy all their desires with the most pleasure they had ever known. 
«Eat! Enjoy! Don't stop–have a good time! Let's sing, everybody! Drink! Take this–it's yours!» Everywhere, in every house, these were the merry cries; people drank like never before, loudly clapping their hands, and the whole city of demons thrilled to the joyous celebration. The demonic Daityas could change their forms at will, and in these many merry ways they lost themselves in play. Thus the passing years seemed to them like a single day. 
Närada Muni continued: 
As soon as the celebration was over, Sunda and Upasunda, yearning to conquer the universe, took counsel and called out their army. Their close friends and the Daitya elders and councilors bade them farewell, and having performed the rites for an auspicious journey, they set out in the dead of night under the constellation Mägha, at the head of a great and united Daitya army, equipped with clubs and three-bladed spears and with lances and hammers in their hands. 
The two went forth with supreme confidence, and on the way they were praised by the mystic Cäraëas with rousing battle hymns meant to invoke fortune and victory. The two Daityas flew up into space, for they could travel anywhere at will, and they went straight to the home of the gods in a warlike frenzy. Realizing they had come, and knowing also the boon they had acquired from Lord Brahmä, the gods gave up their heavenly abode and went to Brahmaloka. Thus with their intense prowess the two brothers conquered the planet of Indra and the hosts of Yakñas and Räkñasas and subdued the sky-borne beings as well. 
The great demons then conquered the Nägas, who had gone within the earth, and all the ocean dwellers, and they subjugated the nations of mlecchas. Then they began to systematically conquer all the earth, placing it under their dread rule. Calling together all the warriors, they vehemently spoke these harsh words: «The strength and stamina of the gods, and their fortune as well, are fed by the grand sacrifices and oblations offered by saintly kings and brähmaëas, who thus flourish as enemies of the demons. We must therefore find out and slay every one of them.» 
Thus instructing all their men as they stood on the eastern shore of the great ocean, those two proceeded in all directions, fixed in their cruel decision. The two mighty demons then forcefully attacked every brähmaëa who was offering sacrifice to the Supreme or engaging others in the same. Fearlessly entering the hermitages of self-realized sages, their demonic soldiers seized the sacred fires and hurled them into the water. When the exalted sages furiously pronounced curses upon them, they had no effect on the two brothers, who had grown wild by the gift of the boon. 
When their curses had no effect, like arrows fired on stone, the brähmaëas abandoned their religious centers and fled. Whoever on the earth was perfect in austerity, self-controlled, and devoted to peace fled in fear of the two demons, like snakes fleeing from Garuòa. When the centers of spiritual culture were thus attacked and broken to pieces, with their sacred pots and spoons and other religious articles scattered all about, the whole world seemed vacant, as if struck down by the force of mortal time. 
When saintly kings and sages were no longer visible–for they were all hiding in fear–the two mighty demons, eager to murder, transformed themselves into maddened elephants with oozing temples. Charging wildly about, they sent those who were lying concealed in hard-to-reach places to the lord of death. 
They became two lions, and again two tigers, and again became invisible. By all these methods the savage ones continued to slaughter the sages wherever they could find them. All over the giving earth, sacrifice and scriptural study ceased, the royal and priestly orders were decimated, and pious festivals and offerings were devastated. The earth could only cry out in anguish and fear. Even buying and selling were stopped, as were all the duties that are done for God, as well as the beauty of sacred marriage. 
Plowing and cow protection were no more, the towns and hermitages were ravished, and with bones and skeletons strewn about her, the earth was a dreadful sight. Gone were the offerings to the departed elders and the inspiring temple chant. The whole world, wearing the face of terror, was a sight not to be seen. 
Seeing the works of Sunda and Upasunda, the moon, the sun, the planets, stars, and asterisms, along with all who dwell in heaven, were struck with utter despair. Thus having conquered in all directions by cruel deeds, and facing no further opposition, the two Daityas established their residence in Kurukñetra. 
Närada Muni continued: 
Thereupon all the supreme and godly sages and the perfect mystics were mortified to see the terrible persecution. Out of compassion for the universe, they who had conquered worldly anger by controlling the mind and senses proceeded to the abode of the Grandfather, and there they saw him seated with the gods, surrounded by the Siddhas and Vedic sages. Indra was there, as were Çiva, fire, the wind, the sun, the moon, Dharma, and Budha, son of the moon. 
The Vaikhänasas, Välakhilyas, Vänaprasthas, and beam-drinking sages had all come, along with the unborn, unbewildered sages and the Tejogarbha ascetics. All these groups of sages had come to see the Grandfather, Brahmä. All the grand thinkers approached together and related to Brahmä the wicked works of Sunda and Upasunda–what they had done and how they had done it, and in what sequence. They revealed everything to Brahmä, leaving nothing out. All the hosts of gods and supreme sages then urged the Grandfather to deal with this problem as his first priority. Hearing all their words, the Grandfather pondered for a moment and then decided what must be done. He authorized the killing of the two brothers and called the heavenly designer Viçvakarmä. When he saw him, the Grandfather gave this instruction: «Create an irresistibly maddening woman!» 
Thus spoke the greatest ascetic, and Viçvakarmä bowed to the Grandfather and welcomed his instruction. He thought deeply and, working hard, constructed a heavenly woman. So much did he endeavor that he brought together in one woman all of the beautiful features of every moving and unmoving creature that lives in the three worlds, and he invested in the woman's limbs these millions of jewels of loveliness. Thus he created a woman of celestial shape and splendor, a monumental composite of gemlike beauties. 
Viçvakarmä built her with grand endeavor, and in all the three worlds not a single woman equaled her in the gorgeous quality of her figure and face. Such was her endowment of loveliness that not a single tiny part of her limbs was flawed or failed to entangle the eyes of those who beheld her. 
Like the goddess of fortune incarnate, she possessed a most lovely, radiant body that stole the eyes and minds of all creatures. Bringing bits and pieces of jewels, her creator had fashioned her, and thus she was named Tilottamä, «the ultimate woman, from bits [of beauty.]» 
The Grandfather said: 
Now, Tilottamä, go unto Sunda and Upasunda and with your beautifully endowed body arouse their desire, good woman. Behave so that simply by seeing you a conflict arises between them over the possession of your perfect body and they fight each other for your sake. 
Närada Muni said: 
«So it shall be,» she promised, and after bowing to the Grandfather, she respectfully circumambulated the gods. Lord Brahmä, the great controller, sat to the south, facing east; the gods sat to the north; and the sages were all around. As she walked around them, making her circle, Indra and Sthäëu gravely kept themselves steady in mind, but Sthäëu desired very much to see her, and as she moved to his side he sprouted another face, with curving lashes, on his south side. As she continued around behind him, he sprouted a face on that side, and as she moved to the northern side, he sprouted a northern face. The great Indra manifested wide red eyes on his two sides and in front and back, until he had a thousand eyes all over his body. Thus the great lord Sthäëu became four-headed, and Indra, slayer of Bala, grew one thousand eyes. 
Wherever Tilottamä went, the faces of the hosts of gods and sages turned that way and followed her. The vision of those illustrious souls was locked on the limbs of the woman, except for the greatest god, the Grandfather. All the gods and mighty sages, seeing her perfect beauty as she moved along, considered that their task was already accomplished. When Tilottamä had gone to do her work, the maintainer of the world sent all the hosts of gods and sages back to their own abodes. 
Närada Muni continued: 
Having conquered the wide world, the two demons ruled the universe in a cool and deliberate manner, for having done all they set out to do, they had no rivals and felt no anxiety. Taking away all the jewels and treasures of the gods, Gandharvas, Yakñas, Nägas, earthly kings, and Räkñasas, they felt the highest satisfaction. 
When there were no authorities anywhere to forbid or challenge them, they ceased from their strenuous efforts and simply enjoyed life as if they were two immortal gods. With abundant women, opulent necklaces and garlands, magnificent perfumes, the finest food, varieties of liquors that move the heart, and all that is rich and enjoyable, they achieved the highest pleasure. In their private apartments, in the forested parks, gardens, and hilltop groves, and in all the places and lands that men desire, they enjoyed like two deathless gods. 
One day they were freely enjoying in a forest of bright blossoming Çäla trees atop the stoney plateau of the Vindhya hills. All things that give heavenly pleasure were brought there for the brothers, and the two joyfully sat with their women on excellent seats. 
The women entertained them with music and dancing and with songs that praised their feats, and then the women came near them for pleasure. It was then that Tilottamä appeared in the forest, collecting flowers, dressed in a single piece of red cloth that exposed the beauty of her body. Searching for karëikära flowers that grew on the riverbank, she gradually came to the spot where the two mighty demons sat. They were drinking fine liquors, and upon seeing the shapely lady with their bloodshot eyes, their minds became agitated. The two of them got up, left their seat, and went to where she stood. Both were maddened by lust, and both yearned to have her. With his hand, Sunda took the right hand of the fine-browed woman, and Upasunda held Tilottamä's left hand. The brothers were intoxicated by their boon and with their own strength. They were drunk from liquor and maddened by their wealth and jewels. 
Intoxicated by all these types of madness, they scowled at each other, furrowing their brows. Being overwhelmed by the madness of lust, they spoke to each other. «She's my wife and your guru!» declared Sunda. «She's my wife and your sister-in-law!» insisted Upasunda. Both flew into a rage, telling each other, «She's not yours, she's mine!» Intent on getting her, both of them grabbed their ferocious clubs and, dizzy with lust, bashed one another, screaming, «I shall be first! I shall be first!» 
Struck by the horrible clubs, the two collapsed onto the earth, their bodies smeared with blood, like two bright suns fallen from the sky. Thereupon the women and the entire host of demons, trembling with shock and fear, fled to the lower world of Pätäla. 
Then the Grandfather [Lord Brahmä], with the gods and great sages, came to inspect the scene, and that pure soul paid homage to Tilottamä. Brahmä awarded her a wish of her choosing, and she chose the simple pleasure of devoted service to Lord Brahmä. The grandfather then happily said to her, «Bright maiden, you will move freely in the worlds of the gods, and such will be your radiance that none will easily see you.» Having given her this boon, the Grandfather of all the material planets entrusted the three worlds to Lord Indra, and he returned to his own planet, Brahmaloka. 
Thus the united brothers, sharing a single conviction in all matters, furiously murdered each other for the sake of Tilottamä. Therefore out of affection I am telling this story to all of you, who are the glory of the Bharatas. Now, if you want to please me, arrange things so that you all don't fight over Draupadé. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Thus addressed by the great sage Närada, the exalted Päëòavas immediately sat down together, O king, and in the presence of Devarñi Närada of immeasurable might, they reached an agreement as follows: «Whenever one of us is sitting alone with Draupadé, if another of us intrudes upon them the intruder must live for twelve months in the forest and practice celibacy.» The Päëòavas were strict followers of the religious path, and when they made this agreement Närada was pleased, and that mahä-muniö departed to whatever land he desired. Having thus established these rules at the urging of Närada, the Päëòavas took care in their mutual dealings not to violate their agreement, O Bhärata. 
Arjuna Goes on Pilgrimage 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Having made this pact, the Päëòavas dwelled in their city and by the fiery strength of weapons brought other regional rulers under the control of a central government. So skillful was Draupadé that she remained submissive to all five Päëòavas, who were lionlike men of unmeasured prowess. The men were completely satisfied with her, and she with her five husbands, just as the sacred river Sarasvaté is pleased with the mighty elephants who splash in her waters. The Päëòavas were great souls–they lived by the rules of virtue–and all the Kurus prospered, for they were now sinless and happy. 
Then after a long time had passed, O king, some thieves stole the cows of a brähmaëa. When his only property was being stolen away, the sage, almost senseless with rage, came to Khäëòava Prastha and cried out to the Päëòavas, «Päëòavas! Ignorant, cruel, and wretched men are stealing my wealth of cows, right here in your kingdom. Pursue them! Crows are plundering the religious property of a distracted brähmaëa. A lowly jackal is attempting to enjoy a tiger's cave. When thieves plunder a brähmaëa's property and I am crying out for help, you must take up arms!» 
Arjuna, son of Päëòu and Kunté, stood nearby, and he heard the brähmaëa. The great-armed one called to the sage, «Do not fear!» 
In the place where the glorious Päëòavas had stored their weapons, Yudhiñöhira, king of virtue, was now sitting alone with Draupadé. Therefore Arjuna could not go in to gather his weapons and pursue the thieves. But the suffering brähmaëa continued to cry out, and he urged the rulers again and again to help him. Arjuna was pained by these piteous cries, and he anxiously wondered what to do. Finally, he decided that he must act to dry up the tears of the ascetic sage whose wealth in cows was being plundered. 
«If I do not give protection immediately to that sage who is crying at the gate, my neglect will be a very terrible offense for one who claims to be a ruler of the land. Everyone will lose faith in our ability or willingness to protect them, lawlessness will prevail, and irreligion will corrupt us. But if I enter there without permission from King Yudhiñöhira, he will be displeased with me, without a doubt. In fact, as soon as I intrude upon the king I must be banished to the forest. Either I commit a most impious act by neglecting a helpless and saintly citizen, or I shall die in the forest. Well, virtue is more important, even at the cost of one's body.» 
Having thus decided, Dhanaïjaya, son of Kunté, intruded on the king, grabbed his bow, and took his leave. He approached the brähmaëa and said to him with a jubilant heart, «Brähmaëa, come with me quickly before those wretched men who covet another's property get very far away, for I shall at once take back your wealth from the hands of those thieves.» 
The mighty-armed prince, with bow, armor, chariot, and flag, pursued and killed the thieves with arrows, recovering the brähmaëa's wealth. Päëòava Arjuna thus returned the cows, and after hearing the brähmaëa praise him, the ambidextrous hero returned to the city, having once again burned his foes to ashes. 
Bowing to all his elders and receiving their welcome, Arjuna said to his older brother Dharmaräja, the king of virtue, «Let our vow be enacted upon me. I shall go to live in the forest, for that is the agreement we made.» 
At these dreaded words spoken all of a sudden, Yudhiñöhira's heart sank. «But how can you go?» said the brother to his vigilant, unfailing brother. !If I am the judge, then listen to my words, innocent one. If you have displeased me by coming into the room, O hero, I forgive everything, and there is no pain or hidden motive in my heart. There is no transgression when a younger brother enters his older brother's place; rather, the rule is broken when the elder intrudes upon the younger. Turn back from your decision, O mighty-armed one, and obey my words. You have broken no religious rule or done me any harm.» 
Arjuna said: 
I have heard you say, «One cannot practice virtue by deception or pretense.» I shall not deviate from the truth, for by truth I gain the right to use weapons. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Arjuna then persuaded the king to grant him leave, and when the priests had duly initiated him for a life of celibacy, he left for the forest to live there for twelve months. 
The Story of Ulüpi 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
When great-armed Arjuna, the glory of the Kauravas, departed for the forest, exalted brähmaëas who had gone to the far shore in their mastery of the Vedas followed him. Among them were learned scholars of all the Vedas and Vedic branches, others absorbed in thought on the Supreme Soul, and mighty devotees of the Personality of Godhead–devotes who poetically recited the Lord's glories and narrated the ancient histories. There were saintly weavers of tales, O king, forest-dwelling sages who worked hard to purify their souls, and brähmaëas who studied and taught the divine narrations with sweet voices. 
The dear son of Päëòu, like Indra circled by the wind gods, went forth surrounded by these and many other companions who spoke the truth with kind and graceful voices. The Bhärata prince saw along the way charming and colorful forests, lakes, rivers, seas, countries, and holy places of pilgrimage, until he approached the gateway of the Ganges, where he made his residence. Hear from me, Janamejaya, of the wonderful feat performed there by that pure soul, the excellent chariot warrior and son of Päëòu. 
While the son of Kunté resided there among the brähmaëas, O Bhärata, the sages brought to fruition many agni-hotras, offerings to the sacred fire. As the fires on both banks of the divine river were roused and brought to blaze, the offerings poured, and the flowers offered in worship by learned, self-controlled sages, duly consecrated and fixed as great souls on the spiritual path, then, O king, the gateway of the Ganges shone with exceeding splendor. 
When his residence was thus filled with divinity, the darling son of Päëòu and Kunté then went down into the Ganges water to be consecrated for holy rite. Taking his ritual bath and worshiping his forefathers, Arjuna, happy to take his part in the rite of fire, was rising out of the water, O king, when he was pulled back in by Ulüpé, the virgin daughter of the serpent king, who could travel about at her will and was now within those waters. Holding onto him, she pulled him down into the land of the Nägas, into her father's house. 
Arjuna then saw in the most honorable house of the Näga king, whose name was Kauravya, a carefully attended fire. Dhanaïjaya Arjuna, son of Kunté, took over the duty of the fire, and without hesitation he made the offering and satisfied the sacred flames. Having done the duty to the fire, the son of Kunté then said laughingly to the daughter of the Näga king, «Why have you acted so boldly, O shy and beautiful woman? What is the name of this opulent land? Who are you, and whose daughter are you?» 
Ulüpé said: 
There is a serpent named Kauravya, born in the family of Airävata. I am his daughter, O Pärtha, and my name is Ulüpé the lady serpent, lady of the snakes. I saw you, Kaunteya, when you went down into the waters to take your ritual bath, and I was stunned by Cupid. O Kuru child, now that the god of love has stirred me up so, you must welcome me, for I have no one else and I have given myself to you in a secluded place. 
Arjuna said: 
Dharmaräja Yudhiñöhira has instructed me to practice celibacy for twelve months and I agreed; thus I am not my own master. I would like to please you, but I have never spoken an untruth. How can I avoid a lie and also please you, snake woman? If it could be done without hurting my religious principles, then I would do it. 
Ulüpé said: 
I understand, son of Päëòu, how you are wandering the earth, and how your elder brother has instructed you to practice celibacy: «There will be a mutual accord that if any one of us mistakenly intrudes upon the others during their time with Drupada's daughter, then he must remain in the forest for twelve months as a celibate brahmacäré.» That was the agreement you all made. But this exile you agreed upon is in regards to Draupadé. You all accepted the religious vow to be celibate in relation to her, and so your religious vow is not violated here with me. 
Your eyes are very big and handsome, and it is your duty to rescue those who are in pain. Save me now and there will be no breach of your religious principles. And even if there is some very subtle transgression of your religious principles, then let this be your religious rule, Arjuna, that you gave me back my life. My lord, accept me as I have accepted you, for it will be an act approved by decent people; and if you will not accept me, then know that I am a dead woman. O strong-armed one, practice the greatest virtue, which is the act of giving life. I come to you now for shelter, for you are an ideal man. 
Kaunteya, you always take care of the poor and helpless people, and I have gone straight to you for shelter and am crying out in pain. I beg you, for my desire is so strong. Therefore you must please me by giving yourself; it is proper for you to make me a satisfied woman. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Thus addressed by the virgin daughter of the serpent lord, the son of Kunté, basing his actions on the religious law, did for her all that she desired. The fiery hero Arjuna spent the night in the palace of the Näga king, and when the sun rose he too rose up from Kauravya's abode. 
The Story of Citravähana 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
O Bhärata, Arjuna, born of thunder-wielding Indra, told the brähmaëas all that had transpired, and then he departed for the Himälayan slopes. Coming to the banyan tree of sage Agastya and the mountain of Vasiñöha, the son of Kunté performed his ablutions on the Bhågu Peak. He donated thousands of cows in charity at the pilgrimage spots and sanctuaries, and he gave dwelling places to the brähmaëas. 
Bathing at holy Hiraëya-bindu (!the golden drop»), the glorious Arjuna saw there the exalted mountain and the purifying sanctuaries. Descending from that high place with the brähmaëas, Arjuna, best of the Bharatas, pushed on, for he desired to reach the eastern lands. 
The Kuru leader saw the holy places, one after another, including the charming river Utpaliné, near the sacred forest of Naimiña, and the rivers Nandä and Aparanandä, the famous Kauçiké, the great river Gayä, and the Ganges, O Bhärata. Thus visiting all the holy places and working to purify his soul, Arjuna gave much wealth to the brähmaëas. 
In the lands of Aìga, Vaìga, and Kaliìga, he went to all the holy places, and in each place he observed and worshiped and gave in charity, strictly following the religious law. He toured pilgrimage spots and shrines and gave wealth to the worthy. 
At the gateway to the kingdom of Kaliìga, O Bhärata, the brähmaëas took their leave from the son of Kunté and returned to their homes. With their permission the heroic son of Kunté, Dhanaïjaya, with just a few companions, proceeded on toward the ocean. Traversing the various regions of Kaliìga, with their charming religious centers, the lord continued his trek. 
Seeing the Mahendra Mountain, made beautiful by its ascetics, he proceeded slowly along the ocean shore toward Maëalüra. Arriving there and visiting all the holy places and pious shrines, the mighty-armed Arjuna then approached the lord of Maëalüra, King Citravähana, who was learned in the laws of God. 
The king had a daughter named Citräìgadä, who was a lovely sight to see, and Arjuna happened to see her as she strolled about the city. Seeing the beauty and figure of Citravähana's daughter, Arjuna approached the king and revealed his intention. The monarch then told him in a conciliatory tone, «There was a king in this family named Prabhaìkara, who had no son. Yearning for offspring, he performed the most difficult austerities. By his fierce self-denial and his sincere submission, Lord Çiva, husband of Umä, was satisfied with him, and the lord bestowed upon him the boon that each king in his line would have a single son. Thus in our family each ruler in succession always begets just one son. All the previous kings had sons, but to me was born this daughter, who surely must bring forth progeny to continue our family line. 
«O best of men, I imagine this girl to be my son, in the sense that she will give birth to a boy who will then become my son and continue our dynasty. Thus by the rule of necessity she must act like a puppet of her father, O noble Bhärata. This is the price you must pay for her–that her son will be mine, so that we who are living now may save our ancient tradition. With this agreement, O Päëòava, please accept her.» 
«So it shall be,» Arjuna promised, and accepting the royal maiden, Kaunteya lived in that city of cool air for three months. 
The Story of the Five Crocodiles 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
Thereafter Arjuna proceeded along the southern sea coast, visiting holy pilgrimage sites made glorious by the devoted ascetics who lived there. There were five pilgrimage sites, however, that the ascetics strictly avoided, although in the past they had visited and lived there. Among these were the spot where Agastya Muni had lived, the place where Subhadra had lived, the purifying place where sage Puloma had resided, the peaceful site of the sage Kärandhama, which offered the same pious results as an elaborate horse sacrifice, and the holy hermitage where Bharadväja had lived, a place that continued to be a great destroyer of sin. 
Noting that these holy places were deserted and shunned by the munis, whose thoughts were always religious, Arjuna, son of the Kurus, asked the ascetics with folded hands, «Why are these holy places shunned by the Vedic teachers?» 
The ascetic sages replied: 
Five crocodiles live in them, and they drag away the sages. Therefore these pilgrimage sites are shunned, O Kuru child. 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
Mighty-armed Arjuna was the greatest of men, and upon hearing this from the sages, he went to see the pilgrimage sites, even though the sages tried to stop him. Going first to the beautiful site where the great sage Subhadra had lived, the fiery hero quickly dove into the water and took his bath. A giant crocodile living in the water then seized Kunté's tigerlike son Dhanaïjaya within the water. But Arjuna was mighty even among the mighty, and taking the writhing crocodile in his hands, he came out of the water. As glorious Arjuna was dragging the crocodile out of the water, it suddenly transformed into a graceful woman adorned with all kinds of jeweled ornaments. She was illumined, O king, by the splendor of her own divine enchanting body. Seeing this great wonder, Arjuna, son of Kunté, was most pleased and said to the woman, «Who, indeed, are you, gracious woman, and how did you become a crocodile in the water? What great sin have you committed in the past?» 
The lady said: 
I am an Apsarä, O great-armed warrior, and I roamed about the forests of the gods. My name is Vargä and I am the favorite of Kuvera, lord of the treasury. I have four Apsarä girlfriends and all of them are very lovely and can travel simply by wishing it. Once I went with them to the abode of the cosmic ruler. On the way we saw a handsome brähmaëa of rigid vows. He was studying by himself, for he lived alone, and by the fire of his austerities, O king, he covered the forest with his splendor. Like the Sun himself, he lit up all the land. 
Seeing his unique austerities and his beauty, which was a wonder to see, we all descended to that land, hoping to break his austerities. With my girlfriends Saurabheyé, Samécé, Budbudä, and Latä, I approached him at once, O Bhärata. We began to sing loudly and laugh and we tried to seduce him, but the sage would in no way put his mind on us, O hero. He was fixed in pure austerities, and with his splendid power he was not at all shaken. Rather, noble prince, the brähmaëa angrily cursed us: «All of you shall live in the water as crocodiles for one hundred years!» 
Vargä continued: 
Then, noble Bhärata, we were all very disturbed, and we took shelter of that brähmaëa, whose unfailing wealth was austerity. «O sage,» we said, «we were all puffed up with our beauty, youth, and romantic ideas, and you should forgive us for the wrong we did. We tried to seduce you, though you are a holy sage strict in your vows, and now we are cursed to die by our actions. Since the beginning of creation those who ponder the sacred law have enjoined that women are not to be killed. You know well the law, and for the law's sake you should not be violent with us. You know the religious principle that a brähmaëa is a true friend to all creatures. O noble one, may this assurance of the wise now come true. Those who are learned give shelter and protection to surrendered souls, and we have come to you for shelter; therefore forgive us!» 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
At these words the dutiful brähmaëa, who always did good works and who shone like the sun and the moon, bestowed his mercy. 
The brähmaëa said: 
The words hundred, thousand, and universal may all indicate something that does not end. But the hundred I spoke indicates a variable time period. When you all become crocodiles, you will attack men in the water, but the very best of men will drag you out of the water to the land, and then all of you will again assume your original forms. I have never spoken a lie, even while joking, and this arrangement is all that I can do. Once you are saved, all the holy places where you reside as crocodiles will become famous by the name Näré-térthas, «the holy sites of the women,» for they will purify and sanctify all the people who visit them. 
Vargä said: 
We then bowed to the sage and respectfully walked around him in a circle. In utter despair we came here from that place, thinking, «How short a time will it be? When, oh, when will we meet that man who will give us back our beautiful bodies? It seemed that we were worrying about it for only a moment when we saw the exalted Devarñi Närada. All of us were joyous upon seeing Närada, who is a sage of immeasurable splendor, and offering him our sincere respect, we stood before him with our anxiety visible in our faces. 
He asked us the cause of our unhappiness, and we told him. Hearing what had happened, he said to us, «In the marshlands of the southern seas are five especially charming and purifying pilgrimage sites. You should go there at once, for soon the tigerlike Päëòava Arjuna, who is a pure soul, will undoubtedly free you from your suffering.» 
O hero, after hearing his words we came here, and now his words are coming true, for you have actually saved me, O sinless one. But my four friends are still living in the water. O hero, do a noble deed and liberate them all! 
Çré Vaiçampäyana said: 
O king, then without the slightest hesitation the glorious Päëòava freed all the goddesses from their curse, for great was his prowess. Rising from the water and regaining their own bodies, the Apsaräs looked just as they did before, O king. Arjuna then cleaned and purified the pilgrimage sites, and taking leave of the Apsaräs, he journeyed again to Maëalüra City to see the princess Citräìgadä. He begot in her a son and future king named Babhruvähana, and having seen his son, O king, the Päëòava traveled toward Gokarëa. 
Arjuna meets Kåñëa 
Çré Vaiçampäyana continued: 
Arjuna, of unlimited valor, visited in order all the pilgrimage sites and purifying sanctuaries. In the course of visiting all the holy places and shrines on the western coast, he reached Prabhäsa. Lord Kåñëa, who slew the demon Madhu, heard that Arjuna had reached Prabhäsa and was visiting the holy places, one after the other. Kåñëa then came incognito to meet Arjuna, and Çré Kåñëa and Arjuna saw each other at Prabhäsa. They embraced and asked one another about their health and well-being. As the two dear friends, who had formerly incarnated together as the sages Nara and Näräyaëa, sat together, Çré Kåñëa asked how Arjuna was faring in his forest exile. Lord Kåñëa also inquired from Arjuna about his itinerary, saying, «My dear Päëòava, why are you visiting all the holy places?» 
Arjuna then explained everything he had done in the forest, and Lord Kåñëa, chief of the Våñëi clan, listened and approved. Kåñëa and Arjuna freely enjoyed themselves in Prabhäsa and then went to spend some time at the Raivataka Mountain. By the order of Kåñëa some men had adorned the mountain and brought foodstuffs, and Arjuna, accepting all these tasteful arrangements, ate with Lord Kåñëa and watched a program of theater and dance. Thanking and then dismissing all the entertainers, the Päëòava, of great splendor, then went to the divine bed that had been well prepared for him. He told Lord Kåñëa, leader of the Sätvatas, about the holy lands, rivers, and forests he had seen, and as he told his tales, Janamejaya, sleep carried off the son of Kunté as he lay in his bed, which was as comfortable as those of the gods. 
Arjuna awoke to the sounds of sweet songs and the soft strumming of véëäs and the chanting of joyful hymns, all designed to gently arouse him from slumber, O sinless king of the Bhäratas. Performing all the essential duties for the body and soul, and then, being warmly invited by Lord Kåñëa, chief of the Våñëis, he went with Him in a golden chariot to the Lord's city of Dvärakä. 
The entire city of Dvärakä, down to the smallest estates, was decorated in honor of Arjuna, the son of Kunté. O Janamejaya, the inhabitants of Dvärakä, eager to see Arjuna, rushed out to the king's highway by the hundreds and thousands. A large crowd of men gathered from the Bhoja, Våñëi, and Andhaka dynasties, and hundreds and thousands of their fine ladies looked on. All the sons of the Bhoja, Våñëi, and Andhaka clans honored Arjuna, and he saluted them, even as they were saluting him, and everyone welcomed him to the city. Every one of the young boys of those great dynasties saluted him with reverence, and the men of his same age embraced the hero again and again. For many nights Arjuna stayed in the city, living with Kåñëa in His charming palace, which was built of gems and full of all pleasurable things.