CITRANGADA

 

Citrangada

Citrangada was the daughter of Citravahana who ruled the state called Manalur.   She was beautiful woman having an enchanting figure that of a Madhuka flower.

When Yudhishthira was closeted with Draupati in amorous talks, Arjuna by mistake entered the room and was thus compelled as per a previous mutual agreement to go on pilgrimage for a year.  During this exile Arjuna married the serpent girl Ulupi.  After that he proceeded again on his pilgrimage, he reached the state called Manalur.(Now Manipur)

Arjuna accidentally saw Citrangada and fell in love with her, and knowing that, the king received Arjuna in his palace and requested Arjuna to marry his daughter.  Arjuna married her and the couple got a son named Babhruvahana.  Promising them that he would come back and take them to Hastinapuram, Arjuna continued his pilgrimage.

After the great MahaBharata war, once Yudhishthira conducted an Asvamedha Yajna (Horse-sacrifice), it was Arjuna who led sacrificial horse to the south.  When Arjuna reached Manalur by following the sacrificial horse, he came against Babhruvahana who challenged him for a fight.  In the grim battle that ensued Arjuna fell dead by the piercing arrows of Babhruvahana, who was his own son.  At that time Ulupi and Citrangada came to the scene and seeing Arjuna lying dead, Ulupi brought the diamond along with Mrutha-Sanjeevani creeper, kept it on the face of Arjuna, brought him back to life.  After this incident, Ulupi, Citrangada and her son Babhruvahana went to Hastinapura along with Arjuna.

Citrangada on reaching Hastinapura bowed down before Kunti and Draupadi, touching their feet and lived amicably with others like Subhadra.  Then, Kunti, Draupadi and Subhadra gave Citrangada many diamonds as present.

After the Mahaprasthana (starting towards to the heaven for salvation) of all the Pandavas, Citrangada left for Manalur.

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