Offbeat: Who cursed Arjun to become a transgender? Know about this unheard story of Mahabharata
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According to the Mahabharata, when the Pandavas lost to the Kauravas in gambling, they had to live in exile for 12 years and incognito for 1 year. During the exile, all the Pandavas were living in Virat Nagar by hiding their identities and changing their appearance. During this time, Arjun was living as a eunuch. There is a story in the Mahabharata about how a mighty warrior like Arjun became a eunuch. We are going to give you information about this.
Arjun went in search of divine weapons
When the Pandavas were in 12 years of exile, Shri Krishna went to the forest to meet them. Then Shri Krishna told Arjun that after 12 years you would definitely fight with the Kauravas, at that time you would need divine weapons. For this you should do penance from now on to please Mahadev. On the advice of Shri Krishna, Arjun set out to please Mahadev. Then Arjun did penance of Mahadev for years while living in the forest.
Mahadev was pleased with Arjuna
Mahadev was very pleased with Arjuna's penance and at that time he came to meet Arjuna in the guise of a hunter. During this time, for some reason, a war also took place between Arjuna and Mahadev, in which Arjuna lost. Arjuna understood that this hunter was none other than Mahadev himself. Then Mahadev came in his real form and he also gave many divine weapons to Arjuna. Mahadev also told Arjuna that the rest of the divine weapons are with other gods present in heaven.
Arjun reached heaven
While searching for divine weapons, Arjun reached heaven. There, Devraj Indra welcomed him and also gave him many divine weapons of different gods and goddesses. Devraj Indra then sent him to Chitrasen to learn music and dance. Chitrasen, after getting the order from Indra, made Arjun proficient in the arts, dance, and music.
Urvashi cursed Arjuna
Then in heaven, an Apsara named Urvashi fell in love with Arjuna and told him everything. But being the mother of the Puru dynasty (Arjuna's ancestors), Arjuna treated her like a mother. Hearing this, Urvashi got very angry and cursed Arjuna to become a eunuch. When Arjuna told this to Devraj Indra, he told him that this curse of Urvashi would last only for one year.
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How did this curse become a blessing?
When all the Pandavas including Arjun were living in disguise during their exile, Arjun became a eunuch due to the curse given by Urvashi. During this time in Virat Nagar, he also taught dance and singing to Princess Uttara. After one year, Arjun came back to his original form.