Babruvahana

The Pandavas establish rule in Indraprasta following the partition of Hastinapura. Arjuna's breach of Yudhistira and Draupadi's privacy triggers remorse, and he decides to atone by going into exile, leaving his brothers to govern. The period sets the stage for his adventures away from the throne.

During his exile in Manipura, Arjuna earns the favor of princess Chitrangada by a daring tiger-hunt performed with Shabdavedhi. Chitrangada falls in love with him and accepts him as her husband. The alliance enhances Arjuna's position while he is away from home.

While bathing in a river, Arjuna is abducted by Uluchi, the princess of Nagaloka. Uluchi confesses her love and they wed in Gandharva vivaha, binding Arjuna to Nagaloka for a time. He remains there until Krishna intervenes to set him on his path again.

Krishna uses his magical powers to fetch Arjuna from Nagaloka. He returns to Manipura and reunites with Chitrangada, marrying her again in Gandharva vivaha and giving birth to their son Babruvahana.

Krishna, aided by Ghatotkacha, wipes Arjuna's memory of both Chitrangada and Uluchi. He reveals that Subhadra is now eligible for marriage, and with Krishna's help, Arjuna disguises himself as a sanyasi and elopes with Subhadra.

Arjuna's elopement with Subhadra culminates in a marriage arranged under Krishna's guidance. The union strengthens the Pandava alliance and shapes future events, even as the world awaits the great war.

Years pass and the Pandavas win the Mahabharata war, establishing their rule over the subcontinent. To cement sovereignty, they organize the Ashwamedha Yaga, with Arjuna leading the campaign alongside Vrishaketu and conquering kingdom after kingdom.

A scorned queen vows revenge on Arjuna for killing Bhishma's son, and she invokes Ganga to seal his fate. Ganga curses him that he will die at the hands of his own son, a prophecy that will drive later events.

Babruvahana grows up to become the ruler of Manipura and surpasses his father Arjuna in archery. The young prince's prowess soon puts him on a collision course with his legendary father during the Ashwamedha expedition.

The Ashwamedha horse enters Manipura and Babruvahana must either accept Pandava overlordship or defeat Arjuna in battle. He learns that Arjuna is his father, a revelation that intensifies the confrontation.

On the battlefield's third day, Arjuna and Babruvahana meet face to face; Chitrangada acts as Arjuna's charioteer and Uluchi serves as Babruvahana's. Babruvahana mortally wounds Arjuna, ending the Ashwamedha with Arjuna's death and a sorrowful cry rising from Chitrangada.

Takshak decapitates Arjuna's corpse and takes his head to Nagaloka. Krishna, with his Sudharshan Chakra, defeats Takshak's henchmen and retrieves the severed head. Using the Sanjeevani-mani from Nagaloka, Arjuna is revived; Krishna revives all fallen soldiers, and Arjuna reconciles with Chitrangada, while acknowledging Babruvahana as his son.