Editing Arjuna

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{{Short description|Character of Indian epic Mahabharata}}
{{About|a character of the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'' |Arjun (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Dhananjaya|the Indian actor and producer|Dhananjaya (actor)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Moresources|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Personal Information
| name = Arjuna
| image = Arjuna statue.JPG
| spouse = {{hlist|[[Draupadi]]|[[Ulupi]]|[[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]]|[[Subhadra]]}}
| children = {{bulleted list
|[[Iravan]] by Ulupi|[[Babruvahana]] by Chitrangada|[[Abhimanyu]] by Subhadra|[[Shrutakarma]] by Draupadi|}}
| family = '''Parents''' {{bulleted list|[[Indra]] (father)|[[Kunti]] (mother)|[[Pandu]] (adoptive father)}}'''Brothers''' (Kunti) {{bulleted list|[[Karna]] by [[Surya]]|[[Yudhishthira]] by [[Yama (Hinduism)|Dharmaraja]]|[[Bheema]] by [[Vayu]]|[[Nakula]] by [[Ashvins|Nasatya]]|[[Sahadeva]] by [[Ashvins|Darsa]]}}
| weapon = [[Gandiva]] (bow) and arrows
| affiliation = {{bulleted list|[[Kaunteya]]|[[Pandava]]s|[[Partha]]| [[Nara-Narayana]]}}
| relatives = {{bulleted list|[[Kauravas]] (paternal cousins)|[[Krishna]] (maternal cousin)|[[Balarama]] (maternal cousin)}}
| caption = A statue of Arjuna in [[Bali]]
| title = Gandivadhari
| gender = Male
}}

'''Arjuna''' ({{Langx|sa|अर्जुन}}, {{IAST3|Arjuna}}, [[Help:IPA/Sanskrit|[ɐɾd͡ʒun̪ə]]]) was an ancient prince of the [[Kuru Kingdom]], located in present-day [[India]]. He is one of the main protagonists of the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Mahābhārata]]''. He was the third of five [[Pandava]] brothers, from the lineage of the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]]. In the [[Kurukshetra War|Mahabharata War]], Arjuna was a key warrior from the Pandava side in the battle of Kurukshetra. Before the beginning of the war, his mentor [[Krishna]] gave him the supreme knowledge of the [[Bhagavad Gita]], guiding him through his moral dilemmas. Throughout the epic, Arjuna is the closest friend and companion of Krishna.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691139968/the-bhagavad-gita|title=The Bhagavad Gita|date=26 October 2014|isbn=978-0-691-13996-8|language=en|last1=Davis|first1=Richard H.|publisher=Princeton University Press |access-date=6 September 2020|archive-date=12 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812101843/https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691139968/the-bhagavad-gita|url-status=live}}</ref> 

In Ashṭādhyāyī, authored by the ancient grammarian Pāṇini (probably belonged to the 5th or 6th century BCE), Vāsudeva and Arjuna, as recipients of worship, are referred to together in the same sutra.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bhattacharya |first=Sunil K. |title=Krishna-cult in Indian art |date=1996 |publisher=M. D. Publ |isbn=978-81-7533-001-6 |edition=1. publ |location=New Delhi}}</ref> 

Arjuna was the son of [[Kunti]], the wife of Kuru King [[Pandu]], and the god [[Indra]], who fathered him due to Pandu's curse. Renowned for his archery skills from an early age, he excelled in his training under the guidance of [[Drona]]. He emerged as the primary adversary of the Kauravas. He married [[Draupadi]], who became the common wife of the Pandavas. 

Arjuna's life was marked by two periods of exile. The first exile stemmed from a broken pact with his brothers, while the second followed the tragic loss of their kingdom through the game of dice. During his first exile, Arjuna married [[Ulupi]], [[Chitrāngadā]] and [[Subhadra]]. From these unions, he fathered four sons: [[Upapandavas|Shrutakarma]], [[Iravan]], [[Babhruvahana]] and [[Abhimanyu]]. His second exile saw him acquire many celestial weapons. Beyond his martial prowess, Arjuna was also a skilled musician and dancer. At the end of the epic the Pandavas, accompanied by [[Draupadi]], retire to the [[Himalayas]], where everyone in time passes away to arrive in heaven.

==Etymology and epithets==
According to [[Monier Monier-Williams]], the word ''Arjuna'' means white, clear or silver.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Monier-Williams|first=Monier|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FzRDAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA83|title=A Sanskṛit-English Dictionary Etymologically and Philologically Arranged: With Special Reference to Greek, Latin, Gothic, German, Anglo-Saxon, and Other Cognate Indo-European Languages|date=1872|publisher=Clarendon Press|language=en|access-date=5 November 2021}}</ref> But Arjuna is known by many other names, such as:<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/faith/arjunas-many-names/article24692325.ece |work=The Hindu |title=Arjuna's Many Names |date=14 August 2018 |access-date=21 June 2020 |archive-date=13 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613145257/https://www.thehindu.com/society/faith/arjunas-many-names/article24692325.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=8 July 2018|title=Reasons for the names|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/faith/reasons-for-the-names/article24366868.ece|access-date=1 July 2020|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=1 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701130020/https://www.thehindu.com/society/faith/reasons-for-the-names/article24366868.ece|url-status=live}}</ref>

* Dhanañjaya (धनञ्जय) – one who conquered wealth and gold
* Guḍākesha (गुडाकेश) – one who has conquered sleep (the lord of sleep, ''Gudaka+isha'') or one who has abundant hair (''Guda-kesha'').
* Vijaya (विजय) – always victorious, invincible and undefeatable
* Savyasāchī (सव्यसाची)– one who can shoot arrows using the right and the left hand with equal activity; Ambidextrous.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01200.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Vaivahika Parva: Section CLXLIX|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=25 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325071131/https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01200.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Shvetavāhana (श्वेतवाहन) – one with milky white horses mounted to his pure white chariot<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03230.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Markandeya-Samasya Parva: Section CCXXX|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=7 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507110250/https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03230.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Bībhatsu (बीभत्सु) – one who always fights wars in a fair, stylish and terrific manner and never does anything horrible in the war
* Kirīṭī (किरीटी) – one who wears the celestial [[diadem]] presented by the King of Gods, [[Indra]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03164.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CLXIV|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=24 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924210038/https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03164.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Jiṣṇu (जिष्णु) – triumphant, conqueror of enemies<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv07035.htm|title=Rig Veda: Rig-Veda, Book 7: HYMN XXXV. Viśvedevas.|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=23 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023131716/https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rigveda/rv07035.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Phālguṇa (फाल्गुण) – born under the star Uttara Phalguni ([[Denebola]] in [[Leo (constellation)|Leo]])<ref name="sacred-texts.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04044.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 4: Virata Parva: Go-harana Parva: Section XLIV|access-date=23 October 2021|archive-date=27 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127173330/https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04044.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Mahābāhu (महाबाहु) – one with large and strong arms
* Gāṇḍīvadhārī (गाण्डीवधारी) – holder of a bow named [[Gandiva]]
* Pārtha (पार्थ) – son of Pritha (or [[Kunti]]) – after his mother
* Kaunteya (कौन्तेय) – son of 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 dark complexion and conducts great purity.<ref name="sacred-texts.com"/>
* Bṛhannalā (बृहन्नला) – another name assumed by Arjuna for the 13th year in exile

==Literary background==
The story of Arjuna is told in the ''Mahabharata'', one of the [[Sanskrit]] epics from the [[Indian subcontinent]]. The work is written in Classical Sanskrit and is a composite work of revisions, editing and interpolations over many centuries. The oldest parts in the surviving version of the text may date to near 400 BCE.<ref>{{cite book|last=Brockington |first=J. L. |year=1998 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HR-_LK5kl18C&pg=PA26 |title=The Sanskrit Epics |publisher=Brill Academic |isbn=978-9-00410-260-6 |page=26}}</ref>

The ''Mahabharata'' manuscripts exist in numerous versions, wherein the specifics and details of major characters and episodes vary, often significantly. Except for the sections containing the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'' which is remarkably consistent between the numerous manuscripts, the rest of the epic exists in many versions.<ref>{{cite book|first= Robert N.|last= Minor|title= Bhagavad Gita: An Exegetical Commentary|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ru_RjwEACAAJ|year= 1982|publisher= South Asia Books|isbn= 978-0-8364-0862-1|pages= l–li|access-date= 28 June 2020|archive-date= 16 April 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075912/https://books.google.com/books?id=ru_RjwEACAAJ|url-status= live}}</ref> The differences between the Northern and Southern recensions are particularly significant, with the Southern manuscripts more profuse and longer. Scholars have attempted to construct a [[critical edition]], relying mostly on a study of the "Bombay" edition, the "Poona" edition, the "Calcutta" edition and the "south Indian" editions of the manuscripts. The most accepted version is one prepared by scholars led by [[Vishnu Sitaram Sukthankar|Vishnu Sukthankar]] at the [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]], preserved at [[Kyoto University]], [[Cambridge University]] and various Indian universities.<ref>{{cite book |last=McGrath |first=Kevin |year=2004 |title=The Sanskrit Hero: Karna in Epic Mahabharata |publisher=Brill Academic |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YkmXk3-1j7UC&pg=PA19 |pages=19–26 |isbn=978-9-00413-729-5 |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075934/https://books.google.com/books?id=YkmXk3-1j7UC&pg=PA19 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Life and legends==
===Birth and early life===
Arjuna was one of the five Pandava brothers of royal lineage, whose collective name derives from their father, and heir to the [[Lunar dynasty]], Pandu. However, Pandu was under a curse whereby he would die if he had sexual relations with a woman, and so his sons were born using a mantra given to Kunti by sage [[Durvasa]] during her maiden days. His wives{{mdash}}Madri and Kunti{{mdash}}invoked different gods and were also blessed with children.<ref name="johnson-pandu">{{cite Q|Q55879169|last=Johnson|first=W. J. |article=Pandu}}</ref> According to the legend, Arjuna was a [[demigod]], who was born as a blessing after his mother Kunti invoked the god Indra on her husband's request.<ref name="coulter">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Encyclopedia of Ancient Deities|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEIngqiKOugC|first1=Charles Russell |last1=Coulter|first2=Patricia |last2=Turner|date = 4 July 2013|publisher=Routledge|page=69 |article=Arjuna |isbn =978-1-13596-390-3}}</ref><ref>{{cite Q|Q55879169|last=Johnson|first=W. J.|article=Pandavas}}</ref> The Mahabharata and Puranas such as ''[[Devi Bhagavata]]'' also records Arjuna as a reincarnation of a [[rishi]] called Nara.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk04ch01.htm |title=The Devi Bhagavatam: The Fourth Book: Chapter 1 |publisher=Sacred-texts.com |date= |accessdate=27 February 2022 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128154901/https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk04ch01.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk04ch05.htm |title=The Devi Bhagavatam: The Fourth Book: Chapter 5 |publisher=Sacred-texts.com |date= |accessdate=27 February 2022 |archive-date=28 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128155105/https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/db/bk04ch05.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Despite being the younger brother of [[Dhritarashtra]], it was Pandu who succeeded their father as king of [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]]. This was because Dhritarashtra was blind, a disability that caused him to forfeit his right to the royal succession. Dhritarashtra fathered 100 sons, known as the [[Kaurava]] brothers, and ascended the throne on the death of Pandu.<ref name="narlikar"/><ref name="flood"/> The Pandava brothers were then brought up with their cousins, the Kauravas, and the education of all these boys was supervised by [[Bheeshma]].<ref>{{cite Q|Q55879169|last=Johnson|first=W. J. |article=Bisma }}</ref> Among their teachers was the [[brahmin]] warrior called [[Drona]], who considered Arjuna to be his favourite.<ref>{{cite Q|Q55879169|last=Johnson|first=W. J. |article=Drona}}</ref> According to Swami Parmeshwaranand, Arjuna was Drona's most accomplished pupil. He notes an incident where Drona deemed that out of all his students, none but Arjuna had the steadfast focus to shoot the eye of a toy bird on a tree using a bow and arrow, and that Drona was proven right.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Parmeshwaranand|first=Swami|title=Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Purāṇas|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_6F0ZIBIL2ZAC|year=2001|publisher=Sarup & Sons|location=New Delhi|isbn=978-8-17625-226-3|pages=512–513|edition=1st}}</ref>

After the princes completed their training, Arjuna defeated [[Drupada]] of [[Panchala]], who was impressed by the prince's skills, as the ''[[Dakshina|gurudakshina]]'' for his beloved teacher Drona.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Mani|first=Vettam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&q=arjuna+defeated+drupada&pg=PA252|title=Puranic Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Work with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature|date=1 January 2015|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0597-2|language=en|access-date=14 October 2020|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075908/https://books.google.com/books?id=mvXsDwAAQBAJ&q=arjuna+defeated+drupada&pg=PA252|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, [[Duryodhana]] and his maternal uncle [[Shakuni]] planned to burn the Pandavas alive along with their mother Kunti. They built a palace out of lac in a village named Varanāvata. The Pandavas, though, managed to escape the house of lac with the help of [[Vidura]] through a secret tunnel.<ref>{{cite web|date=2 November 2017|title=ASI grants permission to excavate palace Kauravas commissioned to kill Pandavas|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/asi-house-of-lac-lakshagriha-mahabharata-kauravas-pandavas-yudhishthira-bhima-duryodhana-1077215-2017-11-02|access-date=8 August 2020|website=India Today|language=en|archive-date=17 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017083833/https://www.indiatoday.in/fyi/story/asi-house-of-lac-lakshagriha-mahabharata-kauravas-pandavas-yudhishthira-bhima-duryodhana-1077215-2017-11-02|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Marriages and children===
[[File: Swayamvara Draupadi Arjuna Archery.jpg|thumb|Arjuna piercing the eye of the fish as depicted in [[Chennakeshava Temple, Belur|Chennakesava Temple]] built by [[Hoysala Empire]]]]
Arjuna married [[Draupadi]],<ref name="williams">{{cite encyclopedia |title=Handbook of Hindu Mythology |article=Arjuna |first=George M. |last=Williams |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2008 |page=61 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&pg=PA61 |isbn=978-0-19533-261-2 |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075935/https://books.google.com/books?id=N7LOZfwCDpEC&pg=PA61 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="johnson-arjuna">{{cite Q|Q55879169|last=Johnson|first=W. J. |article=Arjuna }}</ref> the fire born daughter of [[Drupada]], who was the king of [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]].<ref name="dalal38">{{cite book|first=Roshen|last=Dalal|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA38|year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=38|access-date=28 June 2020|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075927/https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA38|url-status=live}}</ref>

After the event of [[Lakshagriha]], Arjuna, his mother and brothers decide to hide from Hastinapura. One day, Arjuna learns that Drupada is holding an archery tournament to determine who should marry his daughter. The tournament was to lift and string a bow, and fire arrows to pierce the eye of a golden fish only by looking at its reflection in the water. At the Swayamvara, almost all the assorted monarchs were unable to complete the challenge. In the end, Arjuna, dressed as a Brahmin, wins the tournament.<ref name=ryanjonesdraupadi>{{cite book | last1 =Jones | first1 =Constance | last2 =Ryan | first2 =James D. | year =2006 | title =Encyclopedia of Hinduism | publisher =Infobase Publishing | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC | pages =136–137 | isbn =9780816075645 | access-date =23 September 2020 | archive-date =20 October 2022 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20221020070415/https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC | url-status =live }}</ref> Annoyed by their defeat, the kings attack Arjuna, but he defeats them and runs home to tell his mother of his success, shouting "look what we have found". Commentators vary as to whether Kunti thought he was referring to [[alms]] found in the forest or to some great prize unknown to her. She tells him that the find must be shared with his brothers, as they had always shared such things in the past.

This misunderstanding, combined with the protocol that the oldest of the brothers, Yudhishthira, should marry first, leads to the agreement that all five brothers marry her. This is one of the rare examples of [[polyandry]] in [[Sanskrit literature]].<ref name="williams"/><ref name="johnson-Draupadi">{{cite Q|Q55879169|last=Johnson|first=W. J. |article=Draupadi }}</ref> The brothers agreed that none should intrude if Draupadi was alone with one of the others, the penalty for doing so is a year to be spent in exile during which the culprit must remain celibate.<ref name="williams"/>

When Arjuna, his siblings, mother and Draupadi returned to Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra determined to avoid a rivalry developing for control of Hastinapur by splitting the kingdom, with half of it being left to his own eldest son, [[Duryodhana]], and half to the eldest son of Pandu, [[Yudhishthira]].<ref name="narlikar">{{cite book |title=Bargaining with a Rising India: Lessons from the Mahabharata |first1=Amrita |last1=Narlikar |first2=Aruna |last2=Narlikar |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-19161-205-3 |page=225 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uMn6AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA225 |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075910/https://books.google.com/books?id=uMn6AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA225 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="flood">{{cite book |title=The Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation |first1=Gavin |last1=Flood |first2=Charles |last2=Martin |publisher=W. W. Norton & Company |year=2012 |isbn=978-0-39308-385-9 |page=6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7uePAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT6 |access-date=28 June 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075840/https://books.google.com/books?id=7uePAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT6 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Arjuna inadvertently broke the pact with his brothers, intruding as he sought to collect weapons whilst Yudhishthira, was alone with Draupadi. He felt obliged to go into exile despite Yudhishthira's attempts to dissuade him.<ref name="dalal38"/> It was this event that led to him forming a close relationship with his cousin [[Krishna]]{{efn|The cousin relationship existing between Arjuna and Krishna was through Arjuna's mother, Kunti, and her brother, [[Vasudeva]], the father of Krishna. Both parents were children of the king [[Shurasena]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Roshen|last=Dalal|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA216|year=2010|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|page=216|access-date=28 June 2020|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075910/https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&pg=PA216|url-status=live}}</ref>}} because he ignored the celibacy condition of the pact<ref name="williams"/> and married three people on his travels, the first of whom was a Naga princess named [[Ulupi]], with whom he had a son called [[Iravan]]. His second marriage was with a princess of Manipura, [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]], who bore a son named [[Babhruvahana]]. The third was with [[Subhadra]], the sister of Krishna. This last event, which took place in [[Dvaraka]],<ref name="dalal38"/> is not the first meeting between Krishna and the Pandavas in the story but it does mark the start of a bond, sealed with the birth of the couple's child, [[Abhimanyu]], whom Krishna adores.<ref name="Hiltebeitel">{{cite book |first=Alf |last=Hiltebeitel |author-link=Alf Hiltebeitel |title=The Ritual of Battle: Krishna in the Mahabharata |date=5 July 1990 |page=86 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vwWGX08JAx8C&pg=PA86 |isbn=978-0-79140-250-4 |publisher=SUNY Press |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075915/https://books.google.com/books?id=vwWGX08JAx8C&pg=PA86 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Burning of Khandava Forest===
[[File:Fire vs Rain - The Defeat of Indra.jpg|thumb|Burning of Khandava forest]]
It was while at [[Indraprastha]], the capital city of the Pandavas,<ref>{{cite book |title=Delhi: Ancient History |editor-first=Upinder |editor-last=Singh |publisher=Berghahn Books |year=2006 |isbn=978-8-18735-829-9 |pages=xvii–xviii |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KkpdLnZpm78C}}</ref> for the birth of Abhimanyu that Arjuna and Krishna become involved in what [[Alf Hiltebeitel]] describes as "one of the strangest scenes of the epic", this being the burning of the Khandava Forest. This [[story within a story]] has been interpreted in various ways.<ref name="Hiltebeitel" />

The essence of this part of the myth is that Arjuna and Krishna are in the forest when they are approached by a hungry person. They agree to help satisfy his hunger, at which point he reveals himself to be [[Agni]], the god of fire. Agni's hunger can only be sated by consuming the entire forest and everything in it but his previous attempts to do this were thwarted by Indra, who is a protector of the forest and sent down rains to quench the fire. The cousins agree to fend off Indra and anyone else who might interfere; to this end, Arjuna armed himself with the [[Gandiva]] bow and Krishna with his [[Sudarshana Chakra]], weapons suitable for a fight with the gods. They then begin to destroy the forest, battling against Indra and other gods, as well as demons, animals and snakes. Once the forest has gone, after six days of fire and slaughter, Arjuna and Krishna receive thanks from Indra, who had retreated with the other gods partway through the proceedings on being commanded by a mysterious voice to step back and watch.<ref>{{cite book |title=Hinduism and Environmental Ethics: Law, Literature and Philosophy |first=Christopher G. |last=Framarin |publisher=Routledge |pages=100–101 |isbn=978-1-31791-894-3 |year=2014 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VrPpAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT100 |access-date=22 June 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075936/https://books.google.com/books?id=VrPpAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT100 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===The game of dice===
As heir to the lordship of [[Kurukshetra]], Yudhishthira had attracted the unwelcome attention of his Kaurava cousin, Duryodhana, who sought the throne.<ref>{{cite Q|Q55879169|last=Johnson|first=W. J. |article=Yudhisthira }}</ref> The royal consecration involved an elaborate [[Veda|Vedic]] ceremony called [[rajasuya]] which extended over several years and included the playing of a ritualised [[pachisi|game of dice]].<ref>{{cite Q|Q55879169|last=Johnson|first=W. J. |article=Rajasuya }}</ref> This particular game, described as "Indian literature's most notorious dice game" by Williams,<ref name="williams" /> was rigged by Duryodhana, causing Yudhishthira to gamble and lose everything, including his kingdom and his shared wife Draupadi.<ref name="johnson-Draupadi" /><ref name="johnson-mahab">{{cite Q|Q55879169|last=Johnson|first=W. J. |article=Mahabharata }}</ref> He and his brothers only obtained their freedom because Draupadi offered herself to the Kauravas in exchange. She was then humiliated by them so much that revenge for her treatment became a further motivation for the Pandavas in the rivalry with their cousins.<ref name="johnson-Draupadi" /> During her humiliation, Karna called her an unchaste for marrying five men. This led Arjuna to take a vow of killing Karna.<ref>{{Cite book|last=McGrath|first=Kevin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YkmXk3-1j7UC|title=The Sanskrit Hero: Karṇa in Epic Mahābhārata|date=1 January 2004|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-13729-5|pages=82–83|language=en|access-date=28 June 2020|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075912/https://books.google.com/books?id=YkmXk3-1j7UC|url-status=live}}</ref> The brothers, including Arjuna, were forced into a 12-year exile, to be followed by a year living incognito if Yudhishthira was to regain his kingdom.<ref name="johnson-mahab" />

===Exile of the Pandavas===
While in this exile, Arjuna visited the [[Himalayas]] to get celestial weapons that he would be able to use against the Kauravas. Thereafter, he honed his battle skills with a visit to [[Swarga]], the heaven of Indra, where he emerged victorious in a battle with the [[Daityas]] and also fought for Indra, his spiritual father, with the Gandiva.<ref name="coulter"/>

After the [[Khandava Forest|battle at Khandava]], [[Indra]] had promised Arjuna to give him all his weapons as a boon for matching him in battle with the requirement that [[Shiva]] is pleased with him. During the exile, following the advice of [[Krishna]] to go on meditation or ''[[tapasya]]'' to attain this [[Astra (weapon)|divine weapon]], Arjuna left his brothers for a penance on Indrakeeladri Hill (Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh).<ref name="ABC-CLIO">{{Cite book|last1=Sharma|first1=Arvind|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2A0lg1xRehIC&q=Pashupati+Arjuna&pg=PA116|title=Asian Perspectives on the World's Religions after September 11|last2=Khanna|first2=Madhu|date=15 February 2013|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-0-313-37897-3|language=en|access-date=14 October 2020|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075910/https://books.google.com/books?id=2A0lg1xRehIC&q=Pashupati+Arjuna&pg=PA116|url-status=live}}</ref>

When Arjuna was in deep meditation, a wild boar ran towards him. He realized it and took out an arrow and shot it at the boar. But, another arrow had already pierced the boar. Arjuna was furious and he saw a hunter there. He confronted the hunter and they engaged in a fight. After hours of fighting, Arjuna was not able to defeat him and realized that the hunter was Shiva. Shiva was pleased and took his real form. He gave him [[Pashupatastra]] and told that the boar was Indra as he wanted to test Arjuna. After gaining the weapon, Indra took him to heaven and gave him many weapons.<ref name="ABC-CLIO"/><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Sharma|first1=Mahesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uLFmds7elBAC&q=Pashupati+Arjuna&pg=PA115|title=Tales From the Mahabharat|last2=Chaturvedi|first2=B. K.|date=2006|publisher=Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd.|isbn=978-81-288-1228-6|language=en|access-date=14 October 2020|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075905/https://books.google.com/books?id=uLFmds7elBAC&q=Pashupati+Arjuna&pg=PA115|url-status=live}}</ref>

During his exile, Arjuna was invited to the palace of [[Indra]], his father. An [[apsara]] named [[Urvashi]] was impressed and attracted to Arjuna's look and talent so she expresses her love in front of him. But Arjuna did not have any intentions of making love to Urvashi. Instead, he called her "mother". Because once Urvashi was the wife of King [[Pururavas]] the ancestor of [[Kuru Dynasty|Kuru dynasty]]. Urvashi felt insulted and cursed Arjuna that he will be a eunuch for the rest of his life. Later on Indra's request, Urvashi curtailed the curse to a period of one year.<ref name="Chandramouli">{{Cite book|last=Chandramouli|first=Anuja|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ucDRHzIx_AC&q=Arjuna+Pandava:+The+Double+Hero+in+Epic+Mahabharata|title=ARJUNA: Saga Of A Pandava Warrior-Prince|date=15 December 2012|publisher=Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-93-81576-39-7|language=en|access-date=14 October 2020|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075938/https://books.google.com/books?id=-ucDRHzIx_AC&q=Arjuna+Pandava:+The+Double+Hero+in+Epic+Mahabharata|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Bhanot |first=T. R. |title=The Mahabharata |publisher=Dreamland Publications |year=1990 |isbn=9788173010453 |location=New Delhi |page=19}}</ref>

=== At Matsya Kingdom ===
[[File:Arjuna Sets Kama's Arrow Alight, folio from the Razmnama (Book of War), 1598–99.jpg|thumb|Arjuna Sets Kama's Arrow Alight, folio from the Razmnama (Book of War)]]
Arjuna spent the last year of exile as a eunuch named Brihannala at King [[Virata]]’s [[Matsya Kingdom]]. He taught singing and dancing to the princess [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]. After Kichaka humiliated and tried to molest Draupadi, Arjuna consoled her and Bhima killed Kichaka. When Duryodhana and his army attacked Matsya, [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], Uttarā's brother, with Brihannala as his charioteer went to the army. Later that day, the year of Agyatavasa was over. Arjuna took Uttara away from the army to the forest where he had kept his divine bow, Gandiva, and revealed his identity to Uttara. He then fought Kaurava army and single-handedly defeated them including warriors like Bheeshma, Drona, Ashwatthama, Karna, Duryodhana etc. When Arjuna's identity was revealed to the court, Uttarā was married to Arjuna's son [[Abhimanyu]].<ref name="Chandramouli"/><ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/80 80]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref>

===Kurukshetra War===

==== Bhagavat Gita ====
The ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'' is a book within the ''Mahabharata'' that depicts a dialogue between Arjuna and Krishna immediately prior to the commencement of the Kurukshetra War between the Pandavas and Kauravas. According to Richard H. Davis, {{blockquote|The conversation deals with the moral propriety of the war and much else as well. The ''Gita'' begins with Arjuna in confusion and despair, dropping his weapons; it ends with Arjuna picking up his bow, all doubts resolved and ready for battle.<ref>{{cite book |last=Davis |first=Richard H. |title=The "Bhagavad Gita": A Biography |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=978-0-69113-996-8 |page=10 |year=2014}}</ref>}}

==== In the war ====

{{Main|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 in slaying numerous warriors, including his own elder brother Karna and grandfather Bhishma.

* '''Fall of [[Bheeshma]]''': On the 10th day of battle, Arjuna accompanied [[Shikhandi]] on the latter's chariot and they faced Bheeshma who did not fire arrows at Shikhandi but battles Arjuna. He was then felled in battle by Arjuna, pierced by innumerable arrows, piercing his entire body.<ref name="Chandramouli"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Debroy |first=Bibek |title=The Mahabharata: Volume 5 |publisher=Penguin Books India |date=September 1, 2012 |isbn=978-0143100201 |edition=Volume 5 |location=India |publication-date=September 1, 2012 |pages=500–656 |language=English}}</ref>
* '''Death of [[Bhagadatta]]''': On the 12th day of the war, Arjuna killed the powerful king of [[Pragjyotisha Kingdom|Pragjyotisha]] ''Bhagadatta'', along with his mighty elephant [[Supratika#Supratika (Bhagadatta's elephant)|Supratika]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Barpujari|first=H. K.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hl6KtAEACAAJ&q=Arjuna+Bhagadatta|title=The Comprehensive History of Assam: Ancient period|date=1990|publisher=Publication Board, Assam|language=en|access-date=12 August 2020|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075912/https://books.google.com/books?id=Hl6KtAEACAAJ&q=Arjuna+Bhagadatta|url-status=live}}</ref>
* '''Death of [[Jayadratha]]''': Arjuna learns that Jayadratha blocked the other four Pandavas, at the entrance of Chakravyuha, due to which Abhimanyu entered alone and was killed unfairly by multiple Kaurava warriors on the 13th day of the war. Arjuna vowed to kill him the very next day before sunset, failing which he would kill himself by jumping into a fire. Arjuna pierced into the Kaurava army on the 14th day, killing seven akshouhinis of their army, and finally beheaded ''Jayadratha'' on the 14th day of the war.
* '''Death of Sudakshina''': He killed Sudakshina the king of Kambojas on the 14th day using Indrastra killing him and a large part of his army. He also killed Shrutayu, Ashrutayu, Niyutayu, Dirghayu, Vinda, and Anuvinda during his quest to kill Jayadratha.
*'''Death of [[Susharma]]''': Arjuna on the 18th day killed King Susharma of [[Trigarta Kingdom]], the main Kaurava ally.
* '''Death of [[Karna]]''': The much anticipated battle between Arjuna and Karna took place on the 17th day of war. The battle continued fiercely and Arjuna killed Karna by using [[Anjalikastra]] .<ref name="Chandramouli"/><ref>{{Cite book |last=Debroy |first=Bibek |title=The Mahabharata: Volume |publisher=Penguin Books Indiq |year=2015 |isbn=978-0143425205 |edition=Volume 7 |location=Haryana |publication-date=June 1, 2015 |language=English}}</ref>

===Later life and death===
After the Kurukshetra War, Yudhishthira appointed Arjuna as the Prime Minister of Hastinapur. Yudhishthira performed [[Ashvamedha]]. Arjuna followed the horse to the land of Manipura and encountered [[Babruvahana|Babhruvahana]], one of his sons. None of them knew one another. Babhruvahana asked Arjuna to fight and injured his father during the battle. [[Chitrāngadā]] came to the battlefield and revealed that Arjuna was her husband and Babhruvahana's father. [[Ulupi]], the second wife of Arjuna, revived Arjuna using a celestial gem called Nagamani.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7WbXAAAAMAAJ&q=Arjuna+fights+Babruvahana|title=Krishna & Human Relations|date=2001|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|isbn=9788172762391|language=en|access-date=14 October 2020|archive-date=16 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075928/https://books.google.com/books?id=7WbXAAAAMAAJ&q=Arjuna+fights+Babruvahana|url-status=live}}</ref>

After Krishna left his mortal body, Arjuna took the remaining citizens of Dwaraka to Indraprastha. On the way, they were attacked by a group of bandits. Arjuna desisted from fighting seeing the law of time.

Upon the onset of the ''[[Kali Yuga]]'', and acting on the advice of [[Vyasa]], Arjuna and other Pandavas retired, leaving the throne to [[Parikshit]] (Arjuna's grandson and Abhimanyu's son). Giving up all their belongings and ties, the Pandavas, accompanied by a dog, made their final journey of pilgrimage to the [[Himalayas]]. The listener of the Mahabharata is [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]], Parikshit's son and Arjuna's great-grandson.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last=Bowker|first=John|title=The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions|publisher=Oxford University Press|location=Oxford|year=2000|doi=10.1093/acref/9780192800947.001.0001|isbn=9780192800947|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780192800947}}{{clarify|reason=article name needed|date=October 2019}}</ref>

== Outside Indian subcontinent ==
===Indonesia===
[[File: Krishna and Arjuna in Bali.JPG|thumb|[[Krishna]] and Arjuna statue in [[Bali]], [[Indonesia]]]]
In the [[Indonesia]]n archipelago, the figure of Arjuna is also known and has been famous for a long time. Arjuna especially became popular in the areas of [[Java]], [[Bali]], [[Madura]] and [[Lombok]]. In Java and later in Bali, Arjuna became the main character in several [[kakawin]], such as Kakawin Arjunawiwāha, Kakawin Pārthayajña, and Kakawin Pārthāyana (also known as Kakawin Subhadrawiwāha. In addition, Arjuna is also found in several temple reliefs on the island of Java, for example the [[Surawana]] temple.

==== Wayang story ====
[[File: Wayang show.jpg|thumb|Arjuna [[wayang]] (puppetry) in [[Indonesian culture]], especially [[Javanese culture|Java]]]]
Arjuna is a well-known figure in the world of [[wayang]] (Indonesian [[puppetry]]) in [[Javanese culture]]. Some of the characteristics of the wayang version of Arjuna may be different from that of Arjuna in the [[Indian culture|Indian]] version of the Mahābhārata book in Sanskrit. In the world of puppetry, Arjuna is described as a knight who likes to travel, meditate, and learn. Apart from being a student of Resi Drona at Padepokan Sukalima, he is also a student of Resi Padmanaba from the Untarayana Hermitage. Arjuna was a Brahman in Goa Mintaraga, with the title Bagawan Ciptaning. He was made the superior knight of the gods to destroy Prabu Niwatakawaca, the giant king of the Manimantaka country. For his services, Arjuna was crowned king in Dewa Indra's heaven, with the title King Karitin and get the gift of magical heirlooms from the gods, including: Gendewa (from [[Indra|Bhatara Indra]]), Ardadadali Arrow (from [[Kubera|Bhatara Kuwera]]), Cundamanik Arrow (from [[Narada|Bhatara Narada]]). After the [[Bharatayuddha]] war, Arjuna became king in Banakeling State, the former Jayadrata kingdom.

[[File:Wayang Painting of Bharatayudha Battle.jpg|thumb|Painting of [[Bharatayudha]] war]]
Arjuna has a smart and clever nature, is quiet, conscientious, polite, brave and likes to protect the weak. He leads the Madukara Duchy, within the territory of the state of Amarta. For the older generation of [[Java]], he was the embodiment of a whole man. Very different from [[Yudhisthira]], he really enjoyed life in the world. His love adventures always amaze the [[Javanese people|Javanese]], but he is different from [[Don Juan]] who always chases women. It is said that Arjuna was so refined and handsome that princesses, as well as the ladies-in-waiting, would immediately offer themselves. They are the ones who get the honor, not Arjuna. He is very different from Wrekudara. He displayed a graceful body and a gentleness that was appreciated by the Javanese of all generations.

Arjuna also has other powerful heirlooms, among others: The Kiai Kalanadah [[Keris]] was given to [[Ghatotkacha|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 to Abhimanyu), Terompet Dewanata, Cupu filled with Jayengkaton oil (given by Bagawan Wilawuk from Pringcendani hermitage) and Ciptawilaha Horse with Kiai Pamuk's whip. Arjuna also has clothes that symbolize greatness, namely Kampuh or Limarsawo Cloth, Limarkatanggi Belt, Minangkara Gelung, Candrakanta Necklace and Mustika Ampal Ring (formerly belonging to King [[Ekalavya|Ekalaya]], the king of the Paranggelung state).<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HfoRGLSMZ8kC&q=wayang+arjuna&pg=PA43 |title=Ensiklopedia tokoh-tokoh wayang dan silsilahnya |year=2010 |publisher=Penerbit Narasi |isbn=9789791681896 |access-date=24 January 2021 |archive-date=16 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075913/https://books.google.com/books?id=HfoRGLSMZ8kC&q=wayang+arjuna&pg=PA43 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=PClRDwAAQBAJ&q=wayang+arjuna&pg=PA30|title= Enneagram dalam Wayang Purwa|date= 27 May 2013|publisher= Gramedia Pustaka Utama|isbn= 9789792293562|access-date= 21 January 2021|archive-date= 16 April 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230416075920/https://books.google.com/books?id=PClRDwAAQBAJ&q=wayang+arjuna&pg=PA30|url-status= live}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
* The American astronomer [[Tom Gehrels]] named a class of [[asteroid]]s with low inclination, low eccentricity and earth-like orbital period as [[Arjuna asteroid]]s.<ref name="geo">{{Cite journal | title=Geometric characterization of the Arjuna orbital domain | first1=C. | last1=de la Fuente Marcos|last2=de la Fuente Marcos|first2= R. | date=12 February 2015 |journal=[[Astronomische Nachrichten]]|volume=336|issue=1|pages=5–22|doi=10.1002/asna.201412133|arxiv=1410.4104|bibcode=2015AN....336....5D }}</ref>
* The [[Arjuna Award]] is presented every year in [[India]] to one talented [[sportsperson]] in every national sport.
* [[Arjun (tank)|Arjun]] is a third generation main battle tank developed for the [[Indian Army]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun Main Battle Tank|url=https://www.army-technology.com/projects/arjun-mbt/|access-date=19 June 2020|website=Army Technology|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210084616/https://www.army-technology.com/projects/arjun-mbt/|archive-date=10 December 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Mayilpeeli Thookkam]] is a ritual art of dance performed in the temples of Kerala. It is also known as ''Arjuna Nrithyam'' ('Arjuna's dance') as a tribute to his dancing abilities. {{citation needed|date=July 2020}}
* Arjuna is also an Archer class Servant in the [[mobile game]] ''[[Fate/Grand Order]]''. He is a minor antagonist in the "[[E Pluribus Unum]]" story chapter, where he wishes to fight Karna again.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lynn|first=David|title=Archers in the Fate Universe Who ACTUALLY Use Bows|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/05/11-1/archers-in-the-fate-universe-who-actually-use-bows|access-date=21 June 2020|website=Crunchyroll|language=en-us|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131132159/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2019/05/11-1/archers-in-the-fate-universe-who-actually-use-bows|url-status=live}}</ref> Arjuna also appears as a rogue Archer servant in the game ''[[Fate/Samurai Remnant]]'' as one of servants recruitable by the protagonist Iori.
* The protagonist in [[Steven Pressfield]]'s 1995 book ''[[The Legend of Bagger Vance (novel)|The Legend of Bagger Vance]]'' and its [[The Legend of Bagger Vance|2000 film adaptation]], Rannulph Junuh, is based in part on Arjuna (R. Junuh).<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rosen|first1=Steven|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ONDYJTXf8loC|title=Gita on the Green: The Mystical Tradition Behind Bagger Vance – Steven Rosen – Google Boeken|date=30 May 2002|publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |isbn=9780826413659|access-date=9 August 2013}}</ref>
* [[Earth Maiden Arjuna|'''''Arjuna''''' (地球少女アルジュナ, ''Chikyū Shōjo Arujuna'', lit. "Earth Maiden Arjuna")]] is a Japanese [[anime]] television series created by [[Shoji Kawamori]]. The series follows Juna Ariyoshi, a high school girl chosen to be the "Avatar of Time" and entrusted with saving the dying Earth.

===In television and films===
There have been serials and films based on Arjuna's life and exploits.

* "Arjuna" is a character in [[Orson Scott Card]]'s ''[[Earth Afire]]'' (2013) and ''[[Earth Awakens]]'' (2014).

==== Television ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!TV Series
!Played by
!Channel
!Country
|-
|''[[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)]]''
|[[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Arjun]]<ref>{{cite web|date=27 April 2020|title=Mahabharat's Arjun Firoz Khan Says Changing His Name Gave Him Everything He'd Dreamed of|url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/mahabharats-arjun-firoz-khan-says-changing-his-name-gave-him-everything-hed-dreamed-of-2594135.html|access-date=19 June 2020|website=News18|archive-date=19 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200619145910/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/mahabharats-arjun-firoz-khan-says-changing-his-name-gave-him-everything-hed-dreamed-of-2594135.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
| rowspan="4" |[[DD National]]
| rowspan="15" |[[India]]
|-
|''[[Bharat Ek Khoj]]''
|[[Lalit Mohan Tiwari]]
|-
|''[[Shri Krishna (TV series)|Shri Krishna (1993 TV series)]]''
|Sandeep Mohan
|-
|''[[Mahabharat Katha]]''
|[[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Arjun]]
|-
|''[[Ek Aur Mahabharat]]''
|[[Narendra Jha]]
|[[Zee TV]]
|-
|''[[Jai Hanuman (1997 TV series)]]''
|Manish Khanna
|[[DD Metro]]
|-
|''[[Draupadi (2001 TV series)]]''
|[[Rajesh Shringarpure]]
|[[Sahara One]]
|-
|''[[Dwarkadheesh Bhagwaan Shree Krishn]]''
|[[Gautam Sharma]]
|[[NDTV Imagine]]
|-
|''[[Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki]]''
|[[Harshad Chopda]]
|[[9X (TV channel)|9X]]
|-
|''[[Mahabharat (2013 TV series)]]''
|[[Shaheer Sheikh]]<ref>{{cite web|date=1 May 2020|first=Shweta|last=Keshri|title=Shaheer Sheikh on Mahabharat: It was like boys' hostel, made some amazing friends|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/celebrity/story/shaheer-sheikh-on-mahabharat-it-was-like-boys-hostel-made-some-amazing-friends-1673406-2020-05-01|access-date=19 June 2020|website=India Today|language=en|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621051103/https://www.indiatoday.in/television/celebrity/story/shaheer-sheikh-on-mahabharat-it-was-like-boys-hostel-made-some-amazing-friends-1673406-2020-05-01|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[StarPlus|Star Plus]]
|-
|''[[Dharmakshetra]]''
|[[Ankit Arora]]<ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6803712/|title = Dharmakshetra|website = [[IMDb]]|access-date = 22 January 2022|archive-date = 22 January 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220122170123/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6803712/|url-status = live}}</ref>
|[[EPIC (TV channel)|EPIC]]
|-
|''[[Suryaputra Karn]]''
|Navi Bhangu
|[[Sony Entertainment Television|Sony TV]]
|-
|''[[Karn Sangini]]''
|Kinshuk Vaidya
|[[Star Plus]]
|-
|''[[Paramavatar Shri Krishna]]''
|[[Ankit Bathla]]
|[[&TV]]
|-
|''[[RadhaKrishn|Radha Krishn]]''
|Kinshuk Vaidya<ref>{{cite web|title=Kinshuk Vaidya enters RadhaKrishn as Arjun|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/television/video/kinshuk-vaidya-enters-radhakrishn-as-arjun-1652069-2020-03-03|access-date=8 July 2020|website=India Today|date=3 March 2020 |language=en|archive-date=7 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707111818/https://www.indiatoday.in/television/video/kinshuk-vaidya-enters-radhakrishn-as-arjun-1652069-2020-03-03|url-status=live}}</ref>
|[[Star Bharat]]
|}

==== Films ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Film
!Played by
|-
|''[[Draupadi (1931 film)|Draupadi]]''
|[[Prithviraj Kapoor]]
|-
|''[[Sri Krishnarjuna Yuddhamu]]''
|[[Akkineni Nageswara Rao]]
|-
|''[[Bhishma (1962 film)|Bhishma]]''
|[[Sobhan Babu]]
|-
|''[[Karnan (1964 film)|Karnan]]''
|[[R. Muthuraman|Muthuraman]]
|-
|''[[Mahabharat (1965 film)|Mahabharat]]''
|[[Pradeep Kumar]]
|-
|''[[Babruvahana (1964 film)|Babruvahana]]''
|[[N. T. Rama Rao]]
|-
|''[[Veerabhimanyu]]''
|[[Kanta Rao]]
|-
|''[[Pandava Vanavasam]]''
|[[M. Balaiah]]
|-
|''[[Sri Krishna Pandaveeyam]]''
|[[Sobhan Babu]]
|-
|''[[Sri Krishnavataram]]''
|[[Ramakrishna (Kannada actor)|Ramakrishna]]
|-
|''[[Daana Veera Soora Karna]]''
|[[Nandamuri Harikrishna]]
|-
|''[[Babruvahana (1977 film)|Babruvahana]]''
|[[Dr. Rajkumar|Rajkumar]]
|-
|''[[Kurukshetram (1977 film)|Kurukshetram]]''
|[[Krishna (Telugu actor)|Krishna]]
|-
|''[[The Mahabharata (1989 film)|The Mahabharata]]''
|[[Vittorio Mezzogiorno]]
|-
|''[[Thalapathi]]''
|[[Arvind Swami]] (Based on Arjuna's character)
|-
|''[[Arjun: The Warrior Prince]]''
|Yuddvir Bakolia (voice)
|-
|''[[Mahabharat (2013 film)|Mahabharat]]''
|[[Ajay Devgn]] (voice)
|-
|''[[Mahabharat Aur Barbareek]]''
|[[Arjun (Firoz Khan)|Arjun]]
|-
|''[[Kurukshetra (2019 film)|Kurukshetra]]''
|[[Sonu Sood]]<ref>{{cite web|date=11 July 2019|title=Sonu Sood to play Arjun in Kannada film Kurukshetra|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/sonu-sood-to-play-arjun-in-kannada-film-kurukshetra-5824903/|access-date=19 June 2020|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=21 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621065804/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/sonu-sood-to-play-arjun-in-kannada-film-kurukshetra-5824903/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|''[[Memories of My Body]]''
|Radithya Evandra (name of a character, Wahyu Juno, based on Arjuna)
|-
|''[[Kalki 2898 AD]]''
|[[Vijay Deverakonda]]
|}

==References==
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}
'''Citations'''
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book |title=Arjuna Pandava: The Double Hero in Epic Mahabharata |first=Kevin |last=McGrath |publisher=Orient Blackswan |year=2016 |isbn=978-8-12506-309-4}}

==External links==
{{Britannica|34856}} 
{{sister project links|commonscat=yes|n=no|s=no|b=no|voy=no|v=no}}

{{Mahabharata}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:People related to Krishna]]
[[Category:Characters in the Bhagavata Purana]]
[[Category:Demigods]]
[[Category:Mythological archers]]
[[Category:Children of Indra]]
[[Category:Pandavas]]
[[Category:People of the Kurukshetra War]]
[[Category:Heroes in Hindu mythology]]