In the epic Mahabharata, Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, had four wives and several children due to the diverse circumstances he faced. His first wife was Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada, who was born from a sacred fire. Arjuna and Draupadi had a son named Shrutakarma.
Arjuna's second wife was Subhadra, the sister of Lord Krishna. Arjuna and Subhadra's son was the famous warrior Abhimanyu. Draupadi also had children with Arjuna's brothers: Yudhishthira's son was Prativindhya, Bhima's son was Sutasoma, Nakula's son was Shatanika, and Sahadeva's son was Shrutasena. These children were collectively known as the Upapandavas. Apart from Draupadi and Subhadra, Arjuna had two more wives.
Arjuna’s Eldest Son: Iravan
Arjuna's eldest son was Iravan, born to his wife Ulupi, the princess of the Naga (serpent) clan. This marriage took place during Arjuna's twelve-year exile. While seeking divine weapons in the Naga realm, Arjuna married Ulupi, and they had a son named Iravan. According to the Mahabharata, Iravan was Arjuna's first son, older than Draupadi's son Shrutakarma and Subhadra's son Abhimanyu. Iravan fought valiantly in the Mahabharata war on the side of the Pandavas and died heroically in battle against the demon Alambusha.
Arjuna’s Fourth Marriage
Arjuna's fourth marriage also took place during his exile, with Chitrangada, the princess of Manipur. They had a son named Babruvahana. Babruvahana did not participate in the Mahabharata war but later became the king of Manipur.
The Battle Between Arjuna and His Son Babruvahana
A significant event occurred when Yudhishthira conducted the Ashwamedha Yagna. Babruvahana captured the sacrificial horse, leading to a battle with his father, Arjuna, during which Babruvahana killed Arjuna. However, with the help of the Sanjeevani Vidya, Chitrangada revived Arjuna. Unfortunately, she could not save Karna's son, who also died in the battle.
Who Was Arjuna's Favorite Wife?
While Draupadi is often considered to be deeply in love with Arjuna, legends suggest that Arjuna loved Subhadra the most. The Mahabharata does not explicitly mention this, but other texts and television adaptations have emphasized it. Unlike Ulupi and Chitrangada, who never came to Hastinapur or Indraprastha, Draupadi and Subhadra lived with Arjuna in the capital. As Draupadi had to divide her time among her other husbands, Subhadra spent more time with Arjuna.
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