Krishna Katha

Leeladhar's leela - Folklore of Mohini

At the beginning of the Mahabharata war

War was imminent between the Pandavas and Kauravas. There was no way that a war could be averted, thus saving millions of innocent human lives. Krishna, as the protector of the universe, was worried about the outcome of the war. It was true that he could intervene with his divine powers and avert catastrophe, but humans are required to decide their own fates. That’s what the Vedas and Shastras say.

Krishna’s dilemma

But still, Krishna wanted the Pandavas to win the war, for he was on their side and their doings were just and moral. This would be the ultimate “Good wins over Bad” story if it had gone along as he desired. Having no choice, Krishna goes to Sahadeva, who is blessed with the talent of accurately forecasting the future and reading horoscopes. Sahadeva rolls his shozhi (kaudi or the small conch shells used to help in predictions) and after several calculations, looked up and said something that increased Krishna’s anxiousness by manifold.

Sahadeva’s prophecy

Sahadeva answered Krishna, “To attain victory in the upcoming war, you need to sacrifice a man filled with all the good qualities of valour, strength, bravery, beauty and such, to the goddess of war, Kali. He who first performs this sacrifice will gain the blessings of Kali and win the war”.

Was Arjuna the one?

All along the way back, Krishna’s mind was filled with a single thought, “Is there anyone... anyone else, other than Arjuna, who can match the requirements of sacrifice? Anyone at all?” He pleaded, only to be met by a stunning silence. Krishna’s heart shattered at the thought of losing a dear friend. He felt light-headed and started to sway with dizziness, when a voice cut through his haziness.

A man who wanted recognition!

“Am I eligible to be sacrificed?” the voice asked. Krishna’s eyes land on a very handsome man, dressed as a warrior and bearing resemblance to Arjuna. “Who are you, may I know?” questioned Krishna, as hope revived in his heart. “I am Iravan, the son of Arjuna and Naga princess Ulupi, through an illicit wedlock. I have come here to help bring victory to my father. And if I can, indeed, help them win by sacrificing myself, then I am ready to die!” he proclaimed.

Krishna was relieved!

Krishna is flooded with relief. Using his divine powers, he comes to know that Iravan is indeed a warrior par excellence, full of good qualities and excellent character. “He would make the perfect sacrifice to Kali”, Krishna thought and he beckoned Iravan to come with him. He introduced Iravan to the Pandavas including to Arjuna, his father (How tragic!!!) and praised the sacrificial qualities of Iravan.

Iravan: A tragic life and death!

Arjuna was not sure. Krishna said, 'You have seven armies. The Kauravas have eleven. You need as many warriors as you can get. Acknowledge him as your son, even if you don't remember his mother. Hug him. Bind him. Don't let him go. When the Pandavas agreed to sacrifice Iravan, he realised his father did not love him as he loved his father. No one in the battlefield really cared for him. He mattered only because he was a perfect offering to the goddess.

Krishna felt his pain!

But the sacrifice had to be done. “We can only sacrifice you if you are willing,” said Krishna. “I am willing. I want to be remembered as a hero who sacrificed himself for his father,” answered Iravan. Arjuna felt guilty. But there was no turning back. “So you will be sacrificed to the Goddess at the dawn of war tomorrow. Purify yourself mentally and physically and prepare for the day. Long live your sacrifice! Do you have a last wish?” asked Krishna.

Iravan desired a bride!

“Nobody here cares for me. My mother told me not to go. She told me that if I died, only she would cry. I defied her. Told her there would be others who loved me. I want that to happen. I want someone to cry for me. A widow who beats her chest and unbinds her hair and rolls in mud in my memory. One who breaks her bangles to mourn for me. Give me a wife, Krishna. Tell the Pandavas to find me a wife,” demanded Iravan.

But who would want to marry a dying man?

“No woman will marry a man doomed to die at daybreak. A bride of a night and a widow for eternity. Who will seal their daughter's fate thus?” asked Bhima. Krishna knew this was true. But the war had to be won. The boy had to be sacrificed. And he had to go to the altar willingly. We will manage that,” he assured Iravan. “Anything else?”

Iravan’s second condition

“Yes! I would like to witness the entire war in my physical body and fight on the Pandava side.” It was here that the jealousy of Krishna kicked in. He knew that Iravan was an excellent warrior and if he was allowed to fight, there would be no need of any of the Pandavas or Krishna himself. He said, “What is ‘three weeks’ to a man like you? You can fight for three and a two-third minute.” Iravan agreed, charmed by Krishna’s flattery!

Iravan gets the bride he desired – Mohini!

Krishna said, “'Cover your eyes, cousins,' he said. 'Let me do tonight what must be done. Few will understand this. Fewer still will accept this. A temple needs to be built in memory of this event. For, no society will ever enshrine it.” Krishna then did the unbelievable. He transformed himself into Mohini, a form so beautiful that even Shiva had fallen for it, and in the presence of the elders, married Iravan. That night Iravan got his first wish fulfilled.

The night before death!

Mohini seduced him with all her sexuality. All through the night, Iravan was confused if he was with a man or woman. The smell of butter and milk reminded him of Krishna, but at the same time he couldn’t come out of Mohini’s clutches. The night passed and the day of the war dawned. Iravan was taken to the battlefield where he tore off the skin from his arms and offered them to Kali. Kali gave her blessings to Pandavas. Then, the war began!

When he realized he was tricked!

Over the course of the 18 days, Iravan kept Kali satisfied. On the final day, when his allotted 3 and two-third minutes of time came up, he realized that he had been tricked. He just had his head and his skeleton intact. A fat lot of use they would come to. Contemplating, he assumed his Vishwaroopa form and with his head as a large stone, he rolled over the enemy forces, killing millions and badly hurting himself. The war was over!

The Pandavas had won!

The Pandavas had won and the cause for it all, Iravan, was lying, all alone on the Kurukshetra field. During his final moments on earth, when his life was ebbing away, he heard the high-pitched wail of a woman. Turning towards the source of the wail, he sees Krishna, as Mohini, beating her chest and wailing, the very picture of a widowed woman grieving her husband. With that final sight, his spirit soared heavenwards and joined the other immortal heroes!

How Mohini mourned for Iravan

Mohini’s wail was so loud, so desperate, so heart-wrenching, it moistened the eyes of the entire camp. Mohini wiped away her sindoor, slashed her wrists whilst breaking her bangles. She threw away her jewels. Flowers that had adorned her hair, licked mud. Her red bridal silk gave way to the white of widowhood. Mohini cried, shrieked, wept, and wailed for Iravan. Her eyes were bloodshot and voice hoarse from hours of grief. No widow had ever cried for her dead husband as Mohini had for Iravan.

Contributed by akshayathereader and SohiniModak8

(Taken from speakingtree.in)