Iravan

The son of Arjuna and Ulupi.

Once Narada visited the Pandavas and advised that having a common wife should not cause a quarrel amongst them. From then on, Draupadi decided to spend one year each with every husband, and stated that if any of the other husbands saw her during that period, they would go for a pilgrimage for one year. Once, a brahmin came to the palace and complained that his cows had been stolen. Arjuna agreed to help him, but his weapons were stored in Yudhishtira’s palace. That was the year that Draupadi was staying with Yudhishtira. Arjuna, in his haste, forgot about this, and entered Yudhishtira’s palace. Thus he had to go on a pilgrimage for a year.

Arjuna left the palace for the forests, accompanied by several brahmins. Arjuna reached the banks of the Ganga and went into the river for a bath. There, Ulupi, the daughter of the naga king, attracted him, and they got married. They had a son called Iravan. Ulupi gave Arjuna a boon that he could influence all beings that lived in water and that he would be invincible underwater. Later, Arjuna left them and continued his pilgrimage as per Mahabharata Adiparva Chapter 21.

During the Mahabharata war, Iravan fought on the Pandava side. As per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 45 verses 69-71, on the first day, Iravan battled Shrutayus. According to Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 83 verses 18-22, Iravan defeated Vinda and Anuvinda. Iravan killed five of Shakuni’s brothers as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 90 verses 27-46. Iravan was killed by Alambusha as per Mahabharata Bhishmaparva Chapter 90 verses 56-76.