Arjuna Warrior Prince Dilemma & Profile
- Jeffrey Dunan
- 1 day ago
- 16 min read
Article-at-a-Glance
Arjuna's moral conflict on the battlefield of Kurukshetra represents the most profound ethical dilemma, leading to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
Born to Kunti and the god Indra, Arjuna's divine heritage combined with rigorous training under Dronacharya established him as history's greatest archer.
Beyond his combat prowess, Arjuna embodied the perfect balance of skill, compassion, focus, and humility—qualities that made him unique among warriors.
Arjuna's struggle to reconcile duty with personal ethics remains profoundly relevant in modern contexts, offering guidance for contemporary moral challenges.
In the stillness before battle, the greatest archer in history laid down his bow. As conch shells blared and war drums thundered across the field of Kurukshetra, Arjuna's hands trembled with an inner conflict that would transform a military confrontation into humanity's most profound spiritual discourse.
Lotus Ministry Teaching The Most Profound Spiritual Discourse.
The third son of Pandu and Kunti stands as one of today's most complex heroes—a warrior whose legendary skills were matched only by his compassionate heart and philosophical mind. His moment of crisis on the battlefield created the perfect vessel for the divine wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, elevating him beyond the role of martial hero to becoming the archetypal spiritual seeker.
Throughout the Mahabharata, Arjuna's journey represents the eternal human struggle between duty and emotion, action and inaction, material existence and spiritual transcendence. His profile reveals not just a warrior of unmatched prowess but a multifaceted character whose vulnerability ultimately became his greatest strength.
Arjuna's Battlefield Crisis: The Moral Dilemma That Changed History
"Place my chariot between the two armies," Arjuna requested of his charioteer, Lord Krishna. This seemingly simple directive carried immense significance in the unfolding drama at Kurukshetra. Arjuna specifically asked Krishna to position him where he could clearly observe "these men who stand eager for battle" and identify "with whom I must fight in this impending war."
What followed was unprecedented in epic literature. Facing his own relatives, teachers, and friends across the battlefield, Arjuna's legendary resolve crumbled. Physical symptoms of distress manifested immediately—trembling limbs, dry mouth, bristling hair, burning skin, and the Gandiva bow slipping from his grasp. "I cannot fight," he declared, collapsing onto his chariot seat in profound moral anguish.
"O Govinda, of what avail to us are kingdoms, happiness or even life itself when all those for whom we may desire them are now arrayed in this battlefield? O Madhusudana, when teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law and all relatives are ready to give up their lives and properties and are standing before me, then why should I wish to kill them, though I may survive? O maintainer of all creatures, I am not prepared to fight with them even in exchange for the three worlds, let alone this earth."—Arjuna to Krishna, Bhagavad Gita (Chapter 1, Verses 32-35)
This existential crisis emerged from a fundamental ethical paradox. As a Kshatriya warrior, Arjuna's duty (dharma) demanded he fight to restore righteous rule. Yet this same duty required him to honor elders and teachers—many of whom stood before him as enemies. The dilemma transcended personal attachment, raising fundamental questions about the nature of right action when all available choices seem morally compromised.
Through this profound moment of vulnerability, Arjuna unwittingly created the perfect opening for the divine wisdom that would follow in subsequent chapters of the Bhagavad Gita. His collapse on the battlefield represents not weakness but the necessary breakdown of certainty that precedes spiritual awakening.
The Making of a Legendary Archer: Arjuna's Early Life and Training
Long before his crisis of conscience at Kurukshetra, Arjuna's story began with divine intervention and extraordinary promise. Understanding his remarkable journey from princely youth to peerless archer provides essential context for appreciating the depth of his battlefield dilemma.
Born for Greatness: Arjuna's Divine Origins
Arjuna entered the world as the third son of Queen Kunti and King Pandu of Hastinapura, though his biological father was Lord Indra, king of the devas (celestial beings). Through a boon granted to Kunti by sage Durvasa, she could summon gods to father her children. When she invoked Indra, Arjuna was conceived, inheriting his father's legendary prowess in battle and natural affinity for celestial weapons.
His birth was marked by divine pronouncements. Heavenly voices declared that this child would achieve glory equal to Indra himself, defeat all prominent warriors, and gain unmatched renown. From infancy, his exceptional destiny was apparent—the child possessed unusual focus, balance, and coordination that distinguished him from other royal children.
The name "Arjuna" itself—meaning "bright" or "silver"—reflected both his fair complexion and the luminous quality of his character.
Under Dronacharya's Guidance: Developing Unmatched Archery Skills
The arrival of Dronacharya as the royal teacher marked the true beginning of Arjuna's journey toward martial excellence. While all Pandava and Kaurava princes received the same instruction, Arjuna's dedication immediately set him apart. Rising before dawn for additional practice and continuing long after others had retired, his commitment bordered on obsession.
A pivotal moment in his training occurred during an archery test when Dronacharya placed a wooden bird on a distant tree as target. While other students described the entire scene when asked what they saw, Arjuna's response revealed his singular focus: "I see only the eye of the bird." This extraordinary concentration became his signature trait, allowing him to achieve feats of archery considered impossible by ordinary standards.
Recognizing Arjuna's exceptional potential, Dronacharya imparted secret techniques normally reserved for his own son. The relationship transcended that of teacher and student, with Dronacharya publicly declaring Arjuna the greatest archer the world would ever know. This prediction would prove accurate as Arjuna mastered increasingly complex weapons and techniques with seemingly effortless grace.
The Matsya Kingdom Tournament: First Public Display of Prowess
Arjuna And His Bow
Arjuna's first significant public demonstration of his skills came during the tournament at King Drupada's court in Matsya kingdom. Disguised as a humble Brahmin during the Pandavas' period of exile, Arjuna stunned the assembled kings and warriors by completing an incredibly difficult archery challenge to win the hand of Princess Draupadi.
The Kurukshetra Battlefield: Arjuna's Moment of Truth
The battlefield of Kurukshetra represents more than a physical location in the Mahabharata—it becomes the stage for humanity's greatest spiritual drama. As eighteen armies assembled for what would become the most consequential war in history, the air hung heavy with tension. War elephants trumpeted, horses stamped impatiently, and battle standards fluttered in the wind, all creating the backdrop for Arjuna's transformative moment of crisis.
Facing Family Across Enemy Lines
When Krishna positioned the chariot between the two armies as Arjuna requested, the archer's confident demeanor shattered. Before him stood not abstract enemies but beloved family members, revered teachers, and childhood companions. Bhishma, who had dandled him on his knee as a child; Drona, who had taught him everything he knew about archery; cousins with whom he had played and trained—all stood arrayed against him in battle formation.
This wasn't merely a case of familial attachment. For Arjuna, a complex web of duty, honor, and respect collided with the immediate martial duty before him. "I see my own kinsmen gathered here, eager for battle," he confessed to Krishna, his voice faltering. The ethical dimensions of his dilemma transcended personal feeling—how could righteous action include killing those he was duty-bound to honor and protect?
The psychological weight of this contradiction proved overwhelming. The man who had fearlessly battled celestial beings now found himself paralyzed by the prospect of fighting his own family, regardless of their moral standing or the justice of his cause.
Physical Manifestations of Inner Turmoil
Arjuna's ethical crisis manifested in profound physical symptoms that the Bhagavad Gita describes with striking psychological insight. "My limbs grow weak; my mouth becomes dry; my body trembles, and my hair stands on end," he confessed to Krishna. These weren't merely poetic descriptions but accurate portrayals of acute anxiety and moral distress—what modern psychology might recognize as symptoms of acute stress response.
Even more telling was Arjuna's admission that his mind was "whirling in confusion." The legendary focus that allowed him to see only the eye of the bird during his training had completely abandoned him. For a warrior whose excellence depended on mental clarity and steady hands, this disintegration represented not just emotional distress but the complete collapse of his functional identity as a warrior.
The physical symptoms progressed to the point where he could no longer stand. "I am unable to remain standing; my mind seems to be reeling," he admitted, slumping into the chariot seat. This total physical capitulation symbolized the collapse of certainty that often precedes profound spiritual transformation.
"I am now unable to stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. I foresee only evil, O killer of the Kesi demon. I do not see how any good can come from killing my own kinsmen in this battle, nor can I, my dear Krsna, desire any subsequent victory, kingdom, or happiness." — Arjuna (Bhagavad Gita 1.30-31)
These vivid descriptions of physiological distress establish Arjuna not as a coward but as a man of extraordinary moral sensitivity. His breakdown represents the natural human response to impossible ethical contradictions—the body reacts when the mind cannot reconcile opposing duties. Through this portrayal, the Gita validates emotional struggle as a legitimate part of the spiritual journey rather than a weakness to be suppressed.
The Bow Falls: Symbolism of Arjuna's Refusal to Fight
The climactic moment of Arjuna's crisis came when the Gandiva bow—a divine weapon that had never before failed him—slipped from his grasp. This was no ordinary weapon but a celestial bow given to him by Agni, the fire god. It had served him faithfully through countless battles, never missing its mark, never betraying his grip. Yet now it lay fallen, a powerful symbol of his internal collapse.
The falling of the bow represented far more than physical weakness. In symbolic language, it signified the ultimate surrender of ego and self-certainty. The warrior identity that Arjuna had cultivated throughout his life—the very foundation of his self-concept—suddenly stood revealed as inadequate to address the moral complexity before him. His declaration "I will not fight" marked not cowardice but the beginning of a profound spiritual inquiry.
Through this act of refusing battle—considered the ultimate disgrace for a Kshatriya warrior—Arjuna paradoxically displayed his highest virtue: the moral courage to question rather than blindly follow duty when confronted with ethical paradox. His bow's fall created the empty space into which Krishna's teachings could flow, transforming a battle narrative into humanity's most profound spiritual discourse.
Krishna's Divine Intervention and the Bhagavad Gita
What appeared initially as a military failure would transform into history's most important spiritual opportunity. As Arjuna sat immobilized by grief and doubt, his charioteer Krishna—who until this moment had remained simply the royal charioteer—prepared to reveal his true cosmic nature. This pivotal transition from battle preparation to divine discourse marks the birth of the Bhagavad Gita, philosophy's most influential text.
From Charioteer to Cosmic Teacher
Krishna's response to Arjuna's crisis began not with sympathy but with gentle chiding. "This despair and weakness in time of crisis do not befit you, Arjuna," he admonished. "Stand up, conqueror of enemies, and shake off this petty faintheartedness." This initial challenge served not to dismiss Arjuna's ethical concerns but to create the necessary tension from which deeper teaching could emerge.
What followed was an extraordinary philosophical discourse covering duty (dharma), the immortality of the soul, the nature of reality, and the pathways to spiritual realization. Krishna systematically addressed each element of Arjuna's dilemma, progressively revealing himself not merely as friend and advisor but as the supreme divinity incarnate. The chariot became a classroom, the battlefield a learning opportunity, and the suspended moment before war expanded into timeless wisdom.
Through eighteen chapters of profound dialogue, Krishna guided Arjuna from emotional paralysis to spiritual clarity. He presented multiple paths to realization—through knowledge (jnana yoga), action performed without attachment to results (karma yoga), and devotion (bhakti yoga). These teachings transcended the immediate battlefield context to address the universal human struggle to find meaning and right action in a morally complex world.
The Revelation of Universal Form (Vishwarupa)
The philosophical discourse reached its climax when Arjuna requested direct experience of Krishna's divine form. What followed was one of spirituality's most powerful theophanies—Krishna revealed his Vishwarupa, the universal form containing all existence. "If hundreds of thousands of suns rose up at once into the sky, they might resemble the effulgence of the Supreme Person in that universal form." the text declares.
This revelation overwhelmed Arjuna's senses. He beheld infinite forms, countless mouths, eyes, and ornaments, all radiant with the brilliance of a thousand suns. More terrifyingly, he witnessed the entire universe, with all beings, entering Krishna's countless mouths with their terrible teeth. Time itself was revealed as divine manifestation, simultaneously creating and destroying all existence.
Trembling with awe, Arjuna finally understood the cosmic context of the impending battle. The deaths on the battlefield were revealed as already accomplished in divine consciousness; his role was to serve as an instrument of divine will rather than the determiner of life and death. This profound vision transformed his understanding from personal ethical dilemma to cosmic necessity, enabling him to pick up his bow once more—not with bloodthirst but with clarity about his role in the greater cosmic drama.
Beyond the Dilemma: Arjuna's Greatest Battles
While Arjuna's moral crisis at Kurukshetra defines his spiritual legacy, his martial prowess manifested in numerous legendary battles throughout the Mahabharata. These confrontations revealed not just his technical skill but his strategic brilliance and unwavering resolve once his ethical doubts were resolved.
Defeating the Kauravas Single-Handedly
During the Pandavas' thirteenth year of exile, when they lived incognito in King Virata's court, Arjuna (disguised as Brihannala, a eunuch dance instructor) single-handedly defeated the entire Kaurava army. When the Kauravas raided Matsya kingdom to steal cattle, Arjuna retrieved his weapons from their hiding place and pursued the invaders in Prince Uttara's chariot. Facing the assembled might of Bhishma, Drona, Kripacharya, Ashwatthama, Karna, and Duryodhana, Arjuna unleashed his divine weapons with such ferocity that the Kaurava forces fled in terror, abandoning their plunder.
This remarkable victory—achieved without the support of his brothers—demonstrated that Arjuna alone possessed combat prowess equivalent to an entire army. More impressively, he accomplished this feat while honoring his oath not to reveal his true identity, proving that his commitment to truth remained as important as his martial skill.
The Showdown with Karna: Rival Archers Clash
The rivalry between Arjuna and Karna, the abandoned first son of Kunti, created the Mahabharata's most anticipated martial confrontation. Both wielded divine weapons, both studied under legendary teachers, and both claimed the title of world's greatest archer. Their final battle on the seventeenth day of the Kurukshetra War unfolded with extraordinary intensity as divine weapons countered divine weapons in a duel that made the very heavens tremble.
The climactic moment came when Karna's chariot wheel sank into the earth—a result of a curse he had received earlier. Though Arjuna could have honored the traditional warrior code by pausing to allow his opponent to free his chariot, Krishna reminded him of Karna's past violations of ethical warfare, particularly in the killing of Abhimanyu. With this context, Arjuna released the devastating Anjalika weapon that ended Karna's life. This controversial victory illustrated the Gita's central teaching that rigid adherence to rules must sometimes yield to contextual ethical understanding.
Conquering Divine Warriors: Battles with Celestial Beings
Among Arjuna's most extraordinary feats was his victory over divine beings during his quest for celestial weapons. When Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a hunter to test his resolve, Arjuna engaged him in combat without hesitation. Their duel escalated until Arjuna, having exhausted his conventional weapons, resorted to hand-to-hand combat. Impressed by his courage, Shiva revealed his true form and granted Arjuna the Pashupatastra—a weapon so powerful it could destroy the universe.
During his sojourn in Indra's heaven, Arjuna defeated the Nivatakavachas and other powerful demons that even the gods struggled to overcome. He also battled and impressed the Gandharvas, celestial musicians whose martial prowess was legendary. These victories over supernatural opponents confirmed that Arjuna's capabilities transcended human limitations, placing him in the rare category of mortals who successfully challenged divine power.
Arjuna's Complex Relationships
Behind the warrior facade, Arjuna's personal relationships revealed his emotional depth and capacity for love. His interactions with family, friends, and lovers created a complex web of attachments that both challenged and strengthened his resolve throughout his journey.
With Krishna: More Than Friendship
The bond between Arjuna and Krishna transcended ordinary friendship, representing the ideal relationship between devotee and divine. Though Krishna was Arjuna's maternal cousin and childhood companion, their connection evolved into something far more profound during the Kurukshetra War. As charioteer, Krishna guided not just Arjuna's horses but his spiritual journey. As divine teacher, he revealed cosmic truths that transformed Arjuna's understanding of existence. And as friend, he offered unwavering support through Arjuna's darkest moments of doubt.
Their relationship embodied the perfect balance of intimacy and reverence. Arjuna could question Krishna directly, even challenge his advice, yet ultimately surrendered to divine wisdom with complete trust. Krishna, in turn, showed Arjuna a level of divine accessibility he granted to no other mortal. "Of all Pandavas, you are most dear to me," Krishna declared in the Mahabharata. This unique closeness culminated in Arjuna's role as the sole mortal witness to Krishna's universal form—a privilege even great sages had been denied.
With Draupadi and His Other Wives
Arjuna's relationship with Draupadi reflected both the complexities of polygamy in ancient India and his commitment to honor. As one of five husbands to the fiery princess, Arjuna adhered strictly to the arrangement that each brother would have exclusive time with their shared wife. When he accidentally interrupted Yudhishthira's time with Draupadi, Arjuna voluntarily accepted twelve years of exile as penance, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to his word even at personal cost.
Beyond Draupadi, Arjuna married several other women during his travels, including Subhadra (Krishna's sister), Ulupi (a Naga princess), and Chitrangada (princess of Manipur). Each union brought different dimensions to his character. With Subhadra, he showed romantic passion, even eloping against political considerations. With Ulupi, he demonstrated openness to cross-cultural understanding. And with Chitrangada, he respected matrilineal customs foreign to his upbringing. These marriages reflected Arjuna's adaptive nature and ability to honor different cultural traditions while maintaining his core principles.
With His Brothers: Unity Despite Competition
The relationship among the five Pandava brothers combined fierce loyalty with natural rivalry. As middle brother, Arjuna occupied a unique position—respected for his skills yet deferential to Yudhishthira's authority as eldest. Though acknowledged as the mightiest warrior among them, Arjuna never challenged the leadership hierarchy, demonstrating his commitment to family harmony above personal glory.
His closest brotherly bond was with Bhima, whose brute strength complemented Arjuna's precision in battle. Despite their different temperaments—Bhima's impulsiveness contrasting with Arjuna's methodical approach—they maintained unwavering solidarity in crisis. With the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, Arjuna showed protective affection while respecting their distinctive skills. Throughout their many trials, from the burning of the Khandava forest to their final Himalayan journey, Arjuna's dedication to his brothers never wavered, even when Krishna hinted that his spiritual advancement might progress faster independently.
Modern Relevance: Why Arjuna's Story Still Matters Today
The enduring power of Arjuna's journey lies in its remarkable applicability to contemporary challenges. Three thousand years after the Mahabharata was composed, his struggle to reconcile competing duties, manage personal relationships, and find ethical clarity amid moral ambiguity remains profoundly relevant to modern existence.
Facing Ethical Dilemmas in Contemporary Life
Today's professionals, leaders, and citizens regularly encounter situations where competing ethical principles create genuine dilemmas. The environmental scientist whose research threatens jobs, the business executive balancing shareholder expectations against worker welfare, the physician navigating limited resources—all face modern versions of Arjuna's battlefield crisis. Like him, they must make consequential decisions when every available option carries both benefits and harms.
Arjuna's initial paralysis validates the natural human response to such situations. His story legitimizes moral distress as an appropriate reaction to genuine ethical complexity rather than a weakness to overcome. Yet Krishna's guidance ultimately empowers action based on thoughtful examination of motives, principles, and likely consequences rather than emotion alone.
The Bhagavad Gita's core message—that right action emerges from inner clarity rather than rigid rule-following—offers a sophisticated framework for navigating today's ethical minefields. By focusing on intention and detachment from outcomes rather than absolute principles, it provides flexibility without moral relativism.
Balancing Duty and Personal Values
Perhaps no aspect of Arjuna's dilemma resonates more strongly with modern life than the tension between external expectations and internal values. In an era of relentless productivity demands, social media performance, and competing professional and personal obligations, many feel torn between fulfilling others' expectations and honoring their deeper principles. Arjuna's struggle to reconcile his warrior duty with his compassionate nature mirrors this contemporary conflict.
The Gita's solution—understanding one's essential nature (swadharma) and acting authentically from that understanding—offers a path through modern identity confusion. Rather than abandoning responsibility or sacrificing authenticity, this approach integrates external duties with internal values through mindful engagement. By performing necessary actions with full awareness yet without attachment to results, Arjuna models a balanced approach increasingly relevant in our achievement-obsessed culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
The complexity of Arjuna's story has generated numerous questions from readers seeking deeper understanding of this remarkable character and his journey. The following responses address some of the most common inquiries about the legendary archer.
Was Arjuna really the greatest archer in the Mahabharata?
While the Mahabharata presents several exceptional archers, including Karna, Drona, Bhishma, and Ekalavya, Arjuna is consistently portrayed as supreme among them. His superiority stemmed not just from technical skill but from unique combinations of divine weapons, celestial training, mental discipline, and ethical application of his abilities. The text specifically states that while others might briefly match or even surpass him in particular contexts, Arjuna's overall mastery remained unequaled. Even Drona, who taught all the princes, declared Arjuna his finest student and the archer destined to surpass even his teacher's abilities.
How did Arjuna acquire his divine weapons?
Arjuna obtained his celestial arsenal through extraordinary quests and divine encounters. The most powerful came from Lord Shiva, who granted him the Pashupatastra after testing his determination in combat. During his five-year sojourn in Indraloka (heaven), he received numerous divine weapons directly from the gods, including the Vajra from Indra and the Vayavya weapon from Vayu. Additional weapons came from the fire god Agni, who gifted him the Gandiva bow, and from various sages who recognized his worthiness to wield cosmic power. Each weapon required not just physical training but spiritual purification and ethical commitments, ensuring Arjuna would never misuse their devastating potential.
What happened to Arjuna after the Kurukshetra War?
After the Pandavas' victory, Arjuna continued serving the kingdom during Yudhishthira's eighteen-year reign. However, the period was marked by declining purpose and increasing melancholy. When Krishna departed his mortal form, Arjuna lost much of his divine power—a prophesied consequence of his patron deity's absence. During this diminished state, he suffered the humiliation of failing to protect citizens from bandits who attacked Dwarka's evacuees.
Ultimately, Arjuna joined his brothers and Draupadi on their final journey toward Mount Meru. According to the Mahabharata, he was the fourth of the Pandavas to fall during this Himalayan pilgrimage, with his death attributed to the accumulated weight of pride in his abilities—the one spiritual flaw he never fully conquered.
Why is Arjuna called 'Partha' and what do his other names mean?
Arjuna possessed numerous names, each highlighting different aspects of his identity. 'Partha' means 'son of Pritha' (another name for Kunti), emphasizing his maternal lineage. 'Dhananjaya' ('winner of wealth') commemorated his success in military campaigns that expanded Pandava territories. 'Gudakesha' ('master of sleep') acknowledged his extraordinary self-discipline and vigilance. 'Savyasachin' ('ambidextrous') referred to his unique ability to wield weapons with equal skill using either hand. 'Jishnu' ('victorious') celebrated his undefeated record in battle. 'Kiriti' ('diadem-wearer') recalled the celestial crown given to him during his stay in heaven. Krishna often rotated through these names when addressing Arjuna, strategically emphasizing aspects of his identity most relevant to specific teachings.
Did Arjuna ever meet his father, Indra?
Yes, unlike many divine offspring, Arjuna did meet and develop a relationship with his celestial father. Their most significant interaction occurred when Arjuna spent five years in Indra's heaven (Amaravati), mastering divine weapons and learning celestial music and dance. During this period, Indra personally trained his son and proudly introduced him to the heavenly court. Their relationship was further demonstrated when Indra disguised himself as a Brahmin to test Arjuna's generosity and later intervened to save him during particularly difficult battles. The Mahabharata portrays their relationship as one of mutual pride and recognition, with Indra acknowledging Arjuna as worthy of his divine lineage.
The timeless appeal of Arjuna's character lies in this perfect balance of human vulnerability and divine potential. His journey from skilled warrior to spiritual seeker continues to inspire those navigating their own ethical battlefields, proving that our moments of greatest doubt often precede our most profound wisdom.
Asitis.com offers comprehensive resources exploring the spiritual dimensions of Arjuna's journey and his relationship with Lord Krishna. For seekers looking to apply these ancient teachings to modern challenges, their collection of Bhagavad Gita commentaries provides invaluable guidance through life's complex moral terrain.
Comments