Names of Arjuna

If we have to benefit from the Bhagavad Gita, we have to ‘become’ Arjuna.  To ‘become’ Arjuna is to have the noble qualities that Arjuna had.  Then we will be ‘tuned’ to Sri Krishna and we would feel that Gita is directly talking to us.  

In the Bhagavad Gita, Arjuna has been addressed by Sri Krishna with different names.  Each name has a beautiful meaning and it is apt and appropriate for the situation.  Some of these names are mentioned below.   Each name serves to remind us about the qualities that are required to ‘become’ Arjuna and be a winner in life.

1. Arjuna
1. Rju means Straightforward.  Arjuna was honest & straightforward. He did not pretend. There was integrity in thought, word and deed. 
2. Arjuna also means ‘fair colored one.’  Arjuna was fair and just.

2. Dhananjaya
1. One who has won and acquired wealth. 
2. Dhananjaya is one of the names of fire also. 
   Arjuna was bright & brilliant like fire.  He was not dull as charcoal
   Fire always moves upwards. Arjuna always looked-ahead in life, to evolve. (Sadhak)
3. One who has the wealth of virtues and values

3. Gudakesha
1. Gudaka means Senses, Sleep & Shiva
2. Gudakesha - Master of sleep. 
3. One who had controlled the senses.(Samyam)
4. One who worships Lord Shiva.   (Bhakti)
   Arjuna worshipped Lord Shiva to obtain the Pashupata-Missile
5. Guda – beautiful. Kesha – hair.  One who has beautiful curled up hair

4. Paartha
1. The son of Prthaa (Another name of Kunti.)
2. Mother earth is called prthaa.  The son of Mother Earth is ‘Paartha’  All living beings on earth, including each of us can be called Paartha
3. Paa – protector.  Artha – to desire.  One whose goal is the Supreme Protector.  Arjuna was a  Mumukshu.

5. Kaunteya
1. The Son of Kunti
2. One who has very fine hair(kuntala)
3. Kunt means - sharp & single-pointed.  Arjuna’s intellect was sharp.He was a viveki.  He was extremely single-pointed and focused in life on his priorities.

6. Bhaarat
1. Born in the dynasty of King Bharat.
2. Bhaa – Effulgence, brilliance.  Rata – To revel.
   One who revels in Excellence, Knowledge & Brilliance

7. Parantapa
1. Paran – Enemies.  Tapa – scorch.  Scorcher of foes/enemies.  Arjuna was the best Archerer of his times.  Single handedly had defeated Kaurava Army in Ajnatvasa.
2. Param – Supreme  Tapas – Austerity.  One whose austerity(Tapas) is supreme.
3. Paran – Others(duality).  One who burns duality into ashes to realize the Non-Dual Truth.

8. Savyasachin
1. One who is adept in using the bow with both the hands

9. Anagha
1. Agha – Sin.  Anagha - One who has no sins, is pure and sinless.  Arjuna was simple and pure-hearted.

10. Gatasandeh
1. One whose doubts have vanished and whose delusion is destroyed. 
   Through ‘Reflection’(Mananam) on Truth, one’s doubts are removed.