THE LIVING ARCHIVE
About Arjuna’s Inexhaustible Quivers
A quiver holds arrows; the bow launches them, while an Astra is a particular invoked weapon power. The two quivers arrive through Varuna at Agni’s request, together with equipment suited to Arjuna’s task. Their later story shows that the original description of inexhaustibility does not mean Arjuna can rely upon the same power under every changed circumstance.
More About Arjuna’s Inexhaustible Quivers
The inexhaustible quivers accompany Gandiva in the Khandava episode.
AT A GLANCE
Identity & Context
- Identity
- Artifact
- Form
- Quivers
- Tradition
- Epic / Puranic traditions
- Also Known As
- Arjuna's Inexhaustible Quivers
THE STORY
Origins & Stories
ROLE & ESSENCE
Attributes & Significance
The quivers are important both for the combat they make possible and for the end of Arjuna’s heroic role. Their story follows a complete sequence: the equipment is entrusted for a task, its former effectiveness fails under changed conditions and the warrior eventually gives it back.
Object Class
Quivers
Origin / Narrative Setting
Khandava episode
Properties & Abilities
The inexhaustible quivers accompany Gandiva in the Khandava episode.
Stories & Events
Khandava episode
Tradition Notes
Names and accounts can vary by recension, region and commentary. This entry distinguishes attested details from identifications still requiring a passage-level source.
Archive Classification Notes
Original archive annotations are retained here. The current playable classification is shown in the side panel.
- Tradition Dependence
- High — compare the identified textual or regional account.
- Previous Owners
- Not established in the passage; no additional claim is made here.
- Symbolic Significance
- Not established in the passage; no additional claim is made here.
- Traditional Location
- No verified present-day custody asserted.
- Editorial Rarity
- Sacred archive — no claim of surviving physical possession.
TRADITION & MEANING
Traditions & Interpretations
The account of exhausted arrows remains part of their history alongside the earlier description of inexhaustibility. It belongs to the period after Krishna’s departure and the passing of the former heroic conditions. The quivers are distinct from a general wish-granting container or a limitless store available to any person who happens to possess it.
Names and accounts can vary by recension, region and commentary. This entry distinguishes attested details from identifications still requiring a passage-level source.
From the Sacred Texts
Explore the sacred texts behind these stories in the Suvarnaveda library.
FOLLOW THE THREADS
Connected Cards
4 connected profiles. Every path leads to an original record.
Characters & Cosmic Entities3
The paired quivers are entrusted to Arjuna and later relinquished by him.
Their supply and final return are associated with Varuna.
Agni arranges the initial gift and calls for its return.
Weapons1
The two inexhaustible quivers accompany the bow, but are not the bow itself.