--> Skip to main content


Dhananjaya – Why Arjuna in the Mahabharat is also known as Dhananjaya?

Dhananjaya is one among the ten names of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. Arjuna narrates the meaning of his names to Uttara, son of Virata. Kaurava army had stolen the cows of Virata. To get them back, the son of Virata went to battlefield with Arjuna, who was disguised as Brihannala, as his charioteer.

On seeing the Kuru army, the prince is frightened and attempts to escape from the battleground. Brihannada stops him and reveals that he is Arjuna and he will fight against the Kauravas.

But the prince is not ready to believe Brihannada. He then wants to know the various names of Arjuna. To convince the frightened prince, Arjuna narrates all his ten names and how he got them.

Arjuna in the Mahabharata is known as Dhananjaya because he conquered various kingdoms and obtained their wealth. As he stood amidst the riches that he conquered, he was named Dhananjaya.

This incident is mentioned in the Go – Grahana Parva in the Mahabharata.

The ten names of Arjuna given in the Go – Grahana Parva in the Mahabharata are Arjuna, Phalguna, Jishnu, Kiriti, Shvetavahana, Bibhatasu, Vijaya, Krishna, Savyasachi and Dhananjaya.

Another Explanation To Why Arjuna Is Dhananjaya

Agni is also worshipped for wealth, and one who pleases Agni with his worship, is rewarded with wealth. Arjuna gave a plentiful supply of gold during the Rajasuya Yagna of Yudhishthira. Agni is called Dhananjaya, and by providing gold to Yudhishthira, Arjuna earned the name Dhananjaya.