Category:Arjuna's Chariot
Theme Analysis
The history of the Mahābhārata and the philosophical discourse of the Bhagavad-gītā are intimately tied to the chariot of Arjuna. This was no ordinary, mundane vehicle. It was a divine gift bestowed upon Arjuna by Agni, the fire-god, indicating that it was capable of conquering all directions across the three worlds. The chariot was drawn by four magnificent white horses and featured a flag marked with the emblem of Hanumān. Because of this, Arjuna is also known as Kapidhvaja. Both Lord Rāma and Hanumān were subtly present on the chariot to assist Arjuna, ensuring that the greatest spiritual forces were aligned with the Pāṇḍavas.
However, the supreme perfection of Arjuna's chariot was the identity of its driver. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, out of His boundless affection, voluntarily accepted the menial position of a chariot driver for His pure devotee. This beautiful dynamic illustrates how God can become the servant of His servant. When Arjuna boldly ordered Kṛṣṇa to place the chariot between the two opposing armies, the infallible Lord flawlessly executed the command of His friend. It was from this vantage point that Arjuna observed his relatives, succumbed to material lamentation, cast aside his weapons, and subsequently received the supreme enlightenment of the Bhagavad-gītā.
By the grace of Kṛṣṇa, Arjuna could see the entire battlefield, and even the universal form, while sitting in one place on his chariot. The presence of the Lord as the driver not only facilitated this divine instruction but also guaranteed absolute victory. Great warriors like Karṇa foresaw that because Kṛṣṇa was holding the reins, Arjuna could not be defeated. Furthermore, the Lord's presence on the chariot bestowed the ultimate benediction upon the opposing soldiers; anyone who died on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra while looking face-to-face at Lord Kṛṣṇa on Arjuna's chariot immediately attained their original, constitutional spiritual position.
- Divine Origin: Arjuna's chariot was gifted by Agni, drawn by white horses, and marked by a flag of Hanumān, earning Arjuna the name Kapidhvaja.
- The Supreme Driver: Lord Kṛṣṇa demonstrated His infinite love by accepting the menial role of Arjuna's chariot driver, taking orders from His devotee.
- The Setting of the Gītā: The discourse of the Bhagavad-gītā took place directly on this chariot after it was drawn between the two armies.
- Guarantee of Victory and Liberation: Kṛṣṇa's presence protected Arjuna from all harm, ensured the victory of the Pāṇḍavas, and granted liberation to those who died looking at Him.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Arjuna's Chariot - The Divine Setting of the Bhagavad-gītā.
Pages in category "Arjuna's Chariot"
The following 40 pages are in this category, out of 40 total.
A
- After Agni had eaten up the Khandava forest, he was very much pleased. At this time he offered Arjuna a specific bow known as Gandiva, four white horses, one chariot and an invincible quiver with two specific arrows considered to be talismans
- Arjuna also, by his devotional service, made Krsna his chariot driver; he ordered the Lord, "Put my chariot here," and the Lord executed his order. These are some examples of how a devotee can acquire the exalted position of conquering the unconquerable
- Arjuna said: O infallible one (Krsna), please draw my chariot between the two armies so that I may see those present here, who desire to fight, and with whom I must contend in this great trial of arms
- Arjuna said: O infallible one, please draw my chariot between the two armies so that I may see who is present here, who is desirous of fighting, and with whom I must contend in this great battle attempt. BG 1.21-22 - 1972
- Arjuna's special chariot is always marked with the picture of Hanuman, and therefore he is also named Kapidhvaja
- Arjuna, who is guided by the infallible Lord as friend and driver, thus satisfied the dear lady by such statements. Then he dressed in armor and armed himself with furious weapons, and getting into his chariot, he set out to follow Asvatthama
- As Hrsikesa, or the director of the senses and mind of every living entity, Krsna could understand Arjuna's purpose in placing the chariot in the midst of the armies. Thus He did so. BG 1972 purports
- Asvatthama, the murderer of the princes, seeing from a great distance Arjuna coming at him with great speed, fled in his chariot, panic stricken, just to save his life, as Brahma fled in fear from Siva
- At that time Arjuna, the son of Pandu, who was seated in his chariot, his flag marked with Hanuman, took up his bow and prepared to shoot his arrows, looking at the sons of Dhrtarastra. Arjuna then spoke to Hrsikesa (Krsna) these words. BG 1.20 - 1972
I
- I have the very same Gandiva bow, the same arrows, the same chariot drawn by the same horses, and I use them as the same Arjuna to whom all the kings offered their due respects
- In Bhagavad-gita we can see that Krsna has taken the position of servant as the chariot driver of Arjuna. In his constitutional position, Arjuna is the servant of Krsna, but in behavior we can see that sometimes God becomes the servant of the servant
- It is said that all the living entities who died on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra attained their original constitutional position (svarupa) because they had the chance to see Krsna face to face riding in the chariot of Arjuna
- It was by His (Krsna's) mercy only that my enemies neglected to kill me (Arjuna) when I descended from my chariot to get water for my thirsty horses
- It was due to Lord Krsna's grace that Arjuna alone, sitting on the chariot, could manage to vanquish them one after another without difficulty
K
- Krsna immediately executed this order (of Arjuna to place his chariot between the two armies of soldiers (BG 1.21)), and therefore one may argue that Krsna also is not independent. But this is one's ajnana, ignorance
- Krsna once had to carry out an order of Yudhisthira’s by carrying a letter Yudhisthira had written to Duryodhana regarding peace negotiations. Similarly, He also became the chariot driver of Arjuna
M
- Maharaja Pariksit is distinguished from his grandfather Arjuna, for black horses pulled his chariot instead of white horses. He marked his flag with the mark of a lion, and his grandfather marked his with the mark of Hanumanji
- Marshal Arjuna pretended to display philosophical ignorance and weakness, like an ordinary man, when with his chariot between the two opposing armies on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, he refused to fight
O
- On the other side, both Lord Krsna and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses, sounded their transcendental conchshells. BG 1.14 - 1972
- One day, while Krsna was staying with the Pandavas, He and Arjuna prepared themselves to go to the forest to hunt. Both of them sat down on Arjuna's chariot, which flew a flag with a picture of Hanuman
S
- Sanjaya said: Arjuna, having thus spoken on the battlefield, cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief. BG 1.46 - 1972
- Sanjaya said: O descendant of Bharata, being thus addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krsna drew up the fine chariot in the midst of the armies of both parties. BG 1.24 - 1972
- Sitting on his chariot, Arjuna could see all these universes. But no one could understand what was going on between Arjuna and Krsna. BG 1972 purports
T
- The brahmana replied, - Yes, I am crying because when I take up this book, I see a picture of Krsna driving Arjuna's chariot. Sri Krsna is so kind that He has accepted the position of a servant to His devotee. Therefore when I see this picture, I weep
- The chariot on which both the friends (Krsna and Arjuna) were seated was donated by Agni (the fire-god) to him, and this indicated that this chariot was capable of conquering all sides, wherever it was drawn over the three worlds. BG 1972 purports
- The Lord agreed to become a chariot driver of Arjuna in order to protect His friend from warfare risks, and the Lord became actually happy when He established the Pandavas to rule over the world
- The subject matter of Bhagavad-gita is talking between Krsna and Arjuna. Krsna was driver of the chariot. Both of them were in the Battlefield of Kuruksetra
- There was no possibility of Arjuna's death because the Lord Himself was on the chariot, but because Bhismadeva wanted to see Lord Krsna take up some weapon to save His friend, the Lord created this situation, making Arjuna's death imminent
- There was no swastika on Arjuna's chariot. Kapidhbaja means whose flag is marked with a picture of Hanuman. So Arjuna's chariot had the flag of Hanuman on it
- There were many changes of commanders on the other side, but on the Pandavas' side Arjuna alone on the chariot driven by Lord Krsna could manage the whole responsibility of the great war
W
- When Krsna drives the chariot, Arjuna does not forget, that "He is my chariot driver." He knows that, "Krsna is the Supreme. But He is so kind, He has accepted the post of my chariot driver." This is spiritual sense
- While observing the situation of his enemy, Arjuna stood up on the chariot, but he was so afflicted with lamentation that he sat down again, setting aside his bow and arrows. BG 1972 purports
- While seeing Lord Krsna sitting in a chariot and instructing Arjuna, I am filled with ecstatic happiness