Aravan : The Tragic Story of a Prince who goes on to become a God

The story of Aravan is one of the less known stories of Mahabharata . The reference of this story can been found in the Tamil folktales.

Background

After Marrying Draupadi , the five brothers are visited by Narada who tells them about a story of Asura brothers Shunda and Upashunda who fought over the possession of an apsara named Tilottama. The brothers had a boon from Lord Brahma that nobody will be able to harm them unless they kill themselves.Devas had sent the apsara to seed a fight between both the brothers.The brothers blinded in the beauty of the apasara endsup killing each other.

The Agreement

Hearing this the Pandavas make a mutual agreement that they would spend time with Draupadi in turn and no one would interfere while any brother was with her in the chamber. And if any brother disturbs them by entering into their chamber than he would have to enter into an exile for twelve years. It was felt that by this way there would be no dispute between Pandavas because of Draupadi.

But one day Takshak, the serpent captured the cattle which was coming to Indraprastha for Raja suya Yagna , In order to save the Cattle Arjuna needed his Gandiv Dhanu which was kept in the same chamber where Yudhisthira and Draupadi were resting. As per the law ,Arjuna was prohibited to enter the chamber. But Arjuna thought that saving the cattle should be his top priority. Thus he decides to enter the room.After defeating Takshak he returns back and decides to enter a 12 years exile thereby keeping the promise.

The Birth of Aravan

During this 12 year of exile he wanders to many places, takes pilgrimage and spend time with sages. It is then that he meets Ulipi the daughter of the king of Nagas,

falls in love and marries her. Ulipi gives birth to a boy named Aravan and Arjuna after the birth of his son continues with his journey.Later on Aravan joins his father on the battle ground of kurukshetra.


According to the legends the battle of Kurukshetra between Pandavas and Kauravas had become so intense that it appeared that both the sides were unbeatable and no one could predict an end to it. Lord Krishna realized that and asks the Pandavas to offer special sacrificial ritual prayer known as the 'Kalappali', to the Goddess Kali if they want to win.The prayer however came with a condition. It asked for a sacrifice of a human who has 32 Characters. (Lakshans) 
There were only three humans in Krukshetra that had these character; Krishana, Arjun and Aravan. It was not possible to sacrifice Lord Krishna and Krishna knew that Pandavas were strong only till they were together and only till they were fighting as one. Moreover Arjuna was there main warrior. Aravan realizing this dilemma volunteers to sacrifice himself in the ritual but on three conditions.

The Three Conditions 

The first condition was that he wanted Lord Krishna to grant him a boon of a heroic death on the battle field. The second condition was that he wanted to see the entire 18 days of war and the Third condition was that he wanted to experience love before death. As he was destined to die in ongoing war, no lady wanted to marry him.

The Brides of Aravan

As a solution to this Lord Krishna takes a form of mohini and marries Prince Aravan . 
The next day Aravan sacrifices himself and Krishna who is in the form of mohini mourns for the prince after his death. Krishan was a man who takes form of a women to marry Aravan . So every year Hijras from all over the country meets in Tamil Nadu to commemorate a rite known as Thali. During this Hijra take on the role of Mohini and Marry Aravan in a mass wedding which followed by an 18 days festival. 
The festival ends with a burial ritual of Aravan while the Hijras mourns his death by beating chests and breaking bangles.