Arjun

Also known as: Brihannala · Family: Pandavs · Role: third son of Pandu · First appears: Book I (The Tournament) · Introduction

In Book I (The Tournament) · Introduction, Dutt notes that Dhrita-rashtra brought up the five sons of Pandu, whose mother was Pritha; Arjun was the third son of Pandu and Indra, and distinguished himself in arms. His brothers were Yudhishthir, Bhima, and the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. At the tournament, Karna proved a worthy rival, and the two challenged one another to combat. In Book II (The Bride's Choice) · VI. The Disguised Arjun, Arjun won Draupadi by bending Drupad’s bow and striking the target; she became the common wife of the five brothers. He also married Subhadra, Krishna’s sister, and they had a son, Abhimanyu.

During the twelve years of exile, Vyasa advised Arjun to seek celestial arms; he pleased Siva in combat and obtained the pasupata weapon. In Book VI (Cattle-Lifting) · II. The Disguised Charioteer, after the brothers had spent a year concealed in Virata’s service, Arjun revealed himself to Uttara and led his chariot against the invading Kurus. He routed them and rescued the cattle, then declined Virata’s offer of his daughter as a bride and proposed her marriage to Abhimanyu instead.

In Book VIII (Fall of Bhishma) · Introduction, Krishna joined Arjun as his friend and adviser, and drove his chariot. Arjun fought the Kuru army, and in Book IX (Fall of Drona) · III. Abhimanyu's Death, vowed vengeance after learning that Abhimanyu had been killed by Jayadratha and other warriors. He killed Jayadratha the next day. In Book X (Fall of Karna) · II. Fall of Karna, after a long duel, Arjun killed Karna; only later did Pritha reveal that Karna was their eldest brother. Arjun accompanied Yudhishthir’s sacrificial horse, fighting wherever it was stopped, and returned victorious to Hastinapura. In the Conclusion, he died while travelling with his brothers to the Himalayas.