Image: Arjuna

Arjuna's Penance

circa 1840
(Wikimedia: Sotheby's)

From the image source:

"The episode possibly belongs to the Adi Parva of the Mahabharata where Arjuna embraces asceticism for a year to atone for erroneously entering the private chambers of Draupadi, the common wife of the five Pandava brothers, while she was with his eldest brother Yudhisthir. The illustration employs a continuous narrative scheme and depicts Arjuna paying obeisance to his elder brother Yudhisthir seated on a horse on the left, followed by the next scene in the sequence on the right, where Arjuna is shown seated with an ascetic who has just helped him discard his armor."

Image: Krishna rescues Arjuna

Krishna, Pradyumna, and Arjuna
battle the demon Nikumbha
circa 1820
(Wikimedia: Sotheby's)

You can read more about the demon Nikumbha at Wikipedia.

From the Sotheby's site: "In this climactic battle scene Krishna beheads Nikumbha with his discus, the Sudarshana Chakra, and rescues Arjuna from the demon's clutches. The painting is remarkable for its virtuoso treatment of the narrative, depicting the demon's severed head and torso hurtling through the skies while Arjuna plummets gracefully into Pradyumna's waiting arms below.:

Details:

Image: Hiding in Virata's Court

Draupadi and the Pandavas in disguise

in King Virata's court.

(illustrated Mahabharata)

For more about the year of disguise in Virata's court, see Wikipedia. There is an entire article about Arjuna's disguise as Brihannala at Wikipedia. Yudhishthira disguised himself as Kanka, an expert at dice; Bhima as Ballabha, a cook; Nakula as Granthika, an expert in horses, and Sahadeva as Tantipala, an expert in cows. Draupadi posed as Sairandhri, a hairdresser.

Yudhishthira

Bhima:

Arjuna:

Nakula:

Sahadeva:

Draupadi:

Image: Arjuna and Shiva

Shiva gives the Pashupata weapon to Arjuna.

(illustrated Mahabharata)

For more about the encounter of Arjuna and Shiva in the Kirat-Arjuna, see Wikipedia.

Image: Arjuna and Karna

Arjuna faces Karna,

with Krishna driving Arjuna's chariot

painting c. 1820

(Philadelphia Museum)

Details:

Image: Krishna and Arjuna

Krishna Instructing Arjuna

(by Surendra Nath Kar,

from Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists, 1914)

See Wikipedia for more about Krishna and Arjuna.

Image: Arjuna and Karna

Arjuna and Karna

(R. Wilson, Indian Story Book,

illustrated by Frank Pape, 1914)

You can read more about at Arjuna and Karna Wikipedia.

Image: Bhishma will not fight Shikhandin

Bhishma will not fight Shikhandin

(illustrated Mahabharata)

For more about Bhishma and Shikhandin, see Wikipedia.

Image: Arjuna disturbs Yudhishthira and Draupadi

Arjuna disturbs Yudhishthira and Draupadi

(illustrated Mahabharata)

For more about Draupadi and her marriage to all five Pandavas, see Wikipedia.

Image: Arjuna and Duryodhana seeking Krishna's support

Arjuna and Duryodhana seeking Krishna's support

(illustrated Mahabharata)

You can read about Krishna's role in the war at Wikipedia: "Once Kurukshetra war seemed inevitable, Krishna offered both sides the opportunity to choose between having either his army called Narayani Sena or himself alone, but on the condition that he personally would not raise any weapon. Arjuna, on behalf of the Pandavas, chose to have Krishna on their side, and Duryodhana, Kaurava prince, chose Krishna's army. At the time of the great battle, Krishna acted as Arjuna's charioteer, since this position did not require the wielding of weapons."

Image: Arjuna slays Bhagadatta

Arjuna slays Bhagadatta

(illustrated Mahabharata)

For more about Bhagadatta, see Wikipedia.

Image: Arjuna saves Bhishma from Krishna

Arjuna saves Bhishma from Krishna

(illustrated Mahabharata)

You can read more about Bhishma at Wikipedia: "there was an intense battle between Bhishma and Arjuna. Although Arjuna was very powerful, he was no match for Bhishma. Bhishma soon shot arrows which cut Arjuna's armour and then also his Gandiva bow's string. Arjuna was helpless before the wrath of his grand-uncle. As Bhishma was about to kill Arjuna with his arrows, Sri Krishna who took vow of not raising a weapon in the war, lifted a chariot wheel and threatened Bhishma. Arjuna stopped Lord Krishna. Arjuna convinced Krishna to return to the chariot and put down the wheel, promising to redouble his determination in the fight. Thus Bhishma fulfilled his vow."

Detail:

Image: Arjuna and Kirata (Shiva)

Arjuna and Shiva, disguised as a Kirata

(illustrated Mahabharata)

You can read about the Kirata at Wikipedia, and also about an epic poem dedicated this episode: Kiratarjuniya.

Image: Karna and Arjuna

Battle between Arjuna and Karna 

Halebidu temple: photo by Ankur P at Flickr; it is part of a large photo album devoted to Halebidu. 

You can find out more about Halebidu Temple in Karnataka, India at Wikipedia.

Details:

Image: Krishna, Arjuna and Pradyumna Fight Nikumbha

Krishna, Arjuna and Pradyumna 

fight the Demon Nikumbha 

(circa 1820, shown in Sotheby catalog; check out all these great Pradyumna images in Sotheby catalogs!)

More about Krishna, Arjuna, Pradyumna
and Nikumbha  at Wikipedia.

Details:

Image: Krishna and Arjuna with Mayasura

Krishna and Arjuna with Mayasura

(illustrated Mahabharata)

Mayasura (Maya Asura), the divine architect, is one of the survivors of the burning of the Khandava forest, and in gratitude, Mayasura promises Arjuna that he will build a palace for the Pandavas. You can read more at Wikipedia: Mayasura: Mahabharata.

Image: Arjuna and Krishna

Image: Arjuna and Krishna

(decoration in Bishnupur, West Bengal, India)

Image: Arjuna and Karna

Image: Arjuna and Karna

(circa 1920)

Image: Arjuna and Babhruvahana

Image: Arjuna and Babhruvahana

(illustrated Mahabharata)

Image: Arjuna battles Chitrasena

Image: Arjuna battles Chitrasena

(illustrated Mahabharata)