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'''Arjuna''' (in [[Devanagari]]: अर्जुन ''{{IAST|arjuna}}'') is the |
'''Arjuna''' (in [[Devanagari]]: अर्जुन ''{{IAST|arjuna}}'') is the side character of the ancient Indian epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and plays a key role in the [[Bhagavad Gita]] alongside Krishna. Arjuna was the son of ''[[Indra]]'', the king of the celestials, born of ''[[Kunti]]'', the first wife of King ''[[Pandu]]'' in the ''[[Kuru Kingdom]]''. In a previous birth he was a saint named ''Nara'' who was the lifelong companion of another saint ''Narayana'' an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who took rebirth as Lord Krishna. He was the third of the [[Pandava]] brothers and was married to [[Draupadi]], [[Ulupi]], [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]] and [[Subhadra]] (Krishna's sister) at different times. His children included [[Upapandavas#Srutakarma|Srutakarma]], [[Iravan]], [[Babruvahana]], and [[Abhimanyu]]. Arjuna was considered to be the 10th best archer after Lord Krishna, Karna, Eklavya, Bhishma, Drona, Ashwatthama, Abhimanyu, Bhagadatta and Bhima. |
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== Etymology and other names == |
== Etymology and other names == |
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The name Arjuna has among its meanings "white"/"clear" and "silver".<ref>{{MWSD}}</ref> Cognates of "Arjuna" are Latin ''"regens"'' meaning "ruler", Hindi ''"raj"'' meaning "king", and English ''"regal"''.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} |
The name Arjuna has among its meanings "white"/"clear" and "silver".<ref>{{MWSD}}</ref> Cognates of "Arjuna" are Latin ''"regens"'' meaning "ruler", Hindi ''"raj"'' meaning "king", and English ''"regal"''.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} |
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04044.htm|title=All names of Arjuna|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> |
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* Phalguna (फाल्गुन) - one born under the star named 'Uttara Phalguni'. |
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* Jishnu (जिष्णु) - triumphant. |
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* Kiritin (किरीटिन्) - one who wears the celestial [[diadem]], Kiriti, presented by [[Indra]]. |
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* Shwetavahana (श्वेतवाहन) - one with white horses mounted to his chariot. |
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* Bibhatsu (बीभत्सु) - one who always fights wars in a fair manner. |
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* Vijaya (विजय) - always wins on war. |
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* Partha (पार्थ) - son of Pritha, another name for [[Kunti]]. |
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* Savyasachin (सव्यसाचिन्) - ambidextrous |
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* Dhananjaya (धनञ्जय) - one who brings prosperity and wealth in the land where he goes to. |
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* Gudakesha (गुडाकेश) - someone who have control over sleeps |
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* Kapidhwaja (कपिध्वज) - having flag of Kapi (monkey) in his chariot (Arjuna's flag displayed an image of [[Hanuman]] from a previous encounter). |
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* Parantapa (परन्तप) - one who concentrates the most, destroyer of enemies from his concentration. |
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* Gandivadhanvan (गाण्डीवधन्वन्) - one who possessed the mighty bow named 'Gandiva' which was created by Lord Brahma. |
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* Gandivadhara (गाण्डीवधर) - Gandiva holder |
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* Madhyapandava (मध्यपाण्डव) - the third of Pandavas, younger to [[Yudhisthira]] and [[Bhima]] and elder to [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]]. |
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== Birth and youth == |
== Birth and youth == |
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[[File:Boon of Indra to Kunti.jpg|thumb|Indra bestows a favor on Kunti]] |
[[File:Boon of Indra to Kunti.jpg|thumb|Indra bestows a favor on Kunti]] |
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Arjuna's birth is most celebrated one and he was born 9 months after the birth of [[krishna]]. A prophesy is said about his birth and so many gods attended to see him. |
Arjuna's birth is most celebrated one and he was born 9 months after the birth of [[krishna]]. A prophesy is said about his birth and so many gods attended to see him. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01124.htm|title=Describes Arjuna birth|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> |
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After the death of Pandu (and Madri's subsequent [[Sati (practice)|sati]]), the Pandavas and their mother lived in Hastinapura, where they were brought up together with their cousins, the [[Kaurava]] brothers. Along with his brothers, Arjuna was trained in religion, science, administration and military arts by Bhishma |
After the death of Pandu (and Madri's subsequent [[Sati (practice)|sati]]), the Pandavas and their mother lived in Hastinapura, where they were brought up together with their cousins, the [[Kaurava]] brothers. Along with his brothers, Arjuna was trained in religion, science, administration and military arts by [[Bhishma]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Johnson|first=W. J|title=A Dictionary of Hinduism|encyclopedia=[[Oxford Reference]]|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2009|doi=10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001|subscription=yes}} {{ODNBsub}}</ref> |
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One day, when the princes were playing a game, they lost their ball in a [[Water well|well]]. When the rest of the children gave up the ball as being lost, Arjuna stayed behind trying to get it. A stranger came by and extracted the ball for him by making a chain of "sarkanda" (a wild grass). When an astonished Arjuna related the story to Bhishma, Bhishma realised that the stranger was none other than Drona. Bhishma asked Drona to become the Kuru princes' teacher. Seeking refuge from [[Panchala]], Drona agreed.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Leeming|first=W. J|title=The Oxford Companion to World Mythology|encyclopedia=[[Oxford Reference]]|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2009|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195156690.001.0001|subscription=yes}} {{ODNBsub}}</ref> Many asuras were killed by him. |
One day, when the princes were playing a game, they lost their ball in a [[Water well|well]]. When the rest of the children gave up the ball as being lost, Arjuna stayed behind trying to get it. A stranger came by and extracted the ball for him by making a chain of "sarkanda" (a wild grass). When an astonished Arjuna related the story to Bhishma, Bhishma realised that the stranger was none other than [[Drona]]. Bhishma asked Drona to become the Kuru princes' teacher. Seeking refuge from [[Panchala]], Drona agreed.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Leeming|first=W. J|title=The Oxford Companion to World Mythology|encyclopedia=[[Oxford Reference]]|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2009|doi=10.1093/acref/9780195156690.001.0001|subscription=yes}} {{ODNBsub}}</ref> Many asuras were killed by him. |
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== Tutelage under Drona == |
== Tutelage under Drona == |
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[[File:The Swayamvara of Panchala's princess, Draupadi.jpg|thumb|the Swayamvara of Panchala's princess, [[Draupadi]]]] |
[[File:The Swayamvara of Panchala's princess, Draupadi.jpg|thumb|the Swayamvara of Panchala's princess, [[Draupadi]]]] |
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Pandavas |
Pandavas fled away from Varnavrat by burning Nishada woman and five children to the death in order to fake their own death. Still in hiding, the [[Pandavas]] disguise themselves as [[brahmin]]s and attend the [[Swayamvara]] of [[Panchala]] princess [[Draupadi]]. Out of all of the great kings and other [[Kaurava]] princes, only [[Karna]] and Arjuna are able to do the established challenge. The test is to lift, string, and fire [[Shiva Dhanush|Pinakin]] to pierce the eye of a golden fish whilst only looking at its reflection; [[Drupada]] had designed this test with Arjuna in mind. First Karna lifted bow with just one hand and strung it. When he was about to shoot arrows, Draupadi stopped him. Arjuna came forward and lifted bow with both hands with greatest difficulty. Finally, he was able to hit target after shooting 5 arrows. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bori.ac.in/mahabharata_project.html|title=|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref>. |
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Later Karna attacked Arjuna |
Later Karna attacked Arjuna mildly and still Arjuna failed to gain upper hand. However Karna easily overpowered him and asked about his real identity. With the fear of Karna, Arjuna lied that he is Brahmin hence he was spared by Karna. .<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01193.htm|title=Describes the fight between Karna and Arjuna|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> |
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When the brothers returned with Draupadi, |
When the brothers returned with Draupadi, Arjuna joked to his mother that they had brought [[alms]]. Dismissively, and without looking because she was preoccupied, Kunti asks him to share it with his brothers. Holding his mother's orders as a divine command, he requested his elder brother to accept Draupadi. [[Polyandry|Draupadi had to marry all five of the Pandavas]]. Her five sons, one from each of the Pandava brothers, are known as the [[Upapandavas]].{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} [[Srutakarma]] is the son of Arjuna. |
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At this point in the Mahabharata, the Pandavas revealed that they were alive. With both Duryodhana and Yudhishthira being [[crown prince]]s, tensions are high. Under Bhishma's advice, the kingdom is split, with the Kauravas getting [[Hastinapur]] and the Pandavas getting [[Khandavaprastha]]. Khandavaprastha, however, was an extremely underdeveloped land and had [[Fertility (soil)|infertile soil]], requiring extensive [[tillage|tilling]], so the Pandavas set to work rebuilding the land by burning |
At this point in the Mahabharata, the Pandavas revealed that they were alive. With both Duryodhana and Yudhishthira being [[crown prince]]s, tensions are high. Under Bhishma's advice, the kingdom is split, with the Kauravas getting [[Hastinapur]] and the Pandavas getting [[Khandavaprastha]]. Khandavaprastha, however, was an extremely underdeveloped land and had [[Fertility (soil)|infertile soil]], requiring extensive [[tillage|tilling]], so the Pandavas set to work rebuilding the land by burning thousands of human tribes and innocent animals in khandava. Their cousins [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]] gave them aid.{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} |
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== Love of Lord Krishna for Arjuna == |
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The friendship bond of [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]] and Arjuna is the most celebrated bond in Hindu mythology followed by the bond of [[Rama|Lord Rama]] and [[Hanuman|Lord Hanumana]]. According to Mahabharata, Arjuna was the incarnation of Lord Nara who was the best friend of [[Vishnu|Lord Vishnu]] and along with Nara, Lord Vishnu defeated all the demons after the churning of Ocean ( [[Samudra manthan|Samudra Manthan]] ). According to Lord Shiva, Nara and Lord Vishnu holds the whole universe and incarnates in every Yuga to end the evil and establish righteousness. The love of Lord Krishna for Arjuna is evident from Adi Parva where after the fight in Khandava forest instead of asking any weapon or power Lord Krishna asked Indra that his friendship with Arjuna will remain forever when the latter asked Lord Krishna to ask for a boon. Lord Krishna also described his love for Arjuna in Vana Parva by saying that whoever will hate Arjuna will hate Lord Krishna and whoever will follow Arjuna will follow Lord Krishna. He even said that nobody in the whole world is dearer to him than Arjuna and he can sacrifice anything including his sons, wives and citizens just for the sake of Arjuna. During his final conversation with his father Vasudeva he told him that he wants Arjuna to perform his last rights and also said that Lord Krishna is Arjuna and Arjuna is Lord Krishna. Such was the greatness of Arjuna that the supreme god [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]] was ready to sacrifice anything for him.<ref>{{Cite web|url=www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03012.htm|title=Love of Lord Krishna for Arjuna|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=}}</ref> |
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== Burning of Khandava Vana == |
== Burning of Khandava Vana == |
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In some versions of the story, this was the first time Arjuna meets [[Krishna]]. In any case, [[Khandavaprastha]] was where Arjuna and Krishna's friendship is truly forged. Once when roaming in the Khandava Vana, Arjuna and Krishna met the god of fire, [[Agni]]. Agni was in great hunger and needed to burn down the entire Khandava Vana to quench his hunger. But [[Takshaka]], the serpent-king lived in the same forest and was a friend of [[Indra]]'s. So the latter brought down heavy [[rains]] to thwart Agni's plans to burn the woods. Agni requested Krishna and Arjuna to help him realise his goal.<ref name="autogenerated518">{{cite book|title=Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa.|year=2008|publisher=The Echo Library|location=Teddington, Middlesex|isbn=9781406870459|pages=518–520}}</ref> |
In some versions of the story, this was the first time Arjuna meets [[Krishna]]. In any case, [[Khandavaprastha]] was where Arjuna and Krishna's friendship is truly forged. Once when roaming in the Khandava Vana, Arjuna and Krishna met the god of fire, [[Agni]]. Agni was in great hunger and needed to burn down the entire Khandava Vana to quench his hunger. But [[Takshaka]], the serpent-king lived in the same forest and was a friend of [[Indra]]'s. So the latter brought down heavy [[rains]] to thwart Agni's plans to burn the woods. Agni requested Krishna and Arjuna to help him realise his goal.<ref name="autogenerated518">{{cite book|title=Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa.|year=2008|publisher=The Echo Library|location=Teddington, Middlesex|isbn=9781406870459|pages=518–520}}</ref> |
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Arjuna |
Arjuna begged Agni for Gandiva and Divine Chariot. The three of them then invoked [[Varuna]], the [[God]] of the [[oceans]], who blessed Arjuna with the [[Gandiva]] – the agni-moon bow created by [[Brahma]]. In this way, Arjuna came into possession of his famous bow. Agni also gave Arjuna an incandescent chariot with four horses yoked, and bearing a flag that would one-day be occupied by [[Hanuman]]. Arjuna also obtained his famous [[Devadatta|conch]].{{citation needed|date=April 2017}} |
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With Krishna using the [[Sudarshana Chakra]]<ref name="menon302">{{cite book|last=Menon|first=[translated by] Ramesh|title=The Mahabharata : a modern rendering|year=2006|publisher=iUniverse, Inc.|location=New York|isbn=9780595401871|pages=302–304}}</ref> Arjuna and Krishna waged a successful battle against Indra and helped Agni burn down the entire Khandava Vana.Indra's pride in Arjuna's success overcame his anger, and he bestowed greater powers on him |
With Krishna using the [[Sudarshana Chakra]]<ref name="menon302">{{cite book|last=Menon|first=[translated by] Ramesh|title=The Mahabharata : a modern rendering|year=2006|publisher=iUniverse, Inc.|location=New York|isbn=9780595401871|pages=302–304}}</ref> Arjuna and Krishna waged a successful battle against Indra and helped Agni burn down the entire Khandava Vana including all innocent Vidhyadharas human tribes and all animals. Indra's pride in Arjuna's success overcame his anger, and he bestowed greater powers on him. |
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=== Saving Mayasura === |
=== Saving Mayasura === |
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== Arjuna's Tirtha-yatra and Indraprastha == |
== Arjuna's Tirtha-yatra and Indraprastha == |
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[[File:Arjuna enters Dharma's Budoir.jpg|thumb|Arjuna enters Dharma's Boudoir]] |
[[File:Arjuna enters Dharma's Budoir.jpg|thumb|Arjuna enters Dharma's Boudoir]] |
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Arjuna violated [[Yudhishthira]] and [[Draupadi]]'s privacy while they were playing the game of dice, as he had left the [[Gandiva]] in their room. Despite the understanding of all and being forgiven by both Yudhishthira and Draupadi, Arjuna accepted the punishment agreed with Narada and set off on a twelve-year [[pilgrimage|tirtha-yatra]]. According to Narada, Arjuna must retire to forest and pass his days as Brahmacharin |
Arjuna violated [[Yudhishthira]] and [[Draupadi]]'s privacy while they were playing the game of dice, as he had left the [[Gandiva]] in their room. Despite the understanding of all and being forgiven by both Yudhishthira and Draupadi, Arjuna accepted the punishment agreed with Narada and set off on a twelve-year [[pilgrimage|tirtha-yatra]]. According to Narada, Arjuna must retire to forest and pass his days as Brahmacharin but Arjuna enjoyed his celibacy and lusted after many womens in process raped Ulupi |
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=== Chitrangadaa at Manipura === |
=== Chitrangadaa at Manipura === |
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Arjuna visited other Tirthas in [[India]], including [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]] and the ashrams of the [[Saptarishi]]s, [[Agastya]], [[Vasishta]] and [[Bhrigu]]. Finally he reached the palace of [[Manipur]]. Here he met King [[Chitravahana]]'s daughter, [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangadaa]]. |
Arjuna visited other Tirthas in [[India]], including [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]] and the ashrams of the [[Saptarishi]]s, [[Agastya]], [[Vasishta]] and [[Bhrigu]]. Finally he reached the palace of [[Manipur]]. Here he met King [[Chitravahana]]'s daughter, [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangadaa]]. Arjuna lusted after her and begged that the king let them marry. Upon discovering Arjuna's true identity, the king readily agreed. They had a son, who survived the Mahabharata war and ruled the small kingdom peacefully. Arjuna ran away abandoing Vabruvahana and his mother and finally Vabruvahana took revenge after kurushetra war by killing Arjuna in battle.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01218.htm|title=Mahabharata Text}}</ref> |
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=== Reaching Dwarka and Subhadra === |
=== Reaching Dwarka and Subhadra === |
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[[File:Ravi Varma-Arjuna and Subhadra.jpg|thumb|Arjuna and Subhadra, <br/>Painting by [[Raja Ravi Varma]].]] |
[[File:Ravi Varma-Arjuna and Subhadra.jpg|thumb|Arjuna and Subhadra, <br/>Painting by [[Raja Ravi Varma]].]] |
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Arjuna moved to other Tirthas, including the southern regions in [[Kerala]]. Finally he reached [[Dwarka]], the place where his cousin [[Krishna]] resided. Arjuna had, in his childhood, heard about Krishna's sister, [[Subhadra]]. Krishna, wishing to further tie their families, knew of Arjuna's visit and devised a plan to arrange their meeting. Accordingly, Arjuna disguised himself as a [[Yati]] and stayed at Krishna's palace. Arjuna |
Arjuna moved to other Tirthas, including the southern regions in [[Kerala]]. Finally he reached [[Dwarka]], the place where his cousin [[Krishna]] resided. Arjuna had, in his childhood, heard about Krishna's sister, [[Subhadra]]. Krishna, wishing to further tie their families, knew of Arjuna's visit and devised a plan to arrange their meeting. Accordingly, Arjuna disguised himself as a [[Yati]] and stayed at Krishna's palace. Arjuna lusted after Subhadra and desired to have intercourse with her. Because [[Balarama]] had already promised Subhadra to his favorite disciple, [[Duryodhana]], Krishna advised Arjuna to kidnap Subhadra. Arjuna forcefully dragged Subhadra and took her into chariot even though she repeatedly begged soldiers to save her from Arjuna. Balarama became furious upon learning of the abduction but was pacified by Krishna, after he showed that the [[Mangala sutra]] was in Subhadra's hand, which showed her consent. The couple stayed in Dwaraka for a year, and then another year in Pushkar. However, Draupadi had made it clear that no other Pandava wife would be allowed to stay in her city, so Arjuna, as Krishna had advised, tricked Draupadi into meeting Subhadra as a milkmaid. Draupadi realized she had been tricked, but she forgave Subhadra and let her stay in [[Indraprastha]], allowing her to keep company with Arjuna in the four years when he was not with Draupadi. In due course, the union of Arjuna and Subhadra produced a son, Abhimanyu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01223.htm|title=Mahabharata Text}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01224.htm|title=Mahabharata Text}}</ref> |
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== Conquest for Rajasuya == |
== Conquest for Rajasuya == |
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[[File:PathRajasuyaArjunaDigvijaya.jpg|thumb|Possible route taken by Arjuna for the Rajasuya sacrifice.]] |
[[File:PathRajasuyaArjunaDigvijaya.jpg|thumb|Possible route taken by Arjuna for the Rajasuya sacrifice.]] |
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Arjuna was sent south by [[Yudhishthira]] to subjugate kingdoms for the [[Rajasuya|Rajasuya Yagya]], so that he could be crowned [[Emperor]] of [[Indraprastha]]. The Mahabharata mentions several kingdoms to the |
Arjuna was sent south by [[Yudhishthira]] to subjugate kingdoms for the [[Rajasuya|Rajasuya Yagya]], so that he could be crowned [[Emperor]] of [[Indraprastha]]. The Mahabharata mentions several kingdoms to the east of Indraprastha which were conquered (or otherwise peacefully [[genuflection|bent-the-knee]]) by Arjuna.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02027.htm|title=Mahabharata Text}}</ref> Most notably, he failed to defeat [[Bhagadatta]] of [[Pragjyotisha]] who repelled Arjuna for eight days straight but being friend of Indra, he agreed to pay tribute. Bhagadatta was also a great friend of Pandu. Infact Bhagadatta spared the life of Arjuna by not firing Vaishnav astra against him |
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== Exile == |
== Exile == |
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After the battle at Khandava [[Indra]] had promised Arjuna to give him all his weapons as a boon for matching him in battle with the requirement that Shiva is pleased with him. . Following the advice of [[Yudhistira]] to go on a meditation or "tapasya" to attain this [[Astra (weapon)|divine weapon]], Arjuna left his brothers for a penance. |
After the battle at Khandava [[Indra]] had promised Arjuna to give him all his weapons as a boon for matching him in battle with the requirement that Shiva is pleased with him. . Following the advice of [[Yudhistira]] to go on a meditation or "tapasya" to attain this [[Astra (weapon)|divine weapon]], Arjuna left his brothers for a penance. |
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Arjuna traveled for a while before reaching the mountain [[Kanaka Durga Temple#Description|Indra keeladri, Vijayawada]]. Here he sat in meditation in the name of Lord Shiva. |
Arjuna traveled for a while before reaching the mountain [[Kanaka Durga Temple#Description|Indra keeladri, Vijayawada]]. Here he sat in meditation in the name of Lord Shiva. Shiva appeared soon enough in the guise of a [[hunter]], who challenged Arjuna to a fight. Arjuna abused Lord Shiva thinking him to be low cast kirata. While being thoroughly dominated by Shiva, Arjuna became confused as to how an ordinary hunter could beat a warrior like himself. He prays to Shiva for strength, and then sees the offerings he made to Shiva around the hunter's neck. Consequently, Shiva transformed himself to show his real avatar and extracted evilness from the soul of Arjuna and blessed Arjuna with the [[Pashupatastra]]. Shiva lectures Arjuna on the abilities of the weapon, as well as the judgement he must use while wielding it. It is said that, apart from Parshurama, Karna and Drona, Arjuna was the only human having Pashupatastra. However Lord Shiva didnt teach Arjuna about proper use of pashupatatastra leading Pashupatastra as useless weapon in the hand of Arjuna |
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After Shiva left, the [[Lokapalas]] appeared before Arjuna and then [[Kubera]], [[Yama]], and [[Varuna]] also blessed each of their potent weapons to Arjuna. Indra then invited his son to his palace in [[Svarga|heaven]]. |
After Shiva left, the [[Lokapalas]] appeared before Arjuna and then [[Kubera]], [[Yama]], and [[Varuna]] also blessed each of their potent weapons to Arjuna. Indra then invited his son to his palace in [[Svarga|heaven]]. |
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He was also taken to [[Hiranyapura]], a palace in the sky created by a witch Puloma and his asura tribe of the Kalakanjas. Here Arjuna uses the Raudra-astra and annihilates the demons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03172.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CLXXII|publisher=|accessdate=3 August 2016}}</ref> |
He was also taken to [[Hiranyapura]], a palace in the sky created by a witch Puloma and his asura tribe of the Kalakanjas. Here Arjuna uses the Raudra-astra and annihilates the demons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03172.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CLXXII|publisher=|accessdate=3 August 2016}}</ref> |
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=== At Virata's Kingdom === |
=== At Virata's Kingdom === |
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[[File:Brihannala.jpg|thumb|left|Brihannala – [[Eunuch]] at Virata's Kingdom]] |
[[File:Brihannala.jpg|thumb|left|Brihannala – [[Eunuch]] at Virata's Kingdom]] |
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Along with his brothers, Arjuna spent his last year of exile in the [[Matsya Kingdom|kingdom of Matsya]]. This is the place where Urvashi's curse is implemented and Arjuna becomes a [[eunuch]] called [[Brihannala]] (within themselves Pandavas called him Vijaya).<ref>{{cite book|last=Kapoor|first=edited by Subodh|title=The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552577|page=4462|edition=1st}}</ref> At the palace, he teaches song and [[bharatnatyam|dance]], qualities he had learnt from [[Chitrasena (Mahabharata)|Chitrasena]] [King of the Gandharvas in Devalok], to the [[Virata|King Virata's]] daughter, [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]. Later, Arjuna arranges for Uttara to become his daughter-in-law by marrying his son [[Abhimanyu]] to her. At the same time, he prevents [[Subhadra]] from marrying Abhimanyu to [[Balarama]]'s daughter [[Vatsala]], as the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kurus]] find marriages between cousins [[taboo]]. But Arjuna and Subhadra are cousins too since Kunti (Arjun's Mother) and Vasudeva (Subhadra's father) are brother and sister. |
Along with his brothers, Arjuna spent his last year of exile in the [[Matsya Kingdom|kingdom of Matsya]]. This is the place where Urvashi's curse is implemented and Arjuna becomes a [[eunuch]] called [[Brihannala]] (within themselves Pandavas called him Vijaya).<ref>{{cite book|last=Kapoor|first=edited by Subodh|title=The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552577|page=4462|edition=1st}}</ref> At the palace, he teaches song and [[bharatnatyam|dance]], qualities he had learnt from [[Chitrasena (Mahabharata)|Chitrasena]] [King of the Gandharvas in Devalok], to the [[Virata|King Virata's]] daughter, [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]. Later, Arjuna arranges for Uttara to become his daughter-in-law by marrying his son [[Abhimanyu]] to her. At the same time, he prevents [[Subhadra]] from marrying Abhimanyu to [[Balarama]]'s daughter [[Vatsala]], as the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kurus]] find marriages between cousins [[taboo]]. But Arjuna and Subhadra are cousins too since Kunti (Arjun's Mother) and Vasudeva (Subhadra's father) are brother and sister. |
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Hearing about the death of Kichaka, Duryodhana surmises that the Pandavas were hiding in Matsya. A host of Kaurava warriors attack Virata, presumably to steal their cattle, but in reality, desiring to pierce the Pandavas' veil of anonymity. Full of bravado, Virata's son Uttar attempts to take on the army by himself while the rest of the Matsya army has been lured away to fight Susharma and the Trigartas. As suggested by Draupadi, Uttar takes Brihannala with him, as his charioteer. When he sees the Kaurava army, Uttar loses his nerve and attempts to flee. There, Arjuna reveals his identity and those of his brothers'. Switching places with Uttar, Arjuna takes up the Gandiva and Devadatta. Eager to defend the land that had given him refuge, Arjuna engaged the legion of Kaurava warriors. |
Hearing about the death of Kichaka, Duryodhana surmises that the Pandavas were hiding in Matsya. A host of Kaurava warriors attack Virata, presumably to steal their cattle, but in reality, desiring to pierce the Pandavas' veil of anonymity. Full of bravado, Virata's son Uttar attempts to take on the army by himself while the rest of the Matsya army has been lured away to fight Susharma and the Trigartas. As suggested by Draupadi, Uttar takes Brihannala with him, as his charioteer. When he sees the Kaurava army, Uttar loses his nerve and attempts to flee. There, Arjuna reveals his identity and those of his brothers'. Switching places with Uttar, Arjuna takes up the Gandiva and Devadatta. Eager to defend the land that had given him refuge, Arjuna engaged the legion of Kaurava warriors. Unable to withstand all warriors for long time, Arjuna used Sammohini astra which failed to show its effect. He took up celestical conch and blew it which caused all warriors to lose their sense. During the interval offered, arjuna took heroic flight and fled away from battle.<ref>{{cite book | title=Essays on the Mahābhārata | publisher=Brill | author=Arvind Sharma | year=1991}}</ref><ref name="Karma >{{cite book | title=Karma and Rebirth in Classical Indian Traditions | publisher=Berkeley University of California Press. | author=Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty}}</ref><ref>K M Ganguly(1883–1896)[http://www.aryabharati.org/mahabharat/mahabharen.asp?ln=en&bk=04&pt=a&pg=065 The Mahabharat Book 3: Virata Parva Section LXV]{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} aryabharati.org, October 2004, Retrieved 2015-12-23</ref> |
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== Kurukshetra War == |
== Kurukshetra War == |
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{{main article| Bhagavad Gita }} |
{{main article| Bhagavad Gita }} |
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As the battle draws close, Arjuna is overcome with self-doubt about the righteousness of the war against his own kith and kin. He is distraught at the thought of having to fight with his friends and family such as his dear teacher, [[Drona]] and grandsire Bhishma. It was then that Krishna took charge and explained the necessity and inevitability of the war to Arjuna. This conversation is a key part of the Mahabharata known as Bhagavad gita, and is considered as a holy scripture of [[Hinduism]]. |
As the battle draws close, Arjuna is overcome with self-doubt about the righteousness of the war against his own kith and kin due to lack of knowledge. He is distraught at the thought of having to fight with his friends and family such as his dear teacher, [[Drona]] and grandsire Bhishma. It was then that Krishna took charge and explained the necessity and inevitability of the war to Arjuna. This conversation is a key part of the Mahabharata known as Bhagavad gita, and is considered as a holy scripture of [[Hinduism]]. |
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Arjuna plays the role of the reader in the Bhagavad Gita. As Krishna dispenses the advice, Arjuna asks the questions |
Arjuna plays the role of the reader in the Bhagavad Gita. As Krishna dispenses the advice, Arjuna asks the questions. |
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The [[Bhagavad Gita]] primarily takes the form of philosophical dialogue between Arjuna and [[Krishna]]. Later Lord Krishna himself lamented for imparting knowledge of Bhagvad gita to Arjuna in Anugita Parv of Mahabharata. Lord Krishna accepted that it was his mistake to impart knowledge of Bhagvad gita to Arjuna |
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=== Battles fought at Kurukshetra === |
=== Battles fought at Kurukshetra === |
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Some of the crucial battles fought by Arjuna are as follows: |
Some of the crucial battles fought by Arjuna are as follows: |
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* '''Fall of [[Bhishma]]''': Throughout the first nine days of battle, Arjuna was unable to defeat [[Bhishma]] and lord Krishna saved life of Arjuna many times from Bhishma. Finaly, Arjuna decided to attack Bhishma hiding behind woman named as Shikhandi. Arjuna was able to attack Bhishma unimpeded. Laughing a while, Arjuna pierced Bhishma's entire body with arrows concealing himself behind Shikhandi, eventually forcing Bhishma to fall down with Arjuna's arrows acting as a bed, thus breaking the rule of battle..<ref>{{cite web |last = Ganguly|first =Kisari|title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/index.htm}}</ref> |
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* '''Fall of [[Bhishma]]''': According to original Mahabharat Arjuna fairly killed Bhisma on 10th day of kuru war, Shikhandi does not have any role in the matter, though as per one narrative it is Shikhandi who killed Bhisma. |
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* '''Death of [[Bhagadatta]]''': On the 12th day of the war, Arjuna fled away from Samshaptakas and unfortunately got engaged with [[Bhagadatta]], the king of Pragjyotisha, who had earlier defeated [[Bhima]] and [[Satyaki]]. the battle, Bhagadatta was about to destroy Arjuna under his elephant but Lord Krishna saved him using his steed management skill. During During the battle, [[Bhagadatta]] shot an irresistible weapon called Vaishnavastra, which could have killed Arjuna, but he was saved by Krishna's timely intervention; Krishna stood up covering Arjuna, and the weapon fell on Krishna and formed a garland. [[Bhagadatta]] was later aimed by Arjuna and decapitated by Lord Shiva's arrow who fought standing in front of his chariot |
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* '''Death of [[Bhagadatta]]''': On the 12th day of the war, Arjuna killed Bhagadatta. |
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* '''Killing of the Trigartas''': On 17th day of war, Arjuna |
* '''Killing of the Trigartas''': On 17th day of war, Arjuna was defeated and captured by trigartas soldiers known as Samshaptakas. As usual lord krishna saved him. Later arjuna managed to beat them. It was revealed that it was victory due to mercy of Kishna |
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* '''Death of Jayadratha''': Arjuna held [[Jayadratha]] responsible for [[Abhimanyu]]'s death on the 13th day of the war. He vowed to kill him the very next day before sunset, failing which he would kill himself by jumping in a pyre.The [[Kauravas]] hid Jayadratha from Arjuna in a formation, knowing that Arjuna's death would result in a Kaurava victory. |
* '''Death of Jayadratha''': Arjuna held [[Jayadratha]] responsible for [[Abhimanyu]]'s death on the 13th day of the war. He vowed to kill him the very next day before sunset, failing which he would kill himself by jumping in a pyre. On 13th night, Arjuna obtained boon of Shiva to kill Jaydratha on next day. The [[Kauravas]] hid Jayadratha from Arjuna in a formation, knowing that Arjuna's death would result in a Kaurava victory. However, Krishna created an artificial eclipse by using his [[Sudarshana Chakra]] to hide the sun, forcing Kauravas to believe it was sunset and Arjuna's death was imminent. (In some versions, it is said that Lord Krishna used his ''yogic power'' to hide the sun). Overjoyed, they started celebrating, and using that opportunity, Arjuna caught them unprepared, then Arjuna beheaded unprepared Jayadratha and made his arrows to carry away Jayadratha's head. This was because Jayadratha had a boon from his father that whoever would be responsible for his head falling to the ground would have his own head blown up. That is why Arjuna carried the severed head of Jayadratha to his father, who was awoken from his meditation by the sudden landing of a severed head on his body and since he ended up dropping it to the ground, he had his head blown up.{{Clear}}<ref name="test169">[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07142.htm Kisori Mohan Ganguly translation of Mahabharat P-321] Drona Parv, Chapter 146</ref> |
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[[File:Arjuna Slays Karna, page from a copy of the Razmnama, Mughal period.jpg|thumb|Arjuna Slays Karna, page from a copy of the Razmnama, [[Mughal period]]]] |
[[File:Arjuna Slays Karna, page from a copy of the Razmnama, Mughal period.jpg|thumb|Arjuna Slays Karna, page from a copy of the Razmnama, [[Mughal period]]]] |
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* '''Death of [[Karna]]''':Karna who was Arjuna's Superior in Mahabharata one upon whom Duryodhana chiefly rested his hopes for victory against the Pandavas. On the 17th day of the war, Karna shot Bhargavastra at which Arjuna ran away to save his life from Karna. When Arjuna returned after withdrawal of Bhargavastra by Karna, the final combat between Arjuna and Karna took place, with both of them being evenly matched. The warriors on the battlefield and the gods in heaven watched the battle in speechless amazement and terrified admiration of the strength and skill of these two greatest of warriors. At one point, Karna used Nagastra in an attempt to kill Arjuna, but at the last minute Krishna made the horses of Arjuna's chariot to bend at their knees lowering the whole chariot thus saving life of Arjuna from Karna. This caused the Nagastra only to knock off Arjun's diadem saving Arjun's life. Karna shot Brahmastra at which Arjuna failed to counter which caused blasting of his chariot after Kurushetra war. The battle between the two continued fiercely with Karna gaining the upper hand. Eventually, one of the wheels of Karna's chariot got stuck in the mud resulting from a prior curse on Karna from [[Bhudevi]]. Further, owing to a curse Karna received from his Guru [[Parashurama]], Karna forgot the mantra to invoke the all weapons. Karna got down from his chariot to free the wheel and asked Arjuna to pause, reminding him of the etiquette of war. But Krishna reminded Arjuna of all the incidents suffered by the Pandavas, Draupadi’s insult and convinced Arjuna to attack the defenseless Karna from behind. Unable to withstand Karna and trembling with fear of death,he renewed his attack on weaponless, chariotless and heedless Karna from backside. |
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* '''Death of [[Karna]]''': The battle between the two continued fiercely. Finally Arjuna killed Karna in fair fight. |
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=== Arjuna's Chariot burns after war === |
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After the eighteenth day of war at Kurukshetra, King Duryodhana was slain in a mace fight with Bhima by unfair means. Soon after Duryodhana's fall, the Pandavas went to celebrate their victory by entering the palaces of the Kauravas. When they reached the pavilion of the Kauravas, Lord Krishna advised Arjuna to take his divine bow ''Gandiva'' and get down from his chariot immediately. After Arjuna did so, Lord Hanuman disappeared from his flag and Lord Krishna also got down from the chariot. Soon after Lord Krishna releases the horses and then gets down from the chariot. The chariot explodes into pieces. That was due to the devastating effect of the ''Brahmastra'' which was used by ''Karna'' in the battle. Arjuna wondered at seeing such a horrible scene and asked Krishna about the reason. Lord Krishna said that the divine chariot of Arjuna had already been burnt by consuming the Brahmastras , that Karna had shot against Arjuna during the fighting. It was because of his power that the divine chariot of it remained un-burnt throughout the battle. |
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<ref name="test86">[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09062.htm] Shalya Parva chapter 62 Arjuna's chariot burns</ref> |
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<ref name="test87">[http://sanskritdocuments.org/mirrors/mahabharata/unic/mbh09_sa.html] Shalya Parva chapter 61 Arjuna's chariot burns, BORI sanskrit version mahabharat</ref> |
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== Conquest for Ashvamedha == |
== Conquest for Ashvamedha == |
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After the conclusion of the war, the Pandavas take charge of Hastinapura, the undivided realm of their ancestors. Yudhishira appointed Arjuna as the Yuvaraj of [[Hastinapura]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a041.htm|title=Mahabharata Text}}</ref> |
After the conclusion of the war, the Pandavas take charge of Hastinapura, the undivided realm of their ancestors. Yudhishira appointed Arjuna as the Yuvaraj of [[Hastinapura]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a041.htm|title=Mahabharata Text}}</ref> |
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Yudhishthira decided to hold the [[Ashvamedha]] Yagna, or "horse sacrifice", to grant them the title of ''Chakravarti'' ("Emperor"). Arjuna led the armed forces which followed the horse around its random wanderings. He received the submission of many kings, either without or following an armed confrontation. He was thus instrumental in the expansion of the Pandava domains. |
Yudhishthira decided to hold the [[Ashvamedha]] Yagna, or "horse sacrifice", to grant them the title of ''Chakravarti'' ("Emperor"). Arjuna led the armed forces which followed the horse around its random wanderings. He received the submission of many kings, either without or following an armed confrontation. He was thus instrumental in the expansion of the Pandava domains. He was defeated by Sandhava foot soldiers during conquest but Saptrishi saved his life and revived him. Vabruvahana also killed him in single shot in the absence of Krishna but Ulupi revived him. |
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Arjuna built the [[Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple]] during his conquest in South India. [[Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple]] is one of the "[[Divya Desams]]", the 108 temples of [[Vishnu]] revered by the 12 poet saints, or [[Alwars]]<ref>''108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Malai Nadu and Vada Nadu''. M. S. Ramesh, Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam.</ref> located near [[Aranmula]], a village in [[Pathanamthitta District]], [[Kerala]], [[South India]]. The temple is dedicated to Parthasarathy, Lord Krishna's role as Arjuna's Charioteer in the Mahabharata war.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Rough Guide to South India|year=2004|author1=David Abram|author2=Nick Edwards|publisher=Rough Guides|isbn=1843531038|page=348|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEhJBfbhTAAC&pg=PA348&lpg=PA348&dq=Aranmula+Parthasarathy+Temple&source=bl&ots=Q5Ye257-US&sig=c296Vs48Beg6cxiK572798RgYWk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=S6YZUOTZHqe1iQe9ooGQBA&ved=0CFEQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=Aranmula%20Parthasarathy%20Temple&f=false}}</ref> Legend has it that Arjuna built this temple, to expiate for the sin of having killed [[Karna]] on the battlefield, against the dharma of killing an unarmed enemy. |
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=== Manipur and death by Babruvahana === |
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Arjuna built the [[Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple]] during his conquest in South India. [[Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple]] is one of the "[[Divya Desams]]", the 108 temples of [[Vishnu]] revered by the 12 poet saints, or [[Alwars]]<ref>''108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Malai Nadu and Vada Nadu''. M. S. Ramesh, Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam.</ref> located near [[Aranmula]], a village in [[Pathanamthitta District]], [[Kerala]], [[South India]]. |
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[[File:Arjuna is killed by his son Babhnu Vahana in battle.jpg|thumb|Arjuna is killed by his son Babhruvahana in battle – a composite Razmnama illustration circa 1616]] |
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== ''Chaubis Avtar'' == |
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Arjuna went to [[Manipur]], where the king was [[Babruvahana]], his own son with [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangadaa]]. Seeing his father Babruvahana came all the way to receive Arjuna. Arjuna abused his son as a coward and asked him to prepare for war. In the fight between father and son Babruvahana killed Arjuna, but [[Ulupi]], the snake-princess, used the Mritasanjivani, a boon from [[Ganga Devi]] to bring Arjuna back to life. It is later stated that the defeat was because of Arjuna's using of [[Shikhandi]] to plot [[Bhishma]]'s death and the unfair killing of [[Karna]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14081.htm|title=Mahabharata Text}}</ref> |
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Arjuna is considered as 22th avtar of Lord Vishnu in [[Chaubis Avtar|chaubis avtar]],a composition in Dasam Granth traditionally and historically attributed to [[Guru Gobind Singh]].<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2018-01-15|title=Chaubis Avtar|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chaubis_Avtar&oldid=820551281|journal=Wikipedia|language=en}}</ref> |
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== Death == |
== Death == |
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[[File:Arjuna throws his weapons in water as advised by Agni.jpg|thumb|Arjuna throws his weapons in water as advised by Agni]] |
[[File:Arjuna throws his weapons in water as advised by Agni.jpg|thumb|Arjuna throws his weapons in water as advised by Agni]] |
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After Sri Krishna left his mortal body, Arjuna took the citizens of Dwaraka, including 16, |
After Sri Krishna left his mortal body, Arjuna took the citizens of Dwaraka, including 16,000 women that had formed Krishna's harem, to Indraprastha. On the way, they were attacked by a group of bandits. Arjuna fought with them but soon he found out that Robbers armed with Bamboos were more than match for him. When he failed to protect wives of Lord Krishna, he lifted his two long legs and ran away from Dwarka leaving 16000 wives of Lord Krishna to the mercy of evil Robbers. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m16/m16007.htm|title=Death of Krishna and Aftermaths }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m16/m16008.htm|title=Defeat of Arjuna}}</ref> |
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Upon the onset of the [[Kali yuga]] and acting on the advice of [[Vyasa]], Arjuna and other [[Pandavas]] retired, leaving the throne to their only descendant to survive the war of [[Kurukshetra]], Arjuna's grandson [[Parikshit]]. Giving up all their belongings and ties, the Pandavas, accompanied by a [[dog]], made their final journey of pilgrimage to the [[Himalayas]]. It is also to be noted that the listener of the Mahabharata is [[Janamejaya]], Parikshit's son.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Bowker|first=John|title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions|encyclopedia=[[Oxford Reference]]|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2000|doi=10.1093/acref/9780192800947.001.0001|subscription=yes}} {{ODNBsub}}</ref> |
Upon the onset of the [[Kali yuga]] and acting on the advice of [[Vyasa]], Arjuna and other [[Pandavas]] retired, leaving the throne to their only descendant to survive the war of [[Kurukshetra]], Arjuna's grandson [[Parikshit]]. Giving up all their belongings and ties, the Pandavas, accompanied by a [[dog]], made their final journey of pilgrimage to the [[Himalayas]]. It is also to be noted that the listener of the Mahabharata is [[Janamejaya]], Parikshit's son.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Bowker|first=John|title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions|encyclopedia=[[Oxford Reference]]|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2000|doi=10.1093/acref/9780192800947.001.0001|subscription=yes}} {{ODNBsub}}</ref> |
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Except for [[Yudhishthira]], all of the Pandavas grew weak and died before reaching [[Swarga|heaven]] (only Yudhishthira is allowed to keep his mortal body). Arjuna was the fourth one to fall after Draupadi, Sahadeva and Nakula. When [[Bhima]] asks Yudhishthira why Arjuna isn't permitted the same, the reason given is Arjuna's |
Except for [[Yudhishthira]], all of the Pandavas grew weak and died before reaching [[Swarga|heaven]] (only Yudhishthira is allowed to keep his mortal body). Arjuna was the fourth one to fall after Draupadi, Sahadeva and Nakula. When [[Bhima]] asks Yudhishthira why Arjuna isn't permitted the same, the reason given is Arjuna's extreme [[pride]] [[Ego]] in his skills and his Jealousy for [[Karna]] and [[Eklavya]]. [[Draupadi]] also falls because while she claimed to love all the Pandavas equally, she had a soft spot for Arjuna .<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m17/m17002.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 17: Mahaprasthanika Parva: Section 2|work=sacred-texts.com|accessdate=23 March 2015}}</ref> |
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== In popular culture == |
== In popular culture == |
Revision as of 06:43, 28 January 2018
![]() | It has been suggested that Brihannala be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since November 2017. |
Template:Infobox character/Wikidata Arjuna (in Devanagari: अर्जुन arjuna) is the side character of the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata and plays a key role in the Bhagavad Gita alongside Krishna. Arjuna was the son of Indra, the king of the celestials, born of Kunti, the first wife of King Pandu in the Kuru Kingdom. In a previous birth he was a saint named Nara who was the lifelong companion of another saint Narayana an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who took rebirth as Lord Krishna. He was the third of the Pandava brothers and was married to Draupadi, Ulupi, Chitrangada and Subhadra (Krishna's sister) at different times. His children included Srutakarma, Iravan, Babruvahana, and Abhimanyu. Arjuna was considered to be the 10th best archer after Lord Krishna, Karna, Eklavya, Bhishma, Drona, Ashwatthama, Abhimanyu, Bhagadatta and Bhima.
Etymology and other names
The name Arjuna has among its meanings "white"/"clear" and "silver".[1] Cognates of "Arjuna" are Latin "regens" meaning "ruler", Hindi "raj" meaning "king", and English "regal".[citation needed] .
Birth and youth
Arjuna's birth is most celebrated one and he was born 9 months after the birth of krishna. A prophesy is said about his birth and so many gods attended to see him. [2]
After the death of Pandu (and Madri's subsequent sati), the Pandavas and their mother lived in Hastinapura, where they were brought up together with their cousins, the Kaurava brothers. Along with his brothers, Arjuna was trained in religion, science, administration and military arts by Bhishma.[3]
One day, when the princes were playing a game, they lost their ball in a well. When the rest of the children gave up the ball as being lost, Arjuna stayed behind trying to get it. A stranger came by and extracted the ball for him by making a chain of "sarkanda" (a wild grass). When an astonished Arjuna related the story to Bhishma, Bhishma realised that the stranger was none other than Drona. Bhishma asked Drona to become the Kuru princes' teacher. Seeking refuge from Panchala, Drona agreed.[4] Many asuras were killed by him.
Tutelage under Drona
Under Drona's tutelage, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, along with the princes of Hastinapura's allies and vassals, learned weaponry. Arjuna became Drona's favorite and most accomplished pupil; specifically, he became a master in using the bow and the arrow. In a famous incident, Drona deemed that out of all his students, even his own son Ashwatthama, none but Arjuna had the steadfast focus to shoot the eye of a bird on a tree; he was proven right.[5]
Marriage to Draupadi
Pandavas fled away from Varnavrat by burning Nishada woman and five children to the death in order to fake their own death. Still in hiding, the Pandavas disguise themselves as brahmins and attend the Swayamvara of Panchala princess Draupadi. Out of all of the great kings and other Kaurava princes, only Karna and Arjuna are able to do the established challenge. The test is to lift, string, and fire Pinakin to pierce the eye of a golden fish whilst only looking at its reflection; Drupada had designed this test with Arjuna in mind. First Karna lifted bow with just one hand and strung it. When he was about to shoot arrows, Draupadi stopped him. Arjuna came forward and lifted bow with both hands with greatest difficulty. Finally, he was able to hit target after shooting 5 arrows. [6].
Later Karna attacked Arjuna mildly and still Arjuna failed to gain upper hand. However Karna easily overpowered him and asked about his real identity. With the fear of Karna, Arjuna lied that he is Brahmin hence he was spared by Karna. .[7]
When the brothers returned with Draupadi, Arjuna joked to his mother that they had brought alms. Dismissively, and without looking because she was preoccupied, Kunti asks him to share it with his brothers. Holding his mother's orders as a divine command, he requested his elder brother to accept Draupadi. Draupadi had to marry all five of the Pandavas. Her five sons, one from each of the Pandava brothers, are known as the Upapandavas.[citation needed] Srutakarma is the son of Arjuna.
At this point in the Mahabharata, the Pandavas revealed that they were alive. With both Duryodhana and Yudhishthira being crown princes, tensions are high. Under Bhishma's advice, the kingdom is split, with the Kauravas getting Hastinapur and the Pandavas getting Khandavaprastha. Khandavaprastha, however, was an extremely underdeveloped land and had infertile soil, requiring extensive tilling, so the Pandavas set to work rebuilding the land by burning thousands of human tribes and innocent animals in khandava. Their cousins Krishna and Balarama gave them aid.[citation needed]
Burning of Khandava Vana
In some versions of the story, this was the first time Arjuna meets Krishna. In any case, Khandavaprastha was where Arjuna and Krishna's friendship is truly forged. Once when roaming in the Khandava Vana, Arjuna and Krishna met the god of fire, Agni. Agni was in great hunger and needed to burn down the entire Khandava Vana to quench his hunger. But Takshaka, the serpent-king lived in the same forest and was a friend of Indra's. So the latter brought down heavy rains to thwart Agni's plans to burn the woods. Agni requested Krishna and Arjuna to help him realise his goal.[8]
Arjuna begged Agni for Gandiva and Divine Chariot. The three of them then invoked Varuna, the God of the oceans, who blessed Arjuna with the Gandiva – the agni-moon bow created by Brahma. In this way, Arjuna came into possession of his famous bow. Agni also gave Arjuna an incandescent chariot with four horses yoked, and bearing a flag that would one-day be occupied by Hanuman. Arjuna also obtained his famous conch.[citation needed]
With Krishna using the Sudarshana Chakra[9] Arjuna and Krishna waged a successful battle against Indra and helped Agni burn down the entire Khandava Vana including all innocent Vidhyadharas human tribes and all animals. Indra's pride in Arjuna's success overcame his anger, and he bestowed greater powers on him.
Saving Mayasura
In their demolition of Khandava, Krishna and Arjuna had saved one demon, Mayasura to build their palace.[8] Thus owing Arjuna a favor, and after being so directed by Krishna, Mayasura said that he would build a palace for Yudhishtra. As Mayasura was a great architect of the Asuras, he soon constructed the Maya assembly hall – a gigantic palace for the Pandavas, filled with ancient books, artifacts, and jewels. This hall was famous for visual illusions. Thus, Khandavaprastha was renamed Indraprastha.[10]
Arjuna's Tirtha-yatra and Indraprastha
Arjuna violated Yudhishthira and Draupadi's privacy while they were playing the game of dice, as he had left the Gandiva in their room. Despite the understanding of all and being forgiven by both Yudhishthira and Draupadi, Arjuna accepted the punishment agreed with Narada and set off on a twelve-year tirtha-yatra. According to Narada, Arjuna must retire to forest and pass his days as Brahmacharin but Arjuna enjoyed his celibacy and lusted after many womens in process raped Ulupi
Chitrangadaa at Manipura
Arjuna visited other Tirthas in India, including Kalinga and the ashrams of the Saptarishis, Agastya, Vasishta and Bhrigu. Finally he reached the palace of Manipur. Here he met King Chitravahana's daughter, Chitrangadaa. Arjuna lusted after her and begged that the king let them marry. Upon discovering Arjuna's true identity, the king readily agreed. They had a son, who survived the Mahabharata war and ruled the small kingdom peacefully. Arjuna ran away abandoing Vabruvahana and his mother and finally Vabruvahana took revenge after kurushetra war by killing Arjuna in battle.[11]
Reaching Dwarka and Subhadra
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Ravi_Varma-Arjuna_and_Subhadra.jpg/220px-Ravi_Varma-Arjuna_and_Subhadra.jpg)
Painting by Raja Ravi Varma.
Arjuna moved to other Tirthas, including the southern regions in Kerala. Finally he reached Dwarka, the place where his cousin Krishna resided. Arjuna had, in his childhood, heard about Krishna's sister, Subhadra. Krishna, wishing to further tie their families, knew of Arjuna's visit and devised a plan to arrange their meeting. Accordingly, Arjuna disguised himself as a Yati and stayed at Krishna's palace. Arjuna lusted after Subhadra and desired to have intercourse with her. Because Balarama had already promised Subhadra to his favorite disciple, Duryodhana, Krishna advised Arjuna to kidnap Subhadra. Arjuna forcefully dragged Subhadra and took her into chariot even though she repeatedly begged soldiers to save her from Arjuna. Balarama became furious upon learning of the abduction but was pacified by Krishna, after he showed that the Mangala sutra was in Subhadra's hand, which showed her consent. The couple stayed in Dwaraka for a year, and then another year in Pushkar. However, Draupadi had made it clear that no other Pandava wife would be allowed to stay in her city, so Arjuna, as Krishna had advised, tricked Draupadi into meeting Subhadra as a milkmaid. Draupadi realized she had been tricked, but she forgave Subhadra and let her stay in Indraprastha, allowing her to keep company with Arjuna in the four years when he was not with Draupadi. In due course, the union of Arjuna and Subhadra produced a son, Abhimanyu.[12][13]
Conquest for Rajasuya
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fc/PathRajasuyaArjunaDigvijaya.jpg/220px-PathRajasuyaArjunaDigvijaya.jpg)
Arjuna was sent south by Yudhishthira to subjugate kingdoms for the Rajasuya Yagya, so that he could be crowned Emperor of Indraprastha. The Mahabharata mentions several kingdoms to the east of Indraprastha which were conquered (or otherwise peacefully bent-the-knee) by Arjuna.[14] Most notably, he failed to defeat Bhagadatta of Pragjyotisha who repelled Arjuna for eight days straight but being friend of Indra, he agreed to pay tribute. Bhagadatta was also a great friend of Pandu. Infact Bhagadatta spared the life of Arjuna by not firing Vaishnav astra against him
Exile
After Yudhishthira succumbed to Shakuni's challenge in the game of dice, the Pandavas were forced to be in exile for 13 years, which included one year in anonymity.
Penance for Pashupatastra
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Kiratarjuniya.jpg/220px-Kiratarjuniya.jpg)
After the battle at Khandava Indra had promised Arjuna to give him all his weapons as a boon for matching him in battle with the requirement that Shiva is pleased with him. . Following the advice of Yudhistira to go on a meditation or "tapasya" to attain this divine weapon, Arjuna left his brothers for a penance.
Arjuna traveled for a while before reaching the mountain Indra keeladri, Vijayawada. Here he sat in meditation in the name of Lord Shiva. Shiva appeared soon enough in the guise of a hunter, who challenged Arjuna to a fight. Arjuna abused Lord Shiva thinking him to be low cast kirata. While being thoroughly dominated by Shiva, Arjuna became confused as to how an ordinary hunter could beat a warrior like himself. He prays to Shiva for strength, and then sees the offerings he made to Shiva around the hunter's neck. Consequently, Shiva transformed himself to show his real avatar and extracted evilness from the soul of Arjuna and blessed Arjuna with the Pashupatastra. Shiva lectures Arjuna on the abilities of the weapon, as well as the judgement he must use while wielding it. It is said that, apart from Parshurama, Karna and Drona, Arjuna was the only human having Pashupatastra. However Lord Shiva didnt teach Arjuna about proper use of pashupatatastra leading Pashupatastra as useless weapon in the hand of Arjuna
After Shiva left, the Lokapalas appeared before Arjuna and then Kubera, Yama, and Varuna also blessed each of their potent weapons to Arjuna. Indra then invited his son to his palace in heaven.
Arjuna was amazed at the splendor of his father's palace at Amaravati. Dancers like Urvashi, Tilottama, Rambha and Menaka entertained him. There was a huge banquet serving different varieties of heavenly dishes. Arjuna learnt song and dance from the Gandharva, Chitrasena and Indra himself taught him all the divine weapons and also gave him his Vajra.[15]
Nivata-kavachas and Hiranyapura
Arjuna got the opportunity to test his skill when Indra asked him to defeat his enemy as the price of his training. Arjuna was taken to the palace of the Nivata-kavachas, a tribe of Rakshasas who had a magnificent palace under the oceans. Arjuna used the Mohini-astra and the Madhava-astra to demolish these asuras.
He was also taken to Hiranyapura, a palace in the sky created by a witch Puloma and his asura tribe of the Kalakanjas. Here Arjuna uses the Raudra-astra and annihilates the demons.[16]
At Virata's Kingdom
Along with his brothers, Arjuna spent his last year of exile in the kingdom of Matsya. This is the place where Urvashi's curse is implemented and Arjuna becomes a eunuch called Brihannala (within themselves Pandavas called him Vijaya).[17] At the palace, he teaches song and dance, qualities he had learnt from Chitrasena [King of the Gandharvas in Devalok], to the King Virata's daughter, Uttarā. Later, Arjuna arranges for Uttara to become his daughter-in-law by marrying his son Abhimanyu to her. At the same time, he prevents Subhadra from marrying Abhimanyu to Balarama's daughter Vatsala, as the Kurus find marriages between cousins taboo. But Arjuna and Subhadra are cousins too since Kunti (Arjun's Mother) and Vasudeva (Subhadra's father) are brother and sister.
Hearing about the death of Kichaka, Duryodhana surmises that the Pandavas were hiding in Matsya. A host of Kaurava warriors attack Virata, presumably to steal their cattle, but in reality, desiring to pierce the Pandavas' veil of anonymity. Full of bravado, Virata's son Uttar attempts to take on the army by himself while the rest of the Matsya army has been lured away to fight Susharma and the Trigartas. As suggested by Draupadi, Uttar takes Brihannala with him, as his charioteer. When he sees the Kaurava army, Uttar loses his nerve and attempts to flee. There, Arjuna reveals his identity and those of his brothers'. Switching places with Uttar, Arjuna takes up the Gandiva and Devadatta. Eager to defend the land that had given him refuge, Arjuna engaged the legion of Kaurava warriors. Unable to withstand all warriors for long time, Arjuna used Sammohini astra which failed to show its effect. He took up celestical conch and blew it which caused all warriors to lose their sense. During the interval offered, arjuna took heroic flight and fled away from battle.[18][19][20]
Kurukshetra War
Bhagavad Gita
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Bhagvad_Gita.jpg/220px-Bhagvad_Gita.jpg)
As the battle draws close, Arjuna is overcome with self-doubt about the righteousness of the war against his own kith and kin due to lack of knowledge. He is distraught at the thought of having to fight with his friends and family such as his dear teacher, Drona and grandsire Bhishma. It was then that Krishna took charge and explained the necessity and inevitability of the war to Arjuna. This conversation is a key part of the Mahabharata known as Bhagavad gita, and is considered as a holy scripture of Hinduism.
Arjuna plays the role of the reader in the Bhagavad Gita. As Krishna dispenses the advice, Arjuna asks the questions.
The Bhagavad Gita primarily takes the form of philosophical dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna. Later Lord Krishna himself lamented for imparting knowledge of Bhagvad gita to Arjuna in Anugita Parv of Mahabharata. Lord Krishna accepted that it was his mistake to impart knowledge of Bhagvad gita to Arjuna
Battles fought at Kurukshetra
Arjuna was a key Pandava warrior and played a huge role in the Pandava victory in the Kurukshetra war. His flag bore the symbol of Hanuman.[citation needed]
Some of the crucial battles fought by Arjuna are as follows:
- Fall of Bhishma: Throughout the first nine days of battle, Arjuna was unable to defeat Bhishma and lord Krishna saved life of Arjuna many times from Bhishma. Finaly, Arjuna decided to attack Bhishma hiding behind woman named as Shikhandi. Arjuna was able to attack Bhishma unimpeded. Laughing a while, Arjuna pierced Bhishma's entire body with arrows concealing himself behind Shikhandi, eventually forcing Bhishma to fall down with Arjuna's arrows acting as a bed, thus breaking the rule of battle..[21]
- Death of Bhagadatta: On the 12th day of the war, Arjuna fled away from Samshaptakas and unfortunately got engaged with Bhagadatta, the king of Pragjyotisha, who had earlier defeated Bhima and Satyaki. the battle, Bhagadatta was about to destroy Arjuna under his elephant but Lord Krishna saved him using his steed management skill. During During the battle, Bhagadatta shot an irresistible weapon called Vaishnavastra, which could have killed Arjuna, but he was saved by Krishna's timely intervention; Krishna stood up covering Arjuna, and the weapon fell on Krishna and formed a garland. Bhagadatta was later aimed by Arjuna and decapitated by Lord Shiva's arrow who fought standing in front of his chariot
- Killing of the Trigartas: On 17th day of war, Arjuna was defeated and captured by trigartas soldiers known as Samshaptakas. As usual lord krishna saved him. Later arjuna managed to beat them. It was revealed that it was victory due to mercy of Kishna
- Death of Jayadratha: Arjuna held Jayadratha responsible for Abhimanyu's death on the 13th day of the war. He vowed to kill him the very next day before sunset, failing which he would kill himself by jumping in a pyre. On 13th night, Arjuna obtained boon of Shiva to kill Jaydratha on next day. The Kauravas hid Jayadratha from Arjuna in a formation, knowing that Arjuna's death would result in a Kaurava victory. However, Krishna created an artificial eclipse by using his Sudarshana Chakra to hide the sun, forcing Kauravas to believe it was sunset and Arjuna's death was imminent. (In some versions, it is said that Lord Krishna used his yogic power to hide the sun). Overjoyed, they started celebrating, and using that opportunity, Arjuna caught them unprepared, then Arjuna beheaded unprepared Jayadratha and made his arrows to carry away Jayadratha's head. This was because Jayadratha had a boon from his father that whoever would be responsible for his head falling to the ground would have his own head blown up. That is why Arjuna carried the severed head of Jayadratha to his father, who was awoken from his meditation by the sudden landing of a severed head on his body and since he ended up dropping it to the ground, he had his head blown up.[22]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Arjuna_Slays_Karna%2C_page_from_a_copy_of_the_Razmnama%2C_Mughal_period.jpg/220px-Arjuna_Slays_Karna%2C_page_from_a_copy_of_the_Razmnama%2C_Mughal_period.jpg)
- Death of Karna:Karna who was Arjuna's Superior in Mahabharata one upon whom Duryodhana chiefly rested his hopes for victory against the Pandavas. On the 17th day of the war, Karna shot Bhargavastra at which Arjuna ran away to save his life from Karna. When Arjuna returned after withdrawal of Bhargavastra by Karna, the final combat between Arjuna and Karna took place, with both of them being evenly matched. The warriors on the battlefield and the gods in heaven watched the battle in speechless amazement and terrified admiration of the strength and skill of these two greatest of warriors. At one point, Karna used Nagastra in an attempt to kill Arjuna, but at the last minute Krishna made the horses of Arjuna's chariot to bend at their knees lowering the whole chariot thus saving life of Arjuna from Karna. This caused the Nagastra only to knock off Arjun's diadem saving Arjun's life. Karna shot Brahmastra at which Arjuna failed to counter which caused blasting of his chariot after Kurushetra war. The battle between the two continued fiercely with Karna gaining the upper hand. Eventually, one of the wheels of Karna's chariot got stuck in the mud resulting from a prior curse on Karna from Bhudevi. Further, owing to a curse Karna received from his Guru Parashurama, Karna forgot the mantra to invoke the all weapons. Karna got down from his chariot to free the wheel and asked Arjuna to pause, reminding him of the etiquette of war. But Krishna reminded Arjuna of all the incidents suffered by the Pandavas, Draupadi’s insult and convinced Arjuna to attack the defenseless Karna from behind. Unable to withstand Karna and trembling with fear of death,he renewed his attack on weaponless, chariotless and heedless Karna from backside.
Arjuna's Chariot burns after war
After the eighteenth day of war at Kurukshetra, King Duryodhana was slain in a mace fight with Bhima by unfair means. Soon after Duryodhana's fall, the Pandavas went to celebrate their victory by entering the palaces of the Kauravas. When they reached the pavilion of the Kauravas, Lord Krishna advised Arjuna to take his divine bow Gandiva and get down from his chariot immediately. After Arjuna did so, Lord Hanuman disappeared from his flag and Lord Krishna also got down from the chariot. Soon after Lord Krishna releases the horses and then gets down from the chariot. The chariot explodes into pieces. That was due to the devastating effect of the Brahmastra which was used by Karna in the battle. Arjuna wondered at seeing such a horrible scene and asked Krishna about the reason. Lord Krishna said that the divine chariot of Arjuna had already been burnt by consuming the Brahmastras , that Karna had shot against Arjuna during the fighting. It was because of his power that the divine chariot of it remained un-burnt throughout the battle. [23] [24]
Conquest for Ashvamedha
After the conclusion of the war, the Pandavas take charge of Hastinapura, the undivided realm of their ancestors. Yudhishira appointed Arjuna as the Yuvaraj of Hastinapura.[25]
Yudhishthira decided to hold the Ashvamedha Yagna, or "horse sacrifice", to grant them the title of Chakravarti ("Emperor"). Arjuna led the armed forces which followed the horse around its random wanderings. He received the submission of many kings, either without or following an armed confrontation. He was thus instrumental in the expansion of the Pandava domains. He was defeated by Sandhava foot soldiers during conquest but Saptrishi saved his life and revived him. Vabruvahana also killed him in single shot in the absence of Krishna but Ulupi revived him.
Arjuna built the Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple during his conquest in South India. Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple is one of the "Divya Desams", the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars[26] located near Aranmula, a village in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, South India. The temple is dedicated to Parthasarathy, Lord Krishna's role as Arjuna's Charioteer in the Mahabharata war.[27] Legend has it that Arjuna built this temple, to expiate for the sin of having killed Karna on the battlefield, against the dharma of killing an unarmed enemy.
Manipur and death by Babruvahana
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Arjuna_is_killed_by_his_son_Babhnu_Vahana_in_battle.jpg/220px-Arjuna_is_killed_by_his_son_Babhnu_Vahana_in_battle.jpg)
Arjuna went to Manipur, where the king was Babruvahana, his own son with Chitrangadaa. Seeing his father Babruvahana came all the way to receive Arjuna. Arjuna abused his son as a coward and asked him to prepare for war. In the fight between father and son Babruvahana killed Arjuna, but Ulupi, the snake-princess, used the Mritasanjivani, a boon from Ganga Devi to bring Arjuna back to life. It is later stated that the defeat was because of Arjuna's using of Shikhandi to plot Bhishma's death and the unfair killing of Karna.[28]
Death
After Sri Krishna left his mortal body, Arjuna took the citizens of Dwaraka, including 16,000 women that had formed Krishna's harem, to Indraprastha. On the way, they were attacked by a group of bandits. Arjuna fought with them but soon he found out that Robbers armed with Bamboos were more than match for him. When he failed to protect wives of Lord Krishna, he lifted his two long legs and ran away from Dwarka leaving 16000 wives of Lord Krishna to the mercy of evil Robbers. [29][30]
Upon the onset of the Kali yuga and acting on the advice of Vyasa, Arjuna and other Pandavas retired, leaving the throne to their only descendant to survive the war of Kurukshetra, Arjuna's grandson Parikshit. Giving up all their belongings and ties, the Pandavas, accompanied by a dog, made their final journey of pilgrimage to the Himalayas. It is also to be noted that the listener of the Mahabharata is Janamejaya, Parikshit's son.[31]
Except for Yudhishthira, all of the Pandavas grew weak and died before reaching heaven (only Yudhishthira is allowed to keep his mortal body). Arjuna was the fourth one to fall after Draupadi, Sahadeva and Nakula. When Bhima asks Yudhishthira why Arjuna isn't permitted the same, the reason given is Arjuna's extreme pride Ego in his skills and his Jealousy for Karna and Eklavya. Draupadi also falls because while she claimed to love all the Pandavas equally, she had a soft spot for Arjuna .[32]
In popular culture
Arjuna is a popular choice of name for a Hindu male child in the Indian subcontinent. As told in the verses in Harivamsha or Harivamsha Purana, the name Arjuna is cursed by the sage Parashurama. After the defeat of the mighty and evil king Kartavirya Arjuna or otherwise called Sahasra Arjuna, Sage Parashurama pronounced the curse that whoever holds the name Arjuna will never become a king and always be a servant of others.[33]
Modern references
Arjuna's extraordinary talents and skills have made him a common name in popular culture.
- The American astronomer Tom Gehrels named a class of asteroids with low inclination, low eccentricity and earth-like orbital period as Arjuna asteroids.[34][35][36]
- The Arjuna Award is presented every year in India to one talented sportsman in every national sport.
- Arjun is a third generation main battle tank developed for the Indian Army.
- Mayilpeeli Thookkam is a ritual art of dance performed in the temples of Kerala. It is also known as Arjuna Nrithyam (lit. Arjuna's dance) as a tribute to his dancing abilities.
There have been a serial and a film based on Arjuna's life and exploits.
- Earth Maiden Arjuna is a Japanese animated television series created by Shoji Kawamori. This series is based on Arjuna and the Mahabharata. Arjuna: Into the Another World is the soundtrack produced for the series.
- Arjun: The Warrior Prince is a 2012 mythological action film narrating the events in Arjuna's life.
- "Arjuna" is a character in Orson Scott Card's "Earth Afire" and "Earth Awakens" made in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Additionally, the protagonist in Steven Pressfield's book The Legend of Bagger Vance, Rannulph Junuh, is based in part on Arjuna (R. Junuh).[37]
Arjuna is also an Archer class Servant in the mobile game Fate/Grand Order. He is a minor antagonist in the E Pluribus Unum story chapter, where he wishes to fight Karna again.
In modern television
In B.R.Chopra's Mahabharat, Arjuna's role is played by Arjun (Firoz Khan).
In 2013 Mahabharat television series, Arjuna is portrayed by Shaheer Sheikh.
Mani Ratnam's 1991 blockbuster Thalapathi was loosely based on the Mahabharata. In the film, Arvind Swamy's character was loosely based on Arjuna.
In Dharmakshetra 2014, actor Ankit Arora portrayed Arjuna.
In 2015 Sony TV serial Suryaputra Karn, actor Navi bhangu played the role of Arjuna.
In Nagarjuna 2015 serial, Rahul Sharma (actor) played Arjuna.
Notes
- ^ Monier-Williams, Monier (1899). A Sanskrit-English Dictionary: Etymologically and Philologically Arranged with Special Reference to Cognate Indo-European Languages. Oxford: Clarendon Press. OCLC 685239912.
- ^ "Describes Arjuna birth".
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(help) - ^ Johnson, W. J (2009). "A Dictionary of Hinduism". Oxford Reference. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780198610250.001.0001.
{{cite encyclopedia}}
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ignored (|url-access=
suggested) (help) (subscription or UK public library membership required) - ^ Leeming, W. J (2009). "The Oxford Companion to World Mythology". Oxford Reference. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780195156690.001.0001.
{{cite encyclopedia}}
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ignored (|url-access=
suggested) (help) (subscription or UK public library membership required) - ^ Parmeshwaranand, Swami (2001). Encyclopaedic dictionary of Purāṇas (1st ed.). New Delhi: Sarup & Sons. pp. 512–513. ISBN 9788176252263.
- ^ http://www.bori.ac.in/mahabharata_project.html.
{{cite web}}
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(help); Missing or empty|title=
(help) - ^ "Describes the fight between Karna and Arjuna".
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(help) - ^ a b Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa. Teddington, Middlesex: The Echo Library. 2008. pp. 518–520. ISBN 9781406870459.
- ^ Menon, [translated by] Ramesh (2006). The Mahabharata : a modern rendering. New York: iUniverse, Inc. pp. 302–304. ISBN 9780595401871.
- ^ Verma, retold by Virendra; Verma, Shanti (1989). The Mahābhārata : (the great epic of ancient India). New Delhi: Pitambar Pub. Co. p. 28. ISBN 9788120907324.
- ^ "Mahabharata Text".
- ^ "Mahabharata Text".
- ^ "Mahabharata Text".
- ^ "Mahabharata Text".
- ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Indralokagamana Parva: Section XLIV". Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CLXXII". Retrieved 3 August 2016.
- ^ Kapoor, edited by Subodh (2002). The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific (1st ed.). New Delhi: Cosmo Publications. p. 4462. ISBN 9788177552577.
{{cite book}}
:|first=
has generic name (help) - ^ Arvind Sharma (1991). Essays on the Mahābhārata. Brill.
- ^ Wendy Doniger O’Flaherty. Karma and Rebirth in Classical Indian Traditions. Berkeley University of California Press.
- ^ K M Ganguly(1883–1896)The Mahabharat Book 3: Virata Parva Section LXV[permanent dead link] aryabharati.org, October 2004, Retrieved 2015-12-23
- ^ Ganguly, Kisari. "The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa".
- ^ Kisori Mohan Ganguly translation of Mahabharat P-321 Drona Parv, Chapter 146
- ^ [1] Shalya Parva chapter 62 Arjuna's chariot burns
- ^ [2] Shalya Parva chapter 61 Arjuna's chariot burns, BORI sanskrit version mahabharat
- ^ "Mahabharata Text".
- ^ 108 Vaishnavite Divya Desams: Divya desams in Malai Nadu and Vada Nadu. M. S. Ramesh, Tirumalai-Tirupati Devasthanam.
- ^ David Abram; Nick Edwards (2004). The Rough Guide to South India. Rough Guides. p. 348. ISBN 1843531038.
- ^ "Mahabharata Text".
- ^ "Death of Krishna and Aftermaths".
- ^ "Defeat of Arjuna".
- ^ Bowker, John (2000). "The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions". Oxford Reference. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/acref/9780192800947.001.0001.
{{cite encyclopedia}}
: Unknown parameter|subscription=
ignored (|url-access=
suggested) (help) (subscription or UK public library membership required) - ^ "The Mahabharata, Book 17: Mahaprasthanika Parva: Section 2". sacred-texts.com. Retrieved 23 March 2015.
- ^ Ramachandrashastri, K.S (1936). Harivamsha. Pune: Chitrashala Press.
- ^ S. Lewis, John (1996). Rain of iron and ice: the very real threat of comet and asteroid bombardment. Addison-Wesley Pub. Co. pp. 82–83.
- ^ Lee, Ricky J. Law and regulation of commercial mining of minerals in outer space. Dordrecht: Springer. ISBN 9789400720398.
- ^ de la Fuente Marcos, C.; de la Fuente Marcos, R. (12 February 2015). "Geometric characterization of the Arjuna orbital domain". Astronomische Nachrichten. 336 (1): 5–22. arXiv:1410.4104. Bibcode:2015AN....336....5D. doi:10.1002/asna.201412133.
- ^ Gita on the Green: The Mystical Tradition Behind Bagger Vance – Steven Rosen – Google Boeken. Books.google.com. 30 May 2002. ISBN 9780826413659. Retrieved 9 August 2013.