The Loyal Sons of Arjuna: Iravan and Babruvahan in the Mahabharata War

The epic Mahabharata narrates the stories of the Pandavas and their numerous battles including the great war at Kurukshetra. Central to these tales are the children of the Pandava prince Arjuna, including Iravan and Babruvahan, who played crucial roles during the Mahabharata war.

Ulūpī and Arjuna: The Birth of Iravan

Ulūpī, a Naga princess, was one of Arjuna’s wives. Their story begins with Arjuna being forced to break the rules of a year-long exile when he entered the palace of Draupadi (Panchali) to retrieve his weapons. During this time, Ulūpī, infatuated with Arjuna, took him to her underwater kingdom.

Here, she convinced Arjuna to marry her, and they bore a son named Iravan. Ulūpī also granted Arjuna a boon that all aquatic creatures would obey him, making him invincible underwater. Tragically, during the performance of the Aswamedha sacrifice, Arjuna’s son, Babruvahan, mistook him for an enemy and killed him with an arrow.

Ulūpī’s Loyalty to Arjuna

Feeling immense sorrow for her husband, Ulūpī rushed to the battlefield where she used her knowledge of naga magic to revive Arjuna. This act was driven by her deep love for Arjuna and her desire to keep him safe.

Chitrangada and Arjuna: The Birth of Babruvahan

Chitrangada was another wife of Arjuna. She was the daughter of the king of Manipura, Chitravahana, and was renowned for her martial prowess. Arjuna met Chitrangada during his exile and, despite her being trained in warfare, fell in love with her.

Arjuna agreed to the condition set by Chitravahana, becoming her adopted son and thus her husband. They lived together for three years until Chitrangada gave birth to a son named Babruvahan. However, during the Aswamedha sacrifice, Babruvahan, misled by his paternal instincts, fought against his father.

Babruvahan’s Fate and Reconciliation

After Babruvahan’s arrow killed Arjuna, Ulūpī arrived in time to revive him, comforting Chitrangada and resolving the family conflict. This act demonstrated not only Ulūpī’s deep love and loyalty but also her supernatural abilities. The incident also highlights the complex family dynamics and the ironclad curse that governed Arjuna’s life.

The Curse of Arjuna and the Pandava’s Eschatological Journey

Arjuna faced a curses from the Vasus and Bhishma for killing Bheeshma during the Kurukshetra war. According to the curse, Arjuna would be killed by his own son during the Mahabharata war. This further illustrates the significance of the children of Arjuna and the intricacies of the war and family dynamics depicted in the Mahabharata.

After the war, the Pandavas, including Chitrangada and Arjuna’s other wives, made a pilgrimage in the Kali Yuga. Chitrangada and her son Babruvahan returned to her kingdom of Manipur, while Arjuna’s grandson Parikshit inherited the throne.

The sons of Arjuna, Iravan and Babruvahan, represent loyalty and the unexpected twists of fate in a grand epic rife with divine interventions and human foibles. Their stories continue to resonate with audiences across cultures, highlighting the enduring legacy of the Mahabharata.