अर्जुन

यन्त्रोपारोपितकोशांशः

कल्पद्रुमः

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

अर्जुनम्, क्ली, (अर्ज + उनन् ।) तृणं । नेत्ररोगः । इति विश्वमेदिन्यौ ॥ तस्य लक्षणं । “एको यः शशरुधिरोपमस्तु विन्दुः शुक्रस्थो भवति तदर्जुनं वदन्ति” । इति माधवकरः ॥ (“नीरुक् श्लक्ष्णोऽर्जुनं विन्दुः शशलोहितलो- हितः” इति वाभटश्च ।)

अर्जुनः, पुं, (अर्ज + उनन् ।) पाण्डुराजस्य तृतीय- पुत्रः । स नु इन्द्रात् कुन्तीगर्भे जातः । तत्पर्य्यायः । फाल्गुनः २ जिष्णुः ३ किरीटी ४ श्वेतवाहनः ५ बीभत्सुः ६ विजयः ७ कृष्णः ८ सव्यसाची ९ धनञ्जयः १० । इति विराटपर्ब्ब । पार्थः ११ शक्रनन्दनः १२ गाण्डीवी १३ मध्यमपाण्डवः १४ श्वेतवाजी १५ कपिध्वजः १६ राधाभेदी १७ सुभद्रेशः १८ गुडाकेशः १९ वृहन्नलः २० । इति जटाधरः ॥ ऐन्द्रिः २१ । इति भूरिप्रयोगः ॥ * ॥ स्वनामख्यातवृक्षविशेषः । आजन इति भाषा । तत्पर्य्यायः । नदीसर्जः २ वीरतरुः ३ इन्द्रद्रुः ४ ककुभः ५ । इत्यमरः ॥ शम्बरः ६ पार्थः ७ चित्रयोधीः ८ धनञ्जयः ९ वैरातङ्कः १० किरीटी ११ गाण्डीवी १२ शिवमल्लकः १३ सव्यसाची १४ कर्णारिः १५ करवीरकः १६ कौन्तेयः १७ इन्द्र- सूनुः १८ वीरद्रुः १९ कृष्णसारथिः २० पृथाजः २१ फाल्गुनः २२ धन्वी २३ । इति राजनिर्घण्टः ॥ तत्पर्य्यायगुणाः । “ककुभोऽर्जुननामाख्यो नदीसर्जश्च कीर्त्तितः । इन्द्रद्रुर्वीरवृक्षश्च वीरश्च धवलः स्मृतः ॥ ककुभः शीतलो भग्नक्षतक्षयविषास्रजित् । मेदोमेहव्रणान् हन्ति तुवरः कफपित्तहृत्” ॥ इति भावप्रकाशः ॥ अस्य गुणाः । क्षतभग्नरक्त- स्तम्भनमूत्रकृच्छ्ररोगे पथ्यत्वं । इति राजवल्लभः ॥ कषायत्वं । उष्णत्वं । व्रणशोधनत्वं । कफपित्तश्रम- तृष्णार्त्तिनाशित्वं । वायुरोगप्रकोपकारित्वञ्च । इति राजनिर्घण्टः ॥ * ॥ (अस्य व्यवहारो यथा, -- “अर्ज्जुनस्य त्वचा सिद्धं क्षीरं दद्याद्धृदामये” ॥ इति वैद्यकचक्रपाणिसंग्रहः ॥) कार्त्तवीर्य्यार्ज्जुनः । माहिष्मती नाम पुरी तस्य राजधान्यासीत्, स खलु भुजवीर्य्येण सप्तद्वीपां धरामजयत् । योगाद् बाहुसहस्रञ्च लब्धवान् । “तस्य बाहुसहस्रन्तु युध्यतः किल भारतः ! । योगात् योगेश्वरस्येव प्रादुर्भवति मायया ॥ तेनेयं पृथिवी सर्व्वा सप्तद्वीपा सपर्ब्बता । ससमुद्रा सनगरा उग्रेण विधिना जिता ॥ तेन सप्तसु द्वोपेषु सप्तयज्ञशतानि वै । प्राप्तानि विधिना राज्ञा श्रूयन्ते जनमेजय” ॥ “योऽज्जुनेनार्ज्जनस्तुल्यो द्विबाहुर्ब्बहुबाहुना” । इति महाभारते ।) मयूरः । मातुरेकसुतः । इति मेदिनी ॥ श्वेतवर्णः । तद्वति त्रि । इत्यमरः ॥

अमरकोशः

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

अर्जुन पुं।

शुक्लवर्णः

समानार्थक:शुक्ल,शुभ्र,शुचि,श्वेत,विशद,श्येत,पाण्डर,अवदात,सित,गौर,अवलक्ष,धवल,अर्जुन

1।5।13।1।6

अवदातः सितो गौरो वलक्षो धवलोऽर्जुनः। हरिणः पाण्डुरः पाण्डुरीषत्पाण्डुस्तु धूसरः॥

 : पीतसंवलितशुक्लः, ईषद्धवलवर्णः

पदार्थ-विभागः : , गुणः, रूपम्

अर्जुन पुं।

अर्जुनवृक्षः

समानार्थक:नदीसर्ज,वीरतरु,इन्द्रद्रु,ककुभ,अर्जुन

2।4।45।1।5

नदीसर्जो वीरतरुरिन्द्रद्रुः ककुभोऽर्जुनः। राजादनः फलाध्यक्षः क्षीरिकायामथ द्वयोः॥

पदार्थ-विभागः : , द्रव्यम्, पृथ्वी, अचलसजीवः, वृक्षः

अर्जुन नपुं।

तृणम्

समानार्थक:तृण,तृण,अर्जुन,कक्ष

2।4।167।2।6

छत्रातिच्छत्रपालघ्नौ मालातृणकभूस्तृणे। शष्पं बालतृणम्घासो यवसं तृणमर्जुनम्.।

 : कैवर्तीमुस्तकम्, स्पृक्का, जटामांसी, कर्चूरः, सूरणः, समष्ठिला, शाखाभेदः, दूर्वा, मुस्ता, वेणुः, गुन्द्रः, नडः, काशम्, बल्वजाः, इक्षुः, वीरणम्, दर्भः, रोहिषाख्यतृणविशेषः, तृणविशेषः, जलजतृणविशेषः, नूतनतृणम्, गवादिभक्ष्यतृणम्, कशेरुः

पदार्थ-विभागः : , द्रव्यम्, पृथ्वी, अचलसजीवः, तृणम्

वाचस्पत्यम्

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

अर्जुन¦ पु॰ अर्ज्ज--उनन्। स्वनामख्याते

१ वृक्षे,
“सोऽङ्गणा-न्निःसृतः कृष्णः कर्षमाण ऊदूखलम्। यमलाभ्यांप्रवृत्ताभ्यामर्ज्जुनाभ्यां निवारितः। मध्यान्निश्चक्रामतयोः शिशुः कर्षन्नुदूखलम्। तत्तस्य कर्षतो बद्धं तिर्य्य-ग्गतमुदूखलम्। लग्नं ताभ्यां समूलाभ्यामर्ज्जुनाभ्याञ्चकर्षसः। तावर्ज्जुनौ कृष्यमाणौ तेन बालेन वक्षसा। समूलविटपौ भग्नौ स च मध्ये जहास वै” इति हरिवं॰।
“कदम्बंसर्जार्जुननीपकेतकी” ऋतु॰।

२ मध्यमपाण्डवेशुद्धचरितत्वान्मध्यमपाण्डवस्यार्ज्जुनत्वम्।
“पृथिव्यांचतुरन्तायां वर्ण्णीमे दुर्लभः समः। करोमि कर्म्मशुद्धञ्च तेन मामर्ज्जुनं विदुः” भा॰ वि॰ प॰ उत्तरंप्रति तस्य स्वनामव्युत्पत्तिकथनम्। स च पाण्डोःक्षेत्रे कुन्त्यां शक्रेण जनितः
“एवमुक्ता ततः शक्र-माजुहाव यशस्विनी अथाजगाम देवेन्द्रो जनयामास चार्जु-नम्। जातमात्रे कुमारे तु वागुवाचाशरीरिणी। महा-गम्भीरनिर्घोषा नभोनादयतीव ह। शृण्वतां सर्व्वभूतानांतेषां चाश्रमवासिनाम्। कुन्तीमाभाष्य विस्पष्टमुवाचेदंशुचिस्सिताम्। कार्त्तवीर्य्य समः कुन्ति! शिवतुल्यपराक्रमः। एष शक्र इवाजय्यो यशस्ते प्रथयिष्यति। अदित्या विष्णुनाप्रीतिर्य्यथाऽभूदभिवर्द्धिता। तथाविष्णुसमः प्रीतिं वर्ध-यिष्यति तेऽर्जुनः”। भा॰ आ॰ प॰।
“पार्थः कर्ण्णबधायमार्गणगणान् यानर्ज्जुनः संदघे” लीला॰

३ हैहयाधिपेकार्त्तवीर्य्ये
“एतस्सिन्नेव काले तु कृतवीर्य्यसुतोबली। [Page0366-a+ 38] अर्ज्जुनो नाम तेजस्वी क्षत्रियो हैहयाधिपः। दत्तात्रेय-प्रसादेन राजा बाहुसहस्रवान्। चक्रवर्त्ती महातेजाविप्राणामाश्वमेधिके। ददौ स पृथिवां सप्तद्वीपां सवन-पर्व्वताम्”। हरिवं॰

४ करवीरे,

५ मयूरे,
“तृणाख्याया-मित्युक्तेः”

६ तृणे

७ धवले।

८ शुभ्रतागुणवति त्रि॰।
“अहश्च कृष्णमहरर्ज्जुनं च” ऋ॰

६ ,

९ ,

१ ,
“अर्ज्जुनंसौरेण तेजसा शुक्लवर्णम् भा॰।
“कृष्णा रूपाण्यर्ज्जुनावि वो मदे विश्वा” ऋ॰

१० ,

२१ ,

३
“हे अग्ने! त्वंकृष्णा कृष्णान्यर्ज्जुना अर्ज्जुनानि श्वेतवर्णानि” भा॰
“पिशङ्गमौञ्जीयुजमर्ज्जुनच्छविम्” माघः। (आजनि)इति ख्याते

९ नेत्ररोगभेदे”
“एकोयः शशरुधिरोपमस्तुविन्दुः शुक्रस्थो भवतितदर्ज्जुनं वदन्ति” माधवः। एफस्या-मातुरेकस्मिन्

१० पुत्रे मेदि॰

११ इन्द्रे
“अर्ज्जुनोवैइन्द्रोयदस्य गुह्यं नाम” शत॰ व्रा॰। अर्जुनस्यापत्यम्इञ्। आर्जुनिः आभिमन्यौ।

शब्दसागरः

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

अर्जुन¦ m. (-नः)
1. The third of the Pa4ndavas, the son of INDRA and friend of KRISHNA.
2. The name of a king with a thousand arms. See कार्त्तवीर्य्य।
3. A tree, (Pentaptera arjuna.)
4. A peacock.
5. The only son of his mother.
6. White, (the colour.) nf. (-नं-नी)
1. Grass.
2. Slight inflammation of the conjunctiva or white of the eye. f. (-नी)
1. A cow.
2. USHA4, the wife of ANIRUDD'HA.
3. The Karatoya4 river in the north of Bengal.
4. A procuress, a bawd. mfn. (-नः-नी-नं) White. E. अर्ज to gain, उनन् Una4di affix, fem. ङीप्, also read अर्ज्जुन।

Apte

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

अर्जुन [arjuna], a. [अर्ज्-उनन् णिलुक् च Uṇ.3.58] (-ना, -नी f.).

White, clear, bright, of the colour of day; अहश्च कृष्णमहरर्जुनं च Rv.6.9.1; पिशङ्गमौञ्जीयुजमर्जुनच्छविम् Śi.1.6.

Silvery; यत्र वः प्रेङ्खा हरिता अर्जुना Av.4.37.5.

नः The white colour.

A peacock.

A sort of cutaneous disease.

A tree (Mar. अर्जुनसादडा), with useful rind; Mb.3.64.3.

N. of the third Pāṇḍava who was a son of Kuntī by Indra and hence called ऐन्द्रि also. [Arjuna was so called because he was 'white' or 'pure in actions' (पृथिव्यां चतुरन्तायां वर्णो मे दुर्लभः समः । करोमि कर्म शुद्धं च तेन मामर्जनं विदुः). He was taught the use of arms by Droṇa and was his favourite pupil. By his skill in arms he won Draupadī at her Svayaṁvara (see Draupadī). For an involuntary transgression he went into temporary exile and during that time he learnt the science of arms from Paraśurāma. He married Ulūpī, a Nāga Princess, by whom he had a son named Irāvat, and also Chitrāṅgadā, daughter of the king of Maṇipura, who bore him a son named Babhruvāhana. During this exile he visited Dvārakā, and with the help and advice of Kṛiṣṇa succeeded in marrying Subhadrā. By her he had a son named Abhimanyu. Afterwards he obtained the bow (Gāṇḍiva from the god Agni whom he assisted in burning the Khāṇḍva forest. When Dharma, his eldest brother, lost the kingdom by gambling, and the five brothers went into exile, he went to the Himālayas to propitiate the gods and to obtain from them celestial weapons for use in the contemplated war against Kauravas. There he fought with Śiva who appeared in the disguise of a Kirāta; but when he discovered the true character of his adversary he worshipped him and Śiva gave him the Pāśupatāstra. Indra, Varuṇa, Yama and Kubera also presented him with their own weapons. In the 13th year of their exile, the Pāṇḍavas entered the service of the King of Virāṭa and he had to act the part of a eunuch, and music and dancing master. In the great war with the Kauravas Arjuna took a very distinguished part. He secured the assistance of Kṛiṣṇa who acted as his charioteer and related to him the Bhagavadgītā when on the first day of the battle he hesitated to bend his bow against his own kinsmen. In the course of the great struggle he slew or vanquished several redoubtable warriors on the side of the Kauravas, such as Jayadratha, Bhīṣma, Karṇa &c. After Yudhiṣṭhira had been installed sovereign of Hastināpura, he resolved to perform the Aśvamedha sacrifice, and a horse was let loose with Arjuna as its guardian. Arjuna followed it through many cities and Countries and fought with many kings. At the city of Maṇipura he had to fight with his own son Babhruvāhana and was killed; but he was restored to life by a charm supplied by his wife Ulūpī. He traversed the whole of Bharatakhaṇda and returned to Hastināpura, loaded with spoils and tributes, and the great horse-sacrifice was then duly performed. He was afterwards called by Kṛiṣna to Dvārakā amid the internecine struggles of the Yādavas and there he performed the funeral ceremonies of Vasudeva and Kṛiṣṇa. Soon after this the five Pāṅdavas repaired to heaven having installed Parīkṣit -the only surviving son of Abhimanyu on the throne of Hastināpura. Arjuna was the bravest of the Pāṇdavas, high-minded, generous, upright, handsome and the most prominent figure of all his brothers. He has several appellations, such a Pārtha, Gudākeśa, Savyasāchī, Dhanañjaya, Phālguna, Kirītin, Jīṣṇu, Śvetavāhana, Gāṇḍivin &c.] cf. अर्जनः फाल्गुनो जिष्णुः किरीटी श्वेतवाहनः । बीभत्सुर्विजयः कृष्णः सव्यसाची धनञ्जयः ॥

N. of Kārtavīrya, slain by Parasurāma See कार्तवीर्य.

N. of a country Bṛi. S.14. 25.

The only son of his mother.

N. of Indra.

N. of a tree, Jerminalia Arjuna (Mar. अईन). The tree is rarer in south India. The colour of its bark is white. It is a forest-tree bearing fragrant flowers appearing in panicles like those of the Mango-tree.

नी A procuress, bawd.

A cow. तथार्जुनीनां कपिला वरिष्ठा Mb.13.73.42.

A kind of serpent; अर्जुनि पुनर्वोयन्तु˚ Av.2.24.7.

N. of Uṣhā, wife of Aniruddha.

N. of a river commonly called करतोया.

(न्यौ, -न्यः dual and pl.) N. of the constellation Phalgunī. अघासु हन्यन्ते गावो$र्जुन्योः पर्युह्यते Rv.1.85.13.

नम् Silver. वीरुद्भिष्टे अर्जुनं संविदानम् Av.5.28.5.

Gold.

Slight inflammation of the white of the eye.

Grass. -न (Pl.) The descendants of Arjuna; cf. अर्जुनः ककुभे पार्थे कार्तवीर्यमयूरयोः । मातुरेकसुते वृक्षे धवले नयनामये । तृणभेदे गवि स्त्री स्यात् ...Nm.-Comp. -अभ्रम N. of a medicament. -ईश्वरतीर्थम् N. of a holy place. Siva P. -उपमः the teak tree; also शाकद्रुम and महापत्राख्यवृक्ष. -काण्ड a. having a white stem or appendage. बभ्रोरर्जनकाण्डस्य यवस्य ते Av.2.8.3.-च्छवि a. white, of a white colour. -ध्वजः 'whitebannered', N. of Hanūmat. -पाकी N. of a plant and its fruits. -बदरः The fibre of the Arjuna plant; अर्जुन- बदरा मेखलाः क्रियन्ताभू । ŚB. on MS.9.4.25 -मिश्रः Name of a commentator on the Mb. -सखिः (L.) Kriṣṇa.-सिंहः N. of a prince (Inscriptions).

Monier-Williams

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

अर्जुन mfn. (See. ऋज्रand रज्)white , clear (the colour of the day RV. vi , 9 , 1 ; of the dawn RV. i , 49 , 3 ; of the lightning ; of the milk ; of silver , etc. )

अर्जुन mfn. made of silver AV. iv , 37 , 4

अर्जुन m. the white colour L.

अर्जुन m. a peacock L.

अर्जुन m. cutaneous disease Sa1y. on RV. i , 122 , 5

अर्जुन m. the tree Terminalia Arjuna W. and A.

अर्जुन m. N. of a man RV. i , 122 , 5

अर्जुन m. of इन्द्रVS. S3Br. , of the third of the पाण्डवprinces (who was a son of कृतवीर्यwho was slain by परशुराम) ib.

अर्जुन m. of a शाख्य(known as a mathematician)

अर्जुन m. of different other persons

अर्जुन m. the only son of his mother L.

अर्जुन n. silver AV. v , 28 , 5 and 9

अर्जुन n. gold L.

अर्जुन n. slight inflammation of the conjunctiva or white of the eye Sus3r.

अर्जुन n. a particular grass (used as a substitute for the सोमplant) PBr. etc.

अर्जुन n. (= रूप)shape Naigh.

अर्जुन m. pl. the descendants of अर्जुनPa1n2. 2-4 , 66 Sch.

Purana index

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

(I) (कार्तवीर्य)--son of कृतवीर्य. Lord of seven islands and of हैहयष्, सम्राट् and चक्रवर्तिन्। By the grace of Hari he got १००० arms and enjoyed अष्ट- ऐश्वर्यस्। Learnt the merit of योग from दत्तात्रेय. Ruled in peace for ८५,000 years फलकम्:F1:  भा. IX. १५. १७-19; २३. २४-27; Br. III. ३०. 4. ७५; ६९. 9, ४९, ५६; Vi. IV. ११. ११-21; M. ४३. १५; वा. ९४. १०.फलकम्:/F and was ambitious to have more territorial possessions. फलकम्:F2:  भा. XII. 3. 9; I. १२. २१.फलकम्:/F Was engaged in water-sports with women wearing the garland of Vaijayanti. फलकम्:F3:  भा. IX. १५. २०.फलकम्:/F Imprisoned रावण in his capital माहिष्मती and released him on an appeal from Pulasya. फलकम्:F4:  भा. IX. १५. २१-22; Br. III. ३३. ५०; M. ४३. ३७-40;फलकम्:/F In the course of a hunting expedi- tion, he came to the hermitage of Jamadagni who enter- tained him with the help of his कामधेनु. The king, envious of the sage's prosperity, desired its possession, and on being refused by the sage, he took the cow by force. फलकम्:F5:  भा. IX. १५. २३-26; Br. III. २६. 7 whole chapter, chaps. २७ and २८; ३०. 4.फलकम्:/F परसुराम who was away, heard the story on his return, went to Arjuna's capital, cut off his head with his axe after a terrible battle in which मत्स्यराज took part and recovered the cow and the calf. फलकम्:F6:  भा. IX. १५. २७-36; Br. III. ३०. 5-१५; ३२. ६१; ३८ 8, २७; ४०. १९; ४१, ३७, ३८; ४४. १४; ४७. ६३, ८८.फलकम्:/F Jamadagni regretted his son's action as the king was a नरदेव, and killing him was an offence greater than ब्राह्मनिचिदे. फलकम्:F7:  भा. IX. १५. ३७-41; Br. III. ३८. 8.फलकम्:/F Had १००० (?) sons, (१०० sons) all of whom except five died in battles. These sons killed Jamadagni when राम and his brothers were gone out. फलकम्:F8:  M. ४३. ४६-51;फलकम्:/F These five were great warriors. फलकम्:F9:  भा. IX. १६. 9-१२.फलकम्:/F His minister was the evil Candragupta and the पुरोहित, Garga. फलकम्:F१०:  Br. III. २८. ३१-63.फलकम्:/F Incarnation of विष्णु Cakra; फलकम्:F११:  Br. III. ३७. २७-28; ४०. ६६.फलकम्:/F to his family belonged तालजङ्घ; फलकम्:F१२:  वा. ९४. ५०.फलकम्:/F performed thousands of यज्ञस् with golden यूपस् and वेदिस्, which were attended by gods. A राजऋषि, पशुपाल, क्षेत्रपाल. फलकम्:F१३:  M. ४३. १३-25.फलकम्:/F Defeated कर्कोटक's son at माहिष्मती and established his city on the banks of the Nar- मदा. Could control the waters of the नर्मदा and the fury of the ocean: a terror to Asuras in पाताल as also to राक्षसस् and Uragas. Defeated रावण and released [page१-107+ ४०] him at the intervention of Pulastya: burnt down the Hema- तालवनम्, residence of आपव and was cursed that a भार्- gava and a ब्राह्मण would chop off his १००० hands. फलकम्:F१४:  M. ४३. २५-43; वा. ९४. 9-२४.फलकम्:/F A गाथ in his honour by नारद. फलकम्:F१४: (a) Vi. IV. ११. १६.फलकम्:/F Once आदित्य in the guise of a ब्राह्मण asked to be fed at the expense of all im- mobile things (स्थावर) in the world and it was granted. This included आपव's hermitage also. फलकम्:F१५:  Br. III. ७०. 3-१०; M. ४४. 3-१३.फलकम्:/F Performed the सौभाग्यशयन-व्रतम् and made the १६ gifts. फलकम्:F१६:  M. ६०. ४९.फलकम्:/F

(II)--a son of Raivata Manu. भा. VIII. 5. 2.

(III)--a पाण्डव, son of Indra and कुन्ती and father of श्रुतकीर्ति. Had a son इरावान् by उलूपि and another son बब्रुवाहन by the daughter of मणिपुरपति. Father of Abhimanyu by सुभद्रा. फलकम्:F1:  भा. IX. २२. २९-33; Br. III. ७१. १५४ and १७८; Vi. IV. १४. ३५; २०. ४०; V. १२. १७-24; ३५. २८.फलकम्:/F Promised द्रौपदी to cut off अश्वथाम's head and place it before her for his killing her sons when asleep. अश्वथाम heard this and ran for escape. Arjuna pursued him. Unwilling to slay the son of his preceptor, he bound him with ropes and took him to his queen's presence. She requested Arjuna to release him on the ground that he was a ब्राह्मण, a son of the guru, and for the sake of his old mother गौतमी. भीम was not for the release. But Arjuna took the hint from कृष्ण, and after depriving him of his crest-jewel, banished him. फलकम्:F2:  भा. I. 7. १५-57.फलकम्:/F Accompanied युधिष्ठिर to see भीष्म on the eve of his death. फलकम्:F3:  Ib. I. 9. 3.फलकम्:/F A playmate of कृष्ण. फलकम्:F4:  Ib. X. २२. ३१.फलकम्:/F Had a chariot with monkey standard. When he was once in the forest with कृष्ण, they met कालिन्दी, daughter of the Sun god anxious to marry कृष्ण. When Arjuna burnt खाण्डव, कृष्ण was his charioteer. Drove away the princes who attacked [page१-108+ ४६] कृष्ण returning with सत्या of कोशल. फलकम्:F5:  Ib. X. ५८. 4, १३-25, ५४.फलकम्:/F Commended by Indra to कृष्ण's protection. फलकम्:F6:  Ib. X. [६७ (V) ३६]; Vi. V. १३. १७-18.फलकम्:/F Consoled by कृष्ण when banished to the forest. फलकम्:F7:  भा. X. ६४. 9.फलकम्:/F A great name among the Kurus. फलकम्:F8:  Ib. X. ६८. २८.फलकम्:/F Joy at कृष्ण's visit to Indraprastha. By burning the forest he released Maya and enjoyed कृष्ण's company. Went to the eastern countries. Went again with कृष्ण and भीम disguised as a ब्राह्मण to Girivraja. Revealed himself before जरासन्ध who thought that he was not his equal. Returned after जरासन्ध's fall. फलकम्:F9:  Ib. X. ७१. २२-30, ४५-46; ७२. १३-16, २९ and ३२; ७३. ३१ and ३४.फलकम्:/F Entertained elders at the राजसूय of Yudhisthira. On seeing the enemy's army in the battle-field, his teachers, kith and kin among them, he expressed to कृष्ण his reluctance to fight them. कृष्ण taught him the truth (गीता), showed him his विश्वरूप and roused him to action. He fought, कृष्ण serving as charioteer. फलकम्:F१०:  Ib. X. ७५. 5; [७८. (V), २१-25]; XI. १६. 6-8.फलकम्:/F Victory due to कृष्ण. फलकम्:F११:  Ib. IX. २४. ६७.फलकम्:/F Heard of Abhimanyu's death and vowed to kill Jaya- dratha the following day, which he did. फलकम्:F१२:  Ib. X. ७८. [३१-35].फलकम्:/F Was taken by कृष्ण to कैलास where शिव blessed him. Took part in the स्वयम्वरम् of लक्ष्मणा. His arrow touched the fish target but did not hit it. फलकम्:F१३:  Ib. X. ८३. २४.फलकम्:/F In the course of his pilgri- mage he heard at प्रभास that his uncle's daughter Subha- द्रा was being proposed by बलराम to Duryodhana. He wished to marry her, and with this object spent four months in द्वारक as त्रिदण्डी ascetic. At this time राम invited him one day for भिक्षा। When he and सुभद्रा met, both exchanged their love by their eyes. On a day of festive occasion सुभद्रा came out, when Arjuna carried her off in a chariot with the approval of कृष्ण. राम protested but कृष्ण pacified him. Finally राम sent presents to his sister. फलकम्:F१४:  Ib. X. ८६. 1-१२.फलकम्:/F On a visit to स्यमन्तपञ्चक. फलकम्:F१५:  Ib. X. ८४. ५७.फलकम्:/F Once a ब्राह्मण of द्वारक preferred a complaint during कृष्ण's अश्वमेध that his children died imme- diately after their birth. Arjuna offered to recover them [page१-109+ ४५] for him, though कृष्ण had his own doubt. Accompanying the ब्राह्मण, Arjuna guarded the delivery room. The child was born and soon died. At this Arjuna went to Indra's place, and Yama's, and to the abodes of all gods, with the resolution to fall in a fire in case he did not rescue the child. Unable to recover it, Arjuna was about to plunge into the flames when कृष्ण prevented him. He was taken to the abode of नारायण and all the children were recovered. Returned to द्वारका to attend कृष्ण's अश्वमे- ध, after bringing joy to the ब्राह्मण. फलकम्:F१६:  Ib. X. ८९. २२-64.फलकम्:/F Other exploits of Arjuna were defeating Indra at खाण्डव, pleasing शिव in किरात's disguise, and vanquishing निवातकवचस्. फलकम्:F१७:  Ib. X. ८९. ३४ [4-5]; M. 6. २९.फलकम्:/F Went once to Heaven to please Indra, when he slew single- handed ६०,000 दानवस् who obstructed यज्ञस्। फलकम्:F१८:  भा. VI. 6. ३६.फलकम्:/F Went to द्वारका to see his relations. Was advised to take यादवस् to Indraprastha as द्वारका was about to be swallowed by the sea. Performed the last rites to the dead in द्वारका, and took the remainder to his place. Was defeated by rob- bers and आभिरस् after the departure of कृष्ण to Heaven. Informed युधिष्ठिर of कृष्ण's departure to Heaven and of his great sorrow, and also of the almost end of the यादव stock. Crowned Vajra king. फलकम्:F१९:  Ib. I. १२. ३६; १४, 1 and २२; १५. 5-२७ and ३२; XI. ३०. ४७-48; ३१. २१-25; M. ७०. १२. Vi. V. ३८. 5-6, १२-24, ३४-36.फलकम्:/F Arjuna knew and realised the माया of हरि। फलकम्:F२०:  भा. II. 7. ४५.फलकम्:/F Observed the आदित्यशयनम् vow. Visited the वामन temple at कुरुक्षेत्र during his तीर्थ- यात्रा and asked शौनक to narrate the circumstances of that अवतार् after वाराह. फलकम्:F२१:  M. ५५. ३२: २४४. 4.फलकम्:/F Was asked by व्यास to per- form penance expelling death. फलकम्:F२२:  Vi. V. ३८. ३७-92.फलकम्:/F Put down the prowess of कार्तवीर्य by the curse of आपव. फलकम्:F२३:  वा. ९४. ४५; ९९. २८०; Br. III. ६९. ४६.फलकम्:/F Known as पार्थ, Dhanamjaya, जिष्णु.

Purana Encyclopedia

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

ARJUNA : The third of the Pāṇḍavas.

1) Genealogy. Descended from Viṣṇu thus: Brahmā, Atri, Candra, Budha, Purūravas, Āyus, Nahuṣa, Yayāti, Pūru, Janamejaya, Pracinvān, Pravīra, Namasyu, Vīta- bhaya, Śuṇḍu, Bahuvidha, Saṁyāti, Rahovādi, Raudrāśvan, Matināra, Santurodha, Duṣyanta, Bharata, Suhotra, Suhotā, Gala, Gardda, Suketu, Bṛhatkṣetra, Hasti, Ajamīḍha, Ṛkṣa, Saṁvaraṇa, Kuru, Jahnu, Suratha, Viḍūratha, Sārvabhauma, Jayatsena, Ravyaya, Bhāvuka, Cakroddhata, Devātithi, Ṛkṣa, Bhīma, Pratīca, Śantanu, Vyāsa, Pāṇḍu, Arjuna.

2) Previous birth. Arjuna and Śrī Kṛṣṇa are often re- ferred to as Naranārāyaṇas (Nara and Nārāyaṇa). In their previous life they were two Ṛṣis called Nara and Nārāyaṇa, and from that time onwards they lived as inseparable companions and sons of the same parents. They entered Mahāsamādhi at Badaryāśrama in the Himālayas. Of the two Nārāyaṇarṣi was a partial in- carnation of Viṣṇu. About the Nararṣi the Devī Bhāga- vata has the following to say: “Dharma had his origin in the heart of Brahmā, and he earned great reputation for truthfulness and adherence to Vedic dharma. He married the daughters of Dakṣa. Dharma had four sons, Hari, Kṛṣṇa, Nara and Nārāyaṇa. Of the four sons Hari and Kṛṣṇa became great yogīs, and Nara and Nārāyaṇa, great tapasvins. Nara and Nārā- yaṇa did tapas, worshipping Brahmā for 1000 years at the holy Badaryāśrama in the plains of the Himālayas. Nara was born in the next birth as Arjuna. (Devī Bhāgavata, 4th Skandha). See Nara.

3) Birth. To Vicitravīrya son of Śantanu was born Dhṛtarāṣṭra by Ambikā, and Pāṇḍu by Ambālikā. Pāṇḍu had two wives, Kuntī and Mādrī. The curse of a Muni made physical contacts with his wives impossible for Pāṇḍu. (See Pāṇḍu). Kuntī, before her marriage had attended on Maharṣi Durvāsas who pleased with her service made a gift of five mantras to her. The effect of the mantras was that Kuntī would become mother of a son from him about whom she was thinking while she repeated the mantra. As soon as she got the mantras she retired to a solitary place and thinking of the Sun- God repeated the first mantra. At once Sūryadeva appear- ed and Karṇa was born to her by him. After assuring her that the incident would not affect her chastity Sūrya disappeared. Kuntī abandoned the child to float in the river Gaṅgā, and stayed with Pāṇḍu keeping the other four mantras to herself. Since Pāṇḍu could not contact the body of his wives, with his permission Kuntī began practising the other four mantras one by one. By three mantras she got three sons, Dharmaputra from Kāla, Arjuna from Indra and Bhīmasena from the wind God (Vāyu). The remaining one mantra Kuntī gave to Mādrī. She repeated it thinking of the Aśvinī Devas, and two sons, Nakula and Sahadeva were born to her. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter 63 onwards).

4) Festival of birth. At the birth of Arjuna Kuntī heard a heavenly voice declare as follows: “Oh! Kuntī! your son will be equal to Śiva in prowess and uncon- querable just as Indra is. After defeating all the Kings he will perform the Aśvamedha thrice. He will please Śiva and get the great weapon called Pāśupata from him. On the orders of Indra he will kill Nivātakavacas. Hearing the above prophecy the Devas played ecstatic music and flowers were showered from the sky. The Saptarṣis, Prajāpatis and other sages arrayed themselves in the sky. Thus, all animate and inanimate objects celebrated the birth of Arjuna.

5) Naming. Sages from the top of the Śataśṛṅga mountain came together to perform the christening ceremony of Arjuna. While enumerating the various names of Arjuna, it is said in the Virāṭa Parva that Kṛṣṇa was the name Pāṇḍu gave to his son. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter 123, Verse 20).

6) Childhood. The Pāṇḍavas spent their childhood at Hastināpura with the Kauravas. Then Arjuna studied the art and science of using weapons, dance, music etc. along with the other boys. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter 129, Verse 1). Kaśyapa, the high priest of Vasudeva did for Arjuna the usual Saṁskāras like Upanayana (wearing of the holy thread) etc. Arjuna was taught the first lessons in Dhanurveda (Science of archery) by Rājarṣi Śuka. Afterwards, Kṛpācārya became the preceptor of the Pāṇḍavas in Dhanurveda, and it was then that Droṇācārya came. There is a particular story about Droṇācārya becoming the guru. (See Droṇa).

7) Special favour of Droṇa. Arjuna showed very great interest in the science of the use of weapons. Droṇa, the master, wanted to teach Aśvatthāmā, his son, certain special things, and he began sending all his disciples to fetch water. Aśvatthāmā used to be the first to return with the water, and before the others returned Droṇa began teaching Aśvatthāmā the special lessons. Arjuna came to understand this programme and he began returning with water along with Aśvatthāmā. Then the guru began teaching the special things to both Aśvatthāmā and Arjuna. Droṇa instructed the cook not to serve Arjuna food in the darkness. While Arjuna was once taking his food, wind blew out the burning lamp, and Arjuna alone continued eating. Because of constant practice Arjuna was quite sure about the position of the hand and the mouth in the process of eating, and Arjuna surmised from this that archery also could be practised in darkness. He began practising them. The guru came to know of it, and witnessing Arjuna's performance praised Arjuna as a unique archer. (Bhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 132).

8) Ekalavya's finger was cut. Ekalavya, son of Hiraṇya- dhanus, King of the Niṣādas (a tribe of hunters, forest- men) approached Droṇa to learn the science of the use of weapons. Droṇa, the Brahmin, refused the prayer of this prince of the forest tribe. Ekalavya, after pros- trating at the feet of Droṇa returned to the woods, made an image of Droṇa with earth and meditating upon it as guru began practising the use of weapons.

The Kauravas and the Pāṇḍavas went hunting in the forest. Seeing there Ekalavya with his matted hair and clad in deer skin the hunting dogs began barking at him. Ekalavya shot into the mouth of the dog seven arrows at one and the same moment. With the arrows thrust in the mouth the dogs ran back to the Pāṇḍavas, and they found out the culprit, Ekalavya, who claimed himself to be a disciple of Droṇa. Grief-stricken at this claim Arjuna hurried up to Droṇa and said: “You had pronounced me to be your foremost disciple without an equal. But, today Ekalavya, another disciple of yours has relegated me to the second place”. Thereupon Droṇa went and saw Ekalavya in the forest. Ekalavya, in all devotion stood up and saluted the guru. And the guru said as follows: “Oh! Ekalavya if thou art my disciple give me the dakṣiṇā (fee) due to the guru, and I desire to get the thumb of your right hand as my fee”. At once Ekalavya cut his thumb and gave it to Droṇa. Henceforth Arjuna became Droṇa's unequalled disciple. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter 132).

9) Arjuna got Brahmaśirāstra. When once Droṇa and his disciples were bathing in the river Gaṅgā, a whale caught hold of the leg of the guru. The combined efforts of the disciples failed to extricate the leg from the grip of the whale. Ultimately Arjuna shot an arrow and released the guru's leg. Greatly pleased at this Droṇa imparted to Arjuna knowledge about Brahma- śirāstra, and Arjuna was enjoined not to use the astra against men, but to use it only when confronting higher beings than men. [Bhārata (Malayalam), Ādi Parva, Chapter 133].

10) Competition in arms. When the training of the princes was almost over Dhṛtarāṣṭra decided to have a rehear- sal of their attainments, and the scene for it also was set. The princes with bows and arrows appeared on the scene. Yudhiṣṭhira and others first exhibited their skill in shooting arrows in the order of their seniority. Every scene was explained to Dhṛtarāṣṭra by Vidura and to Gāndhārī by Sañjaya. Duryodhana and Bhīma clashed with each other. Aśvatthāmā pacified them and kept them apart. And, then Arjuna and Karṇa appeared on the scene, and the onlookers dec- lared them to be equal in skill in archery. When their shooting exhibition was over, Karṇa who got angry again rushed to the stage. Arjuna also got ready. Arjuna challenged Karṇa's eligibility on the ground that he was low-born and not a Kṣatriya. At once Duryodhana proclaimed him as the King of Aṅga. Though this pacified the scene, this competition in archery served much to make the Kauravas and the Pāṇḍavas the bitterest of enemies. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapters, 136, 137).

11) Arjuna's gurudakṣiṇā (Offering of fee to the preceptor). At the starting of training the princes Droṇa told them: “I have one thing in mind, and you must do it for me when you have completed the course of training. All the disciples except Arjuna kept silent at this, but Arjuna promised to fulfil the guru's wish at the proper time

The training was over, and it was time for gurudakṣiṇā. Droṇa asked to be brought bound before him Drupada, King of Pāñcāla. (For Droṇa's enmity towards Dru- pada see Drupada). Thereupon the Pāṇḍavas marched to Pāñcāla, and in a fierce battle Arjuna defeated Drupada. Though Bhīma tried to kill Drupada Arjuna did not permit it, but took him bound to Droṇa. This ended Droṇa's hatred towards Drupada, who now gifted half his kingdom to Droṇa. Droṇa was very much pleased with Arjuna for the above act, and advised him to fight even him (Droṇa) if the latter opposed him (Arjuna). To this Arjuna replied ‘Yes’. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter 139, Verse 14). With this promise to fight even the guru in case the guru attacked him Arjuna became the most reputed archer in Bhārata.

12) Jealousy of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. After the gurudakṣiṇā Arjuna marched against the neighoouring kingdom. He de- feated very easily in war the King of Yavana and the Kings Sauvīra, Vipula and Sumitra. These victories of Arjuna made the Kauravas very anxious; Dhṛtarāṣṭra brooded over it. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter 138, Verses 20-23).

13) Escape from the waxen palace. Duryodhana made up his mind to destroy the Pāṇḍavas somehow or other. He got the Pāṇḍavas to shift their residence to a palace made of wax at Vāraṇāvata, and one year after this the palace was set fire to. The Pāṇḍavas escaped death by fire through a tunnel and entered the forest, the next day. (See Arakkillam).

14) Arjuna on the banks of river Ga gā. The Pāṇḍavas walk- ed much through the terrible forest, and after midnight reached the banks of the Gaṅgā. At that time Aṁgāra- parṇa (Citraratha), the Gandharva was enjoying his time in the river with some Apsarā women. The presence of men at the scene, the Gandharva did not relish. Arjuna and the Gandharva crossed in words, which led to a duel. In the duel the Gandharva was defeated. As the wife of the Gandharva prayed with tears in her eyes Arjuna spared him his life. The grateful Gandharva told the Pāṇḍavas many interesting stories. He also made a present of divine horses and imparted to them the esoteric knowledge called Cākṣuṣī- vidyā. The Gandharva finally told the Pāṇḍavas that they were attacked because they came without Agni and Āhuti in their front. He also explained this fact that Arjuna could subjugate him on account of his (Arjuna's) genuine celibacy. (See Citraratha).

15) Pāñcālisvayaṁvara. Citraratha, during his talks with the āṇḍavas had pointed out to them the need to have a priest to lead and guide them in all matters, and accordingly they visited Dhaumyāśrama and ins- talled the Maharṣi (Dhaumya) as their priest.

And, meantime seeing thousands of people on their way to attend the Svayaṁvara (marriage by open choice of husband by the girl) of Kṛṣṇā (Pāñcālī) daughter of the King of āñcāla, the Pāṇḍavas also followed the crowd. Veda Vyāsa, whom the Pāṇḍavas met on their way blessed them. King Drupada wished to give his daughter Kṛṣṇā in marriage to Arjuna. The news that the ṇḍa as were burned to death in the palace of wax grieved Drupada. Yet he had made arrangements for a trial of strength by Heroes at the Svayaṁvara. A tremendous bow was got ready and installed on the ground, and a machine constructed which was kept suspended in the air. The target was placed inside the machine. And then Drupada spoke thus: “My daughter shall be married to him who will bend the bow and with the first arrow hit the target placed inside the machine”. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter 155, Verse 11). Great warriors like Duryodhana, Karṇa, Śiśupāla, Śiṁśumāra took their seats in the marriage hall. All the kings failed even to lift the bow up. Ulti- mately Arjuna lifted the bow and hit the target very easily. Pāñcālī put the wedding garland on Arjuna's neck. When the Pāṇḍavas returned to their mother with Pāñcālī in the evening the mother from inside her room said: “What you have got today, my sons, you enjoy among yourselves.” Kuntī said this under the impression that what her sons had got was some Bhikṣā. At any rate, in obedience to the above injunc- tion of the mother Pāñcālī became wife to the five Pāṇḍavas. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapters 190, 191).

16) Arjuna at Indraprastha. The svayaṁvara of Pāñcālī broadcast news about the whereabouts of the Pāṇḍavas. Dhṛtarāṣṭra brought them back to Indraprastha, and installed them in a new palace built at the place called Khāṇḍavaprastha. (Indraprastha). Dharmaputra ruled a part of the country with Indraprastha as capital. Nārada went there once and advised the Pāṇḍavas to guard themselves against mutual quarrels as the five of them claimed one and the same woman as wife. Thence- forth it was set forth that Pāñcālī would live with each husband in turn for one year. It was also settled that during a particular year if any other husband than the one whose turn it was to live with Pāñcālī saw her the intruder was to go on a pilgrimage for one year.

Once a brahmin came to the palace complaining that his cows were stolen by thieves, and Arjuna promised to help him. Arjuna did so without remembering that all his weapons were stored in Dharmaputra's palace. That year Pāñcālī was living with Dharmaputra. Forgetting the fact Arjuna went to Dharmaputra's palace, got his weapons and helped the brahmin. For thus breaking the rule Arjuna left his palace on a pilgrimage for one year.

17A) Arjuna married Ulūpikā and Citrāṅgadā. Arjuna with his bow and arrows went into the forest. Many brahmins followed him. Arjuna reached the banks of Gaṅgā and entered the waters for a bath. Here Arjuna was attracted by Ulūpikā, daughter of the Nāga King and he married her. A son was born to them called Irā- vān. After visiting places like Agastyavaṭam, Vasiṣṭhagiri Arjuna reached Manalur. He married Citrāṅgadā, daughter of Citrāṅgada, King of Manalur. After a stay of three months there he went southwards. Citrāṅgadā gave birth to a son named Babhruvāhana.

17B) The mark on Arjuna's flag is Hanūmān, and the following story is attached to it. Arjuna, once during a tour of the country was much surprised to see the Dam constructed by Śrī Rāma from Rāmeśvara to Laṅkā. He also felt that it was not at all proper on the part of Śrī Rāma to have sought the help of monkeys to construct the dam. Śrī Rāma could have made a dam with arrows. Arjuna put this question to a great scholar (Pandit) who was sitting nearby reading the Rāmāyaṇa. Neither the Pandit nor the other brahmins gathered there could give a convincing answer to Ar- juna's doubts. Then a monkey child went up to Arjuna and told him with pride that a dam made of arrows would have broken when the monkeys walked on it. Arjuna said then, “no, no, no monkey will be able to break the dam built with Rāma's arrows; which monkey will break a dam of arrows made even by me?” And, a debate began about the subject. The monkey and Arjuna agreed to a bet that if a monkey broke the dam made by Arjuna he would end his life by jumping into fire, and if the monkey could not break the dam it would for ever be Arjuna's slave. Arjuna constructed a dam with arrows. And, as soon as the monkey set foot on it it was broken. Arjuna tried again. Though now it caused some efforts on the part of the monkey the dam broke this time also. Arjuna was thus left with no alternative but to die by jumping into fire and a fire was accordingly lit. Before Arjuna jumped into the fire a brahmin boy, who was bathing in the river ran upto Arjuna and told him that his attempt at self annihilation was not justified as the bet was made with- out an arbiter. When Arjuna who was wedded so much to truth brushed aside this argument and got ready to end his life the boy said: “If you are so very insistent about it you (Arjuna and the monkey) com- pete once again with me as arbiter. This suggestion of the boy was accepted. The monkey child tried its best to break the dam, but it failed. It developed its body to the size of a mountain and jumped on the dam. Even then it did not break. Then he ran up to the boy who was acting as arbiter and prostrated at his feet crying ‘Rāmacandra’. At the same moment Arjuna also prostrated before the boy crying ‘Śrī Kṛṣṇa, slave to devotees’. The boy asked both of them to get up, and after admonishing them for their conceit gave them good advice. He also asked the monkey child to keep his word by remaining as the emblem of Arjuna's flag.

(The monkey boy was actually Hanūmān and the brahmin boy Śrī Kṛṣṇa).

17C) Arjuna married Subhadrā. Arjuna went to the holy place called Saubhadratīrtha and redeemed the woman named Vargā from the curse she was labouring under. (See Vargā). Arjuna continued his journey and reached Gokarṇa and Prabhāsa tīrtha, where he met Gada, brother of Śrī kṛṣṇa. Gada described to Arjuna the great beauty of his sister, Subhadrā. Arjuna went to Dvārakā and paid his respects to Śrī Kṛṣṇa. A few days later the yādavas celebrated a great festival at mount Raivataka. Arjuna went there disguised as a Sannyāsin and forcibly took away Subhadrā with him with the permission of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Though the yādavas got ready for a fight they were ultimately pacified, and Subhadrā was married to Arjuna. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapter, 218-224).

17D) Brahmin boy saved. When once Arjuna was in Dvārakā with Śrī Kṛṣṇa a brahmin appeared on the scene lamenting that his child died as soon as it was born. Nobody paid any heed to this, and then Arjuna rose up and assured protection to the next child to be born to the brahmin and asked him to return home in peace. Arjuna also vowed that he would end his life by jumping into fire if he failed to protect the next child of the brahmin.

As the time for the delivery of his wife approached the brahmin took Arjuna home. Arjuna made the house secure by making an enclosure with his arrows. Yet the child died; not only that, at the time of birth it- self its body disappeared. And, the brahmin heaped insults on Arjuna, who looked very foolish. Rendered thus an object of ridicule Arjuna began to make a fire for him to jump into. At this Śrī Kṛṣṇa appeared be- fore Arjuna and prevented him from jumping into fire. And then both Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna went to Viṣṇuloka and submitted the case of the brahmin to him. Viṣṇu told them: “Oh! Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna, it was I who took away the brahmin boys for the pleasure of seeing you both here. You may immediately return with the brah- min boys. And, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna returned with the boys to the brahmin, who now felt very happy. (Bhāgavata, Daśama Skandha, Chapter 89).

17E) Burning of Khāṇḍava forest. While Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna were spending their days on the banks of river Yamunā in the summer season Agni Bhagavān (the fire-god) requested them to give the Khāṇḍava forest as food to him. (See Khāṇḍavadāha). Arjuna agreed to oblige Agni Bhagavān, who presented to Arjuna the bow called Gāṇḍīva, a white horse and many other power- ful arrows. When Agni began burning the forest, Indra sent a heavy shower of rain. By creating a tent with arrows Arjuna saved the forest from the rain. Arjuna killed Takṣaka's wife, cursed the N ga called Aśvasena and saved Maya, the architect of the Asuras who was put up in the forest. Indra was pleased and gifted many divine arrows to Arjuna. Maya gave the famous conch, Devadattam to Arjuna. By now the one year of the pilgrimage of Arjuna was over and he returned to Indraprastha. (M.B., Ādi Parva, Chapters 233-239).

17P) Fight between Arjuna and Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (See Gālava, para 4).

18) Again to the forest. Maya, who escaped death in Khāṇḍava forest, in his great gratitude, went to Indra- prastha, and with the permission of Dharmaputra built for the Pāṇḍavas an exceptionally beautiful palace. And then the Pāṇḍavas made the conquest of all the earth, and after killing enemy kings like Jarāsandha, the Kimpuruṣas, the Hādakas, Śiśupāla, Kurundha and Bhagadatta returned to Idraprastha and performed the Rājasūya yajña. The Kauravas who got jealous at this went on a visit to Indraprastha. When they enter- ed the palace built by Maya they were put into many a ludicrous situation. (See Sabhāpraveśa). Insulted and humiliated they returned to Hastināpura and challenged the Pāṇḍavas to a game of dice, and in the game the Pāṇḍavas lost not only their kingdom and other riches, but Pāñcālī as well. Duśśāsana dragged Pāñcālī and stripped her of her clothes in the royal assembly and thus mercilessly insulted her. According to the terms and condition agreed to with reference to the game of dice, the Pāṇḍavas had to lead forest life for twelve years and live for one year incognito. The Pāṇḍavas again started for the forest. (M.B., Sabhā Parva).

19) Pāṇḍavas in Kāmyaka forest. A number of brahmins also accompanied the Pāṇḍavas to the forest. The noble brahmin, Śaunaka consoled the aggrieved Dharma- putra in the Dvaitavana. Dharmaputra felt worried that he could not feed the brahmins who accompanied him into the forest. Pāñcālī prayed to the Sun-God, and he gave the Akṣayapātra to her. (See Akṣyapātra). And, after this the Pāṇḍavas, along with the brahmins, entered the Kāmyaka forest. (M.B., Araṇya Parva, Chapter 36).

20) Arjuna secured divine arrows. Dharmaputra asked Arjuna to do tapas in the Himālayas and thus secure divine arrows. Accordingly Arjuna went south and saw Indra in the Indrakīla mountain. Indra gave him boons. There Arjuna killed Mūkāsura. And, then Arjuna went to Mount Kailāsa and prayerfully concen- trated his mind on Śiva. Śiva appeared in the guise of a forest dweller. (See Pāśupatāstra). After that he got the Daṇḍāstra from Yama, Pāśāstra from Varuṇa and Antardhānāstra from Kubera. (M.B., Vana Parva, Chapters 37-41).

21) Arjuna in Indraloka. Indra, who was so very pleas- ed that Arjuna got so many divine arrows deputed his charioteer, Mātali, to bring Arjuna to Devaloka, and at Devaloka he learned more about archery and music. The Apsarā women forgot themselves when they saw the exceptionally handsome Arjuna. Urvaśī, mad with love, sent her messenger Citrasena to Indra. Being told about Urvaśī's love Arjuna closed both his ears with hands, and reminded the messenger of Urvaśī's mater- nal position with reference to him. Urvaśī cursed and turned Arjuna into an eunuch. Indra consoled Arjuna by assuring him that Urvaśī's curse will turn out to be of great benefit to him. Afterwards Arjuna stayed in Devaloka for a few days with Citrasena, and during the period he killed Nivātakavaca and Kālakeya.

Arjuna became a friend of Maharṣi Lomaśa, who had gone to Devaloka to see Indra. Promising Arjuna that he would protect Dharmaputra Lomaśa returned to the earth. Arjuna left the Kāmyaka forest and returned to his brothers after an absence for five years. He met the brothers at Mount Gandhamādana. (M.B., Vana Parva, Chapters 42-47).

22) Procession. At last a witty and humorous brahmin went to Dhṛtarāṣṭra and dilated upon the hardships being suffered by the Pāṇḍavas, and Duryodhana and others were extremely pleased and happy to hear it. Yet, they shed crocodile tears. But, Duryodhana was in a mighty hurry to see with his own eyes the pitiable plight of the Pāṇḍavas. On the pretext of going out for hunting Duryodhana and others with the permission of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, started for the forest with a number of attendants. 8,000 chariots, 30,000 elephants, thousands of infantry soldiers, 9,000 horses, merchants, ornaments, courtesans and thousands of hunters formed this pro- cession into the forest. Just like roaring winds during the rainy season the procession caused thunderous noise. Duryodhana approached the pool in the Dvaita forest and waited at a distance. (M.B., Araṇya Parva, Chap- ter 239, Verses 25-29).

Duryodhana and attendants put up tents in the forest. The Gandharvas obstructed Duryodhana, and he and the Gandharva called Citrasena clashed with each other. Duryodhana was made a prisoner. Arjuna came on the scene and released him. And, thus humiliated Duryodhana returned to Hastināpura with the atten- dants. (M.B., Āraṇya Parva, Chapters 239-253).

23) Arjuna lost consciousness. While once Pāñcālī was alone King Jayadratha forcibly took her away. Within seconds the Pāṇḍavas confronted Jayadratha and regain- ed Pāñcālī. Jayadratha and his men were killed. The Pāṇḍavas, who were very weary and tired walking in the forest felt extremely thirsty. Nakula, at the instance of Dharmaputra climbed a tree and looked around and sighted a pool of clear water. When Nakula went to the pool and began to draw water a voice from above was heard saying as follows: “Do not be so very daring. This is my ancestral wealth. If you answer my ques- tions you may not only drink the water but also take some with you”. Without paying any heed to this warn- ing Nakula drank water from the pool, and lo! he fell down unconscious immediately. Sahadeva who went to the pool in search of Nakula and drank water from the pool also met with the same fate as Nakula. Arjuna and Bhīma also had the same fate at the pool. Lastly Dharmaputra went to the pool and understanding what happened to his brothers requested permission to drink water. At once a Yakṣa appeared and brought the bro- thers of Dharmaputra back to consciousness. In fact, the Yakṣa was none other than Yamadharmadeva. (For questions and answers of the Yakṣa see Dharmaputra.) (M.B., Araṇya Parva, Chapters 312-315).

24) Life incognito. Now the twelve years of forest life being over the Pāṇḍavas decided to spend the one year of life incognito in the Virāṭa palace. Arjuna disguised himself and deposited his clothes and weapons in the hollow of a Śami tree in the forest. And the Pāṇḍavas in various disguises reached the Virāṭa palace. They assumed false names: Dharmaputra as Kaṅka, Bhīma as Valāla, Arjuna as Bṛhannala, Nakula as Granthika and Sahadeva as Ariṣṭanemi and Draupadī as Mālinī.

When the life incognito of the Pāṇḍavas for one year was about to expire a rumour reached the Kauravas that the Pāṇḍavas were at the Virāṭa capital, and the Kauravas thought that the Pāṇḍavas will appear on the scene if a war was fought against King Virāṭa. The Kauravas, with this object in view, lifted the cows of Virāṭa and that led to war. Uttara, the prince of Virāṭa boasted that he would fight provided he had a good charioteer. Bṛhannala (Arjuna) agreed to act as such and they started for the warfield. At the sight of the massive army of the Kauravas Uttara got frightened and tried to run away from the field. But Bṛhannala tightly bound Uttara to the chariot, drove it very fast to the forest, took back from the hollow of the Śami tree his weapons and returned to the battle-field. The Kauravas were absolutely defeated in the war and they took to their heels. They understood that the very clever and terrible warrior in disguise was Arjuna himself. But, by the time the period of the Pāṇḍavas life incognito was over. The king of Virāṭa, greatly pleased over this victory in war gave his daughter, Uttarā in marriage to Abhiṁanyu, son of Arjuna. (M.B., Virāṭa Parva).

25) Preparations for war. After the forest life and life incognito the Pāṇḍavas returned. The Kauravas refus- ed to give them half the Kingdom. Śrī Kṛṣṇa, on behalf of the Pāṇḍavas, implored that half the kingdom or five districts or five houses or at least one house be given to them. But the Kauravas took the stand that not even an iota of land would be given to the Pāṇḍavas. And, war was perforce decided upon. Duryodhana went to Kṛṣṇa at Dvārakā to request for support in war. Kṛṣṇa, who favoured the Pāṇḍavas lay in false sleep as he did not want to fight against them. Duryodhana sat at the head of Kṛṣṇa. Arjuna, who came after some time sat at the feet of Kṛṣṇa and remained there standing. Awakening from sleep, it was Arjuna whom Kṛṣṇa saw first. After the greetings were over with Arjuna, Kṛṣṇa saw Duryodhana also. Between Kṛṣṇa without any arms and the armed forces of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna chose Kṛṣṇa and Duryodhana his armed forces to help each side in the impending war. (Udyoga Parva).

26) War. Both the Parties were encamped in Kuruk- ṣetra ready for war. Śrī Kṛṣṇa acted as Charioteer to Arjuna. He stopped the chariot in between the opposing armies. Arjuna felt deep anguish to find his own people arrayed on the opposite side for war. Reluctant to kill relations, elders, friends and preceptors Arjuna laid down his arms in the chariot. Then did Kṛṣṇa instruct him in Karmayoga (the philosophy of action). That instruction and advice of Kṛṣṇa is the world-famous Bhagavad Gītā. The Gītā cleared off Arjuna's illusions and he praised the Lord, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who revealed his all comprehensive form (Viśvarūpa) to Arjuna.

On the first day of the war Arjuna fought a duel with Bhīṣma, and the second day he fought the Kaurava forces with exceptional prowess. And then Arjuna pre- vented Kṛṣṇa from killing Bhīṣma. But, the Kaurava army faced defeat that day. On the third day Arjuna defeated Bhīṣma, Aśvatthāmā, Trigartta, Bhagadatta and others. Thereupon a really fierce fight began. The war lasted for 18 days. The important incidents during the 18 days can be summarised as follows:-- (1) Fierce fight between Arjuna and Bhīṣma. (2) Fight between Arjuna and Aśvatthāmā. (3) Arjuna destroyed the Kaurava army. (4) Irāvān, son of Arjuna, was killed. (5) Arjuna fought against Droṇa and Suśarmā. (6) Took the vow to kill Bhīṣma. (7) Śikhaṇḍī prompted to kill Bhīṣma. (8) On the appearance of Śikhaṇḍi the Kaurava army, took fright and fled in great disarray. (9) Arjuna fought a duel with Duśśāsana. (10) Duel with Bhagadatta. (11) Duel again with Bhīṣma. (12) Bhīṣma fainted and fell on the ground. (14) With Śikhaṇḍī in the front made an attack on Bhīṣma. (15) Arjuna discharged three arrows to serve as pillow to Bhīṣma who, dislodged from the chariot, was lying on a bed of arrows. (16) Cool water sprinkled on the face of Bhīṣma with the aid of divine arrows. (17) Fought against Droṇa and defeated his forces. (18) Satyajit deputed to remain with Dharmaputra to help him. (19) Sudhanvā killed. (20) Again fought with Bhagadatta. (21) Supratīka, the elephant of Bhagadatta killed. (22) And after that, Bhagadatta also killed. (23) Vṛṣaka and Acala killed by Arjuna. (24) Śakuni defeated. (25) Arjuna killed the three brothers of Karṇa and con- fronted Karṇa. (26) Abhimanyu, son of Arjuna, killed. (27) Hearing about the death of Abhimanyu, Arjuna fell down unconscious. (28) Awakened, Arjuna vowed to kill Jayadratha. (29) Arjuna performed Śiva Pūjā. (30) Arjuna dreamt that night to have paid homage to Śiva along with Kṛṣṇa and that Śiva gave him divine arrows like Pāśupata. (31) Marched forth routing the elephant regiment of Durmarṣaṇa. (32) Routed Duśśāsana in fight. (33) Again fought Droṇa, Kṛtavarmā, Śrutāyudha, Sudakṣiṇa, King of Kāmboja. (34) Sudakṣiṇa killed in fight. (35) Śrutāyu, Acyutāyu, Niyutāyu, Ambaṣṭha and the Mlecchas' army killed. (36) Vinda and Anuvinda killed. (37) Warfield converted into a house of arrows, on account of the great collection of arrows. (38) Arjuna defeated Duryodhana. (39) Fought the nine great warriors on the Kaurava side. (40) Arjuna cut off the right hand of Bhūriśravas at the instance of Kṛṣṇa. (41) Cut off the head of Jayadratha with arrows. The head and the arrows were thrown on the lap of Jayadratha's father. (42) Alambuṣa, King of Rākṣasas killed. (43) Daṇḍadhāra killed with his elephant. (44) Arjuna killed the six brothers of Suśarmā, viz., Satyasena, Candrasena, Mitrasena, Śrutañjaya, Sauśruti and Mitradharmā (45) Difference of opinion arose between Dharmaputra and Arjuna about the failure to kill Karṇa, and in the heat of excitement Arjuna called his elder brother ‘thou’. (46) Immediately repenting Arjuna drew sword to kill himself. But, regained mental peace by begging pardon of the brother. (47) Killed Vṛṣasena, son of Karṇa, (48) Karṇa brought down Kṛṣṇa's crown by his arrow resembling the face of the serpent. Enraged at this Arjuna killed Karṇa. (49) Killed Satyakarmā, Satyeṣṭha and others. (50) After bowing to Vyāsa, Arjuna withdrew arrow. (M.B., Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa, Śalya and Sauptika Parvas).

27) After the war. In the great war the Kaurava army, to the very last man, was annihilated. The Pāṇḍavas assembled together. Thoughts about the future came up. Śrī Kṛṣṇa consoled the sorrowing Dharmaputra. As desired by Vyāsa, Kṛṣṇa, Dharmaputra and others returned to Hastināpura and took up the reins of governing the country, and the idea of performing an Aśvamedha Yāga was seriously mooted. A King named Marutta agreed to give money needed for the yajña. Arjuna defeated all enemy kings. (M.B., Śānti Parva).

28) Death and rebirth of Arjuna. On his way back after digvijaya Arjuna was killed by the arrows of his son, Babhruvāhana. Immediately did Ulūpī, Arjuna's wife bring back to life her husband by Mṛtasañjīvanī mantra. Then Arjuna questioned Ulūpī about the reason for his son killing him, and also as to how she happened to be present at the time. Ulūpī described the story of a curse in answer to Arjuna's querry. (M.B., Aśvamedha Parva, Chapter 79).

29) The story of the curse. Ulūpī said: You shall not get angry. Yes, all is for the best. In war you killed Bhīṣma by unrighteous means, viz. with the help of Śikhaṇḍī. On his death, the Aṣṭavasus and Gaṅgā Devī cursed you with hell. I told about this curse to my father, who begged the Vasus for redemption, and they said that you would be redeemed from the curse when your son, Babhruvāhana, killed you. Accordingly he has been brought here to kill you.

The above story pleased Arjuna. (Aśvamedha Parva, Chapter 81).

30) Aśvamedham. Arjuna again defeated Meghasandhi, the King of Magadha, Śakuniputra and others and returned to Hastināpura, where the Aśvamedha yajña was performed. The Yādava dynasty was extinguished before long. Arjuna did all the rites due to them on death. He grieved over the departure of Śrī Kṛṣṇa. (Bhāgavata, Skandha 11, Chapter 31). And then he went to Indraprastha with the consorts of Kṛṣṇa. On the way dacoits overcame Arjuna and snatched away some of the females. Arjuna felt very sad. Then Vyāsa appeared and told him that he would be strong and powerful only in the presence of Kṛṣṇa. (Agni Purāṇa, Chapter 15).

31) Pāṇḍavas' journey to the other world. Now, it was time for the Pāṇḍavas to journey to the other world. It was at this juncture that the Yādava dynasty ended and Śrī Kṛṣṇa was killed, and some of Kṛṣṇa's con- sorts were abducted. Arjuna could not save them, and they jumped into the river and died. Arjuna, who lost all his power began the great journey with his brothers. On their way Agnideva advised him to deposit reputed bow, Gāṇḍīva in the sea, and Arjuna did so. (Mahā- prasthāna Parva, Chapter 1, Verses 1-42). The Pāṇḍa- vas continued their journey, Yudhiṣṭhira leading them. They reached the Himālayas, and there Pāñcālī expir- ed. To Bhīma's querry as to why Pāñcālī expired first, Yudhiṣṭhira replied that it was due to her having been more partial to Arjuna. The others continued their journey and then Sahadeva died. Yudhiṣṭhira explain- ed that Sahadeva died second due to his arrogance and conceit. And, the others continued going forward. An emaciated dog was already with the Pāṇḍavas during their journey. Nakula was the third to die, and Yudhiṣṭhira attributed it to his (Nakula) extreme con- ceit about his beauty. And, Arjuna's death next, Yudhiṣṭhira said, was due to his having not kept his vow, once made, to kill the whole lot of enemies in a day. After proceeding a short distance further Bhīma also fell dead, and Yudhiṣṭhira thought to himself that it was due to Bhīma's voracious eating. And, then Devendra came in his chariot of gold and welcomed Yudhiṣṭhira to Svarga. But, he refused the offer saying that he would not do go alone, leaving his brothers behind. When Indra assured him that his brothers were already there, in Svarga, Yudhiṣṭhira got into the chariot and reached Svarga, and he was elated to find his brothers there happy with Pāñcālī. (Mahā- prasthāna Parva and Svargārohaṇa).

32) The meanings of the word, Arjuna.

(1) White.

Śuklaśubhraśuciśveta-
Viśadaśvetapāṇḍavāḥ
Avadātassito gauro
Valakṣo dhavalo'rjunaḥ
Hariṇaḥ pāṇḍuraḥ. (Amarakośa)
(2) The plant called vīrataru.
Nadīsarjo vīrataru-
Rindradṛuḥ kakubhor'rjunaḥ. (Do)
(3) Grass.
Śaṣpam bālatṛṇaṁ ghāso
yavasam tṛṇaṁarjunam. (Do)
(4) Indra.
(Ṛgveda, Chapter 1, Anuvāka 7, Sūkta 112).

33) Synonyms used in the Mahābhārata of Arjuna. Aindri, Bhārata, Bhīmānuja, Bhīmasenānuja, Bībhatsu, Bṛhan- nala, Śākhāmṛgadhvaja, Śakraja, Śakranandana, Śakra- sūnu, Śakrātmaja, Śakrasuta, Śvetāśva, Śvetahaya, Śvetavāha, Devendratanaya, Dhanañjaya, Gāṇḍīvabhṛt, Gāṇḍīvadhanvā, Gāṇḍīvadhārī, Gāṇḍīvī, Guḍākeśa, Indrarūpa, Indrasuta, Indrātmaja, Indrāvaraja, Jaya, Jiṣṇu, Kapidhvaja, Kapiketana, Kapipravara, Kapi- varadhvaja, Kaunteya, Kaurava, Kauravaśreṣṭha, Kauravya, Kirīṭamāli, Kauraveya, Kirīṭabhṛt, Kirī- ṭavān, Kirīṭī, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇasārathi, Kuntīputra, Mahendrasūnu, Mahendrātmaja, Nara, Pākaśāsani, Pāṇḍava, Pāṇḍaveya, Pāṇḍunandana, Pārtha, Paurava, Phālguna, Prabhañjanasutānuja, Savyasācī, Tāpatya, Tridaśeśvarātmaja, Vānaradhvaja, Vānaraketana, Vāna- raketu, Vānaravaryaketana, Vāsavaja, Vāsavanandana, Vāsavātmaja, Vāsavi, Vijaya.

34) Origin of certain words. Towards the close of his life incognito, Arjuna went to the Śami tree to take out Gāṇḍīva kept in its hollow. Uttarā also was with Arjuna. Then Arjuna revealed himself to Uttarā, and also elaborated the meaning of his various names as follows:--

I shall tell you my ten names. Arjuna, Phālguna, Jiṣṇu, Kirīṭi, Śvetavāhana, Bhībhatsu, Vijaya, Kṛṣṇa, Savya- sācī and Dhanañjaya....I am called Dhanañjaya, because even after having conquered all the lands and amassed wealth I stand in the centre of righteousness ....I am called Vijaya because in fights with haughty opponents I always succeed.....I am called Śvetavāhana because white horses are harnessed in war to my chariot decked with golden ornaments....I am called Phāl- guna because I was born in the month of Phālguna and under the star, Phālguna...I am kirīṭī because during my fight with the Daityas I put on my head crown glowing as Sun...I am called Bībhatsu by men and Devas because I never resort to revolting means during war...Devas and men call me Savyasācī because both my hands are adept in using the bow, Gāṇḍīva....I am Arjuna because, in the world people are rare who possess such fair colour as I do, and moreover I do only white (just and ethical) acts....I am called Jiṣṇu, because I am unassailable and unconquerable, and I subjugate and conquer, and also because I am the son of Indra...My father gave me the tenth name of Kṛṣṇa because I was very attractive (Kṛṣṇa=attractive). [Mahābhārata (Malayalam)].

35) Wives of Arjuna.

(1) Pāñcālī (2) Ulūpī (3) Citrāṅgadā (4) Subhadrā.

36) Sons of Arjuna. Śṛtakirīṭi, Irāvān, Babhruvāhana, Abhimanyu.


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*1st word in right half of page 48 (+offset) in original book.

ARJUNA II : A son of Emperor, Nimi. One Arjuna, son of emperor Nimi, got philosophical advice from a Muni named Asita (Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa, Chapter 47).


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*1st word in right half of page 54 (+offset) in original book.

ARJUNA III : (See Kārttavīryārjuna).


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*2nd word in right half of page 54 (+offset) in original book.

ARJUNA IV : A member of Yama's assembly. The other members are: Kapotaroma, Tṛṇaka, Sahadeva, Viśva, Sāśva, Kṛśāśva, Śaśabindu and Mahīśvara. (M.B., Sabhā Parva, Chapter 8, Verse 17).


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*3rd word in right half of page 54 (+offset) in original book.

Vedic Rituals Hindi

पृष्ठभागोऽयं यन्त्रेण केनचित् काले काले मार्जयित्वा यथास्रोतः परिवर्तयिष्यते। तेन मा भूदत्र शोधनसम्भ्रमः। सज्जनैः मूलमेव शोध्यताम्।

अर्जुन न.
एक घास का नाम, श्रौ.को. (अं) I.23०।