Arjun, the Karmayogi: Sri Aurobindo’s “heroic man” and his role in nation building

The Gita is a central philosophical text of the Indian subcontinent. It contains various strains of Hindu philosophy and schools of thought. This paper will focus on the figure of Arjun in the Gita and his evolution from a warrior on the cusp of war wavering in his belief in the justification of his cause to one who unflinchingly performs his duty. Through the figure of Arjun as a karmayogi the paper will focus on the role he played in resolving the conflict in the Mahabharat and by extension the role envisaged by Aurobindo and other freedom fighters for the citizens of India, in making a strong resilient nation.