Arjuna in Heaven Short Story In English For Kids

Arjuna in Heaven story will captivate children as it belongs to one of the great Indian epics Mahabaratha, which is full of stories that can be read again and again by children. It is about Arjuna, a Pandava son, taking his own journey to the Himalayas - during their exile - in order to get stronger, wiser and more skilled, wanting to train himself to face the upcoming war against his rivals, the Kauravas.

This story revolves around Arjuna gaining many celestial weapons from different gods, and this article tries to display the adventures and events in this story in a manner that can be effortlessly understood by children.

Arjuna in Heaven Summary in English in Brief

The story begins with the Pandavas being in exile for the second time; after both times Yudhisthira had gambled with his brothers and wife’s name against his enemies and had failed both times miserably. During the exile, they came across many wise sages and saints, and Arjuna is told that if he journeys to the Himalayas, to heaven, he will be granted many celestial weapons which will help him in winning his future war against the Kauravas.

Intrigued by this, Arjuna sets off to Mount Himalaya and is very satisfied and feels peaceful by the entire aura and location. It is filled with snow, crystals and ice, emitting a bluish-white glow throughout. He decided that this was the perfect place to perform rituals and rites to summon and please Lord Shiva, and so he began. After years of sacrifice, Lord Shiva turned up disguised as a hunter and challenged Arjuna to a duel.

When he was impressed with Arjuna’s skills, he revealed his true self and told Arjuna that he could ask for a wish from lord Shiva to which Arjuna wished for his most sacred and powerful weapon, the Pasupata Astra. Lord Shiva knew that he was worthy enough to yield such a powerful weapon and offered it to him. He then advised Arjuna to travel to the Heavens to acquire more celestial weapons.

When he reached heaven, he was greeted by Varuna, the god of wind; Kuvera, the giant of heavenly treasures, Yamaraja, the god of death and justice; and Indra, the god of the skies. They each offered him their celestial weapons for a temporary period, training him on how to use each weapon, preparing him for a future battle that would soon take place between his brothers, the Pandavas and their rivals, the Kauravas.

Being his biological father, Lord Indra invited Arjuna to stay at his place beyond the moon, and he did so for five years, during which he spent his time training and perfecting the art of wielding all his celestial weapons. Soon, he realised that he had to return to his brothers, who were waiting for him. So, he left Lord Indra’s abode and was reunited with his brothers.

Astras of Arjuna

From each god, Arjuna received one celestial weapon from them. Lord Varuna offered him the Pashastra, a limitless, strong noose that even the strongest of monsters can not escape. From the god of death, he received the Dandastra, a flaming rod that burns everything in its path. Lord Kuvera lent him his Antardhana, a small cup that has the power to force anybody to sleep.

Last but not least, Lord Indra gave his son his favourite lighting weapon, the Vajrastra, which is a spear made out of diamonds (which signify indestructibility) and lightning (which means great power and destruction).

Who Took Arjuna to Heaven?

After receiving the celestial weapons from the lords Varuna, Kuvera and Yama, Lord Indra requested Arjuna’s presence at his home, which was inside or close to heaven. He got on Indra’s chariot, that was made out of gold and pulled by a hundred divine horses, and made his way to heaven with his father, Lord Indra, by his side throughout the journey.

Arjuna was Gifted with the Pasupata Astra after having Pleased Lord Shiva

Note To Parents

Telling this story in the form of story-telling is a good idea to introduce children to the stories and characters of Mahabaratha and to instil the values taught in this Indian epic to children. Most children can read the Arjuna in Heaven summary, which will let them know of the astras of Arjuna and other important facts in this story, like how lord Shiva challenged Arjuna, etc.