Iravan

Iravat

The son of Arjuna and the Naga princess Ulupi, who died in the war.

Accounts of this vary across texts and traditions. This entry primarily follows Mahabharata, with other tellings (Puranic traditions (Harivamsha, Bhagavata Purana), Regional retellings) noted where relevant.

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Relationships

Parents

Arjuna · Ulupi

Siblings

Abhimanyu · Babruvahana · Shrutakarma

Introduction

Iravan is the son of Arjuna and Ulupi, and a warrior on the Pandava side.

Family

Father: Arjuna
Mother: Ulupi
Siblings: Shrutakarma, Abhimanyu, Babruvahana

Death

In the Bhishma Parva, Iravan is killed on the eighth day by the Rakshasa Alambusha. In Tamil and other regional traditions, he offers himself as a sacrifice before the war to ensure the Pandavas' victory, and he is worshipped in Tamil Nadu, especially by the transgender community, at Koovagam.

Sources

Mahabharata, Bhishma Parva (primary text) — https://sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm
Regional Mahabharata traditions (other)

This entry is independently written for myVamsam using the sources listed above. Where traditions differ, this entry identifies the relevant tradition rather than presenting one account as universally established fact.