Arjuna – The Peerless Archer – Indian Mythology

Arjuna: The Legendary Warrior and Incarnation of Nara

Arjuna, the third Pandava, was a demigod born to Kunti, the wife of Pandu, by the divine blessings of Indra, the king of the gods. As the son of Indra, Arjuna inherited his father’s exceptional prowess in arms, rivaling even the gods themselves. His skill with the bow, Gandiva, was unmatched, and he was said to be unbeatable in battle, with the exception of a few gods.

Incarnation of Nara

Arjuna is an incarnation of Nara, one of the primeval twins, who are said to be the manifestations of the divine energies of the universe. As an incarnation of Nara, Arjuna embodies the qualities of a warrior, a leader, and a protector of the innocent. His birth and upbringing were marked by divine interventions, which set him apart from other mortals.

Marriage and Family

Arjuna’s marriage to Draupadi, the Panchala princess, was a notable event in his life. He won her hand through his exceptional marksmanship, and she became the common wife of all the five Pandavas. In addition to Draupadi, Arjuna married many other women during his voluntary exile, including Subhadra, the sister of Krishna, with whom he had a valiant son, Abhimanyu – The Brave Young Warrior. Abhimanyu’s tragic death at the hands of the Kauravas was a turning point in Arjuna’s life, leading him to vow to kill Jayadratha – Brother-in-law of the Kauravas, the son-in-law of Dhritharashtra, before sunset the next day.

Archery and Divine Missiles

Arjuna was renowned as the best archer in the world, known as Sabyasachi, due to his ambidexterity. He was also known as Vibhatsu, or “one-who-shirks-from-doing-an-ignoble-act”, reflecting his commitment to upholding the laws of combat. As a student of Drona, Arjuna obtained knowledge of many divine missiles, which he used to great effect in battle. He also obtained the divine bow Gandiva and inexhaustible quivers after helping Agni burn the forest of Khandava, along with Krishna.

Divine Encounters and Quests

During his exile, Arjuna visited his father Indra’s court, where he met the dancer Urvashi, who fell in love with him. Arjuna rejected her advances, as she had been married to Puroorava – First King of Chandra Dynasty, an ancestor of his. Urvashi’s curse, which turned Arjuna into a eunuch for a year, was later modified by Indra to be chosen by Arjuna himself. This curse proved useful when the Pandavas had to spend a year incognito, and Arjuna disguised himself as Brihannala, a eunuch, to teach the ladies of the Virata Royal family in dance and music.

Conquests and Campaigns

Arjuna’s friendship with Krishna is legendary, and Krishna was both his friend and teacher. Krishna was Arjuna’s charioteer in the great battle of Kurukshetra, and their bond was unbreakable. Arjuna’s principal rival was Karna, whose skill with the bow came close to matching Arjuna’s. However, Arjuna’s resort to an ignoble stratagem to slay Karna, killing him with a missile when he was stuck in the mud, was a shameful act that went against the laws of combat prevailing at that time.

Notable Campaigns and Conquests

Arjuna’s conquests and campaigns are the stuff of legend. He conquered the Daityas known as Nivata-Kavachas and destroyed the Asuras residing in the flying city of Hiranyapura (city-of-gold), as his perceptor’s fee for the instruction received from his father Indra. He was given a conch named Devadatta for his use during this campaign, which Indra later gifted to him after the successful completion of this campaign.

Legacy and Impact

Arjuna’s legacy is that of a great warrior, a leader, and a protector of the innocent. His friendship with Krishna is a testament to the power of loyalty and devotion, and his campaigns and conquests are a reminder of the importance of upholding the laws of combat and protecting the weak. Despite his flaws and mistakes, Arjuna remains one of the most revered and beloved figures in Hindu mythology.