The eighteen names of Arjuna

Abhilash Purohit

12 Dec 2025

2 min read

His month of birth, his weapon of choice, his diadem, his ambidexterity, his horses... Arjuna has received some memorable monikers from all these sources. Let's explore some of these names.

In the entire Mahabharata, Arjuna is barely called Arjuna. He is called by different names by different people in various situations (though not necessarily connected to the situation itself).

Today, let's look into some of the names he's known as and what they mean:

Arjuna

This is the given name. It means one with skin that shines with a stainless brightness.

Phalguna

Because he was born when the constellation Uttara Phalguna is in the ascendant. Phalguna is the twelfth month of the Hindu lunar calendar usually corresponding to February/March.

Kiriti

One who has a diadem (crown) on his head given by his father, Lord Indra, the king of Suras. A diadem that shines with the brightness of the sun.

Bibhatsu

The one who never fights a battle by odious, terrible, deceitful or disgust-inducing means. In other words, he fights a fair battle.

Vijaya

The one who never returns from the battlefield without defeating the enemy.

Krishna

Yes! Arjuna is also called Krishna. It means one who is dark-skinned. Yes, it seems to somewhat contradict the given name.

Savyasachi

The ambidextrous because he was one of the rare archers who could wield a bow and shoot arrows from both hands.

Dhananjaya

The one who wins a lot of gold and creates riches for his king and brother Yudhishthira by conquests.

Shvetavahana

The one who was borne on white horses that he received from Varuna on the behest of Agni.

Jishnu

The one who is always victorious.

Kaunteya

Son of Kunti

Partha

Son of Pritha (which is another name for Kunti)

Pandava

Son of Pandu

Bharata

Descendent of Bharata, the king after which everyone is known as Bharata-vamshi. Specifically mentioned here because this name is used for Arjuna in the title song of BR Chopra's 80's TV series Mahabharat