MH_03_02 Urvashi curses Arjuna

ஊர்வசியின் சாபம்

Mahabharatha – Aranya Parva

Indra took Arjuna to his City Amaravati and showed him his palace. He offered him his own King’s seat and sat with him in the same throne. All the Devas were present and Indra asked Urvashi, his most beautiful damsel, to dance. Arjuna enjoyed the dance and admired her. Indra asked Chitrasenan to teach Arjuna Song and Dance. Arjuna learnt both in no time, but having left his brothers on earth, Arjuna could not enjoy the pleasures of Deva Loka, and he was very sad and remorseful.

Indra saw this and asked Chitrasenan to send Urvashi to Arjuna to make him happy. Urvashi went to Arjuna with passion and love, but Arjuna bowed to her and said that she was like a mother to him. (Urvashi was once married Pururavas, the first King of Kuru Clan and gave birth to Ela from whom the entire Kuru Dynasty started.)

Urvashi who was infatuated with Arjuna’s beauty, got angry on hearing his words and said, “There is no warier like you. When I came to you with lust, you insulted me saying I am your mother. Can’t you have me just like you had Darupati?” She cursed him that he would become a eunuch and live like that and she went away.

நின்போலமர் புரிவாரிரு நிலமன்னரினுண்டோ அன்போடழல்வருபாவையை

                                    யடையவுன்னியளித்தாய்

பொன்போலிரவிடையாடவர் புகலாமொழி புகல்வாய்

வன்போவருணலமோ பெருமிதமோ வளர்புகழோ

எனமன்னனை பேடியர் இயல்பாகு என விதியா……..          

(வில்லி பாரதம், ஆரணிய பர்வம், 163,164)

Chithirasenan told Indra about the curse received by Arjuna. Indra immediately called for Urvashi and requested her to change the curse in such a way that Arjuna could opt to be eunuch for one year at anytime of his choosing. Urvashi immediately obliged and changed the curse. This curse was useful to Arjuna to remain anonymous during the period of Anjgnathavasa when Pandavas had to live hidden for one year.

Indra then requested Arjuna to fight and kill the Nivathagavasars, Kalakeyarswhi, who were Asuras extremely powerful living in sea and a floating town called Hiranyapuram and were troubling the Devas quite often. Arjuna went to the seas and killed the Asuras with the help of Pasupatha Asthra received from Lord Shiva and destroyed the floating city. Indra was very happy to receive the victorious Arjuna. After staying in Amaravathi for some more time, Arjuna left back to the forests to be with his brothers.

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