Pandavas
Iravan
इरावान्
The Serpent Prince
Who was Iravan?
Iravan (इरावान्): The Serpent Prince, one of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. Son of Arjuna and the Naga princess Ulupi, raised in the underwater kingdom of the serpents.
Quick Facts
| Sanskrit name | इरावान् |
|---|---|
| Title / Epithet | The Serpent Prince |
| Faction | Pandavas |
| Key traits | Self-sacrificing, Naga-born, Brave, Devoted Son |
| Notable relationships | Father: Arjuna, Mother: Ulupi |
| Featured in | 8 stories |
About Iravan
Son of Arjuna and the Naga princess Ulupi, raised in the underwater kingdom of the serpents. He came to Kurukshetra to fight for his father and gave his life in the great war - revered in folk tradition as the warrior who offered himself for the Pandava victory.
In Their Words
Remember me, father - I will be useful to you in a war.
Iravan
Traits
- Self-sacrificing
- Naga-born
- Brave
- Devoted Son
Story Appearances
Stories Featuring Iravan
7 further tales on this site name Iravan, in canonical reading order.
- The Serpent Prince's SacrificeIravan, Son of Ulupi, and the Price of Victory
- Kurukshetra Day 8: The Rakshasa's HourIravan falls and Ghatotkacha answers for him
- The Son of RishyasringaAlambusha, the illusion-fighter the Kauravas kept for the Pandava sons
- The Herb in the Grandsire's HandA wounded Duryodhana asks Bhishma for reassurance and is given honesty, a pledge, and medicine
- Six Duels on the Eighth DayShikhandi with a broken sword, Duryodhana on foot, and a mace that missed
- The Three ColumnsAt midday on the eighth day the Pandava army splits into three attacking bodies, Arjuna's son Iravan is killed, and Bhishma sends twelve warriors to pull Duryodhana out of the fire.
- Ghatotkacha and the Javelin of BhagadattaDuryodhana asks to kill a Rakshasa, and a Rakshasa breaks a javelin on his knee
Character Arc
- The BlessingArjuna blesses the serpent child
- The OfferingGives his life in his father's war
Key Relationships
Places in Iravan's Story
Drawn from the stories Iravan appears in.
Related Characters
Others counted among the Pandavas.