Arjuna was the third Pandava, born to Kunti, wife of Pandu, through the blessings of Indra, the king of the gods. Known as one of the greatest warriors in the Mahabharata, Arjuna rivaled his divine father Indra in martial prowess and was considered unbeatable on the battlefield. His skill with his legendary bow, Gandiva, and his divine knowledge of astras (celestial weapons) made him feared by mortals and admired by gods alike. His guru was Drona, who instructed him alongside his cousins, the Kauravas, and his brothers, the Pandavas, in the arts of warfare.
Divine Origins and Marriages
Arjuna is regarded as the incarnation of Nara, one of the two ancient sages, Nara-Narayana, who represent the ideals of righteousness. This sacred connection with divinity is shared with Krishna, an incarnation of Narayana, cementing their bond as friends and allies. In a demonstration of his supreme skill, Arjuna won the hand of Draupadi, the princess of Panchala, by achieving an extraordinary feat of archery in her swayamvara (self-choice ceremony). Draupadi became the shared wife of all five Pandavas, fulfilling a unique condition set by Kunti.
During his voluntary exile, Arjuna married several other notable women, adding to the complexities of his life and alliances. One of his significant marriages was to Subhadra, the sister of Krishna and Balarama, with whom he had a valiant son, Abhimanyu. Abhimanyu, famous for his bravery, perished in the Kurukshetra War, ensnared and slain by Kaurava warriors who attacked him unfairly, unable to defeat him in a straightforward battle. Arjuna held Jayadratha, the son-in-law of Dhritarashtra, chiefly responsible for Abhimanyu’s death and vowed to kill Jayadratha by sundown the following day—a feat he achieved with Krishna’s guidance, using clever tactics to fulfill his vow.
Skill and Divine Blessings
Arjuna’s mastery of the bow earned him the title of Savyasachin for his ambidexterity. Another name, Vibhatsu, indicates his moral integrity, meaning “one who shirks from an ignoble act.” Known for his sense of honor, Arjuna was, however, bound by dharma in complex situations. Gandiva, his celestial bow, was gifted to him after he and Krishna helped Agni, the god of fire, consume the Khandava forest, an act which marked the beginning of Arjuna’s divine weaponry collection. Along with Gandiva, Agni bestowed upon him inexhaustible quivers that ensured he would never run out of arrows in battle.
During the Pandavas’ exile, Arjuna undertook intense penances to obtain more powerful celestial weapons. In his quest, he gained the blessings of Shiva, acquiring the powerful Pashupatastra. He also visited his father Indra’s court in Swarga (heaven), where he was honored for his valor. Here, Urvashi, the famed celestial dancer who had once wed Arjuna’s ancestor Pururavas, developed affection for him. Arjuna, however, refused her advances out of respect for her previous marriage within his lineage. Angered, Urvashi cursed him to become a Brihannala, a eunuch, but Indra modified this curse to last only one year, allowing Arjuna to use it to his advantage when he lived in disguise at the kingdom of Virata during their final year of exile. In this disguise, he served as a dance teacher to the royal ladies.
Heroic Exploits
While in Swarga, Arjuna embarked on a quest to vanquish the Nivata-Kavachas, a powerful clan of Daityas (demons), as part of his training under Indra. In this encounter, he gained the powerful conch Devadatta, a symbol of his victories. He also defeated the inhabitants of Hiranyapura, the golden flying city of another demon clan, a feat celebrated among the Devas.
Arjuna’s friendship with Krishna is legendary, embodying both divine guidance and deep personal loyalty. Krishna was not only his cousin but also his guide, his strategist, and, during the Kurukshetra War, his charioteer. Their bond was immortalized on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, where Krishna revealed the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna, imparting wisdom on duty, righteousness, and the nature of life and death. This sacred scripture highlights Arjuna’s internal struggle and eventual understanding of his role in the grand design.
The Rivalry with Karna
Arjuna’s greatest adversary in battle was Karna, who was nearly his equal in archery. Unknown to Arjuna, Karna was his elder brother, born of Kunti before her marriage to Pandu. Karna, raised by a charioteer and often scorned by society, bore a lifelong enmity toward the Pandavas, fueled by the constant rejection and his loyalty to Duryodhana, leader of the Kauravas. Their enmity culminated on the battlefield when Arjuna, breaking the traditional code of honor, killed Karna while he was attempting to lift his chariot out of the mud, a moment that caused Arjuna to confront the complexities of dharma.
Names and Epithets
| Name | Meaning | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Savyasachin | Ambidextrous | Skilled equally with both hands, epitome of dexterity |
| Phalguna | Born under the Phalguna star | Indicates his birth under auspicious circumstances |
| Vibhatsu | One who shirks from an ignoble act | Reflects his commitment to righteousness |
| Vijaya | Victorious | Symbolizes his triumphs and invincibility in battle |
| Partha | Son of Pritha (Kunti) | Indicates his lineage, as Kunti’s son |
| Dhananjaya | Conqueror of wealth | Refers to his victories that brought riches and honor |
Arjuna’s legacy is a testament to valor, virtue, and the human struggle for righteousness. His story reflects the themes of duty, loyalty, and friendship, and his bond with Krishna exemplifies the union of the soul with divine wisdom. Arjuna’s life, full of triumphs and trials, stands as a complex narrative of duty, warfare, and spiritual growth, immortalized in the Mahabharata as the ultimate warrior and disciple of truth.