Mahabharat: Why Did Apsara Urvashi Curse Arjun to Become Eunuch?

According to the scriptures, Lord Indra’s celestial court in heaven had eleven divine apsaras (celestial maidens) who served as dancers in the court of Indra. These were Kritasthali, Punjikasthala, Menaka, Rambha, Pramlocha, Anumlocha, Ghritachi, Varcha, Urvashi, Purvachitti and Tilottama. Among them, Rambha was considered the chief apsara.

Once, when Urvashi, one of the most enchanting apsaras, saw Arjuna in Indra’s court, she was instantly captivated by his divine aura and heroic charm. Overwhelmed by love, Urvashi expressed her desire to be with Arjuna and approached him with romantic intentions.

The Tale of Pururava and Urvashi

Long before this, Urvashi had once danced in Indra’s court when King Pururava was present. During the performance, the king became so enamored by her beauty that Urvashi lost her rhythm. Lord Indra became displeased and cursed both Urvashi and Pururava to live on Earth (mortal realm).

On Earth, Urvashi and Pururava lived together as husband and wife under certain divine conditions and had several sons. One of their descendants was Nahusha, who fathered Yayati. From Yayati’s lineage came the great clans — Yadus (Yadavas) and Purus (Pauravas). The Kurus descended from the Paurava line, and from them came the Kauravas and Pandavas — making Arjuna a descendant of the same divine lineage.

Arjuna and Urvashi

When Urvashi saw Arjuna in Indra’s court, she fell in love with him. She approached him and confessed her feelings.

However, Arjuna respectfully declined, saying, “O Divine Lady, one of my ancestors, King Pururava, was your husband. As the mother figure of our lineage, you are like a mother to me. How can I ever think of you otherwise?”

Hearing this, Urvashi was deeply offended. In anger, she said, “Since you have refused me out of arrogance, you shall lose your manhood and have to live amongst women, dancing and singing, for the rest of your life.”

Later, upon Lord Indra's request, Urvashi curtailed the curse to a period of one year.

The Curse That Became a Blessing

This curse, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Arjuna. During the Pandavas’ exile, when they had to live incognito, Arjuna took the form of a eunuch named Brihannala in the palace of King Virata.

There, he lived unnoticed for a year, teaching music and dance to the princess Uttara, while Draupadi served as a maid named Sairandhri and the other Pandavas disguised themselves in various roles.

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