Arjuna Revisted

Ramesh came back into the house. He walked over to where the children were eating and placed a metal figurine of an ancient soldier with six arms on the table. The figure stood about a foot tall, and the arms were jointed and bendable. Two of the arms were holding an elaborate bow and arrow.
“Wow!” said Zammie.
“What is that, Ramesh?” asked Zammie’s mother.
“It’s an old Arjuna doll,” answered Ramesh. “Arjuna was a great warrior, a wise student, and he had an amazing gift for concentration.”
“What’s that mean?” asked Kyla.
“It means he was good at paying attention,” said Zammie.
“That’s right,” said Ramesh. “Figures like this were thought to help the children of India with their studies or their training, but that was a long time ago. I’m not sure if anyone really believes in Arjuna anymore. But this doll also has historical importance so I thought Zammie might like it.”
Ramesh pressed all six of Arjuna’s arms down to its side then twisted the figure at its waist. When he let go, the gears began to turn causing the arms to move around like tentacles.
“Cool!” said Zammie. “You’re giving this to me?”
“Sure. It’s supposed to help children learn about history,” said Ramesh. “It helped me do well in school when I was a boy. Maybe it will help you too.”

-- Zammie receives the Arjuna 

from Time Trip #1 

 (Kindle Locations 196-209, 215-220).

The multi-armed goddess Durga

Hindu deities are often portrayed with multiple arms, especially when they are battling cosmic forces. The multiplicity of arms emphasizes the deity's immense power and ability to perform several acts at the same time. The portrayal of a deity in human form but with multiple arms is the artist's attempt to express the deity's superhuman power. Demons are frequently depicted with multiple heads to convey their superhuman power as well.
From The Asian Art Museum. 

Although the Arjuna of Hindu tradition was not worshiped as a god, in the Time Trip universe, the doll that Ramesh brings to Zammie combines several features from the legends including the bow and arrow of the warrior prince and the multiple arms of the Hindu deities. 

And somewhere, somehow, this doll was was also given the power to transport those it deemed worthy on magical adventures across time. How it can do this and for what purpose we will have to wait to find out in future volumes of the series.

Statue of Arjuna in Bali, holding the famous bow called the Gāndeeva.

The eighteenth chapter of the Mahabharata: The Bhagvad Gita or The Song of God tells the story of the God Krishna, the embodiment of divine love, as he instructs Arjuna, who represents mankind. Krishna describes skill in action, presenting it as a practical discipline, suitable for all people, a middle way that avoids the extravagances of asceticism on one hand, and sensuality on the other.

The content of the The Bhagvad Gita is the conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna which took place on the battlefield before the start of the Kurukshetra war. Responding to Arjuna's confusion and moral dilemma about fighting his own cousins, Lord Krishna explains to Arjuna his duties as a warrior and a prince. During the discourse, Lord Krishna reveals his identity as the Supreme Being Himself (Svayam Bhagavan), blessing Arjuna with an awe-inspiring vision of his divine universal form.

Krishna acts as Arjuna's charioteer as they ride into battle.

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 4

KILLING FOR COUNTRY  

Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 1

THE JOURNEY TO ANCIENT GREECE 

Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 2

A RIDE ON THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Available at Amazon.com!

TIME TRIP ADVENTURE 3

WITNESS TO THE FIRST THANKSGIVING 

Available at Amazon.com!