Kartavirya Arjuna was the incarnation of Sudarshana Chakra of Lord Vishnu.
Kunti Putra Arjuna was the incarnation of Nara, born of the divine energy released by Lord Vishnu and blessed by Lord Shiva.
Sage Apava (Vasistha) was angered when Kartavirya Arjuna aided the Sun-god in burning forests and destroying hermitages. The sage cursed him, foretelling that another warrior named Arjuna, the son of Kunti, would surpass him in reputation.
In the Haihaya dynasty, founded by Haihaya, the great-grandson of Yadu, produced some of the most formidable rulers of ancient times. Among them, Kartavirya Arjuna, also known as Sahasrarjuna, was the most powerful. The Bhagavata Purana states that no other ruler could match him in sacrifices, charity, asceticism, yogic powers, knowledge, and victories.
Kartavirya Arjuna performed great penance to please Sage Dattatreya, who granted him four boons: immense strength, the ability to rule righteously, invincibility in many battles, and long life. With these divine gifts, he ruled over the seven continents and reigned for 85,000 years, ensuring prosperity and stability in his kingdom.
Despite his greatness, his fate was sealed by a curse. Sage Apava (Vasistha), angered by Kartavirya Arjuna’s actions, prophesied that another warrior named Arjuna, the son of Kunti, would surpass him in reputation. He also foretold that Parashurama, the mighty warrior-sage, would be his downfall. As destiny unfolded, Parashurama, an incarnation of Vishnu, cut off Kartavirya Arjuna’s thousand arms and ended his reign, fulfilling the prophecy.
Centuries later, another Arjuna was born—the son of Kunti and Indra, the king of gods. His birth was a divine blessing, granted through the boon given to Kunti by Sage Durvasa. Kunti invoked Indra using Durvasa’s mantra, and soon after, she gave birth to Arjuna. At his birth, a divine voice proclaimed that he would be equal to Kartavirya Arjuna in energy, Shiva in prowess, and Indra in invincibility. The celestial beings—Gandharvas, Apsaras, and gods—celebrated, showering blessings upon the newborn prince.
Arjuna grew into the greatest warrior of his time, excelling in archery under the guidance of Guru Dronacharya. His prowess was such that even divine beings acknowledged his greatness. He played a pivotal role in the Mahabharata, where his destiny was deeply intertwined with Lord Krishna, who guided him as his charioteer and friend. On the battlefield of Kurukshetra, Krishna revealed to him the sacred Bhagavad Gita, making him immortal in history.
Though both Kartavirya Arjuna and Kunti Putra Arjuna were Chandravanshis, their purposes and fates were vastly different. Kartavirya Arjuna was blessed with immense physical power and ruled for thousands of years, but his destiny was overshadowed by a curse. He met his end at the hands of Parashurama, who was destined to restore dharma by eliminating Kshatriyas who had misused their power. Kunti Putra Arjuna, on the other hand, was destined to fight the greatest war of his era and uphold righteousness. Unlike Kartavirya Arjuna, who relied on brute strength, Pandava Arjuna was a master strategist and divine warrior, whose skills in archery and devotion to Krishna made him immortal and a great warrior.
