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Bhagwat Gita which is a dialogue between Bhagwan Krishn and Arjun, Krishn called/mention Arjun by 15+ different names.The most used Arjun’s name (38 times) in Bhagwat Gita is Paartha पार्थ (Son of Prithaa पृथा)and second most name used is Bharata भारत (Son of Bharat) Total 31 times.

Other frequently used names are Arjun 24 times and Kounteya कान्तेय (Son of Kunti कुन्ती) 22 times.

Arjun is called 60 times by names associatedto  his mother Kunti (Kounteya (Son of Kunti) and Paartha (Son of Prithaa) compared to only 8 times called Pandav पाण्डव (Son of Pandu पाण्डु ). This shows the importance of mother Kunti in the life of Arjun.

Arjun is called Bharata (Son of Bharat) Total 31 times compared to only 5 times Kuru Nandan कुरु नन्दन /Kuru Sutam. This shows Bhagwan Krishn recognized Arjun more with King Bharat than with King Kuru. Sons of Dhritrastra धृतराष्ट्र were associated with King Kuru and called Kaurav कोरव 

Bhagwan Krishn called Arjun Mahaabaaho महाबाहु (Mighty armed) 11 times and Parantapa परंतप (Scorcher of Enemy) 8 times, reminding him of his strength.

So why so many names used for Arjun?

1.      Gita is a Geet गीत or Song so different names are used to make reading/singing melodious.

2.      Each Sloka has to be formed by set rules. See https://hindumediawiki.com/story.php?id=414

3.      To break the monotonous nature of dialogue between two persons. Bhagwan Krishan is also called by many different names in Bhagwat Gita (Will be explained in next post)

4.      It is very common that Gods/devats/famous characters in our scriptures have many names.

5.      Different name is used as per topic of conversation also e.g. when Bhagwan Krishn telling Arjun Gyan Yog, HE uses softer name like Paarth but when Bhagwan Krishn want to remind Arjun of his might HE uses the names like Mahaabaaho or Parantapa

Names and  Sholka

Arjuna  Total 24 Times (BG 1.4, 1.47, 2.45,3.7, 4.5,4.9,4.37,6.16,6.32,6.46,7.16,7.26,8.16,8.27,9.19, 10.32, 10.39, 10.42, 11.50, 11.54, 18.9, 18.34, 18.61, 18.76)

Bharata (Son of Bharat) Total 31times (BG 1.24, 2.10, 2.14, 2.18, 2.28, 2.30, 3.25, 3.41, 4.7, 4.42, 7.11,7.16, 7.27, 8.23, 11.6, 13.2, 13.26, 13.33, 14.3, 14.8, 14.9, 14.10, 14.12,15.19, 15.20, 16.3, 17.3, 17.12, 18.4, 18.36, 18.62)

Dhananjaya धनंजय  (Conqueror of wealth) Total11 Times (BG 1.15, 2.48, 2.49, 4.41, 7.7, 9.9, 10.37, 11.4, 12.9, 18.29, 18.72,

Gudakesha गुडाकेश (Conqueror of Sleep) Total4 Times (BG1.24, 2.9, 10.20, 11.7)

Kapi Dhavajah Once  (BG1.20)

Kounteya (Son of Kunti), Total 22Times  BG 1.27, 2.37, 2.60, 3.9, 3.39, 6.35,7.8, 8.6, 9.7, 9.10, 9.23, 9.27, 9.31, 13.1, 13.31, 14.4, 14.7, 16.20, 16.22, 18.48,18.50, 18.60,

Kurunandan (Descendent of Kuru) (BG2.41, 6.43, 14.13)

Kurusatam (Best of Kuru) (BG 4.3,10.19)

Mahaabaaho (Mighty armed) Total 11times (BG2.26, 2.68, 3.28,3.43, 5.3,5.6,6.35,7.5, 10.1, 14.5, 18.13)

Nispap (Sinless) 2 Times (BG14.6,15.20)

Paandav (Son of Pandu)  Total 8 times  (BG1.14, 1.20,4.35,6.2, 11.13, 11.55, 14.22,16.5)

Paartha (Son of Prithaa),  Total 38 Times (BG1.25,1.26, 2.3,2.21, 2.32,2.39, 2.42, 2.55, 2.72, 3.16, 3.22, 3.23, 4.1, 4.33, 6.40, 7.1, 7.10, 8.8,8.14, 8.19, 8.22, 8.27, 9.13, 9.32, 10.24, 11.5, 11.9, 12.7, 16.4, 16.6, 17.26,17.28, 18.6, 18.30, 18.31, 18.32, 18.33, 18.34)

Parantapa (Scorcher of Enemy) Total 8times (BG2.3, 4.2, 4.33, 7.27, 9.3, 10.40, 11.54, and 18.41)

Purusharshabha (Best among men) once (BG2.15,8.4)

Savya Saachin (Ambidextrous Archer or Left handed  Archer) One BG11.33