DIVINE STATUS OF ARJUNA IN MAHABHARATA

Well, I am not agreeing that whether Arjuna is a god or not but I am just unfolding the divinity of Arjuna mentioned and explained in Mahabharata because layman must know the difference between the status of divine main character Arjuna of Mahabharata and the status of ordinary supporting characters of Mahabharata. I am agreeing on the part that Arjuna was a mortal but his treatment as a divine person in Mahabharata should be brought in front of people

Now let's see some references from the next slide which proves the status of Arjuna in Mahabharata to be that of a very divine person 

1)  Arjuna was born in his human form because of his own wish as per the narrative

Udhyoga Parva, Chapter No. 66, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

‘Sanjaya said, “Arjuna and Vasudeva are supremely honoured archers. They have everything in them and have been born in this way because of their own wishes

2) Arjuna was in the form of a human thats the reason he didn't use his divine mind to destroy his enemies as per the narrative

Drona Parva, Chapter No. 10, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

Earlier, those great-souled ones were

the gods Nara and Narayana. They were a single soul and are seen by men on earth as divided into two. They are famous and invincible. If they wish, they can destroy the army with their minds. But because they are humans, they do not wish that.

3) Agneya asta (A higher version of Agneyastra), an irresistible weapon was released by Ashvatthama but this weapon failed to give a single scratch to the two Krishnas and it was completely a mysterious and unnatural event because a mortal couldn't survive it by any means but Arjuna easily survived. Now it itself proves that how divine was Arjuna 

Drona Parva, Chapter No. 172, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

He honoured him and spoke these words. ‘O honoured one! Is this maya? Is this a wish? I do not know what has happened. Why have my weapons become

fruitless? What have I contravened? This is completely unnatural and is like a defeat of the worlds by the two Krishnas, who remain alive. It is impossible to cross destiny. This weapon that has been used by me cannot be countered by asuras, gandharvas, pishachas, rakshasas,

serpents, yakshas, birds and men. But having killed only one akshouhini, this flaming weapon used by me has been calmed. Keshava and Arjuna are mortal. Why have they not been killed

by it? O illustrious one! I am asking you. Give me the complete answer.’

4) Narayana Astra used to become more effective when someone raise weapons against it but when Arjuna used Varuna weapon against Narayana astra to save Bhima, surprisingly Narayana astra didn't give a single scratch to him. Moreover here it is written that Arjuna and Shri Krishna had resorted their maya (their divinity) while trying to save Bhima.

 Drona Parva, Chapter No. 171, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

‘“On seeing all this, the brave and immensely radiant Arjuna and Vasudeva quickly descended from their chariot and dashed towards Bhima. There was an energy created from the strength of the weapon of Drona’s son. Those two immensely strong ones resorted to their

power of maya and immersed themselves in it. Because they had cast aside their weapons, because of the use of the varuna weapon and because of their own energy, those two Krishnas were not burnt by the fire of that weapon

5) Mahadeva Shiva and Shri Brahma vividly described the divinity of Arjuna in Karna parva. They even said that Arjuna is the creator of universe along with Shri Krishna and controls everything. Must read the beautiful narrative mentioned below. 

Karna Parva, Chapter No. 63, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

He is spirited, powerful and brave. He is skilled in the use of weapons

and is rich in austerities. Great energy is manifested in him, especially in dhanurveda. Through his greatness, he is capable of overcoming destiny. He is capable of controlling and overcoming the

worlds. When the two Krishnas are angered, no one is capable of standing before them. Those two bulls among men are truly the creators of the universe. They are the ancient and supreme rishis Nara

and Narayana. Those two scorchers of enemies control everything and cannot be controlled by

anyone.

6) Here Shri Vyasa called Arjuna an everlasting god

 Vana Parva, Chapter No. 37, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

Because of his austerities and valour, he has the power to see the gods. He is an immensely energetic rishi. He is the ancient, eternal and everlasting god who is Narayana’s companion and a part of Vishnu.

7) Here Mahadeva Shiva said in Vana Parva that there is supreme energy which exists in Arjuna, like that in Shri Vishnu. And the universe is held up through the energy of two Krishnas.

Vana Parva, Chapter No. 41, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

 ‘The illustrious god said, “You were Nara in an earlier body, the companion of Narayana. You spent many ayuta years in fearful austerities in Badari. There is supreme energy in you, like that in Vishnu, supreme among men. The universe is held up through the energy of the two of you, foremost among men. 

8) Here it is written that Arjuna could raise the Earth on his arms

 Udhyoga Parva, Chapter No. 58, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

He can raise the earth with his arms. He can angrily burn down these beings. He can dislodge the thirty gods from heaven. Who can defeat Arjuna in battle?

Among the gods, asuras, men, yakshas, gandharvas and serpents, I do not see anyone who is capable of withstanding the Pandava in battle.

9). Here the great ancestors of Shri Parshurama not only called Arjuna an ancient and eternal god but also referred him as Prajapati

Udhyoga Parva, Chapter No. 186, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation

Arjuna is foremost among the Pandavas. He is Purandara’s powerful son. He is the brave Nara Prajapati, the ancient and

eternal god. He is famous in the three worlds as the valiant Savyasachi. 

10). Arjuna deserved the worship of all the gods, humans and demons as per the akashvaani

Adi Parva, Chapter No. 219, Mahabharata CE by BORI, Dr. Bibek Debroy translation 

They are the gods Nara and Narayana, famous in heaven. You yourself know their bravery and their valour. These two supreme and ancient sages are invincible in battle and cannot be conquered in any of the worlds. They deserve the worship of all the gods, asuras, yakshas, rakshas, gandharvas, humans, kinnaras50 and serpents.

Now you can understand easily that why there are so many fictional stories are created on some overrated characters to glorify them by some frustrated jerks because whenever they read Mahabharata they fails to digest Arjuna's divine status in epic. And now after reading all the references we can safely conclude that it's a big insult to the Sanskrit Poetry Mahabharata to treat Arjuna's status equal or interior to those characters whose relatives names  are not even mentioned in the epic

-Avenger