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Arjuna in the Mahabharata – 18 Important Incidents of Arjun in the Mahabharata

Arjuna is the third among the Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata. He was born to Kunti and Indra, the king of demigods (Devas). Here are 18 important incidents in the life of Arjun in the Mahabharata.

18 Important Incidents of Arjun in the Mahabharata

  1. Arjuna was the third son of Kunti. Using divine mantra, Kunti called upon Indra and begot Arjuna.
  2. His teacher was Drona and he excelled in archery. He is the greatest archer in the world when we do not count the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
  3. Arjuna was highly competitive but at the same time insecure. This led to the infamous Ekalavya incident in the Mahabharata.
  4. At the graduation ceremony, Arjuna excelled and emerged as the best among the Pandavas and Kauravas. However, his joy was short lived when Karna burst upon the scene and got the better of him. From here began a rivalry that would last for life.
  5. He married Draupadi after winning the archery contest in the Swayamvara ceremony in Panchala. But she became the common wife of Pandavas. He later married Subhadra, Ulupi and Chitrangada.
  6. He received Gandiva the divine bow from Agni for helping the God of Fire in burning the Khandavaprastha.
  7. He was exiled along with his brothers after Yudhisthira lost his kingdom in gambling to the Kauravas. In the Kaurava court, Arjuna took the vow to kill Karna.
  8. Arjuna is blessed with Pashupatastra by Lord Shiva but not before, he is taught a lesson in humility by Mahadev.
  9. He was cursed by celestial damsel Urvashi to become a eunuch. He used it to his advantage during the incognito exile year.
  10. When Kurukshetra war was decided, Arjuna chose Krishna over the army of Yadavas. Thus, Krishna who promised that he will not take any weapon the Kurukshetra war became the charioteer of Arjuna.
  11. A confused and overwhelmed Arjuna threw his weapon down in the Kurukshetra saying he cannot fight against his relatives and teachers. Sri Krishna then narrated the Bhagavad Gita to alleviate all the doubts in the mind of Arjuna.
  12. Arjuna fought fiercely and he killed Bhishma.
  13. He lost his son Abhimanyu and swore to avenge his death.
  14. He killed Jayadratha before sunset and avenged his son’s death.
  15. On the seventeenth day of the battle, he got the opportunity to kill Karna who was unarmed.
  16. Ashwathama who killed the relatives and sons of Pandavas at night was chased by the Pandavas. When Ashwathama released the Brahmastra, Arjuna countered it with Brahmastra.
  17. After several years, he renounced the material world along with his brothers and wife.
  18. He died while climbing the Himalayas – his final journey. 
Arjuna shared a special bond with Krishna. Arjuna, although a brilliant and archer and student, he had all the fallacies associated with human beings. He knew what Dharma was but was unable to follow it. Thus, he was Nara – the human being on the verge of Moksha but constantly falling down due to ignorance. Krishna, Narayana, became his friend, guide and philosopher. Together they are Nara – Narayana. Krishna helps Arjuna in overcoming all the difficulties in life.