Arjuna revived and battle with Tamradhwaja

Seeing Krishna, Babruvahan told him all that had happened. Krishna said if that be so, then let the ones who stole the heads, loose their own heads. Also, let the stolen heads return.
As soon as Krishna said this, the heads of the sons of Dhritarashtra fell off their necks. Ananta then brought the heads of Arjuna and Vrishaketu to Krishna. The heads were placed on the respective shoulders and the gem was put on their bodies.
Arjuna and Vrihaketu got up, at the touch of the gem. With the two revived, Krishna thanked and returned the gem to Ananta.
Krishna then said to Babruvahan that he had done nothing wrong. He had performed the duty of Kshatriya. He then told Arjuna to accept his son.
Arjuna hugged Babruvahan and praised his skill.
With the horse returned, Krishna asked Babruvahan to go along with Arjuna and guard the horse.

From the land of Manipur, the horse went to the kingdom of Ratnavati. The land was ruled a great and pious king called Mayurdhwaja. The king was also a great warrior. He had a valiant son called Tamradhwaja. The king was also performing a horse sacrifice and Tamradhwaja was guarding the horse.

Arjuna's horse happened to stray into the kingdom. Tamradhwaja saw the new horse and caught it. He asked his warriors to capture the horse and then he would face the son of Pandu.

Arjuna hearing this got ready for a fight. Vrishaketu entered the battlefield. He said This horse belongs to Yudhistira and has the blessing of Krishna. Who dared to capture this?

Tamradhwaja said Krishna blesses all who seek his protection. My father is performing the horse sacrifice and I have come to protect his horse. I see your horse which has been sent to me as a divine blessing. I will not let you take the horse away.

The battle of words became a battle of weapons. Tamradhwaja shot fifty arrows which Vrishaketu could not avoid. His chariot was broken and the charioteer was killed. Vrishaketu fought on the ground but soon fainted. Seeing this Yuvanashwa and Subeg came but they too could not stand for long.
Hamsadhwaja and Babruvahan came next but they too could not conquer Tamradhwaja. Sons of Krishna, Satyaki and Bhima came next.
Tamradhwaja cut off their weapons. All were defeated.
Seeing this, Arjuna came. Arjuna shot arrows which Tamradhwaja avoided and in turn wounded Arjuna.
Arjuna then prayed to Krishna. He said I am easily defeated great heroes but why am I not able to defeat this warrior. I need your help Krishna.
Krishna came to Arjuna and said this is because of the power of the prayer of Mayurdhwaja. Let us go and meet him. We will go as brahmanas. I will be the teacher and you will be my disciple. Leave the battle and come with me. The horse will be yours.

Tamradhwaja, having won the battle, went to inform his father.

Fetching the gem

Uloopi sent for the naga Punadrika. Babruvahan stood queitly. Chitrangada said You have created history by killing your own father. Now listen to what Uloopi says. She is trying to get a gem that will revive Arjuna. The gem is in the nether world. Go and fetch that.
Babruvahan said I am not sure if the naga Ananta knows about me. He will not hand over the gem to me. It is better that Pundarika goes. If Pundarika is not given the gem, then I will go and fight and get the gem.
Uloopi said that was the correct way of dealing with the situation. She asked Pundarika to go and get the gem.
Pundarika went and asked Ananta to give the gem to him. While Ananta was willing, he needed an approval from the naga council. He asked them for their opinion.
Dhritarashtra, an elderly naga said - The gem protects the nagas from Garuda. And it is good that Arjuna is dead. I was friends with the king Dhritarashtra and Arjuna had killed many of his people. Let Babruvahan do what he can. I am happy that Arjuna is dead.
Ananta tried to argue with Dhritarashtra but he did not agree.
Pundarika came and reported this Uloopi.
Uloopi asked Babruvahan to go and fetch the gem.
When Ananta heard that Babruvahan was coming, he went to Dhritarashtra and said - You did not give the gem. Now Babruvahan has come to forcibly take away the gem.
Dhritarashtra said he did not fear the humans and would quickly kill him.
When Babruvahan began fighting, the nagas could stand his might. Dhritarashtra fled and went to Ananta asking for help. Ananta said - You did not give the gem. Now this is the consequence of that.
Dhritarashtra realizing that there was no other way, asked Ananta to give the gem to Babruvahan.

Ananta took the gem to Babruvahan and said Please stop the fight. Please take the gem and leave.

Babruvahan withdrew his weapons and took the gem. When he was leaving, Dhritarashtra called his sons and said - I had to face defeat because of this human. Quickly go to earth and get the heads of Arjuna and Vrishaketu. Without their heads, the dead will not get revived.

Babruvahan went to Uloopi with the gem. He said he had brought the gem but what had happened to the heads of Arjuna and Vrishaketu?

Chitrangada and Uloopi broke down.
Babruvahan said all this was happening because of him, and he would kill himself.

Uloopi said only Krishna knew a way out of this.

In Hastinapura, Kunti had a dream. She saw Babruvahan kill Arjuna and Vrishaketu. She called Krishna and told him about that.

Krishna told her not to worry. He called for Garuda and asked him to appear. Climbing up on Garuda, Krishna asked to be taken to Manipur.

Arjuna and Vrishaketu die

Janmajeya asked the sage - How was the war between Arjuna and Babruvahan?
Vaisahmpayana said -
Reluctantly Chitrangada gave permission to Babruvahan to fight. This was destiny playing a game. Ganga had cursed Arjuna and it was time for the curse to bear fruit. Arjuna was destined to die in the hands of Babruvahan.
Armies got ready.
Vrishaketu came and his arrows were all cut off by Babruvahan. Babruvahan then started shooting arrows and soon the sky was covered with arrows, and it became dark. Vrishaketu's chariot was cut off. Vrishaketu attacked and struck by an arrow of Babruvahan, he fainted. Sambha seeing this attacked. He too had to leave, wounded. Satyaki and Bhima came to fight and such was the skill of Babruvahan, that Bhima had to flee. All who came to fight fled and  went to Arjuna.
Arjuna picked up his Gandiva and started for battle. Vrishaketu, having recovered, decided to accompany Arjuna.
Vrishaketu managed to cut off Babruvahan's bow. Babruvahan took another bow and Vrishaketu had to flee. Babruvahan then attacked Arjuna. Soon he managed to control Arjuna. He said - Listen Son of Indra. People call you son of Pandu. You did not think of your own birth and you insulted me. Krishna has been saving you so far. Call him here. Let me defeat the two of you and then I will go back.
Arjuna was attacked by Babruvahan. Arjuna began hearing howls of jackals. This was a bad omen. A crow came and sat on the flag staff of Arjuna's chariot. He was not sure what would be the outcome. He asked Vrishaketu to go back to Hastinapura so that someone would be there to continue the lineage of the Kurus.
Vrishaketu said he would defeat Babruvahan and then all of them would return back together.
Hearing this, Babruvahan said Son of Karna, you are coming time and again and every time you are having to flee. You think you will be able to withstand my might?
Picking up a crescent arrow, Babruvahan aimed that at Vrishaketu. Vrishaketu fell dead.

Arjuna fell on the ground, grieving for Vrishaketu.
Seeing this, Babruvahan started laughing. He said What kind of a warrior are you, who leaves a fight to cry? If you are brave, get up and face me. Call out to Krishna, whom you call to, when you are in trouble.

Arjuna silently started praying to Krishna. Krishna did not answer the prayer. Arjuna was now scared.

Babruvahan started shooting arrows at Arjuna, who was unable to avoid those. Suddenly Ganga came and whispered into Babruvahan's ears about killing Arjuna. She left a weapon with him.

Babruvahan picked up the weapon and aimed it at Arjuna. The arrow flew and struck Arjuna in his neck. His head got cut off. Arjuna fell dead.

Babruvahan, happy, went to his mother. He told her he had won the war. Chitrangada fainted. Uloopi came rushing. She sprinkled water on Chitraganda's face to revive her. Uloopi said to the revived Chitrangada - Arjuna can not die. I have a pomegranate tree in my house. I just saw it blooming. If Arjuna is dead, the tree would have been dead too.

Chitrangada wanted to see the tree with her eyes. Uloopi took her and they saw a dead pomegranate tree.  Both were shocked. They began crying.

Babruvahan realizing what he had done, was not sure how to react.

Uloopi said I suddenly remembered something. When my father, Ananta, gave me away to Arjuna, he gave me a gem called Amrita and the naga Pundarik to serve me. Let me send for Pundarik. He will go and look for the gem. The gem should be able to bring Arjuna back to life.

Chitrangada said Please hurry up. Uloopi said - Do not worry. Our husband will be with us soon.

The horse enters Manipur

Roaming further, the horse reached the kingdom of Manipur. Babruvahan, son of Arjuna and Chitrangada was the ruler there. Arjuna had married Chitrangada when he was out in exile. He had also married Uloopi, the daughter of the Nagas. Uloopi's son Ilavanta had fought valiantly in the great war and had died a hero's death. Uloopi was now staying with Chitrangada.
Babruvahan caught the horse. When he realized that the horse belonged to Arjuna, he was not sure what to do. He went to Chitrangada and asked for advice. Chitrangada asked him to take the horse to Arjuna and return it.
Babruvahan did not like this. He said This is not a duty of a Kshatriya. A Kshatriya is born to fight. I will keep the horse and challenge father to a fight and then I will give the horse back to him. I will also not tell him who I am till I fight him.
Chitrangada said Who has ever heard of a fight between a father and a son? I am asking you to take the horse back to him.
Reluctantly Babruvahan agreed. He went to greet Arjuna carrying gifts and the horse. Arjuna was seated along with the sons of Ghatotkacha and Karna, Bhima, Pradyumna, Anusalva, Hamsadhwaja, Yuvanashwa and Subeg.
Babruvahan bowed down and introduced himself. He said he had unintentionally caught the horse and wanted to return it back.
Arjuna refused to acknowledge him. He said Abhimanyu was my son. He fought and died. I will not accept this coward as my son, who fearing his life has come to return the horse.
Babruvahan got and said - Please forgive but listen to my words. I am not an illegitimate son of yours. If you refuse to acknowledge me, then what about Karna who was born before Kunti's marriage? Also, how are you are a son of Pandu when you five brothers have five different fathers? Do not think I have come to you, fearing you. I came only because my mother told me to. I will show you who I am.
Saying this Babruvahan asked his men to tie the horse and take it inside.

A war was declared between Arjuna and Babruvahan.

Chitrangada heard of this and sent for her son. She asked why he was doing this. Babruvahan said he had been insulted by Arjuna and would take revenge. 

In the land of Pramila

The horse moving around, landed in a kingdom that was ruled by women. The land was ruled by a queen called Pramila. The women warriors seeing the horse, captured it.
Arjuna was in a fix. This was a land where he was not seeing a single man. Everywhere he looked, he saw only women. If it came to a war, how would he fight women?
Pradyumna asked Arjuna to go and talk to the queen. Arjuna agreed and they decided to meet Pramila.
Seeing the warriors, women came rushing with their bows. Arjuna said he wanted to meet the queen.
Pramila was informed about the arrival of Arjuna. Decking herself, she came to see Arjuna. She carried a golden plate with flowers and holy water in it. She greeted Arjuna with the flowers and the water and welcomed him.
Both sat down to talk. Arjuna asked why there were no men in the kingdom.
Pramila said - Once there was a great king called Dilip. I am his daughter. One day my father went hunting. I went along with him. A small army had also accompanied us. Parvati was roaming in the same forest with Shiva. My father happened to see Parvati with Shiva. Parvati was shocked and cursed all to become women. Since that day no man comes here. I have your horse with me. Marry me and take me away from here, along with the horse.
Arjuna said Yudhistira is currently in the sacrifice and it my duty to protect him. I promise to marry you once the sacrifice is over. Till then, please go to Hastinapura and wait for me there.

Pramila agreed. The horse was freed and Pramila left for Hastinapura.

From there, Arjuna followed the horse. The horse landed in the land of Vriksha. This was ruled by a rakshasa called Bhishan. He had many followers living there. He had pleased Shiva and Durga with his worship. In the morning, the plants bloomed with flowers. In the evening the flowers changed into humans which became meals for the rakshasas. Because of this, the land was called Vriksha,

The horse came here. Seeing the army following the horse, Bhishan was informed about the entry of humans in his land.  Bhishan gave orders for a sacrifice to be conducted where he would kill and sacrifice all the humans who had come, and then feast on their meat.
He then asked a female attendant, Lambodari, to take the shape of humans, mix with the army and find out who they were.
Lambodari went inside the army and then came back. She told Bhishan that Arjuna had come. Along with him was the son of Ghatotkacha, son of Karna and Hanumana was there, sitting on Arjuna's chariot.
Bhishan, who happened to be the son of Bakasura, was happy. He would be able to avenge his father's death by killing Arjuna.

A fight broke out among the armies. In the fight that followed, Arjuna killed Bhishan, and then freeing the horse, resumed his journey.

Horse becomes a tiger

After this, the horse roamed and entered a forest. There was a beautiful lake there and many flowers were blooming. The horse, thirsty, bent down to drink water from the lake. The moment it touched the water, its gender changed and it became a mare. The mare then went forth. It saw another lake. When it touched the water of that lake, it changed into a tiger.
Arjuna was stunned. First a mare and then a tiger. He looked at Krishna. Krishna said Do not worry. There is a sage nearby. Talk to him. He will tell you about this and will be able to give a solution.
Arjuna and Krishna went to the sage and bowed down to m. Krishna told the sage the reason for their visit. The sage said -
Parvati had prayed on the banks of this lake to get Shiva. She was lost in her meditation, when a daitya came there. Seeing Parvati's beauty, the daitya wanted to capture her. He went and grabbed her. With her meditation broken, Pravti cursed the daitya saying if a male came there he would get transformed into a woman.
Krishna said Why the mare then become a tiger?
The said said - There was a sage called Mitrasen. One day the sage came home after meditating for days in the forest. A daitya saw the sage and grabbed him, when the sage was having a bath. The sage put a curse. He said who ever touched the water will become a tiger.
Saying this, the sage said the curse will be lifted if you touch the tiger.
Krishna said he would do that. He touched the tiger, who got transformed into its original form.

Krishna then said he would proceed for Hastinapura else Yudhistira would be worried. Saying this, Krishna left and Arjuna continued his journey.

Hamsadhwaja sees Krishna

Suratha started fighting. Pradyumna and Vrishaketu came to fight and had to flee. Yuvanashwa and his son Subeg also could not stand the fight and had to flee.
Arjuna asked Krishna - Who is this who has come to fight?
Krishna said This is Suratha, son of Hamsadhwaja. He is great warrior and no one is equal to him in battle.
Arjuna asked Krishna to take the chariot near him.
Suratha said he would make Arjuna flee. Arjuna hearing this showered arrows which were cut off. Suratha tried to pick the chariot and throw it away but Krishna pressed the chariot hard, and Suratha could not move it.
Arjuna with a sharp arrow cut off the head of Suratha. Attendants of Shiva came and took the head away.
When Hamsadhwaja heard of the death of his sons, he broke down. His counselors tried to console him. The king said he wanted to see Krishna. His counselors asked to go to battle. There they would see Krishna and Arjuna. The king taking the horse, went to meet Krishna.
A messenger came and gave the news. Krishna asked Arjuna to drop his weapons. The king came and saw Krishna. He got off his chariot and bowed down before Krishna. Krishna hugged the king. The king then greeted Arjuna and gave the horse back to Arjuna. The king said he had caught the horse to have a glimpse of Krishna. His wish was now fulfilled. He asked Arjuna to stay the night in his kingdom.
The next day Arjuna left with the horse and Hamsadhawaja joined him.