Introduction
Arjuna is the third of the Pandavas, the son of Kunti and, by divine parentage, of Indra. He is the greatest archer of the epic, and is the friend and companion of Krishna.
This article primarily follows the Mahabharata. Where a well-known detail comes from a Puranic or later source, the article identifies it.
Family
- Legal father: Pandu
- Divine father: Indra
- Mother: Kunti
- Wives: Draupadi, Subhadra, Ulupi, Chitrangada (princess of Manipur)
- Siblings: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Nakula, Sahadeva
- Sons: Shrutakarma, Abhimanyu, Iravan, Babruvahana
Training
Arjuna was the favourite student of Drona, who promised to make him the finest archer in the world. At the tournament at Hastinapura, he showed his skill, and Karna challenged him.
Draupadi and marriage
He won Draupadi at her swayamvara by shooting a target. He was married to Draupadi with his brothers. During a period of exile, he also married Ulupi, Chitrangada of Manipur and Subhadra, Krishna's sister.
Weapons
Arjuna gained the Pashupata weapon from Shiva after a fight in which Shiva appeared as a hunter. In Indra's heaven, he learned the use of celestial weapons, and rejected the apsara Urvashi, who cursed him. This curse later allowed him to live as the dancer Brihannala in Virata's court.
Kurukshetra
At the start of the war, Arjuna hesitated, and Krishna, who was his charioteer, spoke to him the Bhagavad Gita. He killed many warriors, including Bhishma, with Shikhandi's help, Jayadratha, Bhagadatta and Karna.
Later life
After the war, Arjuna led the Ashvamedha horse across the country. He was killed by his son Babruvahana in a battle in Manipur and revived. At the end of his life he died on the road to heaven in the Mahaprasthanika Parva.
Nara
In the Mahabharata, Arjuna and Krishna are identified as Nara and Narayana, the two ancient sages.