Arjuna and Yudhiṣṭhira - The Devotion of Royal Brothers
The history of the Mahābhārata is centered around the glorious Pāṇḍava family, whose lives were perfectly dedicated to the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Among the five brothers, the relationship between the eldest, Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, and the supreme archer, Arjuna, is particularly profound. Śrīla Prabhupāda's commentaries reveal how their combined dedication to dharma created a perfect global monarchy, and how their shared love for the Supreme Lord ultimately led them to complete renunciation.
The Synergy of Righteousness and Power
Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira was celebrated throughout the universe as Dharmarāja, the personification of religion. However, his peaceful rule was constantly challenged by envious demons. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Yudhiṣṭhira's ultimate victory and sovereign power were guaranteed solely because he was protected by the unmatched martial prowess of Arjuna and the supreme will of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
- Arjuna and his brother. His brother . . . eldest brother Maharaja Yudhisthira, he was very moralist, Dharmaraja. His name was "The king of religious principles," Dharmaraja.
- Arjuna was fighting on behalf of his elder brother, Yudhisthira. Because Krsna and Arjuna were on the side of Yudhisthira, Yudhisthira's victory was certain.
- Formerly Duryodhana was burning with envy because Yudhisthira was being protected by the arms of Krsna and Arjuna as if they were his own arms.
- The name and fame of Yudhisthira reached the higher planets because of his good administration, worldly possessions, glorious wife Draupadi, the strength of his brothers Bhima and Arjuna, and his solid sovereign power over the world, known as Jambudvipa.
The Ominous Delay
After the Kurukṣetra war, Yudhiṣṭhira sent Arjuna to Dvārakā to gather news about Lord Kṛṣṇa and the Yadu dynasty. When Arjuna failed to return after many months, a deep sense of dread settled over the kingdom. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how Yudhiṣṭhira began to observe terrifying natural and social omens, realizing that the dark age of Kali had arrived and fearing the worst regarding his beloved Lord Kṛṣṇa.
- Maharaja Yudhisthira said to his younger brother Bhimasena, I sent Arjuna to Dvaraka to meet his friends and to learn from the Personality of Godhead Krsna of His program of work.
- Since he (Arjuna) departed, seven months have passed, yet he has not returned. I (Yudhisthira) do not know factually how things are going there.
- A few months passed, and Arjuna did not return. Maharaja Yudhisthira then began to observe some inauspicious omens, which were fearful in themselves.
- Maharaja Yudhisthira observed some discrepancies in his kingdom, and therefore he became very anxious about Arjuna, who was long absent, and there was also no news about Dvaraka's well-being.
The Devastating Return
When Arjuna finally returned to Hastināpura, his appearance confirmed the King's darkest fears. He was completely stripped of his usual heroic luster and was weeping uncontrollably. Śrīla Prabhupāda vividly captures this heart-wrenching moment. Seeing his brother in such an unprecedented state of dejection, Yudhiṣṭhira immediately launched into a series of anxious, speculative inquiries to uncover the truth.
- When he (Arjuna) bowed at his feet, the King (Yudhisthira) saw that his dejection was unprecedented. His head was down, and tears glided from his lotus eyes.
- Seeing Arjuna pale due to heartfelt anxieties, the King (Yudhisthira), remembering the indications of the sage Narada, questioned him in the midst of friends.
- Maharaja Yudhisthira said: Is it that you are feeling empty for all time because you might have lost your most intimate friend, Lord Krsna? O my brother Arjuna, I can think of no other reason for your becoming so dejected.
- Suta Gosvami said: Arjuna, the celebrated friend of Lord Krsna, was grief-stricken because of his strong feeling of separation from Krsna, over and above all Maharaja Yudhisthira's speculative inquiries.
The Final Renunciation
The confirmation of Lord Kṛṣṇa's disappearance shattered the brothers' remaining attachment to the material world. Arjuna clearly stated that all his power and influence were derived solely from the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that upon hearing this intolerable news, both Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and Arjuna immediately renounced their vast empire, discarded their weapons, and embarked on their final spiritual journey back to Godhead.
- O King (Yudhisthira), descendant of Ajamidha, at the present moment I (Arjuna) am bereft of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, by whose influence I was so powerful.
- In the First Canto we have already discussed the lamentation of Arjuna and Yudhisthira, to whom the disappearance of Lord Krsna was almost intolerable up to the end of their lives.
- Maharaja Yudhisthira, like his brother Arjuna, began to concentrate and gradually became freed from all material bondage.
- Advised by Vyasadeva, all the brothers (the five Pandavas) began their maha-prasthana. On the way, at the request of his brother (Yudhisthira), he (Arjuna) gave up all important weapons as useless, and he dropped them all in the water.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the partnership between Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and Arjuna demonstrates the perfect application of royal power in the service of dharma. Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully explains that their administration was not based on mundane strength, but on their complete dependence on Lord Kṛṣṇa. Arjuna’s role as the martial protector of Yudhiṣṭhira’s religious principles created a global peace that extended even to the higher planets. However, the most profound lesson from their lives occurs during their final moments. When the Lord disappeared from the earthly plane, both brothers realized that their empire, their weapons, and their very life-force were meaningless without His personal presence. By abandoning their sovereign power and casting their legendary weapons into the sea, they proved that for a true devotee, the only real home is in the spiritual sky. Ultimately, the story of Yudhiṣṭhira and Arjuna teaches us that while one may achieve the highest pinnacle of worldly success and righteousness, the ultimate goal of life is to attain that platform of complete renunciation and absorption that leads back to the eternal association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Arjuna and Yudhisthira. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.