Arjuna

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'''Arjuna''' ({{Langx|sa|अर्जुन}}, {{IAST3|Arjuna}}, [[Help:IPA/Sanskrit|[ɐɾd͡ʒun̪ə]]]) is one of the central characters of the ancient [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He is the third of the five [[Pandava]] brothers, and is widely regarded as the most important and renowned among them. He is the son of [[Indra]], the king of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|gods]], and [[Kunti]], wife of King [[Pandu]] of [[Kuru kingdom|Kuru dynasty]]—making him a [[Demigod|divine-born hero]]. Arjuna is famed for his extraordinary prowess in archery and mastery over [[Astra (weapon)|celestial weapons]]. Throughout the epic, Arjuna sustains a close friendship with his maternal cousin, [[Krishna]], who serves as his spiritual guide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=Arjuna {{!}} Mahabharata, Pandava, Warrior {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arjuna |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

'''Arjuna''' ({{Langx|sa|अर्जुन}}, {{IAST3|Arjuna}}) is one of the central characters of the ancient [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He is the third of the five [[Pandava]] brothers, and is widely regarded as the most important and renowned among them. He is the son of [[Indra]], the king of the [[Deva (Hinduism)|gods]], and [[Kunti]], wife of King [[Pandu]] of [[Kuru kingdom|Kuru dynasty]]—making him a [[Demigod|divine-born hero]]. Arjuna is famed for his extraordinary prowess in archery and mastery over [[Astra (weapon)|celestial weapons]]. Throughout the epic, Arjuna sustains a close friendship with his maternal cousin, [[Krishna]], who serves as his spiritual guide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=Arjuna {{!}} Mahabharata, Pandava, Warrior {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arjuna |access-date=2025-06-03 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>

Arjuna is celebrated for numerous heroic exploits throughout the epic. From childhood, he emerges as an excellent pupil, studying under the warrior-sage [[Drona]]. In his youth, Arjuna wins the hand of [[Draupadi]], the princess of the [[Pañcāla|Panchalas]], by excelling in a formidable archery competition. Soon after, he goes on a journey during a period of temporary exile for breaking a pact with his brothers. During this time, he marries [[Ulupi]], a [[Nāga]] princess; [[Chitrangada (princess)|Chitrangada]], the princess of [[Manipura (Mahabharata)|Manipura]]; and [[Subhadra]], a [[Yadava]] princess and the sister of Krishna. From these unions, he fathered four sons: [[Upapandavas|Shrutakarma]], [[Iravan]], [[Babhruvahana]] and [[Abhimanyu]]. Arjuna plays a major role in establishing his elder brother [[Yudhishthira]]’s sovereignty, subduing numerous kingdoms and setting fire to the forest of [[Khandava Forest|Khandavaprastha]]. When the Pandavas are deceitfully exiled after being tricked into forfeiting their kingdom by their jealous cousins, the [[Kaurava|Kauravas]], Arjuna vows to kill [[Karna]]—a key Kaurava ally and Arjuna's main rival who is later revealed to be his elder half-brother. During exile, Arjuna undertakes a journey to acquire divine weapons and earns the favour of the god [[Shiva]]. Beyond his martial prowess, Arjuna was also skilled in music and dance, which enabled him to disguise himself as a eunuch teacher of princess [[Uttarā]] of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]] during his [[Ajnatavasa|final year of exile]]. During this period, he also defeats the entire Kuru army.

Arjuna is celebrated for numerous heroic exploits throughout the epic. From childhood, he emerges as an excellent pupil, studying under the warrior-sage [[Drona]]. In his youth, Arjuna wins the hand of [[Draupadi]], the princess of the [[Pañcāla|Panchalas]], by excelling in a formidable archery competition. Soon after, he goes on a journey during a period of temporary exile for breaking a pact with his brothers. During this time, he marries [[Ulupi]], a [[Nāga]] princess; [[Chitrangada (princess)|Chitrangada]], the princess of [[Manipura (Mahabharata)|Manipura]]; and [[Subhadra]], a [[Yadava]] princess and the sister of Krishna. From these unions, he fathered four sons: [[Upapandavas|Shrutakarma]], [[Iravan]], [[Babhruvahana]] and [[Abhimanyu]]. Arjuna plays a major role in establishing his elder brother [[Yudhishthira]]’s sovereignty, subduing numerous kingdoms and setting fire to the forest of [[Khandava Forest|Khandavaprastha]]. When the Pandavas are deceitfully exiled after being tricked into forfeiting their kingdom by their jealous cousins, the [[Kaurava|Kauravas]], Arjuna vows to kill [[Karna]]—a key Kaurava ally and Arjuna's main rival who is later revealed to be his elder half-brother. During exile, Arjuna undertakes a journey to acquire divine weapons and earns the favour of the god [[Shiva]]. Beyond his martial prowess, Arjuna was also skilled in music and dance, which enabled him to disguise himself as a eunuch teacher of princess [[Uttarā]] of [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]] during his [[Ajnatavasa|final year of exile]]. During this period, he also defeats the entire Kuru army.