The Mahabharata

Characters of the Mahabharata

Meet the legendary figures whose actions shaped the epic

The Pandavas

The Pandavas

Image: The Five Pandava Brothers

Yudhishthira

Yudhishthira

The eldest Pandava, known for his unwavering adherence to truth and dharma. Son of Kunti and Dharma (Yama).

Qualities: Righteousness, honesty, wisdom

Bhima

Bhima

The second Pandava, known for his immense physical strength and valor. Son of Kunti and Vayu (Wind God).

Qualities: Strength, courage, loyalty

Arjuna

Arjuna

The third Pandava, the greatest archer of his time and recipient of the Bhagavad Gita. Son of Kunti and Indra.

Qualities: Skill, focus, devotion

Nakula and Sahadeva

The twins who were the fourth and fifth Pandavas, known for their handsomeness and wisdom respectively. Sons of Madri and the Ashvin twins.

Qualities (Nakula): Beauty, equanimity, skill

Qualities (Sahadeva): Knowledge, foresight, humility

The Kauravas

Duryodhana

The eldest of the 100 Kaurava brothers and the primary antagonist. Son of King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari.

Qualities: Ambition, jealousy, courage

Dushasana

The second eldest Kaurava, notorious for attempting to disrobe Draupadi in the royal court.

Qualities: Cruelty, loyalty to Duryodhana

Shakuni

Shakuni in the dice game

Image: The dice game with Shakuni (maternal uncle of the Kauravas)

The maternal uncle of the Kauravas who masterminds the dice game. Known for his cunning and skill with dice.

Qualities: Cunning, manipulation, strategic thinking

Other Important Characters

Krishna

Lord Krishna

Image: Lord Krishna

An avatar of Lord Vishnu, cousin of the Pandavas, and Arjuna's charioteer. He delivers the Bhagavad Gita.

Qualities: Divine wisdom, strategy, compassion

Draupadi

Krishna protects Draupadi

Image: Krishna protects Draupadi during her disrobing

Wife of all five Pandavas, born from fire. Known for her courage and suffering during the game of dice.

Qualities: Courage, dignity, devotion

Bhishma

The grand patriarch of the Kuru dynasty, bound by his vow of celibacy and loyalty to the throne of Hastinapura.

Qualities: Duty, sacrifice, wisdom

Karna

Karna

Image: Karna

The son of Kunti and Surya, abandoned at birth. A great warrior who sided with the Kauravas.

Qualities: Generosity, loyalty, skill

Dronacharya

Dronacharya teaching the princes

Image: Dronacharya teaching the Kauravas and Pandavas

The royal teacher of both the Pandavas and Kauravas, master of advanced military arts.

Qualities: Knowledge, discipline, devotion