Phalguna, or Phalgunan, is one of the 10 important names of
Arjuna in the Mahabharata. Arjuna is known as Phalguna because he was born on
the Uttaraphalguni Nakshatra – one of the 27 birth star. Uthara Phalguni
Nakshatra is the 12th birth star among 27 Nakshatras in Hindu Jyothisha or
astrology.
Kunti gave birth to Arjuna on mount on the Himalayas .
Details regarding the names of Arjuna are found in the Virata Parva of the
Mahabharat. He narrates them to Uttara Kumara. Arjuna was then living in the
court of King Virat as Brihannala – the eunuch.
Uttara Kumara was given the duty of stopping an advancing
Kaurava Army towards his kingdom. But the prince had not will power and
strength to fight the might Kauravas. Brihannala took duty of the charioteer of
Uttara Kumara and fought against the Kauravas. Before letting Brihannala fight
against Kauravas, Uttara Kumara wanted to make sure that Brihannala was Arjuna.
So he asks about the ten important names of Arjuna.
The ten important names of Arjuna include Partha, Kiriti,
Svetavahana, Jishnu, Bhibatsu, Vijaya, Savyasachi and Dhananjaya.