Arjuna, son of King
Pandu and
Kunti, was one of the heroes of the epic
Mahabharata. He was the third of the five
Pandava brothers, and an expert in archery. Arjuna was born in the image of
Lord Indra as a result of a boon Kunti received from
Durvasas rishi. Arjuna is widely accepted as the greatest and most renowned warrior-hero in the Pandava army. He is known as the 'left-handed archer' and 'Partha' is one of the most popular synonyms by which he is addressed. Recital of the many names of Arjuna is believed to boost one's courage and valour.
Just as the Kurukshetra war began, Arjuna refused to fight, on seeing his own relatives and teachers on the enemy side. Lord Krishna, his charioteer and close friend, addressed him as they stood in between the two armies. The words spoken by Krishna to Arjuna at that crucial moment came to be codified as the Bhagavad Gita. Krishna manifested his divinity before Arjuna. After freeing himself of all the apprehensions, Arjuna agreed to perform his duty. Arjuna was an invincible hero, who was the main contributing factor in the victory of the Pandavas.
