Explanation of Pronoun “Parth” and it’s Meaning

Another pronoun by which Arjuna (अर्जुन) has been referred to is “Parth” (पार्थ) in Bhagwat Geeta, Adhyah 1, Shloka 25 and at many other places.

The formation of the word “Parth” (पार्थ) is पृथा + अण् (Pritha + Ana).

Pritha (पृथा) is name of “Kunti” (The second wife of Pandava) who is mother of Yudhisthir (युधिष्ठिर), Bhima (भीम) and Arjuna (अर्जुन).

Further, with the Noun Pritha (पृथा) Ana (Ana) is added to arrive at the word Parth. Here, “Ana” (used in Hindi and Sanskrit Grammar) is Pratyay (प्रत्यय, तद्धित). This addition gives us the Pronoun Parth which means “Son of Pritha”.

Thus, the three Pandavas were also called as “Parth” but later on this became popular Pronoun for Arjuna among three brothers or among three Sons of Pritha (Kunti). 

Shloka 25

भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्

उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान् समवेतान् कुरुनिति ll (श्लोक २५)

Bhismdronapramukhatah sarveshaam cha mahikshitam

Uwach parth pashyaitaan samvetaan kuruniti ll

Morphophonology (संधि - विच्छेद)

Bhism dron parmukhtah sarveshaam cha mahi kshitam

Uwach parth pashya itaan sam vetaan kuri niti ll (Shloka 25)

Commentary

In front of Bhisma, Drona and all other Kings (rulers) he (Krishna; Hrishikesh) said: Parh (Arjuna, Parth is another name of Arjuna) look at these assembled (massed) Kauravas here.