Vaishampayana said : When that that mighty-armed hero, spreader of the fame of the Kuru race, went away, the Veda-knowing Brahmanas followed him.

Followed by the Veda and Vedanga knowing Brahmanas, ever devoted in the contemplation of the Supreme spirit by persons skilled in music, by ascetics devoted to the Deity, by Pauranika Sutas (men learned in the Puranas), by Kathakas (the reciters of sacred stories), by celebrate, by dwellers of forests, by Brahmanas who recited sweetly the celestials histories.

And by many other sweet-speeched men. With those men, the son of Pandu (Arjuna) travelled over the country like Indra followed by the Marutas.

O descendant of Bharata, that best of men (Arjuna) saw many charming and picturesque forests, lakes, rivers, seas and countries and many sacred pilgrimages. Coming to the source of the Ganges, the lord (Arjuna) thought of dwelling there.

Janamejaya, listen to the wonderful feat which that foremost of the Pandavas, the highsouled hero, performed.

O descendant of Bharata, when the son of Kunti (Arjuna) and the Brahmanas lived there the letter performed many Agnihotras (fire sacrifices).

O King, in consequence of those learned, vow-observing, undeviatingly righteous Brahmanas' daily establishing and kindling fires for their sacrifices on the banks of that sacred river and pouring libations of ghee into it and worshipping it with flowers that region from which the Ganges flowed became exceedingly beautiful.

One day that best of the Pandavas, the son of Kunti (Arjuna), in order to perform his ablutions, went to the Ganges which flowed in the midst of the Brahmanas.

O king, performing his ablutions and offering water to the grandsires, as he was getting out of the water with the desire of performing his sacrificial rites before the fire. O great king the mighty-armed hero was dragged into water by the daughter of the Naga king, named Ulupi, maddened with desire.

He saw a fire there in the house of the Naga, named Kaurava and the son of Kunti, Dhananjaya, performed his sacrificial rites with devotion before that fire. Agni was much pleased to see the fearlessness with which he poured the libations.

Having performed the sacrificial rites me for the fire, the son of Kunti (Arjuna) spoke thus smilingly to the daughter of the Naga king.

Arjuna said : O handsome maiden, O timid girl, what a bold act have performed! O blessed damsel, where is this beautiful region situated? Who are you and whose daughter are you?

Ulupi said: O king there is a Naga, named Kaurava, born in the race of Airavata. I am his daughter, I am the Naga maiden, named Ulupi.

O best of men, seeing you descend into the river in order to perform your ablutions, I was deprived of my senses by the god of love.

o descendant of Kuru, I am still unmarried. O sinless, afflicted as I am by the god of love, gratify me to-day by giving yourself up to me.

Arjuna said: O amiable girl, commanded by Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira), I am observing Brahmacharya for twelve years. I am not in my sway.

O aquatic lady desirous of doing what is agreeable to you. I have never before spoken an untruth in my life.

Therefore, tell me, O snake-lady, how I may act so that while doing your pleasure, I may not be guilty of any untruth or sin.

Ulupi said : O son of Pandu, I know why you are roaming over the world and why you observe Brahmacharya at the command of your elder (brother).

This was the rule which all of you made amongst you for having Draupadi as you common wife, that he who would by ignorance enter the room in which one of you would be with her, he must adopt Brahmacharya for twelve years.

The exile of any you, therefore, is only for the sake of Draupadi. You are but observing that vow, Your virtue cannot suffer any diminution. O large-eyed hero, it is your duty to relieve the distressed.

Your virtue cannot suffer any diminution by relieving me. O Arjuna, if your virtue (really) suffer a small diminution, you will acquire great merit by relieving me. O Partha, I am your adorer O lord accept me. This is the opinion of the wise.

If you do not accept me know that I will destroy myself. O mighty-armed hero, earn great merit by saving my life.

O best of men I solicit protection. O son of Kunti, you always protect the distressed and the helpless. Weeping in sorry I solicit your protection.

Being filled with desire, I woo you. Therefore, do what is agreeable to me. You should gratify my wise by giving up yourself to me.

Vaishampayana said : Thus addressed by the daughter o the Naga king, the son of Kunti, making virtue his motive, did everything as she desired.

The powerful hero passed the night in the mansion of the Naga and rose with the of the sun. From the mansion of Kaurava,

He came with her (Ulupi) back to the region from which the Ganges flowed to the plains, Taking his leave, the chaste Ulupi returned to her own abode.

O descendant of Bharata, she gave a boon (to Arjuna) making him invincible in water. (She said) “Every aquatic creature will certainly be vanquished by you.'