Death of Arjuna

The challenge horse then entered the province of Manipur. The ruler of Manipurwas Arjuna's son named Babhruvahana. Hearing that his father had come to hiscountry, Babhruvahana came out of his city with all humility followed by anumber of brahmanas. Seeing this, Arjuna was not pleased. The highlyintelligent Arjuna then chastised his son, Your conduct is not befitting aking. You have fallen from the duties of a kshatriya. I have come here as theprotector of Yudhisthira's sacrificial horse. Why, O son, will you not fightwith me? Shame on you for not exhibiting your prowess! Shame on you for actinglike a woman! Shame on you for receiving me peacefully!Upon hearing Arjuna's chiding words, Ulupi, one of Arjuna's wives, pierced theearth and encouraged Babhruvahana, Know that I am your step mother, Ulupi. Ifyou follow my instructions you will attain lasting fame. You should fight withthis foremost descendent of the Bharata dynasty. If you do so, he will bepacified.
Incited by his stepmother, Babhruvahana mounted his chariot which was equippedwith many different kinds of weapons. His horses traveled at the speed of themind. He hoisted his standard which bore the mark of a golden lion. Readied forbattle, King Babhruvahana proceeded against his father. He caused thesacrificial horse to be taken captive, indicating that he was ready to fight.Partha descended from his chariot and began to fight his son on foot. Theycovered each other with their formidable shafts and the fight was, indeed,wonderful. Babhruvahana pierced his father's shoulder and the arrow thenentered the earth. Feeling acute pain, Arjuna supported himself on his bow andappeared like one who had left his body. Coming to his senses he praised hisson, Excellent, excellent, O mighty armed son of Chitrangada! On beholdingthis feat, I am pleased with you. I shall now release my arrows. Stand for awhile and do not run away.Arjuna then released many arrows, but they were cut up by his son. Arjuna thencut off the royal standard of the Manipur King and killed his horses.Babhruvahana was red hot with anger, and descending from his chariot, he foughthis father on foot. He then released an arrow that pierced Arjuna's chest,entering deep within his body. The mighty son of Pandu then fell to the earthdevoid of life. King Babhruvahana had also been pierced with many arrows, andupon seeing the fall of his father, he also fell to the ground unconsciousness.
At that time Babhruvahana's mother, Chitrangada, appeared on the scene andlamented the death of Arjuna. When Ulupi again appeared, Chitrangada chastisedher, Behold, O Ulupi, our husband slain in battle by my son. This fault lieson you. It is through your action that our husband now lies dead. If you havethe power, bring him back to life so that we will not have to indulge ingrief. Chitrangada then took her husband's feet in her lap and shed tears ofgrief.At that time King Babhruvahana awoke from his unconscious state. Seeing hisdead father and his weeping mother, he was pained at heart. He addressed hismother, Alas, this foremost wielder of weapons has been slain by me. Alas, hisgolden mail, which was cut from his body by my arrows, lies by his side. Ogreat brahmanas, what atonement is there for one who kills his father inbattle. I am a wretched and sinful person. O daughter of the Snake King, Iaccomplished what you desired. However, I am now unable to live any longer. Ifyou are not willing to bring him back to life, then I will give up this body byfasting. Having made up his mind to fast until death, King Babhruvahanatouched water and made the following statement, O Ulupi, I make the followingvow. If my father does not rise up with his life, then I will give up this bodyby fasting. There is no atonement for killing one's father. Therefore, surely,I will have to dwell in hell.When the King of Manipur had made his firm vow, he sat down on the ground inmeditation. At that time Ulupi informed the King, Do not lament or take anyunnecessary vows. I will revive your father. In my possession, I have a jewelthat is capable of bringing anyone back to life. This great hero cannot beslain by the gods and demons combined. I have exhibited this illusion for yourfather's benefit. Do not think that you have committed any sin. It was fortesting your prowess that this battle took place. I shall now revive Arjunawith this precious jewel.Ulupi then approached Arjuna and touched the jewel to his chest. When she did,Arjuna rose up like one awaking from sleep. Witnessing his father return tolife, Babhruvahana approached him and worshiped him with many prayers. The kingof heaven, Indra, then showered flowers upon the earth and caused the celestialdenizens to sound their instruments. In the heavens were heard the sounds,Well done! Well done! Arjuna then embraced his son and smelled his head. Whenhe saw Chitrangada and Ulupi lamenting in the distance, Arjuna questioned hisson, Why, O Babhruvahana, is there simultaneously joy, sorrow, and wonder inall directions? Please explain this to me. I desire to know what has broughtthese ladies to this field.Babhruvahana replied, I think that you should question Ulupi in this regard
.Arjuna then turned to his wife and inquired from her, Why have you come here,O daughter of the snakes? Have you come here with some evil intention? I hopethat neither I nor my son Babhruvahana have offended you in any way.You have not offended me in any way, nor has your son. Ulupi replied. Donot be angry with me and listen patiently to the reason I have acted in the wayI did. In the great battle of the Bharata princes, you had slain Shantanu'sroyal son, Bhishma, unfairly. He was not engaged in battle with you when he wasslain. He had laid aside his weapons because of the presence of Shikhandin.Relying on Shikhandi's help, you were able to overthrow the mighty Bhishma. Byacting in the way I did, I have vanquished the sinful reaction to the unfairkilling of the grandsire. If this sinful reaction had not been eradicated, thenyou would have surely seen hell. After Bhishma's death, the Vasus came to thebank of the Ganges and called for the goddess by reciting various prayers. Withher permission, they cursed you to die. When I informed my father of this, hewent to the Vasus and asked that the curse be removed. The Vasus replied tohim, зArjuna has a powerful son who is the ruler of Manipur. In battle his sonwill slay him. At that time Arjuna will be freed from this curse.' I have actedin the way I did to free you from this curse. Please do not be angry with me.Hearing about the true situation from Ulupi, Vijaya (Arjuna) became joyful andsaid, I find all this most pleasing. Arjuna then ordered his son, The horsesacrifice of King Yudhisthira will take place on the full moon day in the monthof Chaitra. Come there, O King, with your mother and your counselors.Babhruvahana agreed with his father's wishes. After Arjuna had beensufficiently worshiped by his son, he left that place and continued followingthe sacrificial horse.