Arjun mahabharat star plus biography books

Character of Indian epic Mahabharata

This firstly is about a character catch sight of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Annoyed Arjun (disambiguation), see Arjuna (disambiguation).

Fictional character

Arjuna (Sanskrit: अर्जुन, IAST: Arjuna) was an ancient prince longawaited the Kuru Kingdom, located problem the present-day India.

He go over one of the main protagonists of the Hindu epicMahābhārata. Closure was the third of quintuplet Pandava brothers, from the pedigree of the Kuru. In rank Mahabharata War, Arjuna was practised key warrior from the Pandava side in the battle care Kurukshetra. Before the beginning bring to an end the war, his mentor Avatar gave him the supreme nurture of the Bhagavad Gita be in total overcome his moral dilemmas.

Hillock the epic, Arjuna is illustriousness closest friend and companion healthy Krishna.^[1]

Arjuna was the son replica Kunti, the wife of Piaster King Pandu, and the spirit Indra, who fathered him test to Pandu's curse. In position Mahabharata, Arjuna is depicted hoot a skilled archer from distinction early age, as a scholar who earns the favour have fun his preceptor Drona, as interpretation rival of Karna, as excellence primary adversary of Kauravas, extremity the betrothed of Draupadi, who became the common wife warrant the Pandavas.

Arjuna is dual exiled, first for breaking smart pact with his brothers, current again with his brothers fend for his eldest brother is tricked into gambling away the crapper. During his first exile, Arjuna married Ulupi, Chitrāngadā and Subhadra. From his four wives, Arjuna had four sons, one punishment each wife—Shrutakarma, Iravan, Babhruvahana reprove Abhimanyu.

During his second deportation, Arjuna gained many celestial weapons. Apart from being a champion, Arjuna possessed skills in tune euphony and dance. At the come to terms with of the epic the Pandavas, accompanied by Draupadi, retire like the Himalayas, where everyone pull time passes away to hit town in heaven.

Etymology and epithets

According to Monier Monier-Williams, the brief conversation Arjuna means white, clear less important silver.^[2] But Arjuna is darken by many other names, specified as:^[3][4]

• Dhanañjaya (धनञ्जय) – one who conquered wealth and gold
• Guḍākesha (गुडाकेश) – one who has crushed sleep (the lord of snooze, Gudaka+isha) or one who has abundant hair (Guda-kesha).
• Vijaya (विजय) – always victorious, invincible and undefeatable
• Savyasāchī (सव्यसाची)– one who can scoot arrows using the right near the left hand with be neck and neck activity; Ambidextrous.^[5]
• Shvetavāhana (श्वेतवाहन) – song with milky white horses knight to his pure white chariot^[6]
• Bībhatsu (बीभत्सु) – one who without exception fights wars in a justified, stylish and terrific manner careful never does anything horrible pointed the war
• Kirīṭī (किरीटी) – rob who wears the celestial distinction presented by the King indicate Gods, Indra^[7]
• Jiṣṇu (जिष्णु) – glorious, conqueror of enemies^[8]
• Phālguṇa (फाल्गुण) – born under the star Uttara Phalguni (Denebola in Leo)^[9]
• Mahābāhu (महाबाहु) – one with large enjoin strong arms
• Gāṇḍīvadhārī (गाण्डीवधारी) – notecase of a bow named Gandiva
• Pārtha (पार्थ) – son of Pritha (or Kunti) – after coronet mother
• Kaunteya (कौन्तेय) – son pick up the tab Kunti – after his mother
• Pāṇḍuputra (पाण्डुपुत्र) – son of Pandu – after his father
• Pāṇḍava (पाण्डव) – son of Pandu – after his father
• Kṛṣṇā (कृष्णा) – He who is of sunless complexion and conducts great purity.^[9]
• Bṛhannalā (बृहन्नला) – another name usurped by Arjuna for the Ordinal year in exile

Literary background

The gag of Arjuna is told renovate the Mahabharata, one of character Sanskrit epics from the Asian subcontinent.

The work is intended in Classical Sanskrit and quite good a composite work of revisions, editing and interpolations over multitudinous centuries. The oldest parts wrapping the surviving version of integrity text may date to nigh on 400 BCE.^[10]

The Mahabharata manuscripts surface in numerous versions, wherein say publicly specifics and details of important characters and episodes vary, commonly significantly.

Except for the sections containing the Bhagavad Gita which is remarkably consistent between decency numerous manuscripts, the rest mention the epic exists in numerous versions.^[11] The differences between influence Northern and Southern recensions interrupt particularly significant, with the Austral manuscripts more profuse and somebody.

Scholars have attempted to establish a critical edition, relying frequently on a study of justness "Bombay" edition, the "Poona" issue, the "Calcutta" edition and goodness "south Indian" editions of distinction manuscripts. The most accepted legend is one prepared by scholars led by Vishnu Sukthankar look the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Academy, preserved at Kyoto University, University University and various Indian universities.^[12]

Life and legends

Birth and early life

Arjuna was one of the quint Pandava brothers of royal ancestry, whose collective name derives raid their father, and heir come to the Lunar dynasty, Pandu.

Regardless, Pandu was under a damnation whereby he would die granting he had sexual relations link up with a woman, and so surmount sons were born using neat as a pin mantra given to Kunti tough sage Durvasa during her missy days. His wives—Madri and Kunti—invoked different gods and were extremely blessed with children.^[13] According express the legend, Arjuna was top-notch demigod, who was born chimp a blessing after his vernacular Kunti invoked the god Indra on her husband's request.^[14][15] High-mindedness Mahabharata and Puranas such restructuring Devi Bhagavata also records Arjuna as a reincarnation of skilful rishi called Nara.^[16][17]

Despite being probity younger brother of Dhritarashtra, skill was Pandu who succeeded their father as king of Bharata.

This was because Dhritarashtra was blind, a disability that caused him to forfeit his glaring to the royal succession. Dhritarashtra fathered 100 sons, known tempt the Kaurava brothers, and ascended the throne on the get of Pandu.^[18][19] The Pandava brothers were then brought up speed up their cousins, the Kauravas, extract the education of all these boys was supervised by Bheeshma.^[20] Among their teachers was depiction brahmin warrior called Drona, who considered Arjuna to be ruler favourite.^[21] According to Swami Parmeshwaranand, Arjuna was Drona's most proficient pupil.

He notes an happening where Drona deemed that elsewhere of all his students, no part but Arjuna had the singleminded focus to shoot the check of a toy bird tell a tree using a endure and arrow, and that Drona was proven right.^[22]

After the princes completed their training, Arjuna browbeaten Drupada of Panchala, who was impressed by the prince's gifts, as the gurudakshina for ruler beloved teacher Drona.^[23] Later, Duryodhana and his maternal uncle Shakuni planned to burn the Pandavas alive along with their colloquial Kunti.

They built a residence out of lac in trig village named Varanāvata. The Pandavas, though, managed to escape blue blood the gentry house of lac with justness help of Vidura through nifty secret tunnel.^[24]

Marriages and children

Arjuna wedded Draupadi,^[25][26] the fire born lass of Drupada, who was justness king of Panchala.^[27]

After the behave of Lakshagriha, Arjuna, his inactivity and brothers decide to keep from Hastinapura.

One day, Arjuna learns that Drupada is occupancy an archery tournament to confirm who should marry his colleen. The tournament was to propel and string a bow, tell off fire arrows to pierce greatness eye of a golden probe only by looking at warmth reflection in the water. Parcel up the Swayamvara, almost all dignity assorted monarchs were unable vertical complete the challenge.

In representation end, Arjuna, dressed as neat Brahmin, wins the tournament.^[28] Bothered by their defeat, the kings attack Arjuna, but he defeats them and runs home willing tell his mother of rulership success, shouting "look what amazement have found". Commentators vary in that to whether Kunti thought be active was referring to alms establish in the forest or currency some great prize unknown run into her.

She tells him make certain the find must be joint with his brothers, as they had always shared such outlandish in the past.

This misconception, combined with the protocol become absent-minded the oldest of the brothers, Yudhishthira, should marry first, leads to the agreement that screen five brothers marry her. That is one of the uncommon examples of polyandry in Indic literature.^[25][29] The brothers agreed avoid none should intrude if Draupadi was alone with one matching the others, the penalty target doing so is a twelvemonth to be spent in fugitive during which the culprit obligated to remain celibate.^[25]

When Arjuna, his siblings, mother and Draupadi returned with reference to Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra determined to beat off a rivalry developing for duty of Hastinapur by splitting rendering kingdom, with half of phase in being left to his impair eldest son, Duryodhana, and hemisphere to the eldest son tip off Pandu, Yudhishthira.^[18][19]

Arjuna inadvertently broke excellence pact with his brothers, inhibition as he sought to application weapons whilst Yudhishthira, was unaccompanie with Draupadi.

He felt grateful to go into exile in spite of Yudhishthira's attempts to dissuade him.^[27] It was this event lose concentration led to him forming excellent close relationship with his relative Krishna^[a] because he ignored goodness celibacy condition of the pact^[25] and married three people tell his travels, the first present whom was a Naga queen named Ulupi, with whom let go had a son called Iravan.

His second marriage was pertain to a princess of Manipura, Chitrangada, who bore a son called Babhruvahana. The third was amputate Subhadra, the sister of Avatar. This last event, which took place in Dvaraka,^[27] is watchword a long way the first meeting between Avatar and the Pandavas in say publicly story but it does regard the start of a ligament, sealed with the birth illustrate the couple's child, Abhimanyu, whom Krishna adores.^[31]

Burning of Khandava Forest

It was while at Indraprastha, interpretation capital city of the Pandavas,^[32] for the birth of Abhimanyu that Arjuna and Krishna conform to involved in what Alf Hiltebeitel describes as "one of leadership strangest scenes of the epic", this being the burning interrupt the Khandava Forest.

This tale within a story has anachronistic interpreted in various ways.^[31]

The establish of this part of grandeur myth is that Arjuna sit Krishna are in the grove when they are approached close to a hungry person. They fit to help satisfy his emptiness, at which point he reveals himself to be Agni, excellence god of fire.

Agni's have a yen for can only be sated jam consuming the entire forest forward everything in it but rulership previous attempts to do that were thwarted by Indra, who is a protector of rendering forest and sent down rains to quench the fire. Justness cousins agree to fend take-off Indra and anyone else who might interfere; to this take in, Arjuna armed himself with rank Gandiva bow and Krishna second-hand goods his Sudarshana Chakra, weapons becoming for a fight with grandeur gods.

They then begin enhance destroy the forest, battling wreck Indra and other gods, chimpanzee well as demons, animals forward snakes. Once the forest has gone, after six days delineate fire and slaughter, Arjuna take Krishna receive thanks from Indra, who had retreated with nobility other gods partway through glory proceedings on being commanded uninviting a mysterious voice to process back and watch.^[33]

The game provision dice

As heir to the absolute rule of Kurukshetra, Yudhishthira had intent the unwelcome attention of monarch Kaurava cousin, Duryodhana, who sought after the throne.^[34] The royal faithfulness involved an elaborate Vedic commemoration called rajasuya which extended mix up several years and included leadership playing of a ritualised attempt of dice.^[35] This particular distraction, described as "Indian literature's first notorious dice game" by Williams,^[25] was rigged by Duryodhana, later than at the botto Yudhishthira to gamble and fly in a circle everything, including his kingdom view his shared wife Draupadi.^[29][36] Misstep and his brothers only erred their freedom because Draupadi offered herself to the Kauravas bayou exchange.

She was then mortified by them so much desert revenge for her treatment became a further motivation for description Pandavas in the rivalry partner their cousins.^[29] During her overthrow, Karna called her an unvirtuous for marrying five men. That led Arjuna to take keen vow of killing Karna.^[37] High-mindedness brothers, including Arjuna, were awkward into a 12-year exile, afflict be followed by a gathering living incognito if Yudhishthira was to regain his kingdom.^[36]

Exile wink the Pandavas

While in this expatriation, Arjuna visited the Himalayas stick at get celestial weapons that of course would be able to dense against the Kauravas.

Thereafter, do something honed his battle skills strike up a deal a visit to Swarga, justness heaven of Indra, where significant emerged victorious in a armed struggle with the Daityas and extremely fought for Indra, his sacred father, with the Gandiva.^[14]

After rendering battle at Khandava, Indra locked away promised Arjuna to give him all his weapons as grand boon for matching him preparation battle with the requirement go Shiva is pleased with him.

During the exile, following excellence advice of Krishna to throw in on meditation or tapasya lambast attain this divine weapon, Arjuna left his brothers for efficient penance on Indrakeeladri Hill (Koppal, Karnataka).^[38]

When Arjuna was in abyssal meditation, a wild boar ran towards him. He realized crash into and took out an dart and shot it at honesty boar.

But, another arrow challenging already pierced the boar. Arjuna was furious and he maxim a hunter there. He confronted the hunter and they restricted in a fight. After noontide of fighting, Arjuna was plead for able to defeat him attend to realized that the hunter was Shiva. Shiva was pleased become more intense took his real form.

Good taste gave him Pashupatastra and gather that the boar was Indra as he wanted to exam Arjuna. After gaining the artillery, Indra took him to elysian fields and gave him many weapons.^[38][39]

During his exile, Arjuna was appreciated to the palace of Indra, his father. An apsara first name Urvashi was impressed and affected to Arjuna's look and flair so she expresses her warmth in front of him.

On the contrary Arjuna did not have working-class intentions of making love explicate Urvashi. Instead, he called waste away "mother". Because once Urvashi was the wife of King Pururavas the ancestor of Kuru blood. Urvashi felt insulted and unfortunate Arjuna that he will just a eunuch for the profit of his life. Later cost Indra's request, Urvashi curtailed decency curse to a period ticking off one year.^[40][41]

At Matsya Kingdom

Arjuna clapped out the last year of fugitive as a eunuch named Brihannala at King Virata’s Matsya Sovereignty.

He taught singing and scintillation to the princess Uttarā. Associate Kichaka humiliated and tried exchange molest Draupadi, Arjuna consoled their way and Bhima killed Kichaka. Considering that Duryodhana and his army phony Matsya, Uttara, Uttarā's brother, uneasiness Brihannala as his charioteer went to the army. Later renounce day, the year of Agyatavasa was over.

Arjuna took Uttara away from the army should the forest where he esoteric kept his divine bow, Gandiva, and revealed his identity serve Uttara. He then fought Kaurava army and single-handedly defeated them including warriors like Bheeshma, Drona, Ashwatthama, Karna, Duryodhana etc. While in the manner tha Arjuna's identity was revealed pick out the court, Uttarā was connubial to Arjuna's son Abhimanyu.^[40][42]

Kurukshetra War

Bhagavat Gita

The Bhagavad Gita crack a book within the Mahabharata that depicts a dialogue halfway Arjuna and Krishna immediately old to the commencement of illustriousness Kurukshetra War between the Pandavas and Kauravas.

According to Richard H. Davis,

The conversation deals with the moral propriety allowance the war and much as well. The Gita begins with Arjuna in confusion innermost despair, dropping his weapons; dedicated ends with Arjuna picking cessation his bow, all doubts determined and ready for battle.^[43]

In leadership war

Main article: Kurukshetra War

Arjuna was a key warrior in Pandava's victory in the Kurukshetra.

Arjuna's prowess as an archer was demonstrated by his success get the picture slaying numerous warriors, including circlet own elder brother Karna view grandfather Bhishma.

• Fall of Bheeshma: On the 10th day fence battle, Shikhandi accompanied Arjuna bit the latter's chariot and they faced Bheeshma who did note fire arrows at Shikhandi.

  Soil was then felled in combat by Arjuna, pierced by uncounted arrows. With Sikhandi in start, Bheeshma did not even aspect in that direction, Arjuna bullet arrows at Bheeshma, piercing potentate entire body.^[40]

• Death of Bhagadatta: Classification the 12th day of integrity war, Arjuna killed the burly king of PragjyotishaBhagadatta, along farm his mighty elephant Supratika.^[44]
• Death apply Jayadratha: Arjuna learns that Jayadratha blocked the other four Pandavas, at the entrance of Chakravyuha, due to which Abhimanyu entered alone and was killed contradictorily by multiple Kaurava warriors margarine the 13th day of distinction war.

  Arjuna vowed to put out of misery him the very next allot before sunset, failing which agreed would kill himself by astir into a fire. Arjuna eaten away into the Kaurava army gain the 14th day, killing duo aukshohinis (4.2 Lakh soldiers) disparage their army, and finally headless Jayadratha on the 14th short holiday of the war.

• Death of Sudakshina: He killed Sudakshina the phony of Kambojas on the Fourteenth day using Indrastra killing him and a large part cut into his army.

  He also join Shrutayu, Ashrutayu, Niyutayu, Dirghayu, Vinda, and Anuvinda during his pursuit to kill Jayadratha.

• Death of Susharma: Arjuna on the 18th trip killed King Susharma of Trigarta Kingdom, the main Kaurava ally.
• Death of Karna: The much hopedfor battle between Arjuna and Karna took place on the Seventeenth day of war.

  The fight continued fiercely and Arjuna deal with Karna by using Anjalikastra like that which Karna was weaponless.^[40]

Later life accept death

After the Kurukshetra War, Yudhishthira appointed Arjuna as the Ground-breaking Minister of Hastinapur. Yudhishthira unreduced Ashvamedha. Arjuna followed the nag 2 to the land of Manipura and encountered Babhruvahana, one splash his sons.

None of them knew one another. Babhruvahana gratis Arjuna to fight and smart his father during the engagement. Chitrāngadā came to the combat zone and revealed that Arjuna was her husband and Babhruvahana's priest. Ulupi, the second wife take in Arjuna, revived Arjuna using unblended celestial gem called Nagamani.^[45]

After Avatar left his mortal body, Arjuna took the remaining citizens demonstration Dwaraka to Indraprastha.

On honourableness way, they were attacked offspring a group of bandits. Arjuna desisted from fighting seeing description law of time.

Upon rectitude onset of the Kali Yuga, and acting on the alarm of Vyasa, Arjuna and following Pandavas retired, leaving the commode to Parikshit (Arjuna's grandson innermost Abhimanyu's son).

Giving up beggar their belongings and ties, ethics Pandavas, accompanied by a bitch, made their final journey use your indicators pilgrimage to the Himalayas. Dignity listener of the Mahabharata high opinion Janamejaya, Parikshit's son and Arjuna's great-grandson.^[46]

Indonesia

In the Indonesian archipelago, leadership figure of Arjuna is further known and has been famed for a long time.

Arjuna especially became popular in ethics areas of Java, Bali, Madura and Lombok. In Java endure later in Bali, Arjuna became the main character in very many kakawin, such as Kakawin Arjunawiwāha, Kakawin Pārthayajña, and Kakawin Pārthāyana (also known as Kakawin Subhadrawiwāha. In addition, Arjuna is as well found in several temple reliefs on the island of Drink, for example the Surawana synagogue.

Wayang story

Arjuna is a majuscule figure in the world hook wayang (Indonesian puppetry) in Indonesian culture. Some of the attributes of the wayang version care Arjuna may be different be bereaved that of Arjuna in significance Indian version of the Mahābhārata book in Sanskrit. In dignity world of puppetry, Arjuna in your right mind described as a knight who likes to travel, meditate, queue learn.

Apart from being clever student of Resi Drona mind Padepokan Sukalima, he is as well a student of Resi Padmanaba from the Untarayana Hermitage. Arjuna was a Brahman in State Mintaraga, with the title Bagawan Ciptaning. He was made primacy superior knight of the balcony to destroy Prabu Niwatakawaca, greatness giant king of the Manimantaka country.

For his services, Arjuna was crowned king in Dewa Indra's heaven, with the designation King Karitin and get loftiness gift of magical heirlooms devour the gods, including: Gendewa (from Bhatara Indra), Ardadadali Arrow (from Bhatara Kuwera), Cundamanik Arrow (from Bhatara Narada). After the Bharatayuddha war, Arjuna became king accent Banakeling State, the former Jayadrata kingdom.

Arjuna has a intelligent and clever nature, is involvedness, conscientious, polite, brave and likes to protect the weak. Unquestionable leads the Madukara Duchy, secret the territory of the submit of Amarta. For the old generation of Java, he was the embodiment of a allinclusive man.

Very different from Yudhisthira, he really enjoyed life think about it the world. His love means always amaze the Javanese, however he is different from Guard Juan who always chases detachment. It is said that Arjuna was so refined and fair that princesses, as well orang-utan the ladies-in-waiting, would immediately bid themselves.

They are the incline who get the honor, grizzle demand Arjuna. He is very frost from Wrekudara. He displayed a-okay graceful body and a gradient that was appreciated by rank Javanese of all generations.

Arjuna also has other powerful heirlooms, among others: The Kiai Kalanadah Keris was given to Gatotkaca when he married Dewi Gowa (Arjuna's son), Sangkali Arrow (from Resi Drona), Candranila Arrow, Sirsha Arrow, Sarotama Kiai Arrow, Pasupati Arrow (from Batara Guru), Panah Naracabala, Arrow Ardhadhedhali, Keris Kiai Baruna, Keris Pulanggeni (given be introduced to Abhimanyu), Terompet Dewanata, Cupu comprehensive with Jayengkaton oil (given make wet Bagawan Wilawuk from Pringcendani hermitage) and Ciptawilaha Horse with Kiai Pamuk's whip.

Arjuna also has clothes that symbolize greatness, explicitly Kampuh or Limarsawo Cloth, Limarkatanggi Belt, Minangkara Gelung, Candrakanta Beads and Mustika Ampal Ring (formerly belonging to King Ekalaya, loftiness king of the Paranggelung state).^[47][48]

In popular culture

In television and films

There have been serials and big screen based on Arjuna's life increase in intensity exploits.

Television

Films

References

Notes

Citations