Arjuna and Ulupi Short Story in English for Kids

This story of Arjuna and Ulupi describes their relationship and how Ulupi wanted to kidnap Arjuna and begged him to marry her. This story is from the Indian epic Mahabharata and is perfect for children. The story is an interesting one that includes people who are part-snake and part-human and the actions of Arjuna, Ulupi and their son, Iravan. Through this article, we strive to showcase this story in a language that is easily comprehended by children, and they enjoy reading the story.

Arjuna and Ulupi Summary in English

This story begins with Arjuna having broken a promise or an oath, and deciding to go on a pilgrimage - or in other words, an exile - for twelve years. While he was travelling through the forest, he spotted a Ganga river and decided to stop to take a rest and quench his thirst. As he went to take a bath in the river, a strong current pushed him off balance and dragged him deep below the waters.

In other versions of this myth, it is said that Ulupi herself captured him and took him below the water. He was soon taken to Nagaloka, also known as the “land of snakes”, and came across Ulupi, who had revealed herself and confessed her love to him. He, too, was mesmerised by her half-human and half-snake self. She requested Arjuna to marry her, to which he agreed.

After staying there for a while, he wanted to return to land to finish his exile. Ulupi understood and agreed to do so. She granted his wish and then took him above water. Before letting him go, however, she also bestowed upon him a boon, claiming that no creature of water would be able to defeat him. Grateful for her gift, Arjuna continued his pilgrimage.

Arjuna bid Ulupi farewell and promised to see her again, with the Ulupi’s boon that no water-living being would ever come to harm Arjuna.

Who is Ulupi?

In the Mahabharata, Ulupi is depicted as a snake princess or a princess of the Nagas, a class of creatures with the lower body of a snake and the upper body of a human. Ulupi is the daughter of Airavatha Kauravya, the king of the Nagas. She was widowed and childless and hence was happy to marry Arjuna and was blessed with a baby boy.

Why Did Arjuna Marry Ulupi?

Considering that he was taken to the Nagaloka against his will, he did not have a choice in the matter when it came to marrying  Ulupi as he was technically a prisoner or a hostage and was at the mercy of Ulupi, a powerful snake princess. Though initially reluctant, he found Ulupi beautiful and agreed to marry her. He also felt pity for her, as she had lost her first husband and had been lonely for quite some time. Hence, he agreed to marry her and was utterly grateful for the boon she had bestowed on him.

Arjuna and Ulupi’s Son

Before Arjuna could leave the land of the snakes, he found out that Ulupi was pregnant with a boy and named him Iravan. The stories and myths about his name are mostly related to the south of India, as he is seen as a village deity named Aravan. The word “aravam” in tamil means “snake”; hence, he was given the name Iravan at birth.

In the Mahabharata, it is mentioned that Iravan dies on the eighth day of the war between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, and most South Indians honour his act of self-sacrifice to Goddess Kali so that the Pandavas could win the war. He is described as a human with long canines, thick eyebrows, a moustache, a cobra hood above his head, huge earrings and mildly scaly, red skin.

Arjun and Ulupi

Note To Parents 

For narrating a bedtime story to kids, this story is a good choice as it will pique their curiosity, and they will be more eager to know and learn more stories that are related to Indian mythology and religion. Parents can answer questions such as why did Arjuna marry Ulupi or provide more explanation on Arjuna and Ulupi's son and how he became popular within South India.

Children will be made aware of the different stories in the Mahabharata and how they are relevant to how we live our lives. Story-telling this story will encourage them to read more while also improving their bonding with their family members.