Biography
Arjuna is the third of the five Pandava brothers, son of Kunti and Pandu (blessed by Indra). He was the greatest archer of his time, trained by Drona. He received the divine weapons of Shiva and Agni. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, he faced a moral crisis that led to the Bhagavad Gita. After the war, he ruled with Yudhishthira and ultimately retired to the Himalayas.
Family Relationships
Major Events
Training under Drona
Mastered archery, won the competition at Hastinapura, earning Drona's blessing.
Exile and Virata
Spent 13 years in exile, the last year incognito in King Virata's court as a eunuch dance teacher.
Bhagavad Gita
Received Krishna's teaching on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
Kurukshetra War
Fought as the Pandavas' chief warrior, slaying Bhishma, Jayadratha, and Karna.
Ashvamedha Yajna
Led the horse sacrifice for Yudhishthira's empire, defeating remaining enemies.
Important Dialogues
“I see no good in killing my own family. My limbs fail, my mouth is dry, my body trembles. I cannot stand.”
Bhagavad Gita 1.28-30
“I am Your disciple. My mind is confused about my duty. I surrender to You. Please instruct me — I am Your disciple.”
Bhagavad Gita 2.7
Ethical Dilemmas
To fight or not to fight
Arjuna sees his family on the opposing side and collapses in grief, refusing to fight.
Resolution
Krishna teaches him the eternal nature of the Self, karma yoga, and dharma — Arjuna rises and fights.
Abhimanyu's death
His son Abhimanyu was killed unfairly in the chakravyuha. Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadratha by sunset or burn himself.
Resolution
Krishna used his discus to create an illusion of sunset, making Jayadratha emerge — then Arjuna killed him.
Related Verses
कथं भीष्ममहं सङ्ख्ये द्रोणं च मधुसूदन
kathaṃ bhīṣmamahaṃ saṅkhye droṇaṃ ca madhusūdana
How can I fight Bhishma and Drona in battle, O Madhusudana?
Bhagavad Gita 2.4शिष्यस्तेऽहं शाधि मां त्वां प्रपन्नम्
śiṣyaste'haṃ śādhi māṃ tvāṃ prapannam
I am Your disciple. Please instruct me, for I have surrendered to You.
Bhagavad Gita 2.7Interpretations Across Traditions
Advaita Vedanta
Arjuna represents the individual soul (jiva) in confusion. Krishna represents the inner Self (Atman) that awakens the jiva to its true nature.
Bhakti traditions
Arjuna is the ideal devotee — one who surrenders completely to the Lord and receives divine grace and knowledge.
Karma Yoga reading
Arjuna represents every person facing the dilemma of duty vs. emotion. His crisis is universal — the path of selfless action is the solution.