Shloka 8
Ulūpī–Citravāhinī Saṃvāda: Dhanaṃjaya-patana and Prāya-threat
तमेवमुक्तं भर्त्रा तु विदित्वा पन्नगात्मजा | अमृष्यमाणा भिन्त्वोर्वीमुलूपी समुपागमत्,पतिदेव अर्जुन जब अपने पुत्र बभ्रुवाहनसे ऐसी बात कह रहे थे, उस समय नागकन्या उलूपी उस बातको सुनकर उनके अभिप्रायको जान गयी और उनके द्वारा किये गये पुत्रके तिरस्कारको सहन न कर सकनेके कारण वह धरती छेदकर वहाँ चली आयी
tam evam uktaṁ bhartrā tu viditvā pannagātmajā | amṛṣyamāṇā bhittvorvīm ulūpī samupāgamat |
Vaiśampāyana said: When her husband spoke thus, the serpent-maiden Ulūpī understood his intention. Unable to endure the slight shown to their son, she split the earth and came there at once—moved by a mother’s protective duty and by the ethical demand that a worthy child not be unjustly dishonored.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of honor within family and kṣatriya culture: a worthy son should not be dismissed unjustly, and a parent’s duty includes protecting a child’s rightful reputation while discerning the true intention behind harsh words.
As Arjuna speaks to his son Babhruvāhana in a way that implies reproach, Ulūpī understands Arjuna’s intent and, unable to tolerate the insult to their son, emerges dramatically by splitting the earth and approaches the scene.