Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers and a prominent character in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, had a total of four marriages. Each of these marriages had its own unique circumstances and played a significant role in shaping Arjuna’s life.
The first marriage of Arjuna was with Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada. However, Draupadi was married to all five Pandava brothers due to a misunderstanding. Arjuna won Draupadi’s hand in marriage by showcasing his archery skills in a competition. This marriage was particularly important as Draupadi became the common wife of all the Pandava brothers and played a central role in the Mahabharata war.
During Arjuna’s first exile, he encountered Ulupi, a Naga princess. Ulupi fell in love with Arjuna and offered him her hand in marriage. Arjuna accepted her proposal and they got married. Ulupi’s marriage to Arjuna added a unique dimension to his life as she was a Naga, a serpent-like being with divine powers.
In the kingdom of Manipur, Arjuna encountered Chitrāngadā, the princess of Manipur. He fell in love with her and sought her hand in marriage. Chitrāngadā’s father agreed to the marriage but on the condition that their child would inherit the throne of Manipur. Arjuna and Chitrāngadā got married, and their son was named Babhruvahana.
Arjuna’s fourth marriage was with Subhadra, the sister of Lord Krishna. Arjuna and Subhadra fell in love and eloped during Arjuna’s second exile. They got married and had a son named Abhimanyu, who played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata war. Abhimanyu’s bravery and skills were highly regarded by both sides of the conflict.
It is important to note that while Arjuna had multiple wives, each marriage held its own significance and was influenced by different circumstances. These marriages not only added depth to Arjuna’s character but also played a crucial role in the overall narrative of the Mahabharata.