Arjuna, mighty-armed and steadfast in dharma, was urged by the king to turn back, for he had not transgressed righteousness nor brought shame upon his family. Yet Arjuna replied that he had learned from the king himself that dharma should not be practiced through deceit; he would not stray from truth, and by truth he would take up arms. Thus permitted by the king, Arjuna, devoted to forest life, departed to dwell in the wilderness for twelve months. As he left, great-souled Brahmins, masters of the Vedas, followed him. Among his companions were those learned in the Vedas and Vedangas, contemplatives absorbed in the Self, mendicants devoted to the Lord, bards, and reciters of ancient tales. Storytellers, forest-dwelling ascetics, and twice-born who recited divine legends sweetly also joined him. Surrounded by these and many others, the son of Pandu set out, radiant like Indra among the Maruts, accompanied by gentle and uplifting tales. Along his journey, he beheld beautiful and varied forests, lakes, rivers, seas, and many regions, O Bharata. He visited sacred fords, and finally, at the gateway of the Ganga, he established his camp. Now, Janamejaya, listen to the wondrous deed performed by Arjuna, the pure-hearted and foremost among the Pandavas. When the son of Kunti had settled at the Ganga’s edge, and the Brahmanas had gathered as well, those Brahmanas began to perform many Agnihotra rites. The fires were kindled, blazing brightly, with offerings and flowers presented, and priests moving along the riverbanks. Learned men, self-restrained and steadfast in righteousness, completed their ablutions, and that place at the Ganga’s gateway shone exceedingly with the presence of these great souls. In this bustling encampment, Arjuna, the bull among the Pandavas, descended into the Ganga to perform his ablutions. Having bathed and offered libations to his ancestors, he prepared to cross the water for the sake of a fire ritual. Then, mighty-armed Arjuna was drawn away by Ulupi, the daughter of the serpent king, who desired him, into the depths of the water. Composed in mind, Arjuna beheld the sacred fire in the splendid palace of the Kaurava serpent king. There, he performed the fire ritual, and the fire-god, gratified by the offering made without hesitation, was well pleased. Having completed the ritual, Arjuna turned to Ulupi and, as if reproaching her, asked, "What is this reckless act you have done, timid lady? What is this place, and who are you? Whose daughter are you?" Ulupi replied, "Born in the line of Airavata is the serpent Kauravya; I am his daughter, O king, and my name is Ulupi, a serpent maiden. Seeing you descend for ablution, O tiger among men, I was overcome with love by Kama at that very moment." She pleaded, "O joy of the Kurus, gladden me, weakened by love and devoted to none other, by giving yourself to me, O sinless one." Arjuna explained, "This vow of celibacy, gentle lady, is for twelve months; it was enjoined upon me by Yudhishthira, and I am not my own master. Yet I wish to do what pleases you, O dweller in the waters; never have I spoken falsehood at any time. How can I avoid falsehood, please you, and not violate my dharma? Thus, O serpent maiden, I shall act." Ulupi assured him, "I know, O son of Pandu, how you conduct yourself upon the earth, and how your teacher instructed you in this vow of celibacy. Regarding the daughter of Drupada, as you live together, whoever approaches her out of delusion must undergo twelve months of exile. It was agreed among you that one who enters the forest would observe celibacy; thus, for the sake of Draupadi, you each undertook exile. You acted there for the sake of righteousness and wealth; in this, dharma is not violated. Protection must be given to the afflicted, O wide-eyed one." She continued, "By granting me protection, your dharma is not diminished; even if there were the slightest transgression of this dharma, that would still be dharma for you, O Arjuna, even if you gave your life for me. Serve me, O Partha, as this is the opinion of the virtuous, O lord. If you do not act thus, consider me as dead. O mighty-armed one, by giving your life, practice the highest dharma. Today I have sought refuge in you, O best of men. O son of Kunti, you always protect the distressed and those without support. Thus I come to you for refuge, crying out in sorrow. I beseech you, desiring you; therefore, grant me my wish. You ought to fulfill my desire by offering yourself." Thus addressed by Ulupi, the daughter of the serpent king, Arjuna acted entirely as she wished, considering dharma as the reason. Having spent that night in the abode of the Nagas, the illustrious Arjuna begot a most beautiful son upon her. He produced Iravan, greatly fortunate and possessing immense strength and valor, who rose at sunrise from the dwelling of the Kauravas. Then, together with Ulupi, Arjuna returned to the gateway of the Ganga; the virtuous Ulupi departed for her own abode. Having granted Arjuna the boon of invincibility in water everywhere, O Bharata, all aquatic beings became accomplished, without doubt.