Arjuna
Arjuna is a prominent figure in the Hindu epic *The Mahabharata*, recognized as a half-human, half-god hero and the third of the Pandava brothers. Born to Kunti and the warrior god Indra, he is celebrated for his exceptional archery skills and noble qualities such as sincerity, loyalty, and determination. Arjuna's adventures are central to several narratives within *The Mahabharata*, where he faces moral dilemmas and engages in battles against formidable foes, often aided by his divine charioteer, Krishna.
The name "Arjuna," which means "bright" or "shining" in Sanskrit, highlights his esteemed status among the heroes of ancient literature, akin to figures like Achilles and Hercules. His birth was facilitated by a unique boon that allowed Kunti to summon gods to conceive children, resulting in the formation of the Pandava brothers. Arjuna's quests often emphasize themes of duty (dharma), morality in warfare, and the complex nature of human relationships, particularly during the climactic battle of Kurukshetra.
His relationship with Krishna is pivotal, especially in the *Bhagavad Gita*, where Krishna imparts critical philosophical teachings on duty and the nature of life and death. Arjuna's stories resonate deeply within Hindu and Buddhist traditions, reflecting the intricate interplay of divinity, valor, and ethical responsibility in human life.
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Arjuna
Arjuna is a half-human, half-god hero in the Hindu epic The Mahabharata. Renowned for his skill in archery, Arjuna is the third of the Pandava brothers, born to Kunti and raised by King Pandu. Arjuna’s biological father is the warrior god Indra. Arjuna is a disciple of the supreme deity Krishna.
The name “Arjuna” means “bright,” “shining,” or “silver” in Sanskrit. In importance, Arjuna is comparable to the Greek heroes Achilles and Hercules. All three are half-mortal, half-god, and skilled warriors. They also have some other commonalities, such as episodes in their histories where they dressed as a woman to accomplish a specific personal or military task.
Background
Arjuna came into existence because of an unusual gift his mother received years before he was born. A temple priest gave Kunti, Arjuna’s mother, a sacred formula that allowed her to summon any god she wished to conceive children. The man she married, Pandu, had a curse on him that would take his life if he ever had sex. Pandu wanted children to preserve his legacy, so he agreed to let Kunti use her strange gift to conceive.
Kunti summoned various gods and became pregnant each time. She first summoned the gods Dharma and Vayu and conceived the sons she named Yudhisthira and Bhima, respectively. Kunti then summoned the warrior god Indra and conceived a third son, Arjuna. After his birth, Kunti taught the sacred formula to Pandu’s other wife, Madri. Madri chose the gods known as the Ashvins and became pregnant with twin sons who were named Nakula and Sahadeva. Together, the five are known as the Pandava brothers.
Arjuna’s biological father, Indra, was the king of gods and had power over the heavens, including storms, thunder, lightning, and rain, as well as the flow of rivers. He was also known as the god of war. Indra was renowned for his fighting skills, including those that allowed him to defeat the demon Vritra. Vritra had taken the form of a giant snake and was blocking the flow of the local rivers, causing a drought. When no other gods were willing to take on the fearsome demon, Indra defeated him with a thunderbolt. He passed his warrior prowess along to his son and gave him a special suit of armor that rendered him invincible in battle.
Overview
Arjuna became a warrior and was especially skilled in using a bow and arrow. Archery was considered an honorable skill, so this gained him great respect. The handsome Arjuna was also known for his sincerity, loyalty, determination, devotion, and chivalrous behavior.
Arjuna plays a central role in a number of stories that are included in the epic tale Mahabharata. These stories are of great significance to Hindus and Buddhists. Some of these tales are also featured in the sixth-century epic Sanskrit poem “Kirātārjunīya” or “Arjuna and the Hunter,” written by Bhāravi. The poem is an important piece of Sanskrit literature. In some of these stories, Arjuna is known by different names, including Paartha, Savyashachee, Phaalgun, and Keerti.
In one story, the Kingdom of Gods is facing destruction by the demon Niwatakawaca. The gods are at a disadvantage because the demon can only be killed by a human. The gods decide to ask Arjuna for help, but first, Indra wants to test him to see if he is worthy. While Arjuna is meditating in the woods, Indra chooses seven nymphs to seduce him, but Arjuna is not tempted. Indra then disguises himself so Anjuna thinks he is a stranger. From their conversation, he determines that Anjuna’s motives for fighting are noble and pure.
Arjuna shows his deference to the gods after he and the god Siwa both shoot at a demon that turned into a wild boar that was sent to kill Arjuna. Arjuna and Siwa argue over whose arrow killed the boar, but as soon as Siwa removes his hunter disguise and reveals himself as a god, Arjuna yields and pays homage.
When the gods finally ask for his help in killing the demon Niwatakawaca, Arjuna discovers that Niwatakawaca’s weak spot is the tip of his tongue. He shoots an arrow that hits the demon there and kills him. Because of this, Arjuna is rewarded with time in heaven, where he marries the seven nymphs who failed to tempt him earlier. He also manages to win a contest in which the prize is Draupadi, one of the five virgins, and she becomes a wife that he shares with his four brothers.
Arjuna also becomes a disciple of the great god Krishna. In a number of tales, Arjuna is treated more like an equal, although Arjuna would normally be expected to offer deference to a supreme deity like Krishna. In one tale, Krishna disguises himself as Arjuna’s chariot driver before the warrior is to fight a great battle. Some of the opponents are Arjuna’s family members and friends, and he is conflicted about fighting people for whom he cares. The disguised Krishna insists that Arjuna fight because it is his dharma, or duty, as a warrior. This responsibility, Krishna says, must overrule the warrior’s personal desires. Krishna also explains to Arjuna that people killed in battle have only lost their physical existence, not their spiritual life, so no real harm has been done. As a result, a warrior should not feel bad for killing or hesitate to do so when necessary. Krishna's thoughts on duty, action, and spirituality form part of the text of the Bhagavad Gita and are part of the main teachings of Hinduism on war.
Bibliography
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V., Jayaram. “Arjuna of the Mahabharata.” Hinduwebsite, www.hinduwebsite.com/hinduism/concepts/arjuna.asp. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
Wagle, Janavi. “Arjuna: Analysis of the Character from the Hindu Epic Mahabharata.” Our Sunday Project, 11 July 2022, oursundayproject.com/arjuna-analysis-of-the-character-from-the-hindu-epic-mahabharata. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.