Did Arjuna Die at the Hands of His Son Babruvahana?
... yes it is another mystery to be unravelled....
After the great Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas undertook the Ashwamedha Yajna, a powerful ritual symbolizing sovereignty and supremacy. But in the post-war context, it had a deeper spiritual significance. It wasn’t just about political dominance—it was about establishing a kingdom rooted in spiritual ideals, where materialism was transcended, and Dharma was reestablished.
Arjuna’s Quest and the Encounter with Babruvahana
As part of the Ashwamedha ritual, the sacrificial horse roamed freely, and any king who stopped it would be challenged. When the horse entered Manipura, it was stopped by Babruvahana, the son of Arjuna and Chitrangada, princess of Manipura.
Raised by his mother and grandfather, Babruvahana was the rightful heir to Manipura. He had grown into a powerful and righteous king. Yet, when Arjuna arrived to claim tribute, Babruvahana opposed him, as duty demanded.
The Symbolism of the Conflict
Babruvahana’s name itself carries meaning:
Babru signifies tawny or brown, often representing the earthly, grounded nature.
Vahana means vehicle, symbolizing the forward-moving force.
The Ashwamedha Yajna, while spiritual, can also represent an overemphasis on transcendence, leading to detachment from worldly duties and life’s continuance. Babruvahana’s resistance symbolizes a check against excessive spiritual idealism—a reminder that material responsibility and worldly balance are as important as spiritual realization.
In their battle, Babruvahana kills Arjuna, his father—the greatest warrior of the Mahabharata.
The Deeper Meaning of Arjuna’s Death
Esoterically, this event reflects the death of rigid spiritual exclusivity. While self-realization is the highest goal, life itself cannot sustain on pure renunciation.
There must be a balance between spiritual wisdom and material responsibility—this is the true kingdom of Dharma.
Babruvahana’s slaying of Arjuna can be seen as the symbolic death of one-sided transcendence, emphasizing that spiritual enlightenment must integrate with life’s forward journey, not detach from it.
Ulupi’s Role: Restoring Life Energy
It is Ulupi, Arjuna’s Naga wife, who revives him. She uses the Nagas' amrita (nectar of vitality), symbolizing the restoration of survival instincts and life force. Even after attaining higher consciousness, one requires strength, vitality, and engagement with life to sustain the world and dharma.
Ulupi’s act signifies that primal life energy (symbolized by the Nagas) is necessary to continue earthly existence, even for the self-realized soul.
Arjuna’s Continuing Role in Dharma
After his revival, Arjuna resumes his role—not as a warrior of conquest, but as a guardian of balanced Dharma, ensuring both spiritual and material evolution in Yudhishthira’s kingdom.
Babruvahana continues as the king of Manipura, and Arjuna continues his role as Nara, the human effort that complements Narayana, the divine.
The Mystery of the Mahabharata’s Hero
Arjuna, the hero who received the Bhagavad Gita, the peerless archer, is killed by his own son. Yet, he rises again.
This mysterious event teaches that even the greatest spiritual warrior must die to one role and be reborn to a higher purpose, integrating spiritual enlightenment with worldly responsibility.
For deeper insights into the esoteric wisdom of these events, explore Krishnavatara Secrets.
The journey doesn't end with enlightenment—it continues with balance, strength, and the duty to sustain life.