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Babruvahana

2023-05-27T15:17:17Z

Gomateshwari:

{{short description|One of the four sons of Arjuna, a character of the Mahabharata}}
{{about|the Mahabharata character|the films|Babruvahana (1964 film)|and|Babruvahana (1977 film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Information
| image = File:Third son of Arjuna Babruvahana.jpg
| alt = Babruvahana
| caption = A painting of Babruvahana
| family = [[Arjuna]] (father) [[Chitrāngadā]] (mother)
| gender = Male
| home = Manipura
| color = #FFC569
| spouse = [[Kimveka (wife of Babruvahana)|Kimveka]] ([[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]] Princess), A pregnant Gandharva Kanya
| children = [[Aarusha]] (son) {{br}} Krithika (daughter)
}}

In the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', '''Babruvahana''' ({{lang-sa|बब्रुवाहन}}) was the son of [[Arjuna]], a Pandava prince, and [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]], the princess of [[Manipura (Mahabharata)|Manipur]]. Babruvahana was adopted as the heir of Manipur by his maternal grandfather and later reigned at the kingdom.

==Legend==
[[File: Arjuna is killed by his son Babhnu Vahana in battle.jpg|thumb|left|Arjuna is killed by his son Babru Vahana in battle]]
As per ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Manipura was a kingdom in India. It was ruled by a king named Chitravahana. He had a daughter named Chitrangada, whom he named after the Madhulika flower. For multiple generations, the dynasty did not have more than one heir. Since Chitrasena did not have any other heir, he trained Chitrangada in warfare and rule. Chitrangada was well-versed in warfare and acquired the skills to protect the people of her land. The account is described in [[Rabindranath Tagore]]'s play ''Chitra'',<ref>{{cite book|title=The 100 Most Influential Writers of All Time|page=242|editor1=J. E. Luebering|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc|isbn=9781615300051}}</ref> where Tagore depicts Chitrangada as a warrior dressed in male clothes.<ref>{{cite book|title=Chitra - A Play in One Act|page=1|first=Rabindranath|last= Tagore|publisher=Read Books Ltd|year=2015|isbn=9781473374263}}</ref> Arjuna fell in love with her on account of her honesty and courage. They had a son named Babruvahana, whom Chitra reared up after Arjuna left them.<ref name=B>{{cite book|title=Myths and Legends from India - Great Women|last=Bhanu|first=Sharada|publisher=Macmillan India Limited|year=1997|location=Chennai|isbn=0-333-93076-2|pages=7–10}}</ref>

Mahabharata loses mention of Chitra and her kingdom for several chapters. On the other side, the [[Pandavas]] went through various ordeals and finally winning the war against the [[Kauravas]]. [[Yudhishthira]] became the king of Hastinapura. His mind was restless since he always felt bad about killing his own kith and kin during the war. On the advice of sages, he conducted [[Ashvamedha]] yagna, where a decorated horse would be sent across the kingdom and wherever it goes unopposed, the land would be acquired by the king who sent it. Arjuna was tasked to take care of the horse. When Arjuna went to Manipura with the wandering sacrificial horse of the [[Aswamedha]], Babruvahana captured the horse, which, by tradition, meant war against the Pandavas. Arjuna tried to persuade Babruvahana to leave the horse as there was no enmity between Manipura and Hastinapura. Babruvanahana agreed with Arjuna but informed him that he wished to kill Arjuna for his Guru Dakshina.<ref name=B/>

[[File:Arjuna hugs Babruvahana.jpg|thumb|[[Arjuna]] hugs Babruvahana, Ulupi and Chitrāngadā watch them.]]
Arjuna, reluctant to fight a young boy, left and informed a small troop of his army to convince Babruvahana to give the horseback. Babruvahana defeated the army. He also defeated [[Bhima]] and killed Vrishaketu. Knowing this, Arjuna got enraged as Vrishaketu was very dear to him, more than Abhimanyu, as he was his elder brother Karnaś son and took an oath to kill Babruvahana or immolate himself if he gets defeated. [[Arjuna]] fought with Babruvahana and went on the upper hand. Babruvahana defeated Arjuna and killed him. To kill Arjuna Babruvahana used the divine weapon. This divine weapon would kill any person-even monstrous demons. Soon Arjuna got killed because of a curse given to Arjuna by Ganga- Bhishma's mother. Repenting his deed after knowing Arjuna's identity, he was determined to kill himself, but he obtained from his stepmother, the Naga princess [[Uloopi]], a gem called Nagamani which restored Arjuna to life with the help of Krishna. Arjuna, however, repented that he wouldn't be able to live with the remorse due to Vrishketuś death, as he was the one who had ordered Vrishtaketu to engage in battle. Krishna, however, promised that he would restore [[Vrishaketu]] life. After Vrishketu was revived by Krishna, Babruvahana asked Vrishtaketu to forgive him (which he did). Vrishaketu admired Babruvahana's skill in war. Then, the Pandavas, Uloopi, Chitrangada, Babruvahana, Iravan and the armies returned to [[Hastinapura]] and he married the [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]] Princess [[Draft:Kimveka (Mahabharata)|Kimveka]] whom he rescued her from [[Duryodhana]]'s traps to kidnap her. Therefore, he (Babruvahana) kidnapped his girlfriend Kimveka and married her.<ref name=B/>

==Film adaptation==
The story of Babruvahana has been made into films in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] in 1942 and 1964 and in [[Kannada]] in 1977. The 1964 Telugu film was written and directed by [[Samudrala Raghavacharya]] and starred [[N. T. Rama Rao]], [[S. Varalakshmi]] and [[Chalam (actor)|Chalam]].{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

It was made into two Hindi movies in consecutive years, Veer Babruvahan in 1951 by [[Nanabhai Bhatt]] starring [[Shashi Kapoor]], [[S. N. Tripathi]] and Veer Arjun in 1952 starring [[Mahipal]], [[Nirupa Roy]], & [[Trilok Kapoor]].

The Kannada language film, [[Babruvahana (film)|Babruvahana]] was written and directed by [[Hunsur Krishnamurthy]] and starred [[Rajkumar (actor)|Rajkumar]] as [[Arjuna]] and Babruvahana in a dual role, [[B. Saroja Devi]] as [[Chitrāngadā]], [[Kanchana (actress)|Kanchana]] as [[Uloopi]] and [[Jayamala]] as [[Subhadra]].{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

==Bibliography==

* {{cite book
|title=Who is Who in the Mahabharata
|last=Mazumdar |first=Subash |year=1988
|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
|page=32
|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=omspAAAAYAAJ}}
* Laura Gibbs, PhD. Modern Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics.
* Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.mythfolklore.net/india/encyclopedia/babhruvahana.htm Babhruvahana in ''Encyclopedia for Epics of Ancient India'']

{{Mahabharata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)

2023-05-27T14:08:11Z

Gomateshwari:

{{Infobox character|color=#FFC569|occupation=[[warrior]]|title=Maharathi|affiliation=[[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru queen]]|weapon=[[Bow and arrow]]|family=King of Dholakapura (father), Divija (sister)|spouse=[[Dushasana]]|children=Duryodhana (son), [[List of characters in the Mahabharata#Sirat|Sirat]] (daughter)|home=[[Dholakapura]] (by birth), [[Hastinapura]] (by marriage)|info-hdr=Information}}

In the [[Hindu]] epic [[Mahabharata]], '''Nirjara''' or '''Nirjaraa''', or '''Manavati''' was the fourth consort of [[Dushasana]], and a princess who killed many warriors including Satadanwa , Asoka, etc. It may also say, Nirjara (alias Manavati) was also called '''[[Dhanishtha]]''' which is a [[nakshatra]] in [[Hinduism]]. Princess Nirjara came in the [[Kurukshetra War]], but finally fought with [[Dushasana]], which has a context about her in the [[Stri Parva]]. [[Shanti Parva]] mentions her emotions like a warrior. Infact, she was a warrior, and she adopted the title "Maharathi", in which she was later known as ''Maharathi Nirjara'' (meaning warrior Nirjara). She was the princess of [[Dholakpura]], which is mentioned in the [[Mahabharata]] also. As a warrior, she pierced a arrow in Dushasana's neck but finally he marries her in the [[Hastinapura]], which has the information about [[Dushasana]]'s marriage in the [[Shanti Parva]]. Nirjara was also a short tempered woman who later resulted in the marriage of [[Kaurava]] [[Dushasana]] and later became his wife. They later have a son named Duryodhana (not to be confused with the Kaurava [[Duryodhana]]) and a daughter named Sirat.

==War==
===Story of the Shanti Parva===
Finally, Suddenly, a beautiful princess named Nirjara appears in the [[Bharatayuddha]], in which every warrior is shocked to see a woman in the war. In that war,[[Duryodhana]], Vikarna, Jalagandha and many [[Kauravas]] were present. Firstly, Nirjara challenged [[Karna]] to fight with her but [[Karna]] is shooted with Nirjara's arrows. [[Duryodhana]] and [[Ashwatthama]] were also shooted with her arrows. But, finally [[Dushasana]] comes to fight with her. Nirjara and Dushasana keep fighting and fighting. Nobody winning and nobody losing. Nirjara finally stops shooting [[Dushasana]]. Dushasana shoots her with one arrow when finally Nirjara loses the war. Later, she married him and became the daughter in law of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]].

==Nirjara's offspring==
Nirjara and [[Dushasana]] had a son named Duryodhana and a daughter named Sirat. She later married [[Laxman Kumara]].

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
{{Mahabharata}}

Template:Mahabharata

2023-05-27T13:27:25Z

Gomateshwari:

{{navbox
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|group1 = [[The 18 parvas|Books (''parva''s)]]
|list1 =
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* [[Udyoga Parva|Udyoga]]
* [[Bhishma Parva|Bhishma]]
* [[Drona Parva|Drona]]
* [[Karna Parva|Karna]]
* [[Shalya Parva|Shalya]]
* [[Sauptika Parva|Sauptika]]
* [[Stri Parva|Stri]]
* [[Shanti Parva|Shanti]]
* [[Anushasana Parva|Anushasana]]
* [[Ashvamedhika Parva|Ashvamedhika]]
* [[Ashramavasika Parva|Ashramavasika]]
* [[Mausala Parva|Mausala]]
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* [[Svargarohana Parva|Svargarohana]]
* [[Harivamsa]]

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* [[Vichitravirya]]
* [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]]
* [[Ambalika]]
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** [[Vikarna]]
** [[Yuyutsu]]
** [[Duhsala|Dushala]]
* [[Upapandavas]]
* [[Ghatotkacha]]
* [[Abhimanyu]]
* [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]
* [[Laxman Kumara]]
* [[List of characters in the Mahabharata#Lakshmanaa|Lakshmanaa]]
* [[List of characters in the Mahabharata#Jyotsyana|Jyotsyana]]
* [[List of characters in the Mahabharata#Arohi|Arohi]]
* [[Kauravas|Kauravas' wives]]
** [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]
** [[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)|Bhanumati]]
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** [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]]
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* [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]]

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* [[Drona]]
* [[Drupada]]
* [[Durvasa]]
* [[Dushyanta]]
* [[Ekalavya]]
* [[Hidimba]]
* [[Jarasandha]]
* [[Jayadratha]]
* [[Karna]]
* [[Kichaka]]
* [[Kripa]]
* [[Krishna]]
* [[Kritavarma]]
* [[Mayasura]]
* [[Markandeya]]
* [[Nahusha]]
* [[Nala]]
* [[Pururavas]]
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* [[Satyaki]]
* [[Savitri and Satyavan]]
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* [[Shakuntala]]
* [[Shalya]]
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* [[Shishupala]]
* [[Bahlika (Mahabharata)|Bahlika]]
* [[Sudeshna]]
* [[Urvashi]]
* [[Uttara_(Mahabharata)|Uttara Kumara]]
* [[Virata]]
* [[Vrishasena]]
* [[Vyasa]]
* [[Yayati]]
*''[[Characters in the Mahabharata|more]]''

|group4 = Related articles
|list4 =
* [[Avatars in the Mahabharata|Avatars]]
* [[Hastinapur]]
* [[Indraprastha]]
* [[Epic India|Kingdoms]]
* [[Kurukshetra War]]
* ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''
* [[Padmavyuha]]
* [[Vedic-Puranic chronology]]

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Shweta (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T12:34:48Z

Gomateshwari:

{{Infobox character|color=#FFC569|series=[[Mahabharata]]|based_on=[[Mahabharata]]|affiliation=[[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru queen]]|family=Vasantraja (father)|spouse=[[Dushasana]]|children=[[List of characters in the Mahabharata#Arohi|Arohi]] (daughter)|info-hdr=Information}}

'''Shweta''' was the queen and the second principal consort of [[Dushasana]] in the Hindu Epic [[Mahabharata]]. It may be said it was the choice of [[Shakuni]], who chose Princess Shweta as his nephew's wife but as she rejected, Dushasana had to kidnap her from her kingdom of Trilokapura. She was the younger sister of [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]. Dushasana's marriage could be found in the [[Shanti Parva]]. She was blessed by [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. It is described Dushasana had five principal consorts but his most beautiful consort was Chandramukhi
and he loved her immensely.

In the ''Mahabharata'', Shveta was the son of Queen [[Sudeshna]] of [[Virata Kingdom]] and Shweta was the daughter of King Vasantraja of Trilokapura {{efn|She had a daughter named Jyoti}}. In the Shanti Parva folktales, [[Dushasana]] had abducted the daughter of Vasantraja, the fairest beauty of all (Shweta). Arohi is born to Dushasana from the womb of Shweta. Shweta and the general kaurava queens are virtually described by [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]].

==Description and Sources==
Shweta was never described in the original texts of [[Mahabharata]] but her information is added in the other versions. Queen Gandhari, her mother in law describes Shweta to [[Krishna]] in a manner-

{{Blockquote|O, the second spouse of Dushasan, the lovely queen of all. O, the woman with big hips and the mother of Arohi, the queen of Hastinapura after the death of Dushasan, becoming a widow crying for her husband and the other, the dead son. O Madhava, striking her head with her hands. She fell on the breast of her spouse, the king of Hastinapura. Shweta, the virtuous queen of Dushasan, rubbing the blood of Dushasana, where he was injured. The queen never resulted towards the Pandavas|Gandhari|Translated By Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}

Gandhari continues further -

{{Blockquote|The princesses of Hastinapura, Lakshmanaa and Jyotsyana together result in the death of their father. O God, my heart sank by seeing the weeping queen Shweta on her husband Dushasan and the girl Arohi with her cousins, Jyotsyana and Lakshmanaa, my granddaughters. Her mystery is a cruel thing for the Kauravas to die.....}}

Shweta's important of Gandhari to Krishna as she wanted [[Krishna]] to know about the wives of the Kauravas, weeping and crying for their husband's. Gandhari gave a cruel curse to [[Krishna]] saying as he and the Yadavas killed the [[Kauravas]] and there wives as widows, then Lord Krishna and all the Yadava clan should die and their wives should become widow as she remembers how Bhanumati and Mayuri were feeling lonely after Duryodhana died.

==See also==
* [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]
* [[Vikarna]]

<references group ="lower alpha"/>
{{reflist}}

Dushasana

2023-05-27T11:50:58Z

Gomateshwari: /* Marriage and children */

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}
{{short description|One of the Kauravas in the epic Mahabharata}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Information
| alt = Dushasana
| image = Draupadi dragged from her chamber.jpg
| caption = Dushasana dragging Draupadi from her chamber, an early 20th illustration by [[Evelyn Paul]]
| children = [[Drumasena]] Bharat Arohi (from [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]]) (daughter)
| family = {{ubl|[[Dhritarashtra]] (father)|[[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] (mother)|[[Duryodhana]], [[Vikarna]] and 97 others brothers|[[Duhsala]] (sister)|[[Yuyutsu]] (half-brother)}}
| color = #FFC569
| spouse = *[[Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]] (chief
and senior consort)
* [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]] (Second principal wife)
* [[Lata (Mahabharata)|Lata]]
(Third principal wife)
* [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]]
(Fourth principal consort)
* Divija
(Fifth principal consort)
}}

'''Dushasana''' ({{lang-sa|दुःशासन}}, {{IAST|Duḥśāsana}}, {{lit|hard to rule}}), also spelled as '''Dussasana''' and '''Duhsasana''', is an antagonist of the [[Hindu epic]], ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was one of the [[Kaurava]] princes and the younger brother of [[Duryodhana]].

==Etymology==

The name is often derived from two elements, the Sanskrit: duh "hard" and sasana, meaning "rule". So the word ''Duhshasana'' means "Hard to rule" or "unbounded".<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=7wJBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA98&dq=drupada+sons&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj20szk3truAhVbYysKHaIJDxcQ6AEwBHoECAQQAg#v=onepage&q=drupada%20sons&f=false</ref>

==Birth and Early Life==

When Dhritarashtra's queen Gandhari's pregnancy continued for an unusually long time, she beat her womb in frustration and in envy of [[Kunti]], the queen of [[Pandu]], who had given birth to three of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. Due to her actions, a hardened mass of grey-coloured flesh emerged from her womb. Gandhari was devastated, and called upon [[Vyasa]], the great sage who had blessed her with one hundred sons, to redeem his words.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXV|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01116.htm|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

Dushasana was devoted to his older brother [[Duryodhana]]. He was also closely involved in the various schemes and plots to kill the [[Pandavas]] along with [[Duryodhana]] and [[Shakuni]].

==Marriage and children==
Dushasana's marriage is found in the various parvas. Stree Parva mentions, he abducted the daughter of Ashwinraja, [[Narada]] does not describe the princess but states she is fair and beautiful. In the later versions, she is named Chandramukhi. Drumasena was the son of Dushasana and Chandramukhi. She was the princess of [[Trigarta]].

He abducted a princess and she was his second queen, named Shweta in the regional stories. She was the princess of Trilokapura or in Tamil (திரிலோகபுரா), ''Trilokapuram''. Arohi is the daughter of Dushasana and Shweta. He also married Princess Shweta's sister, Lata. The final text of marriage of the [[Kauravas]] in the Shanti Parva, narrates the war of Dushasana and [[Nirjara]]. Nirjara was from the Dholakapura, which is also mentioned in Mahabharata as a kingdom. Duryodhana (not to be confused with [[Duryodhana]]), a son and a daughter named Sirat (or '''Sirat Kumari''') were the children of Dushasana and Nirjara. Divija, the younger sister of Nirjara was his fifth consort. Some folktales mention '''Kairat''' as the daughter of Dushasana and Queen Divija of [[Hastinapura]].

==Draupadi's humiliation==
[[File: The ordeal of Queen Draupadi.jpg|alt=|thumb|Dushasana drags Draupadi to the court]]
After [[Yudhishthira]] lost his kingdom, his brothers and his wife [[Draupadi]], in a game of dice with [[Shakuni]], Duhshasana dragged [[Draupadi]] by the hair into the assembly, at the behest of his brother [[Duryodhana]], and tried to disrobe her. Draupadi prayed to [[Krishna]] and he made her [[sari]] to be of an infinite length so that Duhshasana could not take it off. Dushasana was very exhausted and he nearly fainted. The assembled men were amazed at this miracle. They condemned Duhshasana and praised Draupadi. However, Draupadi was humiliated by being dragged into court by her hair. After this humiliation, Draupadi swore that she will not tie her hair until it is bathed with the blood of Duhshasana. [[Bhima]], who could no longer watch Draupadi's insult in silence, rose up. He vowed to tear open Dussasana's chest in battle and drink his blood. Bhima also exclaimed that if he could not fulfill his oath, then he would not meet his ancestors in heaven.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-08-02|title=The Clothes of Draupadi|url=https://devdutt.com/articles/the-clothes-of-draupadi/|access-date=2020-09-01|website=Devdutt|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File: Draupadi s presented to a pachisi game.jpg|thumb|right|Draupadi is presented to a Parcheesi game]]

==Kurukshetra war and death==
He along with Duryodhana lead one of the Akshauhanis (battle divisions) of the Kaurava army. <ref>{{cite web |author1=Aayush |title=18 Days of The Mahabharata War – Summary of the War |url=https://vedicfeed.com/18-days-of-the-mahabharata-war-summary-of-the-war/ |website=vedicfeed.com |publisher=VEDICFEED |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jha Preeti |title=जानिए महाभारत युद्ध के 18 दिनों में किस दिन क्या हुआ था |url=https://www.jagran.com/spiritual/sant-saadhak-mahabharat-yudh-ka-18-dino-ka-ghatnakram-15405663.html |website=jagran.com |publisher=jagran |access-date=8 June 2020 |language=hi}}</ref>

Dushasana was the warrior who shot the first arrow in the Mahabharata war. On the first day of the war, Dushasana had fought with Nakula. On the tenth day, Dushasana was appointed on the frontlines to defend [[Bhishma]] from the Pandava army. Dushasana exhibited his valour on that day by resisting all the Pandavas single-handedly. But later, [[Arjuna]] managed to defeat him.

On the thirteenth day, Dushasana was present in the Chakravyuha. After a fierce duel, [[Abhimanyu]] badly defeated Dushasana and his charioteer had to take him away from the battlefield. The son of Dushasana who helped his father many times in the Kurukshetra war was also present inside the Chakra Vyuh on the thirteenth day of the war. He was deprived of his chariot by Abhimanyu and saved by Aswathamma by cutting Abhimanyu's arrow in mid-air. After that, Dushasana's son killed Abhimanyu in a mace duel. On 14th day, Dushasana's son was brutally killed by Draupadi's sons, the [[Upapandavas]], in revenge for Abhimanyu. He fought [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]] who losethe war and also married her sister, Divija.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-06|title=Mythology 3 – Abhimanyu|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/littlethoughts/mythology-3-abhimanyu/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Times of India Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Death ===
[[File: Bhima drinks blood.jpg|thumb|Bhima fulfilling his promise regarding Dussasana in the Mahabharata field]]
On the seventeenth day, Dushasana encountered Bhima in a duel. First, they fought by means of archery. Both broke each other's chariots and then they engaged in a mace duel. Bhima broke Dushasana's mace and started using wrestling manoeuvres to beat up Dushasan. After beating him up badly, Bhima seized Dushasana's right arm and uprooted it from his body while roaring loudly. Then (remembering his vow taken on dice game day), Bhima tore open Dushasana's chest with his bare hands and drank his hot blood. Many soldiers who saw Bhima drinking Dushasana's blood had fallen unconscious and some soldiers said that Bhima was a monster for drinking a human's blood. After that, Bhima danced around Dushasana's corpse. Dushasana's death had greatly agitated the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana who become numb. Bhima had given Dushasana one of the most brutal deaths in Mahabharata.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

*'' Mahabharata'' (1999) by [[Krishna Dharma]]

==External links==
* {{Commonscatinline|Dushasana}}

{{Mahābhārata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category: Characters in the Mahabharata]]

List of characters in the Mahabharata

2023-05-27T11:16:30Z

Gomateshwari:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of characters in the ''Mahabharata''}}
{{short description|List of characters appearing in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2017}}
[[File:Major characters in the Mahabharata.jpg|thumb|Major characters in the ''Mahabharata''.]]

The ''[[Mahabharata]]'' is one of the two major [[Sanskrit literature|Sanskrit]] [[Indian epic poetry|epics]] of [[ancient India]]; it was composed by the sage [[Vyasa]]. The most important characters of ''[[Mahabharata]]'' can be said: [[Krishna]], [[Pandavas]] {{mdash}} [[Yudhishthira]], [[Bhima|Bheema]], [[Arjuna]], [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]], along with their wife [[Draupadi]] followed by [[Bhishma]], [[Drona]]charya, [[Karna]] and the [[Kauravas]] (who were a hundred brothers), led by the eldest brother, [[Duryodhana]]. The most important other characters include [[Dhritrashtra]], [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]], [[Kunti]] and [[Shakuni]]. Some pivotal additional characters include [[Vidura]], [[Subhadra]], [[Abhimanyu]], [[Kripacharya]], [[Pandu]], [[Ashwatthama]], [[Satyavati]], [[Balarama]] and [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]. Deities who play a significant role in the epic include [[Vishnu]], [[Brahma]], [[Shiva]], [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]], [[Indra]], [[Surya]] and [[Yamraj|Yama]].

This list mentions notable characters and may also contain characters appearing in regional stories and folklores related to ''Mahabharata''.{{refn|group=note|The list tries to mention as many characters as possible, but is not complete. It contains characters appearing in ''[[Harivamsa]]'', a book connected to ''Mahabharata''.}}

==A==

=== Abhimanyu ===
{{Main|Abhimanyu}}
Abhimanyu was the son of third Pandava prince [[Arjuna]] and Yadava princess [[Subhadra]]. He was a disciple of his maternal uncles [[Krishna]] and [[Balrama]]. He was killed unfairly on the 13th day of [[Kurukshetra War]]. In the war, Abhimanyu killed warriors including Rukmartha, Brihadbala, [[Laxman Kumara|Laksmana]] (Duryodhana's son), Dushmanara (Dushyasana's 2nd son), 7 foster brothers of Karna, sons of Shalya, etc. and defeated mighty warriors including Ashwatthama, Kripa, Shalya, Duryodhana, Dushasana, etc. in direct and joint attacks when he had a bow in his hands. However, he was attacked by Drona, Dushasana, Ashwatthama, Karna, Shakuni, Duryodhana Kripa, Kritavarma Vrishasena and Drumasena (Dushasana's son) and many other warriors along with a small contingent of the army, and was killed brutually with the act of treachery. He was the most loved son of Pandavas.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-06|title=Mythology 3 – Abhimanyu|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/littlethoughts/mythology-3-abhimanyu/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Times of India Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Adhiratha===
Adhiratha was the foster father of Karna and the charioteer of Bheeshma. He was also the leader of all Sutas and royal charioteers. His wife was Radha.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Adhiratha|url=http://en.krishnakosh.org/krishna/Adhiratha|access-date=2020-08-28|website=en.krishnakosh.org|language=en}}</ref> Shon was their biological son. As the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'', Adhiratha descended from [[Yayati]] and therefore was related to [[Krishna]]. He was also the descendant of [[Romapada]],<ref name="Sukhdev Singh Chib">{{cite book|last=Chib|first=Sukhdev Singh|title=Bihar|year=1980|page=4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V8S1AAAAIAAJ&q=Rompad,Angadesh}}</ref> the king of [[Anga]] and brother-in-law of [[Dashratha]]'s descendant Shighra, king of [[Ayodhya]].

===Arohi===
In the [[Stri Parva]] of ''[[Mahabharata]]'', '''Aarohi''', '''Arohi''' or '''Aarohi''' was the daughter of the second kaurava [[Dushasana]] and his second queen, [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]]. She was the sister of Duryodhan, Sirat, Drumasena and Bharata, sons and daughters of Dushasana.
===Adrika===
Adrika was an [[apsara]], who was cursed to become a fish and only to be liberated when she gives birth to a human. Adrika, as a fish, lived in the river [[Yamuna]]. Once she came in contact with the semen of [[Uparichara Vasu|Uparichara]] and impregnated herself. After 10 month, some [[Dashraj|fishermen]] caught her, cut open her womb and found two children {{mdash}} [[Matsyagandha]] and [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]. After the incident, Adrika was liberated from her curse and returned to heaven.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chakravarti|first=Bishnupada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivQ6CwAAQBAJ&q=Adrika&pg=PT105|title=Penguin Companion to the Mahabharata|date=2007-11-13|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-93-5214-170-8|language=en}}</ref>

===Agni===
{{main|Agni}}
Agni is the Hindu god of fire. In the Vana Parva, sage Markandeya told the story of Agni's marriage.
In the Khandava-daha Parva, Agni in disguise approaches [[Krishna]] and [[Arjuna]] seeking sufficient food for gratification of his hunger and expressed his desire to consume the forest of Khandava protected by Indra for the sake of [[Takshaka]], the chief of the [[Naga Kingdom|Nagas]]. Aided by Krishna and Arjuna, Agni consumes the [[Khandava Forest]]. Later, as a boon, Arjuna got all his weapons from Indra and also the bow, [[Gandiva]], from [[Varuna]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Mahabharata |volume=Book 1 |pages=434–447 |website=Sacred-texts.com |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01226.htm }}</ref> The epic heroine [[Draupadi]] emerged from sacrificial fire.

=== Alambusha ===
Alambusha was a [[Rakshasa]] and younger brother of [[Bakasura|Baka]] and [[Kirmira]]. In the [[Kurukshetra War]], he fought from the Kaurava side. During the war, he killed [[Iravan]], son of Pandava prince [[Arjuna]]. Later, Alambusha was killed by Bhima's son, [[Ghatotkacha]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&q=Alambusha|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2014-04-18|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-81-8475-277-9|language=en}}</ref>

=== Alayudha ===
He was a demon and friend of another demon named Alambhusha. He and Alambhusha were killed by [[Bhima]]'s demon son [[Ghatotkacha]] during Night war.

=== Amba ===
{{Main|Amba (Mahabharata)}}
'''Amba''' was the eldest daughter of Kashya, the king of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]] and the sister of Ambika and Ambalika. Amba was abducted by [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] prince [[Bheeshma|Bhishma]] and holds him responsible for her misfortune. Her sole goal in life becomes his destruction, to fulfill which she is reborn as [[Shikhandini]]/[[Shikhandi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The story of Amba {{!}} Mahabharata Stories, Summary, and Characters from Mahabharata|url=https://www.mahabharataonline.com/stories/mahabharata_character.php?id=77|access-date=2020-08-28|website=www.mahabharataonline.com}}</ref>

=== Ambalika ===
{{Main|Ambalika}}
Ambalika is the daughter of Kashya, the King of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], and wife of [[Vichitravirya]], the King of [[Hastinapur]]. She was also the mother of [[Pandu]], step mother of [[Dhritarashtra]] and grand mother of [[Pandavas]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mentor|first=Shopping|date=2017-05-10|title=Revenge of Amba, Ambika & Ambalika|url=https://indianmythologystories.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/revenge-of-amba-ambika-ambalika/|access-date=2020-08-28|website=Indian Mythology|language=en}}</ref>

===Ambika===
{{Main|Ambika (Mahabharata)}}
Ambika is the daughter of Kashya, the King of [[Varanasi|Kashi]], and wife of [[Vichitravirya]], the king of [[Hastinapura]].<ref>Law, B.C. (1973). Tribes in Ancient [[India]], Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, p.105</ref> She was also the mother of [[Dhritarashtra]] and stepmother of [[Pandu]] and grandmother to the [[Kauravas]].<ref name=B>{{cite book|title=Myths and Legends from India – Great Women|last=Bhanu|first=Sharada|publisher=Macmillan India Limited|year=1997|location=Chennai|isbn=0-333-93076-2|pages=35–6}}</ref>
===Ambika's maid===
The chief maid of Ambika—named Parishrami in later retelling—was sent by Ambika and Ambalika to Maharishi [[Vyasa]] for [[Niyoga]]. From their union, Vidura was born.

===Anjanaparvana===
He was the son of [[Ghatotkacha]] and [[Ahilawati|Mourvi]]. His grandparents were [[Bhima]] and [[Hidimbi|Hidimbā]]. He was killed by [[Ashwatthama]] in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

=== Arjuna ===
{{Main|Arjuna}}
Arjuna plays the listener's role in ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''. Arjuna was the son of [[Pandu]] and [[Kunti]] in the [[Kuru Kingdom]]. He was the spiritual son of [[Indra]]. He was the 3rd of the [[Pandava]] brothers and was married to [[Draupadi]], [[Ulupi]], [[Chitrāngadā]] and [[Subhadra]] at different times. His 4 children included [[Iravan]], [[Babruvahana]], [[Abhimanyu]] and [[Upapandavas#Srutakarma|Srutakarma]]. He was a cousin and best friend of [[Lord Krishna]].

===Aruni===
In the ''Mahabharata'', Aruni appeared in the [[Adi Parva]]. Aruni was a disciple of sage named Dhaumya. Once a flood took place in the fields of the ashram (school). A breach was formed in the embankment. Dhaumya sent Aruni to stop the water from entering the embankment. After a long time, Aruni had not returned. So, Dhaumya went out to find Aruni. The latter lying in the breach of the embankment to prevent the water from entering it. Because of his loyalty, Aruni is also known as Gurubhakta Aruni.

===Ashvins===
{{Main|Ashvins}}
The Ashvins or Ashwini is a pair of twin gods. Their father is Surya and his mother is Saranyu. They are the gods of medicine and health. In the epic, Kunti felt bad for Madri as she didn't have any children due to a curse and shared her secret mantra with her. Madri, using the mantra, called the Ashwini and had one pair of twins, [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]].<ref>Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. Volume II M-Z. Benjamin Walker. Routledge. 2019. Entry: "Pandava"</ref>

=== Ashwatthama ===
{{Main|Ashwatthama}}
Ashwatthama was the son of [[guru]] [[Drona]] and the grandson of the sage [[Bharadwaja]]. Ashwatthama possessed the celestial weapon Narayanastra (which no one possessed in the ''Mahabharat'' era). He used Narayanastra and killed 1 akshouni of the Pandava army. Ashvatthama fought on the [[Kaurava]] side against the [[Pandavas]] in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. He became a Chiranjivi (immortal) due to a curse on him by Lord Krishna after he shot the Brahmashirastra over Uttara's womb. Ashvatthama was appointed as the final [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Kauravas]] in the Kurukshetra War. Overcome with grief and rage, he slaughters most of the [[Pandava]] camp in a single [[Night combat|night offensive]].

===Astika===
{{Main|Astika (Hinduism)}}
Astika was a [[rishi]], and he was a son of [[Jaratkaru]] by the serpent goddess [[Manasa]] – a sister of the great serpent king [[Vasuki (snake)|Vasuki]]. He saved the life of a serpent [[Takshaka]], the king of snakes, when the king [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]] organized a snake sacrifice known as [[Sarpa Satra]], where he made great sacrifices of serpents, to avenge for the death of his father [[Parikshit]].

===Avantini===
She was the wife of [[Shalya]] and the mother of Madranjaya, Rukmanagada, and Rukmanaratha. She was the princess of Avanti.

===Ayushmati===
She is the wife of [[Kaurava]] Dirghabhu.

===Ayu===
Ayu or Ayus was an ancestor of Shantanu. He was a son [[Pururavas]] and his apsara wife, [[Urvashi]]. He married Prabha, an asura princess (daughter of Swarbhanu). He was succeeded by his son [[Nahusha]].{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=96}}

=== Ayodhaumya ===
Ayodhaumya/ Dhaumya was a sage of Avanti. He had three disciples namely [[Aruni]] of Panchal, [[Upamanyu]] and Veda. He even accompanied the Pandavas into the forest of Kurujangala during their exile. He sang songs of [[Sama Veda]] referring to [[Yama]].

==B==
=== Babruvahana ===
{{Main|Babruvahana}}
Babruvahana was one of the sons of [[Arjuna]], begotten through [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]], the princess of [[Manipur]]. During the [[Ashvamedha]] yagna, he killed his father Arjuna without knowing his identity. But Arjuna's other wife [[Ulupi]] brought back his life with the help of Nagamani.

===Bahlika===
{{Main|Bahlika (Mahabharata)}}
Bahlika, also spelled as Vahlika, was the king of Bahlika kingdom in the Mahabharata, the elder brother of Shantanu, who was a king of Hastinapur and the uncle of Bhishma. He was the oldest warrior to fight in the Mahabharata war. He had a son, Somadatta, and grandson, Bhurishravas, who along with him fought on the side of the Kaurava army in the Kurukshetra War. He was slain by Bhima on the 14th day of the war when it continued after sunset. According to Yudhishthira, Bahlika's only wish was that there should be peace among the Bhāratas.

=== Bakasura ===
{{Main|Bakasura}}
Bakasura was a demon who was killed by [[Bhima]] near the city of [[Ekachakra|Ekacakrā]].

=== Balarama ===
{{Main|Balarama}}
Balarama was the elder brother of [[Krishna]]. He is also known as '''Baladeva''', '''Balabhadra''', '''Haladhara''' and '''Halayudha'''. He was the son of Vasudev and Rohini. He was the incarnation of the great serpent God Seshnag. He is described as an extremely powerful warrior. He taught both Duryodhana of the Kauravas and Bhima of the Pandavas the art of fighting with a mace.

===Banasena===
He was a son of [[Karna]]. He was an excellent Mace-wielder.He killed many warriors and defeated Bhima and hitting his head very hard but then Bhima killed him after which Karna reduced Bhima's chariot and spared his life remembering the vow of Kunti.

===Bhadra and Madira===
Bhadra and Madira were two wives of [[Vasudeva]], the others being Rohini Devi and [[Devaki]]. Bhadra's children were Upanidhi, Gada, and others. Madira's children were Nanda, Upananda, Kritaka, and others. They cremated themselves with Vasudeva.

=== Bhagadatta ===
{{Main|Bhagadatta}}
'''Bhagadatta''' was the son of [[Narakasur|Naraka]], king of the [[Pragjyotisha Kingdom]] and second in a line of kings of [[Naraka dynasty]]. He was succeeded by his son [[Vajradatta]]. He sided with [[Kaurava]] in the Mahabharata war as he was an enemy of Lord Krishna. He was killed by Arjuna on the 12th day of battle. In the war, he defeated great Pandava warriors including Drishtadyumna, Drupada, Matsya king Virata, Bhima.

=== Bhandasura ===
{{Main|Bhandasura}}
He was created ashes of [[Kamadeva]] by [[Kali (demon)|Kali Purusha]]. He was killed by [[Bhairavi|Tripura Bhairavi]] in before of Mahabharata war.

=== Bhanu ===
He was the son of [[Shri Krishna]] and [[Satyabhama]]. He was the father of Bhanumati (not to be confused with Duryodhan's wife). According to the regional folklore, he married [[Kaurava]] Chitrayudha and his wife Padmanjali's daughter, Shakeela and had a son named Vajra.

===Bharadwaja===
{{Main|Bharadwaja}}
Bharadwaja was a sage with divine powers. He was one of the sons of God [[Brihaspati]]. Once he was visiting Haridwar, where he saw Ghritachi, an [[Apsara]], bathing in river. He was filled with desire and discharged his seed. It fell into a pot and [[Drona]] was born. Bharadwaja trained his son and [[Drupada]].

=== Bharata ===
{{Main|Bharata (Mahabharata)}}
Bharata is an ancestor of the [[Pandava]]s and the [[Kaurava]]s in the Sanskrit epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. Though the [[Bhāratas]] is a prominent community in the [[Rigveda]], the story of Bharata is first told in the [[Adi Parva]] of the Mahabharata, wherein he is the son of [[Dushyanta]] and [[Shakuntala]]. According to the epic, Bharata was a ''Chakravartin.''

===Bhima===
{{Main|Bhima}}
Bhima is the 2nd born of the [[Pandavas]]. He was the son of Pandu and Kunti and spiritual son of [[Vayu]]. The ''[[Mahabharata]]'' relates many events which portray the might of Bhima. Physically, Bhima was the strongest person on Earth after [Hanumana]] and [[Balarama]]. Bhima killed demons including [[Bakasura]], Hidimbasura, Kirmira, Jatasura, etc. Bhima defeated and killed fearsome warrior [[Jarasandha]]. Bhima also slew Krodhavanshas, demon Maniman, and [[Kichaka]]. In [[Kurukshetra]] war, Bhima alone killed 100 [[Kaurava]] brothers. He was considered to have the physical strength of 10,000 elephants approximately. Bheema was an invincible wrestler and invincible mace fighter.

=== Bhima of Vidarbha ===
In the Vana Parva of the epic, sage [[Markandeya]] narrated the story of [[Nala]] and [[Damayanti]]. Bhima was the king of Vidarbha and the father of [[Damayanti]].

=== Bhishma ===
{{Main|Bhishma}}
Originally named as 'Devavrata', he was the eighth son of the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] King [[Shantanu]] and the river goddess [[Ganges in Hinduism|Ganga]]. Bhishma was blessed with a boon from his father that he could choose the time of his death or he may remain immortal till he desires. He was related to both the [[Pandavas]] and the [[Kauravas]] through his half-brother, Vichitravirya (Son of Satyavati). He was one of the best archers and one of the greatest warriors of his time and he was trained by Lord [[Parashurama]]. On one of the occasions, he gave a tough fight to [[Parashurama]]- no Kshatriya achieved this feat.

=== Bhrigu ===
{{Main|Bhrigu}}
Sauti said in the [[Pauloma Parva]] that Bhrigu was the son of [[Brahma]]. He was married to Puloma, who gave birth to Chyavana. When the demon Puloma was carrying off his wife Puloma, she gave birth to his son, Chyavana, by whose brightness the demon was burnt into ashes. When Bhrigu saw his wife crying, he asked the reason. Puloma stated that Agni had said to the demon Puloma that I was the girl with whom Puloma was betrothed. In anger, Bhrigu cursed [[Agni]] to engulf everything whether pure or impure.

===Bhurishravas===
{{Main|Bhurishravas}}
Bhurishravas was the son of Somadatta and the grandson of Bahlika, hence making him the cousin of Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura. Bhurishravas had 2 brothers – Bhuri and Shala. Bhurishravas, in the [[Kurukshetra War]], is known to have a rivalry with [[Yadava]] general [[Satyaki]]. Bhurishravas is eventually killed by Satyaki in the War.

===Budha===
{{Main|Budha}}
Budha is the illegitimate son of [[Chandra]], the moon god, and [[Taraka (goddess)|Tara]], wife of Brihaspati. He met [[Ila (Hinduism)|Ilā]] and married her. From their union, a son was born, who was known as [[Pururava]]. Pururavas founded the great [[lunar dynasty]].

==C==
===Chandra===
{{Main|Chandra}}
Chandra is the moon god. He is son of [[Anusuya]] and [[Atri]]. The [[Chandravanshi]] (lunar dynasty) is named after him as he started it. Chandra had an affair with [[Taraka (goddess)|Tara]], [[Brihaspati]]'s wife. From their union, Tara became pregnant with Chandra's son, [[Budha]]. Budha's son, [[Pururavas]], was the first king of the lunar dynasty. Later, Chandra married [[Rohini (goddess)|Rohini]] and a son named [[Varchas]] was born.

===Chandravarma Kamboja===
Chandravarma Kamboja is the first [[Kambojas|Kamboja]] king mentioned by name in the ''[[Mahābhārata]]''. He was an ancestor of Duryodhana's wife Bhanumati and Mayuri.<ref>Political History of Ancient India, 1953, p 150, Hemchandra Raychaudhuri, University of Calcutta.</ref><ref>''The People and Culture of Bengal, a Study in Origins: A Study in Origins'', 2002, p 564, Annapurna Chattopadhyaya.</ref><ref>Lord Mahāvīra and his times, 1974, p 213, Kailash Chand Jain.</ref><ref>Ancient Indian History, 1988, p 149, Madhavan Arjunan Pillai.</ref> He appears to have been an ancient very powerful and renowned (''vikhyaat'') ruler of the Kambojas. He finds mention in the Adiparva section of the [[Epic poetry|epic]] ''[[Mahābhārata]]'', where he is stated to be an Asura or a [[demon]]ic ruler.<ref>Epic Mythology, 1969, p 62, Edward Washburn Hopkins.</ref><ref>See epic referential link: [http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/mb/m01/m01068.htm].</ref><ref>Cf: ''Candravarma, the King of Kambojas, was the Asura or demon Candra, son of [[Diti]]...'' (Ref: Epic Mythology, 1915, p 62, Edward Washburn Hopkins – Hindu Mythology.</ref>

===Gandharva King Chitrasena===
{{main|Ghoshayatra}}
Chitrasena appeared twice in the epic. Chitrasena was the King of the Gandharvas who prevented the Kauravas from putting up their camp near the pond where he himself had encamped.

Chitrasena was also introduced in the epic in the Vana Parva, as a teacher of music by [[Indra]]. Indra foresaw that Arjuna would have to spend one year at King [[Virata]]'s palace as a eunuch, during which time he would need the knowledge of music and dance. He wanted Arjuna to be trained by the king of the Gandharvas, Chitrasena. Chitrasena began his classes soon and the two also became good friends.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chandra Roy|first=Pratap|title=The Mahābhārata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|publisher=Forgotten Books|isbn=9781451018240|pages=98–99}}</ref> When [[Urvashi]] cursed Arjuna to remain a eunuch for life, it was Chitrasena along with Indra who mediated with her to reduce the tenure of her curse to a single year. Chitrasena was able to achieve this by narrating to her the story of the [[Pandavas]] and the bravery of Arjuna.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chandra Roy|first=Pratap|title=The Mahābhārata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|publisher=Forgotten Books|isbn=9781451018240|pages=100–102}}</ref>

===Chekitana===
Chekitana was the son of Kekaya king Dhrishtaketu and Queen Shrutakirti, a Yadava. Chekitana was described to be a valorous warrior, who fought with warriors like [[Susharma]], [[Kripacharya]] and [[Dronacharya]]. He also rescued [[Nakula]] from the clutches of [[Duryodhana]]. On the 18th day, he was killed by Duryodhana.

===Chitra and Chitrasena===
Chitra and Chitrasena were brothers and the 2 kings of the Abhisara Kingdom. Both of them sided with the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War. Chitra was killed by [[Upapandavas#Prativindhya|Prativindhya]] on the 16th day, whereas Chitrasena was killed by [[Upapandavas#Shrutakarma|Shrutakarma]] on the same day.

===Chitrāngada===
{{main|Chitrāngada}}
Chitrāngada was a king in ancient India. In the ''Mahabharata'', he is the elder son of Shantanu and Satyavati, ascending the throne of Hastinapura after his father's death. However, he is killed by a Gandharva named Chitrāngada soon after that.

===Gandharva Chitrāngada===
Chitrangada was a Gandharva, who was jealous of Shantanu's son [[Chitrāngada]], for sharing a name. One day, the Gandharva challenged the prince and killed him.

===Chitrāngada of Kalinga===
Chitrāngada was the king of the Kalinga kingdom. In the [[Shanti Parva]] of the epic, [[Narada]] narrated that Chitrangada's daughter ([[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]]) with Kaurava Duryodhana. After him, [[Srutayudha]] became the king of Kalinga as he had no son. Possibly, his wife was Chandramudra.

=== Chitrāngadā ===
{{Main|Chitrāngadā}}
Chitrāngadā was the warrior princess of [[Manipura]]. She was the only heir of king Chitravahana and one of [[Arjuna]]'s consorts. She had a son named [[Babruvahana|Babhruvahana]] with him. Later, Babhruvahana unknowingly killed his father but was revived by [[Ulupi]], Chitrāngadā's friend, and co-wife.

===Chitravahana===
He was the king of [[Manipura]] and the father of [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangadaa]]. He was also the grandfather of [[Babruvahana]]. His wife was Queen Vasundhara.

==D==
===Damayanti===
{{Main|Damayanti}}
Damayanti is a character in a love story found in the [[Vana Parva]] book of the ''Mahabharata''. She was a princess of the Vidarbha Kingdom, who married King [[Nala]] of the Nishadha Kingdom. Her story is set long before the Kurukshetra War.

===Dantavakra ===
{{main|Dantavakra}}

Dantavakra was the king of [[Karusha Kingdom|Karusha]] according to the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and the [[Puranas]].

===Dashraj===
Dashraj, also known as Nishadraj and Kevatraj, was the chief fisherman of Hastinapura and the adoptive father of [[Satyavati]]. He was the one who asked Satyavati's heir to be the ruler of Hastinapura, due to which [[Bhishma]] took a vow of celibacy and a vow not to rule Hastinapura.

=== Devaki ===
{{Main|Devaki}}
Devaki was the daughter of [[Ugrasena]], the stepsister of [[Kamsa|Kansa]], wife of [[Vasudeva Anakadundubhi]], the biological mother of Lord [[Krishna]].

===Devayani===
{{Main|Devayani}}
Devayani was the daughter of [[Shukra]], the guru of the [[Asura]]s. She was married to Yayati and gave birth to two sons — [[Yadu]] and [[Turvashas|Turvasu]], and a daughter {{mdash}}Madhavi. Before her marriage, she once fell in love with Brihaspati's son, [[Kacha (sage)|Kacha]]. However, Kacha later refused to marry her. She had a friend named [[Sharmishtha]] who was secretly in relationship with her husband Yayati.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Garg|first=Ashutosh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jgv0DwAAQBAJ&q=Sharmistha+yayati&pg=PA39|title=Indra: The Saga of Purandar|date=2020|publisher=Manjul Publishing|isbn=978-93-89647-75-4|language=en}}</ref>

===Devika===
Devika is a minor character in the ''Mahabharata''. She was the daughter of Govasena, the king of the Sivi Kingdom, and the second wife of [[Yudhishthira]] they got married in a self choice ceremony. They had a son called Yaudheya.

===Dhrishtadyumna===
{{main|Dhrishtadyumna}}
Dhrishtadyumna was the son of Drupada and the brother of Draupadi, Shikhandi, and Satyajit in the epic ''Mahabharata''. He had 4 sons – Kshatradharman, Kshatravarman, Kshatranjaya, and Dhrishtaketu. He was the commander-in-chief of the Pandava army during the entire Kurukshetra War i.e. for 18 days. Dhrishtadyumna killed Drona, the royal guru, when he was meditating which was against the rules of engagement.

=== Dhritrashtra ===
{{Main|Dhritarashtra}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Dhritarashtra is the King of [[Kuru Kingdom]] with its capital [[Hastinapur]]. He was born to [[Vichitravirya]]'s first wife [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]]. Dhritarashtra was born blind and became father to 100 sons and one daughter Dushala by his wife [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] (Gāndhārī), and another son [[Yuyutsu]] by Sughada, his wife's maid. These children, including the eldest son [[Duryodhana]], came to be known as the [[Kauravas]].

===Dhrishtaketu of Chedi===
[[Chedi Kingdom#King Dhrishtaketu of Chedi|Dhrishtaketu]] was the son of Chedi king [[Shishupala]], who was a cousin of Krishna. Dhrishtaketu became the king of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] after his father's death and became an ally of the [[Pandava]]s. His sister Karenumati was married to [[Nakula]]. Dhrishtaketu and his brothers and sons participated in the [[Kurukshetra War]], where they all were killed.

===Dhrishtaketu of Kekeya===
Dhrishtaketu was the ruler of [[Kekeya Kingdom|Kekeya]], and his wife was Shrutakirti, a Yadava who was the daughter of [[Shurasena]]. Many of Dhrishtaketu's sons participated in the Kurukshetra War, participating on both sides. Vrihadkshatra and Chekitana were 2 of his notable sons. Dhrishtaketu's daughter Bhadra was married to Krishna, who bore him many sons.

=== Draupadi ===
{{Main|Draupadi}}
Draupadi also referred to as Panchalī, is the most important female and one of the most important characters in ''[[Mahabharata]]''. She was born from a yajna organized by Panchala King Drupada and is described to be one of the most beautiful woman of her time. She was the common wife of the [[Pandavas]], who fought their cousins, the [[Kauravas]] in the great [[Kurukshetra War]]. She had five sons from each Pandava, who were collectively addressed as the [[Upapandavas]].

=== Drona ===
{{Main|Drona}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Droṇa or Droṇāchārya was the royal [[preceptor]] to the [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]]. He was a friend of [[Guru Sukracharya]], the [[guru]] of [[Asura]]s, including [[Mahabali]]. He was the son of rishi [[Bharadwaja]] and a descendant of sage [[Angiras (sage)|Angirasa]]. He was a master of advanced military arts, including the divine weapons or [[Astra (weapon)|Astras]]. He was also the second commander- in- chief of kaurava army from 11th day to 15th day. He was beheaded by [[Dhrishtadyumna]] when he was meditating to release his soul on the battlefield.{{sfn|Chakravarti|2007}}

=== Drupada ===
{{Main|Drupada}}
Drupada was the son of King Prishata. He was the king of the land of Southern [[Panchala]]. His capital was known as [[Kampilya]]. He was father of [[Shikhandi]], Satyajit, [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and [[Draupadi]].
He was friend turned rival of Droṇa and rivalry developed when he humiliated Droṇa in front of his ministers. Later, with the help of Arjuna, Droṇa took half of Drupada's kingdom. This led Drupada to perform a yajna from which Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna emerged. He was killed by Droṇa during the Kurukshetra War.

=== Durmasena ===
Durmasena was the son of [[Dushasana]] and [[Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]]. He helped his father many times in the Kurukshetra war. He was also present inside the Chakra Vyuh on the thirteenth day of the war. He was deprived of his chariot by Abhimanyu and saved by Aswathamma by cutting Abhimanyu's arrow in mid air. After that, Durmasena killed brutally injured [[Abhimanyu]] in a mace duel. On 14th day, Durmasena was brutally killed by Draupadi's sons, the [[Upapandavas]], in revenge for Abhimanyu.

=== Duryodhana ===
{{Main|Duryodhana}}
Duryodhana also is known as Suyodhana, is a major antagonist in ''Mahabharata'' and was the eldest of the [[Kaurava]]s, the hundred sons of a blind king [[Dhritarashtra]] and Queen [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. Being the firstborn son of the blind king, he was the crown prince of [[Kuru Kingdom]] and its capital [[Hastinapura]] along with his cousin [[Yudhishtra]] who was older than him. [[Karna]] was Duryodhana's closest friend.
===Duryodhana's wife (Bhanumati)===
{{Main|Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)}}
Duryodhana's wife{{mdash}}named Bhanumati is a character is in ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref name=keith>{{cite book|author=[[Arthur Berriedale Keith]]|title=The Sanskrit Drama in Its Origin, Development, Theory & Practice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sfqRhylNBpwC&pg=PA213|year=1992|publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]]|isbn=978-81-208-0977-2|page=213}}</ref>She got a place in the epic because of Karna and she is famous as a close friend of Karna and not as a wife of Duryodhana.It is described that she was the princess of [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]] Kingdom and was the daughter of [[#Chitrangada of Kalinga kingdom|Chitrangada]]. She was abducted by Duryodhana with the help of his friend [[Karna]] and Karna and Bhanumati became best of friends and spent most of the time together. From [[Duryodhana]], she is the mother of a son, [[Laxman Kumara]], and daughter, [[Lakshmanaa]]. Bhanumati's mother-in-law [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] described her to [[Krishna]] in the posterior to the [[Kurukshetra War|battle of Kurukshetra]].She was also a part in the extremely vast lifestory of Karna.She followed and helped her friend Karna many times just like her husband ardently followed Karna.She raised Karna on her shoulders and helped him kill the Daityas of Angadesh.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Valmiki|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qj9bDwAAQBAJ&q=mother+of+Lakshmana&pg=PT5921|title=Delphi Collected Sanskrit Epics (Illustrated)|last2=Vyasa|date=2018-05-19|publisher=Delphi Classics|isbn=978-1-78656-128-2|language=en}}</ref>

===Duryodhana's wife (Mayuri)===
{{Main|Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)}}
Mayuri is the daughter of King Vasantraja of Trilokapura, she was kidnapped by [[Duryodhana]] just like Bhanumati. She is also described as the mother of [[Laxman Kumara]] and Lakshmanaa. [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] describes her in the [[Shanti Parva]] about her marriage with [[Duryodhana]] and how she helped Bhanumati. Like Bhanumati, Mayuri was the friend of [[Karna]].{{efn|Mayuri is not only the friend of Bhanumati, but also other Kauravas wives, not Indumati}}

===Dushala===
{{Main|Dushala}}
Dushala was the daughter of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]], the sister of the [[Kauravas]] and the wife of Jaydrath.She was the best friend of Bhanumati, Mayuri and Karna until her marriage.

=== Dushasana ===
{{Main|Dushasana}}
Dushasana was a [[Kaurava]] prince, the second son of the blind king [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] and the younger brother of [[Duryodhana]] in the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]'', according to Mahabharatahe had married five wives unnamed [[Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]], Shweta, Lata, Nirjara and Divija.

===Dharmavati===
{{Main|Draft:Dharmavati}}
Dharmavati was the wife of [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and cousin sister of Bhanumati. When [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and Dharmavati, saw each other, they fell in love with each other but [[Duryodhana]], who is the primary antagonist in the Mahabharata tried to break Dharmavati's love and wanted to make her his wife, but Dharmavati however writes a letter to [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and he kidnapped her after her [[Svayamvara]].

=== Dushyanta ===
{{Main|Dushyanta}}
Dushyanta was an ancestor of Shantanu and a king of Hastinapura. He was the husband of [[Shakuntala]] and the father of the [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Emperor Bharata]].

==E==
===Ekalavya===
{{Main|Ekalavya}}
Ekalavya (English: एकलव्य, ékalavya) is a character from the epic the ''Mahābhārata''. He was a young prince of the Nishadha, a confederation of jungle tribes (Adivasi) in Ancient India.

==G==
=== Gandhari ===
{{Main|Gandhari (Mahabharata)}}
Gandhari is a prominent character in the [[India]]n epic the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. She was a princess of [[Gandhara]] (modern-day Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa) and the wife of [[Dhritrashtra]], the blind king of [[Hastinapura]], and the mother of a hundred sons, the [[Kaurava]]s.
===Gandhari's maid===
The chief maid of Gandhari—named Sughada in later retelling—was the mother of [[Yuyutsu]]. When Gandhari was pregnant for more than nine months, Dhritrashtra, in fear that there would be no heir, impregnated the maid. Later Gandhari gave birth to the 101 Kauravas and Sughada gave birth to Yuyutsu.

===Ganesha===
{{Main|Ganesha}}
Ganesha is the god of beginnings. He is the son of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]]. The epic poem ''[[Mahabharata]]'' says that the sage [[Vyasa]] asked him to serve as his scribe to transcribe the poem as he dictated it to him. Ganesha agreed but only on the condition that Vyasa recites the poem uninterrupted, that is, without pausing. The sage agreed but found that to get any rest he needed to recite very complex passages so Ganesha would have to ask for clarifications.{{refn|group=note|This is scene not included in the Critical edition.}}

=== Ganga ===
{{Main|Ganga in Hinduism}}
In the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Ganga was the first wife of [[Shantanu]], and the mother of heroic warrior-patriarch, [[Bhishma]]. When she met Shantanu for the first time, Shantanu asked her to become his wife. She agreed on the condition that he wouldn't ask her a single question. Later, she gave birth to 8 children, who were [[Vasu]]s reborn as mortals due to a curse. Ganga drowned her seven sons as the Vasus requested her to do so. However, Shantanu stopped her from drowning their eighth son, who was Bhishma, and asked her questions. Ganga's condition was broken and she left Shantanu. However, she promised him to return his son. When Bhishma is mortally wounded in the [[Kurukshetra War]], Ganga came out of the water in human form and wept uncontrollably over his body.

=== Ghatotkacha ===
{{Main|Ghatotkacha}}
[[Bhima|Bhimsen's]] son Ghatotkacha played a very important role in the story of Mahabharata. He was a firm friend and ally of the Pandavas since birth. He accepted the death of a hero in the great war. Before marrying Draupadi, Bhima begat Ghatotkacha with a wild woman, a demoness named [[Hidimbi]] at her request. Indra bestowed on Ghaṭotkaca prowess enough to be a suitable opponent to Karṇa. <ref>https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01158.htm</ref> <ref>https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241600.html</ref> [[Karna]] confronted Ghotakacha and failed to kill him in any way, he used Vasavi Shakti (dart) as a last resort. This power was given to him by [[Indra]] in exchange for his head-gear and earrings, and Karna had reserved the power to kill [[Arjuna]]. Somehow Karna used it against Ghatotkacha and he was killed. After killing Ghatotkacha, Vasavi returned to Indra.

===Ghritachi===
Ghritachi is one of the prominent [[Apsara]]. In the ''Mahabharata'', she appeared in Adi Parva. According to the story, she was bathing in a river. Bharadwaja was passing by, then he saw her. He was filled with desire and discharged his seed. It fell into a pot and Drona was born.

==H==
===Hanuman===
{{Main|Hanuman}}
Unlike [[Ramayana]], lord Hanuman doesn't have a large role in ''Mahabharata''. He appears during the exile of Pandavas. In the story, [[Bhima]], Hanuman's celestial brother, performed a penance to gain more strength. Hanuman wanted to test Bhima and appeared as a normal monkey in front of him. The monkey asked Bhima to lift his tail if he believed in his strength. But, Bhima wasn't able to lift the tail. Later, he realised who the monkey was and apologized.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Bheema and Hanuman|last=Chandrakant|first=Kamala|publisher=Amar Chitra Katha|year=1980|location=India|pages=1–32}}</ref> Hanuman taught battle-skills to Bheema for some time.

=== Hidimba ===
{{Main|Hidimba}}
Hidimba was a [[Rakshasa]] and the brother of Hidimbi. He was killed by [[Bhima]], who later married his sister.

=== Hidimbi ===
{{Main|Hidimbi}}
Hiḍimbī or Hiḍimbā was a Rakshasi in the ''Mahābhārata''. Hidimbi, along with her brother, Hidimba, tried to eat the Pandavas, when they entered their forest. But when she met Bhima, she fell in love with him and told them the plan. After [[Bhima]] killed Hidimba, Hidimbi married Bhima and gave birth to [[Ghatotkacha]].

==I==
===Ila===
{{Main|Ila (Hinduism)}}
Ila or Ilā was a character from ''Mahabharata'' who could change his/her gender. As a woman, she married [[Budha]], son of Chandra, and had a son named [[Pururavas]]. Pururavas's descendants founded the [[lunar dynasty]].

===Indra===
{{Main|Indra}}
In the epic, Indra appears numerous times. He is son of [[Kashyapa]] and [[Aditi]]. He is the spiritual father of [[Arjuna]]. He was the reason for the separation of [[Urvashi]] and [[Pururavas]]. During his temporary absence, [[Nahusha]] took his place as the king. He is called by [[Kunti]] after [[Yama|Dharmaraj]] and Vayu. Later in the epic, he is shown protecting Takshaka's forest from Arjuna. The [[Pandava]]s named their capital, [[Indraprastha]], after him. During the exile of Pandavas, Arjuna came to meet him. During the Kurukshetra war, he took the indestructible armor and earrings from [[Karna]] and gave him a powerful weapon. These were some of his appearances in the epic.

===Iravan===
{{main|Iravan}}
Iravan also is known as Aravan and Iravat<ref>Sörensen (1902) p. 345 indexes the name as Irāvat.</ref> is a minor character in [[Mahabharata]]. He was a son of [[Pandava]] prince [[Arjuna]] (one of the main heroes of the Mahabharata) and the [[Nāga|Naga]] princess [[Ulupi]], Iravan is the central deity of the cult of '''Kuttantavar''' which is also the name commonly given to him in that cult—and plays a major role in the cult of [[Draupadi]]. Iravan played a huge role in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. On the 7th day, he massacred the Kaurava army and killed many brothers of [[Shakuni]]. However, on the 8th day, in a battle of many illusions and magical powers, Iravan is beheaded by the demon Alambusha.

===Indumati (Wife of Vikarna)===
{{Main|Draft:Indumati (Mahabharata)}}
Indumati is the second wife of [[Vikarna]] and younger sister of Mayuri and the daughter of Vasantraja and Vaishali. [[Vikarna]] and Indumati had 10 unnamed daughters and one was Durga who was married to Karna's son Satyasena.

==J==
===Jambavati===
{{Main|Jambavati}}
Jambavati is second of the [[Ashtabharya]], the eight principal queen-consorts of [[Krishna]]. She was the only daughter of the bear-king [[Jambavan]]. Krishna married her, when he defeated Jambavan to retrieve the stolen [[Syamantaka]] jewel.<ref name=Jamba>{{cite web|url=http://srimadbhagavatam.com/sb/10/56/en|title=Chapter 56: The Syamantaka Jewel|access-date=27 February 2013|publisher=Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928211736/http://srimadbhagavatam.com/sb/10/56/en|archive-date=28 September 2011}}</ref>

===Janamejaya===
{{Main|Janamejaya}}
Janamejaya was a Kuru king and a descendant of [[Arjuna]]. He was the son of [[Parikshit]] and the grandson of [[Abhimanyu]] and [[Uttarā]]. He performed a snake sacrifice called [[Sarpa Satra]] to avenge his father's death, who was killed by [[Takshaka]], Arjuna's naga enemy. [[Astika]], son of [[Manasa]], stopped the sacrifice.

===Janapadi===
Janapadi is an [[Apsara]], who once roamed in the forests. One day, upon seeing her, Shardavan, son of [[Gautama Maharishi]] discharged his seed. From his seed, [[Kripa]] and [[Kripi]] were born.

=== Jarasandha ===
{{Main|Jarasandha}}
According to the Hindu epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', '''Jarasandha''' was a powerful king of [[Magadha]]. He was a descendant of a king [[Brihadratha]], the creator of the Barhadratha dynasty of Magadha. He was killed by 2nd Pandava [[Bhima]].

=== Jaratkaru ===
{{Main|Jaratkaru}}
[[Jaratkaru]] was a sage who wandered all over the earth and remained unmarried. He encountered his ancestors who hung upside down, leading to hell for he did not have any son. This led to his marriage with the snake goddess, Manasa. They gave birth to Astika who saved the snakes from being burnt during the snake sacrifice.

=== Jayadratha ===
{{Main|Jayadratha}}
'''Jayadratha''' was King of Sindhu Kingdom. He was the son of King Vridhakshtra. He was married to [[Kauravas]]' only sister and only daughter of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]], Dushala. He kidnapped [[Draupadi]] on [[Duryodhana]]'s order but was stopped by [[Arjuna]] and [[Bhima]]. His hairs were cut off as a punishment. He was the biggest reason for [[Abhimanyu]]'s death. Abhimanyu's father [[Arjuna]] swore to kill Jayadratha and he fulfill his oath.

===Jyotsyana===
In the [[Stri Parva|Stree Parva]] of ''Mahabharata'', the daughter of [[Vikarna]] and Sudeshnavati, and the niece of Duryodhana. She is known to be the wife of one of the sons of [[Krishna]]. Her cousin, Lakshmanaa was her best friend.

==K==

=== Kadru ===
{{Main|Kadru}}
Kadru was the daughter of [[Daksha]] and wife of [[Kasyapa]]. She was the mother of thousand [[nāgas]]. She even cursed her children for not obeying her to be burnt in the snake sacrifice.

===Kaalvakra===
He was the most loyal companion, commander-in-chief and main bodyguard of [[Kamsa|Kansa]]. He was always appreciated by Kansa. He was also cruel like Kansa. When [[Krishna]] was killing Kansa, [[Balarama]] killed him by beating him and cutting his head with hands.

===Kalayavana===
{{Main|Kalyavana}}
Kalyavana was a ruler. He was an ally of Magadha ruler, Jarasandha, and enemy of Krishna and Mathura. Krishna, using his wit, killed Kalyavana.

=== Kacha ===
{{Main|Kacha (sage)}}
[[Kacha (sage)|Kacha]]'s story is mentioned in ''Mahabharata''<nowiki/>'s Adi Parva. He was the son of [[Brihaspati]]. He was sent by Devas to Sukracharya's ashram to learn about Mrita Sanjeevani mantra. Sukra's daughter Devyani fell in love with him. However, Kacha later refused to marry her.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chandrakant|first=Kamala|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1_91RAAACAAJ&q=kacha+devayani|title=Kacha and Devayani: A Tale from the Mahabharata|date=1972|publisher=India Book House|isbn=978-81-7508-172-7|language=en}}</ref>

=== Kamsa ===
{{Main|Kamsa}}
Kamsa or Kansa was the tyrant ruler of the [[Vrishni]] kingdom with its capital at [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]]. He is the brother of [[Devaki]], the mother of the god [[Krishna]] who later slew Kamsa.

=== Kanika ===
Kanika was a sage of [[Hastinapur]]. He acted as a counselor to [[Dhritarashtra]]. When [[Yudhisthira]] was announced the crown prince, Dhritarashtra became sad for his sons were deceived. And at this time Kanika was summoned to counsel the king, who advised Dhritarashtra not to resort to fight but remove his foes secretly. Unethical methods may also be adopted for killing a foe, was his advice. Then he narrated a story of a jackal, who deceived his companions (tiger, mongoose, wolf, and mouse) by tricking them. Influenced by his counsels Dhritarashtra exiled the Pandavas to Varanavata and constructed the house of lac.<ref>Pratap Chandra Roy Mahabharata, Sambhava Parva and Jatugriha Parva, Pages 335-338</ref>

===Karenumati===
Karenumati was the daughter of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] king [[Shishupala]], and sister of his successor [[Chedi Kingdom#King Dhrishtaketu of Chedi|Dhrishtaketu]]. She was the wife of [[Pandava]] [[Nakula]] and begot him a son, Niramitra. Niramitra succeeded his father Nakula to the throne of the Northern Madra Kingdom.

=== Karna ===
{{Main|Karna}}
Karna was the son of Surya and Kunti. Karna was secretly born to an unmarried Kunti in her teenage and was abandoned by her adrift in a basket on the Ganges, fearing outrage and backlash from society over her premarital pregnancy. Karna grows up to be an accomplished warrior of extraordinary abilities and was a celebrated warrior from the [[Kaurava]] sides.

=== Karna's adoptive brothers ===
[[Adhiratha]] and [[Radha (Mahabharata)|Radha]], the adoptive parents of [[Karna]], had some biological children. Karna's adoptive brothers were killed during the [[Kurukshetra War]].<ref name = "KarnaFam" >{{Cite book|last=McGrath|first=Kevin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YkmXk3-1j7UC|title=The Sanskrit Hero: Karṇa in Epic Mahābhārata|date=2004-01-01|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-13729-5|pages=135|language=en}}</ref> In later retelling, one of them is named Shon, who was killed by [[Abhimanyu]] on the 13th day of Kurukshetra War.

=== Karna's wives ===
{{Main|Wives of Karna}}
In the original ''[[Mahabharata]]'', there are some mentions of Karna's wife. In the original scriptures,Karna married only Padmavati and had only one wife. Love story of Padmavati and Karna has been described in detail in the stree parva. Padmavati and their son Vrishaketu were later brought to Hastinapur.<ref name = "KarnaFam" />

===Kauravas===
{{Main|Kaurava}}
Kauravas were the 102 sons of Dhritarashtra. Out of which, 101 were his legitimate children from his wife [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]. He had one illegitimate son named [[Yuyutsu]], who was conceived through a maid during Gandhari's two year long pregnancy. Out of these
children, [[Dushala]] is the only girl. The names of the 102 Kauravas are
{{Hlist|[[Duryodhana]]| [[Yuyutsu]]|[[Dushasana]]|Duhsaha|Duhshal|Durmukha|Vivinsati|[[Vikarna]]|Jalasandha|Sulochna|Vinda|Anuvinda|Durdharsha|Suvahu|Dushpradharshana|Durmarshana|Dushkarna|Karna|Chitra|Vipachitra|Chitraksha|Charuchitra|Angada|Durmada|Dushpradharsha|Vivitsu|Vikata|Sama|Urananabha|Padmanabha|Nanda|Upanandaka|Sanapati|Sushena|Kundodara|Mahodara|Chitravahu|Chitravarman|Suvarman|Durvirochana|Ayovahu|Mahavahu|Chitrachapa|Sukundala|Bhimavega|Bhimavala|Valaki|Bhimavikrama|Ugrayudha|Bhimaeara|Kanakayu|Dridhayudha|Dridhavarman|Dridhakshatra|Somakirti|Anadara|Jarasandha|Dridhasandha|Satyasandha|Sahasravaeh|Ugrasravas|Ugrasena|Kshemamurti|Aprajita|Panditaka|Visalaksha|Duradhara|Dridhahasta|Suhasta|Vatavega|Suvarchasa|Adityaketu|Vahvasin|Nagadatta|Anuyaina|Nishangi|Kuvachi|Dandi|Dandadhara|Dhanugraha|Ugra|Bhimaratha|Vira|Viravahu|Alolupa|Abhaya|Raudrakarman|Dridharatha|Anadhrishya|Kundaveda|Viravi|Dhirghalochana|Dirghavahu| Mahavahu|Vyudhoru|Kanakangana|Kundaja|Chitraka|[[Dushala]]}}

===Kauravya===
He was the father of [[Ulupi]] and grandfather of [[Iravan]]. His wife was Vishvahini.

===Kichaka===
{{Main|Kichaka}}
Kichaka was the general of the Mastya kingdom. He was the brother of [[Sudeshna]], queen of Matsya. He was very powerful and feared by [[Virata]] and the citizens of the kingdom. He was killed by [[Bhima]] when he tried to force himself on [[Draupadi]].

===Kirmira===
{{Main|Kirmira}}
Kirmira was a demon and younger brother of demons Alambhusha and [[Bakasura|Baka]]. When [[Pandavas]] and [[Draupadi]] went [[Kamyaka Forest]], Kirmira encountered them and challenged [[Bhima]] for a fight as Bhima killed his brother Baka. After a tough fight, Bhima beheaded Kirmira.

=== Kripa ===
{{Main|Kripa}}
Kripacharya was the son of Śaradvān and Jānapadī, born in a particularly extraordinary manner. He was the grandson of [[Maharishi Gautam]]a. He was a descendant of sage [[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]]. He along with his sister Kripi were adopted by King [[Shantanu]]. Later on Kripa became an ''[[acharya]]'', teacher of the royal children, giving him the name ''Kripacharya''. His twin sister Kripi married [[Drona]]. Kripa was among the Maharathis who fought on the Kauravas's side against the Pandavas in the [[Kurukshetra war]] in the [[Hindu]] epic of the [[Mahabharata]].

===Kripi===
Kripi was the sister of [[Kripa]]charya. She and her brother were adopted by the ''Rajguru'' of King [[Shantanu]]. Her actual parents were Saradvan and Janapadi. She married [[Drona]]charya, who was poor at that time. When they wanted a powerful son, they prayed to Shiva, and a son named [[Ashwathama]] was born.

=== Krishna ===
{{Main|Krishna|Krishna in the Mahabharata}}
{{Main|Krishna|Krishna in the Mahabharata}}
Lord [[Krishna]] is a Hindu deity. He is a major character in epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was an eighth avatar of lord Vishnu. He was born to [[Devaki]] and her husband, [[Vasudeva]] of the [[Yadava]] clan in [[Mathura]]. However ,the original scriptures doesn't describe his birth at all and there is also no mention of him being an avatar of Vishnu ;the words like 'Ranchhod' and 'Chhaliya'(playful) has been never used for him in the sccriptures. His life was never playful as shown in different plays. He had to go under a lot of things. Initially the epic described him as a savior for the Pandavas but later of the epic due to the curses and sins he committed and made Arjuna,Satyaki,Yuddhistira and Dristhadyumna commit, he became the anti-hero. In the Mausala Parva,due to the curse of Gandhari,entire yadava clan was destroyed and he was killed by a hunter named 'Jara'. His character in the epic was controversial as a mixture of good and bad. Krishna counsels Arjuna to "fulfill his [[Kshatriya]] (warrior) duty to uphold the [[Dharma]]" through "selfless action".

=== Kritavarma ===
{{Main|Kritavarma}}
Kritavarma was one of the [[Yadava]] warriors and chieftain, and a contemporary of [[Krishna]]. During Kuruksetra war, Kritavarma fought for Kauravas along with Krishna's Narayani sena and was one of survivors of the war.

===Kunti-Bhoja===
In [[Hindu mythology]], '''Kunti-Bhoja''' (or '''Kuntibhoja''') was the adoptive father of [[Kunti]] and cousin of [[Shurasena]]. He was the ruler of the [[Kunti Kingdom]]. Kunti was a daughter of King [[Shurasena]] but was later given to Kuntibhoja since he was devoid of children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mythfolklore.net/india/encyclopedia/kunti.htm|title=Kunti|website=www.mythfolklore.net}}</ref> Kuntibhoja raised her as his own daughter and loved her.<ref>'' First Book Adi Parva Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa and Kisari Mohan Ganguli'' by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa. Page 272.</ref> She was very beautiful and intelligent and later married [[Pandu]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXII|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01113.htm|access-date=2020-08-31|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref> When Kunti was a young girl, the sage [[Durvasa]] visited Kuntibhoja one day and sought his hospitality. The king entrusted the sage to Kunti's care and tasked Kunti with the responsibility of serving the sage and meeting all his needs during his stay with them.<ref name="The Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Chapter 301">{{cite web | url= http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03301.htm | title= The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, Vana Parva, Section CCCI}}</ref> Eventually, the sage was gratified. Before departing, he rewarded Kunti by teaching her ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' [[mantra]]s which enabled her to invoke any [[god]] of her choice to beget children by them.<ref name="The Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapter 111">{{cite web | url= http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01112.htm | title= The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, Adi Parva, Section CXI}}</ref> His son Visharada succeeded him who was killed by [[Duryodhana]] on the 8th day.

=== Kunti ===
{{Main|Kunti}}
Kunti or Pritha was the daughter of [[Shurasena]], and the foster daughter of his cousin [[Kuntibhoja]]. She was married to King [[Pandu]] of [[Hastinapur]] and was the mother of [[Karna]] and the Pandavas [[Yudhishthira]], [[Bhima]], [[Arjuna]]. She was the paternal aunt of [[Krishna]], [[Balarama]], and [[Subhadra]]. She was the step mother of [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]]. She was very beautiful and intelligent.

===Kuru===
Kuru is the name of the ancestor of the clan of the Kurus in the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was the son of [[Samvarana]] and of [[Tapati]], the daughter of the Sun.<ref>Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (Oxford, 1899), p. 294.1</ref>

In the literature, Kuru is an ancestor of [[Pandu]] and his descendants, the [[Pandava]]s, and also of [[Dhritarashtra]] and his descendants, the [[Kaurava]]s. This latter name derived as a [[patronym]] from "Kuru", is only used for the descendants of Dhritarashtra.<ref>Monier Williams (1899), S. 294.1</ref>

King Kuru had two wives named Shubhangi and Vahini. He had a son named Viduratha with Shubhangi, and five sons with Vahini, named Ashvavat, Abhishyat, Citraratha, Muni, and Janamejaya.<ref>Mbhr. 1.89.44 and 1.90.40 (Pune Critical Edition 1971)</ref><ref>J.A.B. van Buitenen, ''Mahabharata'' Book 1, Chicago 1973, pp. 212–214</ref> Due to his merits and great ascetic practices the region "Kurujangal" was named after him. It has also been known as [[Kurukshetra]] since ancient Vedic times.<ref>M.M.S. Shastri Chitrao, ''Bharatavarshiya Prachin Charitrakosha'' (Dictionary of Ancient Indian Biography, in Hindi) Pune 1964, p. 151</ref>

==L==
===Lakshmana Kumara===
{{Main|Laxman Kumara}}
In the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'', Laxman Kumara or simply Laxman ({{not a typo|Lakshman(a)}}) is the son of Duryodhana, and grandson of Dhritarashtra. He had a twin sister called Lakshmanaa who was kidnapped by Samba (Krishna's son). Not much is revealed about Laxman in the Mahabharata.

===Lakshmanaa===
In the ''[[Stree Parva]]'', Lakshmanaa (also spelled Laxmanaa or Lakshmanā), also known as Lakshana, is the daughter of Duryodhana. She is revealed about Laxmanaa in the text other than her marriage to Krishna's son [[Samba (Krishna's son)|Samba]]. She married Samba as a political arrangement by the Kauravas and Karna's son Vrishasena was his best friend.

==M==
===Madanjaya===
He was Prime Minister of Kuru Kingdom before [[Vidura]]. When [[Bhishma]] gave his post to Vidura, he tried to kill Vidura but he fought and was beheaded by Bhishma.

===Madranjaya===
He was eldest son of [[Shalya]] and Avantini who was killed on 2nd day of war by [[Virata]].

===Madrasena===
He was younger brother of [[Shalya]] and elder brother of Madri. He was uncle of [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]]. He was unmarried and was killed by [[Yudhishthira]] along with Shalya on the last day of war.

===Madri===
{{Main|Madri}}
In the ''Mahabharata'' epic, Madri, was sister of [[Shalya]], princess of the [[Madra Kingdom]], second wife of [[Pandu]] and the mother of two sons: [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm|title=Sacred-Texts: Hinduism|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/madri|title=Madri, Mādrī, Mādri, Madrī: 14 definitions}}</ref> One day, Pandu and Madri made love, this led Pandu to die due to his curse and Madri to commit suicide.

=== Malini ===
She was maid of [[Draupadi]] married to a Kshatriyan soldier Pralanksena. Her son Nakusha was Bodyguard of [[Drupada]]. Her husband and son were killed by [[Drona]] before Drupada's death on the 15th day of war.

===Manasa===
{{Main|Manasa}}
In the ''Mahabharata'', [[Nāga|Naga]] Goddess Manasa is the wife of [[Jaratkaru]]. They had a son, [[Astika (Hinduism)|Astika]], who saved the serpents including [[Takshaka]] from [[Sarpa Satra]] organised by king [[Janamejaya]] to avenge his [[Parikshit|father's]] death.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic |first=W. J.|last= Wilkins|year=2004|publisher= Kessinger Publishing|pages=428|isbn= 0-7661-8881-7 |edition=First published: 1882}}</ref>

===Marisha===
[[Shurasena]] was married to a [[Nāga]] (or serpent) woman named Marisha. She bore all of his children and was the cause for [[Vasuki]]’s boon to Bhima.<ref>''"During the Mahabharata age the region around Mathura was ruled by the yadava dynasty."'' The Quarterly Review of Historical Studies, By Institute of Historical Studies (Calcutta, India), Published by Institute of Historical, Studies., 1983, Item notes: v.22, Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized 29 Aug 2008</ref><ref name = "Surasena as Yadava">"''Surasena or shoorsaini was a Yadava. One of his descendants could, therefore, call himself a Yadava or a Surasena as he liked..." '' Chauhān Dynasties: A Study of Chauhān Political History, Chauhān Political Institutions, and Life in the Chauhān Dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D., By Dasharatha Sharma, pp 103, Published by Motilal Banarsidass, 1975</ref><ref>Tales From the Mahabharat, pp31, By B.K. Chaturvedi, Published by Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. {{ISBN|81-288-1228-9}}, {{ISBN|978-81-288-1228-6}}</ref> after whom the [[Surasena Kingdom]] or mahajanpada and the Yadava sect of [[Surasena]]s <ref name = "ShooApabhramsa">"''As Bhadanaka-desa was almost coterminous with Surasena janapada, we may designate the Apabhramsa of the area as Apabhramsa..."'' Early Chauhān Dynasties: A Study of Chauhān Political History, Chauhān Political Institutions, and Life in the Chauhān Dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D., By Dasharatha Sharma, pp 103, Published by Motilal Banarsidass, 1975</ref> were named. She was the mother of [[Kunti]] and [[Vasudeva]] as well.

===Markandeya===
{{Main|Markandeya}}
Markandeya was blessed by Lord [[Shiva]] to remain young till the end of ''[[Kali Yuga]]''. In the Mahabharat, Markandeya visits the Pandavas during their exile and tells them the story of [[Nala]] and [[Damayanti]], [[Savitri and Satyavan]], etc.

===Meghavarna===
He was the son of [[Ghatotkach]] and [[Maurvi]]. He was the grandson of [[Bhima]] and [[Hidimbi]]. He was the brother of Anjanaparvana. He did not fight the War, and hence, was the only alive son of Ghatotkacha.

===Menaka===
{{Main|Menaka}}
Menaka was a beautiful apsara. She was sent by Indra to fill Vishwamitra with lust and destroy his penance. Upon seeing her, Vishwamitra was filled with desire and from their union, [[Shakuntala]], mother of great king Bharat, was born. Menaka left Shakuntala and Vishwamitra again started to meditate. Shakuntala was left with sage Kanva.

=== Muchukunda ===
{{Main|Muchukunda}}
Muchukunda, son of [[King Mandhata]], and brother of equally illustrious [[Ambarisha]], was born in the [[Ikshvaku]] dynasty. He later became a sage and his divine powers killed [[Kalyavana]].<ref>http://www.urday.com/muchukunda.html</ref>

==N==
===Nala===
{{Main|Nala}}
Nala is the main character of a [[The Story of Nal and Damayanti in Bhakti and Sufism Accounts|love story]] in the [[Vana Parva]] of Mahabharata. He was king of Nishada. He fell in love with [[Damayanti]] and married her. But they struggled a lot after their marriage. His story is set long before the Kurukshetra war.

===Nahusha===
{{Main|Nahusha}}
Nahusha was a king from lunar dynasty and an ancestor of [[Shantanu]]. He was the son of Ayu and Prabha. He was equal to [[Indra]] in every way and was made the ruler of Swarga in Indra's absence. He married [[Ashokasundari|Ashokasundari/Viraja]], the daughter of Devi Parvati and Lord Shiva, and had a son named [[Yayati]]. He was removed from his position as the king because of his arrogance and cursed to turn into a snake. His curse was over when he met [[Yudhishthira]] in a forest.

=== Nakula ===
{{Main|Nakula}}
Nakula was fourth of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. Nakula and [[Sahadeva]] were twins born to [[Madri]], who had invoked the [[Ashwini Kumaras]]. Nakula and his brother [[Sahadeva]], are both called as ''Ashvineya''(आश्विनेय), as they were born from Ashvinas. Nakula was said to be a skilled master in sword-fighting. On the 18th day of Kurukshetra War, Nakula had killed 3 sons of Karna.

===Nanda===
{{Main|Nanda Baba}}
Nanda was the head of the Gopas tribe of Yadava cowherds referred as Holy Gwals. He was a friend of [[Vasudeva]], spouse of [[Yashoda]] and the foster father of [[Krishna]].

=== Narakasura ===
{{Main|Narakasura}}
Narakasura was the son of [[Bhūmi|Bhumi]], the earth goddess. He gained a boon that only his mother could kill him. He captured and married women forcefully. Lord [[Krishna]] and [[Satyabhama]] ( the human incarnation of Bhumi) killed him.

===Niramitra===
In the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', '''Niramitra''' ([[Sanskrit]]: निरमित्र, lit. ''he who has no enemies'') was the son of [[Nakula]] and his wife [[Karenumati]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCV|date=16 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-date=16 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="Rengarajan1999">{{cite book|author=T. Rengarajan|title=Glossary of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rbcoAAAAYAAJ|year=1999|publisher=Oxford & IBH Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-204-1348-1|page=229}}</ref>

==P==
===Padmavati===
Padmavati was the name of wife of [[Karna]].She was among the main female characters and her character story is described after death of Karna.Her story began in the Stree Parva and her love-relation with Karna was complex.After Karna,Vrishaketu became the main character of the Mahabharata.

=== Parashara ===
{{Main|Parashara}}
Parashara was a sage. He was the grandson of [[Vasishtha]], the son of [[Śakti Maharṣi]], and the father of [[Vyasa]]. Before [[Satyavati]] married Shantanu, she had an affair with Parashara. During that time, she was known as Matsyagandha. Later they had a child named Vyasa. However they parted away but before leaving, Parashara restored Matsyagandha's virginity and gave her an enchanting scent.

=== Parashuram ===
{{Main|Parashuram}}
Parashuram is the [[dashavatara|sixth avatar]] of [[Vishnu]] in [[Hinduism]] and he is one of the chiranjeevis who will appear at the end of the ''[[Kali Yuga]]''. He was born to destroy evil Kshatriya, who had begun to abuse their power. [[Parashurama]] is also the Guru of [[Bhishma]], [[Dronacharya]], and [[Karna]].However in the texts,he was the teacher of only Karna and education of Bhishma and Drona has never been mentioned.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p324">{{cite book|author1=Constance Jones|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|author2=James D. Ryan|publisher=Infobase Publishing|year=2006|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5|page=324}}</ref><ref name="Lochtefeld2002p500">{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|year=2002|isbn=978-0-8239-3180-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/500 500]–501|url-access=registration}}</ref>

=== Parikshit ===
{{Main|Parikshit}}
Parikshit was a king from kuru lineage. He was the son of [[Abhimanyu]] ([[Arjuna|Arjuna's]] son) and [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]. When he was in his mother's womb, he was attacked and killed by [[Ashwatthama]] using [[Brahmastra]]. However Shri Krishna revived him and named him Parikshit. After the Pandavas and Draupadi retired for heaven, he was crowned as the new king. Later, [[Kali (demon)]] manipulated Parikshit and he placed a dead snake on a meditating rishi. The Rishi's son saw it and cursed him to die by a snakebite. After he was bitten and killed by [[Takshaka]], his son [[Janamejaya]] performed [[Sarpa Satra]]. This is where he hears the story of his great-grandfathers.

=== Pandu ===
{{Main|Pandu}}
Pandu was the king of [[Hastinapur]], the son of [[Ambalika]] and [[Vyasa|Vichitravirya]]. He is popularly known as the father of the [[Pandava]]s, who were called so after him. Pandu was responsible and a great warrior, who expanded his kingdom during his rule. He had two wives named Kunti and Madri. He died early due to a curse of a sage.

=== Prabha ===
Prabha, sometimes Indumati, was the daughter of Asura [[Svarbhanu]], who later became [[Rahu]] and [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]]. She married [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Ayu|Ayu]], son of [[Pururavas]] of [[lunar dynasty]], and had a son named [[Nahusha]].

=== Pradyumna ===
{{Main|Pradyumna}}
Pradyumna was the son of Sri [[Krishna]] and [[Rukmini]]. Pradyumna was born of a part of Sanatkumāra. After his birth, he was kidnapped by [[Sambara]] and thrown into water. However, he survived and was raised by Mayawati (reincarnation of devi [[Rati]]). Later, he defeated Sambara and returned to [[Dwarka]]. He married Mayawati, Prabhavati and [[Vidarbha]] princess Rukmavati, and had a son [[Aniruddha]]. [[Karna]] was once defeated by Pradyumna.

===Pratipa===
{{Main|Pratipa}}
Pratipa was a king in the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', who was the father of [[Shantanu]] and grandfather of [[Bhishma]].<ref>Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (Oxford, 1899), p. 674.1</ref>

===Prativindhya===
Prativindhya was the son of [[Yudhisthir]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the eldest brother among [[Upapandavas]].

===Prishati===
Prishati (lit. daughter-in-law of Prishata) was the wife of King [[Drupada]] and the mother of [[Shikhandini]] and Satyajit. After Drupada performed a [[yajna]] (fire-sacrifice) to obtain a powerful son, she was asked by the sages to consume the sacrificial offering to conceive a child. However, Prishati had perfumed saffron in her mouth and requested the sages to wait till she had a bath and washed her mouth. The sages criticised her untimely request and poured the offering into the flames of the yajna, from which [[Dhrishtadhyumna]] and [[Draupadi]] emerged. Overwhelmed by their arrival, Prishati requested the sages to declared her as the mother of Dhrishtadhyumna and Draupadi.<ref name="C169">{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Chaitraratha Parva: Section CLXIX|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01170.htm|access-date=2021-06-03|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

===Purochana===
Purochana was the builder of the [[Lakshagraha]]. However, he, along with his wife and her sons, perished in the fire.
He was the royal chief architect in Hastinapura. He was a friend of Shakuni and Duryodhana. Purochana built the Lakshagraha palace and burnt it. He was killed by Bhima in the Lakshagraha palace. Purochana had a wife and many sons. In his last life, Purochana had been Prahasta, Ravana's uncle and commander-in-chief of his army.
Shakuni and Duryodhana made another plan to kill the Pandavas. Shakuni told Purochana to build a really beautiful palace in Varnavrata out of only materials that can catch and spread fire easily. Purochana quickly did as Shakuni had said. Purochana called the palace Lakshagraha. It was made out of materials such as wax and twigs.
After some time, Shakuni convinced the Pandavas and Kunti to visit Lakshagraha. Purochana and his wife welcomed the Pandavas and Kunti grandly. After 10 days, during the night, Purochana set fire on the palace. The Pandavas woke up and realized that this had been another one of Duryodhana and Shakuni's evil schemes. Bhima got really mad. While Purochana and his sons and wife were trying to escape, Bhima killed all of them, including Purochana.
The Pandavas barely managed to escape the fire.

===Pururavas===
{{Main|Pururavas}}
Pururavas was the first king from the lunar dynasty (Shantanu's dynasty). He was the son [[Budha]], son of [[Chandra]], and Ilā. He married princess of Kashi. Later, he married [[Urvashi]] but she left him. He was succeeded by his son, Ayu.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.blush.me/|title=Blush.me|website=Blush}}</ref>

==R==
===Radha===
Rādhā is considered to be one of the two forms of Lakṣmīdevī. When Kṛṣṇa lived in Gokula as a man with two hands Rādhā was his dearest consort. But when he lives in Vaikuṇṭha as four-handed Viṣṇu, Lakṣmī is his dearest consort. She was born in Gokula as daughter of Vṛṣabhānu and Kalāvatī. The eternal consort of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the embodiment of the hlādinī potency, known as mahābhāva-svarūpinī, the personification of the highest ecstacy of divine love. She is the source of all the gopīs, the queens of Dvārakā, and the Lakṣmīs of Vaikunṭha.

===Revati===
{{Main|Revati}}
In ''Mahabharata'', Revati was daughter of King Kakudmi and consort of [[Balarama]], the elder brother of [[Krishna]].

===Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)===
{{Main|Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)}}
She was the wife of [[Vasudeva]] and mother of [[Balrama]]. She looked after [[Balaram]] in his childhood. After Vasudeva and [[Devaki]] were released, she started living with them. After the passing of Vasudeva in the Yadu massacre, Rohini cremates herself on Vasudeva's pyre along with his other wives Devaki, Bhadra and Madira.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m16/m16007.htm |title=The Mahabharata, Book 16: Mausala Parva: Section 7 |publisher=Sacred-texts.com |access-date=2018-07-18}}</ref>

===Rukmi===
{{Main|Rukmi}}
Rukmi was the ruler of Vidarbha. He was the son of king Bhishmaka and elder brother of Rukmini.

===Rukmini===
{{Main|Rukmini}}
Rukmini was the first and chief queen consort of [[Krishna]]. She was an avatar of goddess Lakshmi. She was the daughter of king Bhishmaka, sister of Rukmi and the princess of Vidarbha.

=== Ruru ===
Ruru was a rishi(sage) of the epic ''Mahabharata''. He was the son of Pramati and Ghritachi, the celestial danseuse and a descendant of Bhrigu. Ruru married Pramadvara, foster-daughter of sage Sthulakesha. He was the father of Sunaka.

==S==
=== Sahadeva ===
{{Main|Sahadeva}}
Sahadeva was the youngest of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. [[Nakula]] and Sahadev were twins born to [[Madri]] who had invoked the [[Ashwini Kumaras]]. Sahadeva had two wives Draupadi and Vijaya. Draupadi was the common wife of Pandavas while Vijaya was the beloved wife of Sahadeva. Similar to his twin brother Nakula, Sahadeva was also accomplished in swordsmanship. On the 18th of war, Sahadeva had killed [[Shakuni]] who was mainly responsible for the Kurukshetra War.

===Sahadeva of Magadha===
{{Main|Sahadeva of Magadha}}
Sahadeva was the son of powerful king [[Jarasandha]]. When Bhima slayed his father, Krishna declared him to be the new ruler of Magadha. Sahadeva is a frequent ally of the Pandavas, and attended the Rajsuya of Yudhishthira. During the Kurukshetra War, he fought from the side of Pandavas and was slayed by [[Shakuni]].

=== Sakradeva ===
He was son of King [[Srutayudha]] and Queen Sakrayani of [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]]. He was Yuvaraja (Crown Prince) of Kalinga. He was killed by [[Bhima]] on the 2nd day of war along with many soldiers and two generals Satya and Satyadeva.

=== Samba ===
{{Main|Samba (Krishna's son)}}
Samba was the mischievous son of [[Krishna]] and his second wife, [[Jambavati]]. He was born as a boon of Lord [[Shiva]]. Samba was the husband of [[Lakshmanaa]], [[Duryodhana]]'s daughter. Later in the epic, his mischief becomes the reason for the destruction of Krishna's Yaduvansha, to whom [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] cursed.

=== Shamika ===
Shamika was a sage in the epic ''Mahabharata''. One day, while hunting Parikshit had wounded a deer but lost it in the woods. Searching for it, fatigued he asked meditating Shamika about the deer. The sage did not answer as he was observing the vow of silence. This angered the king, who placed a dead snake on Shamika's shoulder. Sringin, son of Shamika enraged by this act cursed Parikshit to be killed by [[Takshaka]](snake) within seven days.

===Samvarana===
{{Main|Samvarana}}
Samvarana was a king from lunar dynasty and an ancestor of Shantanu. He married [[Tapati]], daughter of Surya, and had a child named [[Characters in Mahabharata#Kuru|Kuru]].

=== Sanjaya ===
{{Main|Sanjaya}}
Sanjaya was [[Dhritarashtra]]'s advisor and also his [[chariot]]eer. Sanjaya was a disciple of sage [[Vyasa|Krishna Dwaipayana Veda Vyasa]] and was immensely devoted to his master, King [[Dhritarashtra]]. Sanjaya – who has the gift of seeing events at a distance ([[divya-drishti]]) right in front of him, granted by the sage [[Vyasa]] – narrates to Dhritarashtra the action in the climactic battle of [[Kurukshetra]], which includes the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''.

=== Sarama ===
{{Main|Sarama}}
Sarama, according to ''Mahabharata'', is a celestial female dog. Janamejaya and his brothers beat one of her sons without any reason when the dog arrives at an occasion of sacrifice. This angers Sarama, and she curses the princes and Janamejaya that evil may happen to them.

===Satrajit===
{{Main|Satrajit}}
In the Hindu scriptures like the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and [[Bhagavata Purana|Bhagvata Puran]], Satrajit was a [[Yadava]] king who was a great devotee of [[Surya]]deva, the Sun god. He is famous for his role in the story of [[Syamantaka]] gem. He was the father of [[Satyabhama]], who was [[Bhūmi|Bhumidevi's]] incarnation and Sri [[Krishna|Krishna's]] third wife.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Syamantaka gem|date = April 1971|isbn = 8189999648|publisher =Amar Chitra Katha Private Limited}}</ref>{{sfn|Mani|1975|pages=701}}

===Satyabhama===

=== Satyajit ===
He was second born child of King [[Drupada]] and Queen Prishati. He was younger brother of [[Shikhandi]]ni/Shikhandi and elder brother of [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and [[Draupadi]]. He succeeded the throne of Panchala.

=== Satyaki ===
{{Main|Satyaki}}
'''Yuyudhana''', better known as '''Satyaki''', was a powerful warrior belonging to the [[Vrishni]] clan of the [[Yadava]]s, to which [[Krishna]] also belonged.Son of the Sini, and a prominent member of the Yadu dynasty. He was a close friend of Lord Krishna and a student of Arjuna. He fought during Kurukshetra war and killed many kings on the side of Kauravas. He was also called Yuyudhana.

=== Satyavati ===
{{Main|Satyavati}}
Satyavati is the matriarch of the ''Mahabharata''. She was a fisherwoman before her marriage with [[Shantanu]]. She along with her father, Dashraj, proposed the conditions which led [[Bhishma]] to take his vow. With Shantanu, she is the mother of [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]] and [[Vichitravirya]]. She is also the mother of the [[Vyasa]], author of the epic, whom she called for [[Niyoga]] when Vichitravirya died without any heir.

=== Savitri and Satyavan ===
{{Main|Savitri and Satyavan}}
In the ''Mahabharata'', Savitri and Satyavan are characters appearing in the [[Vana Parva]] of the epic. Savitri is a princess born by the boon of [[Savitr]]a. She is wise and beautiful. She fell in love with Satyavan, a prince who is destined to die at very young age. Savitri, knowing that she would become a widow at a young age, married Satyavan. The later part of the story is about how Savitri's love and wit saves her husband from [[Yama]], god of death.

=== Shakuni ===
{{Main|Shakuni}}
Shakuni was the prince of [[Gandhara Kingdom]] in present-day [[Gandhara]], later to become the King after his father's death. He is the main antagonist in the [[Hindu]] [[Epic (genre)|epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was the brother of [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] and hence [[Duryodhana]]'s maternal uncle. Shakuni was killed by Sahadeva on the 18th day of the Kurukshetra War.
===Shakuni's wife (Arshi)===
Shakuni's wife was the queen of [[Gandhara]] and the mother of [[Uluka]]. In later retellings she is named Arshi and is also known as ''Arsh'' and ''Charulata''.
Her brothers Keturaja and Ketusena were killed by [[Drupada]] on the 11th day of the war. She was very close to her sister-in-law, [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]].

=== Shakuntala ===
{{Main|Shakuntala}}
Shakuntala was wife of [[Dushyanta]] and the mother of [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Emperor Bharata]]. Her story is told in the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and dramatized by many writers, the most famous adaption being [[Kālidāsa|Kalidasa]]'s play ''[[Shakuntala (play)|Abhijñānaśākuntala]]'' (''The Sign of Shakuntala'').

===Shalva===
Shalva was the king of Shalva kingdom. He and [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]], the princess of Kashi, fell in love and Amba decided to choose him during her Swayamvara. However, [[Bhishma]] won the princesses for his brother Vichitravirya. When, Amba told Bhishma about her love, he sent her with honour to Shalva. But, Shalva rejected her and told her that he cannot marry her as she was won by Bhishma.

=== Shalya ===
{{Main|Shalya}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', King Shalya was the brother of [[Madri]] (mother of [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]]), as well as the ruler of the [[Madra Kingdom|Madra]] kingdom. Shalya, a powerful spear fighter and a formidable charioteer, was tricked by [[Duryodhana]] to fight the war on the side of the [[Kauravas]]. On the last day of the Kurukshetra War, Yudhishthira killed him during a spear fight.

===Shankha===
Shankha was 3rd son of King [[Virata]]. He was killed by [[Bhishma]] on very first day of war.

=== Shantanu ===
{{Main|Shantanu}}
Shantanu was a [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]] king of [[Hastinapura]] in the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was a descendant of the [[Bhāratas|Bharata]] race, of the Lunar dynasty and great-grandfather of the [[Pandava]]s and [[Kaurava]]s. He was the youngest son of King [[Pratipa]] of Hastinapura and had been born in the latter's old age. He was husband of [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]] and [[Satyavati]]. He was father of Devavrat ([[Bhishma]]), [[Chitrāngada|Chitrāngad]] and [[Vichitravirya]].

===Sharmishtha===
{{Main|Sharmishtha}}
Sharmishtha was an Asura princess and a spouse of Yayati, an ancestor of Shantanu.

===Shatanika===
Shatanika was the son of [[Nakula]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the third brother among [[Upapandavas]].

=== Shaunaka ===
Shaunaka headed the sages during their conclave at his twelve-year sacrifice, where [[Ugrashravas]] Sauti recited the ''Mahabharata''.

=== Shikhandi ===
{{Main|Shikhandi}}
Shikhandi was born as a baby girl, named "Shikhandini," to [[Drupada]], the king of [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]], and his wife. Later she changed her sex and took the name Shikhandi. He fought in the [[Kurukshetra war]] for the [[Pandavas]] along with his father Drupada and brother [[Dhristadyumna]]. He was Kashi's [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]] in previous birth.

=== Shishupala ===
{{Main|Shishupala}}
Shishupala was the son of Damaghosha. He was slain by his cousin [[Krishna]], at the great coronation ceremony of [[Yudhishthira]] in punishment for the opprobrious abuse made against his august personage. He was also called Chaidya, being a member of Chedi kingdom.

===Shrutkarma===
Shrutkarma was the son of [[Arjuna]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the youngest brother among [[Upapandavas]].

===Shrutsena===
Shrutsena was the son of [[Sahadeva]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the fourth brother among [[Upapandavas]].

===Shukracharya===
{{main|Shukra}}
Shukracharya is the son of sage [[Bhrigu]] and his wife [[Kavyamata]]. After the Devas killed his mother (who was later revived), Shukra developed a deep hatred towards the Devas and became the guru of Asuras. He had a daughter named [[Devayani]], who was married to Lunar king [[Yayati]]. But Yayati developed an affair with Devayani's maid, [[Sharmishtha]]. This led Shukra to curse Yayati to lose his youth.

===Shveta===
He was second son of [[Virata]]. He was killed on the first day of war by [[Shalya]].

===Sons of Karna===
Karna's sons were [[Vrishasena]], [[Vrishaketu]], [[Banasena]], Chitrasena, Satyasena, Sushena, Shatrunjaya, Dvipata and Prasena. All except for Vrishaketu were killed in the war.

===Sons of Shalya===
[[Shalya]] and Avantini's three sons were Madranjaya, Rukmanagada and Rukmanaratha. Madranjaya was the eldest than other two with a gap of 10 years. Rukmanagada and Rukmanaratha were twins. Madranjaya was killed on 2nd day of war by [[Virata]] and other two were killed by [[Abhimanyu]] inside the Chakravyuha on 13th day.

===Sons of Shishupala===
The four sons of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] King [[Shishupala]] were Dhrishtaketu, Mahipala, Suketu, Sarabha. They had a sister named [[Karenumati]] who was younger than Dhrishtaketu but elder than other three. Dhrishtaketu succeeded the throne of Chedi after Shishupala's death. Dhrishtaketu was killed by [[Dronacharya]] on 6th day of war and other three were killed by [[Shakuni]]'s son Vrikaasur.

===Subala===
Subala was father of [[Shakuni]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. He was King of Gandhara and later King-Father under Shakuni's rule. He was husband of Sudharma.

===Subhadra===
{{main|Subhadra}}

In the epic, she is the sister of [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]], wife of [[Arjuna]], mother of [[Abhimanyu]] and grandmother of [[Parikshit]]. She is the daughter of [[Vasudeva]] and [[#Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)|Rohini]]. When Arjuna visited Dwarka during his exile, he fell in love with Subhadra and eloped with her.

===Sudakshina===
{{Main|Sudakshina}}
Sudakshina (Sanskrit: सुदक्षिण) was a king of the Kambojas, and fought on the side of the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War.

===Sudeshna===
{{Main|Sudeshna}}
Sudeshna was the wife of King Virata, at whose court the Pandavas spent a year in concealment during their exile. She was the mother of [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], [[Uttarā]], Shveta and Shankha. She had a younger brother named [[Kichaka]] and a brother-in-law named Sahtanika.

===Surya===
{{Main|Surya}}
Surya is the god of sun and day. He is son of [[Aditi]] and [[Kashyapa]]. He is consort of [[Saranyu]]. In the epic, he was the first god called by [[Kunti]] using the mantra given by sage [[Durvasa]] to obtain a child. She did it out of curiosity and gave birth to [[Karna]], who was born with indestructible armour and earrings. During that time she wasn't married and had to abandon the child. Later in the epic, Surya gave Akshaypatra to [[Yudhishthira]].

===Sutsoma===
Sutsoma was the son of [[Bhima]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the second brother among [[Upapandavas]].

===Svaha===
{{main|Svaha}}
Svaha is the daughter of Prajapati [[Daksha]] and the wife of [[Agni]]. In the Vana Parva, sage [[Markandeya]] narrated her story to the [[Pandavas]]. As per the story, Agni visited the [[ashram]] of the seven [[Saptarshi]] and saw their wives. He was attracted towards them but none responded to him. Svaha was present there and was attracted to Agni, but he wasn't. Later Agni went to forest to calm down his mind. Svaha, taking the form of the wives of sages (except for [[Arundhati (Hinduism)|Arundhati]]), slept with Agni one by one. Later Agni realised Svaha's love and married her.

===Shashwathi===
Shashwathi was the daughter of [[Pandu]] and [[Madri]] and the sister of [[Pandavas]]. She is the wife of [[Dhrishtadyumna]], the twin brother of [[Draupadi]].

===Shashirekha===
Shashirekha is the second wife of [[Dhrishtadyumna]], she is the daughter of [[Brihadratha]] and Sister of [[Jarasandha]].

== T ==

=== Takshaka ===
{{Main|Takshaka}}
Takshaka was the king of nagas. He lived in a city named Takshasila, which was the new territory of Takshaka after his race was banished by Pandavas led by Arjuna from the Khandava Forest and Kurukshetra, where they built their new kingdom. Because of this, he made a fierce rivalry with Arjuna. During the Kurukshetra war, he sat on an arrow of Karna which was shot at Arjuna. However Krishna saved Arjuna. After his failure, Takshaka vowed to end Arjuna's lineage. After the Pandavas and Draupadi left for heaven, Takshaka killed Parikshit.

===Tapati===
{{Main|Tapati}}
Tapati is a river goddess. She is daughter of [[Surya]] and [[Chhaya]]. She married [[Samvarana]] and had a child named, [[Characters in Mahabharata#Kuru|Kuru]]. Kuru was an ancestor of Shantanu.

=== Tilottama ===
{{Main|Tilottama}}
In the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'', Tilottama is described to have been created by the divine architect [[Vishwakarma]], at [[Brahma]]'s request, by taking the best quality of everything as the ingredients. She was responsible for bringing about the mutual destruction of the Asuras, [[Sunda and Upasunda]]. Even gods like Indra are described to be enamoured by Tilottama. Her story was told by sage [[Narada]] to the [[Pandavas]] as he wanted to tell them how a woman can lead to rivalry between brothers.

===Tara===
{{Main|Taraka (goddess)}}
Tara is the goddess of felicity. She is spouse of Brihaspati, a guru of gods. [[Brihaspati]] often ignored Tara and she started to have an affair with [[Chandra]], the moon god. From their union, [[Budha]] was born, whose son, [[Pururavas]], founded the lunar dynasty.

===Tejashree===
{{Main|Draft:Tejashree (Mahabharata)}}
Tejashree is the wife of King Anushalva, brother of Shalva. She is the daughter of King Charuratha and mother of Anusuya, daughter of Anushalva.

==U==

=== Usha ===
{{Main|Uṣā}}
Uṣā or Usha was daughter of [[Banasura]], powerful king of Sonitpur and a devotee of Lord Shiva. Later Usha was married to [[Aniruddha]], grandson of Lord Krishna.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L5iBAAAAMAAJ&q=banasur+Usha|title=Fables and Folk-tales of Assam|date=1998|publisher=Firma KLM|isbn=9788171020751|language=en}}</ref>

===Ugrasena===
{{main|Ugrasena}}
Ugrasena (Sanskrit: उग्रसेन) is a Yadava king in ''Mahabharata'' epic. He was the king of Mathura, a kingdom that was established by the powerful Vrishni tribes from Yaduvanshi clan. Lord Krishna was the grandson of Ugrasena. He established his grandfather as the ruler of Mathura again after defeating his uncle, King Kamsa who was a wicked ruler. Before this, King Ugrasena was overthrown from power by his own son Kansa and was sentenced to prison along with his daughter Devaki and son in law Vasudeva to prison. Devki and Vasudev were parents of Lord Krishna.

===Ugrashravas Sauti===
{{Main|Ugrashravas}}
Ugrashravas Sauti was the son of Lomaharsana. He was the Lomaharshana. He was a disciple of [[Vyasa]]. He was the narrator of ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and several [[Puranas]] before the gathering of the sages in [[Naimisha Forest]].

=== Uluka ===
{{Main|Uluka}}
Uluka was eldest son of [[Shakuni]] and Arshi. He was sent as messenger to [[Pandavas]] by [[Duryodhana]]. He was killed by [[Sahadeva]] on 18th day of war before his father's death.

=== Ulupi ===
{{Main|Ulupi}}
Ulupi was daughter of Kauravya, the [[Nāgarāja|king of Nāgas]], she was among the four wives of [[Arjuna]]. She had a son named [[Iravan]].

===Urvashi===
{{Main|Urvashi}}
Urvashi was a celestial maiden in Indra's court and was considered the most beautiful of all the Apsaras. She was the consort of [[Pururavas]], an ancestor of Pandavas and Kauravas. Later she left him and returned to heaven.<ref name="auto1"/> When Arjuna came to heaven to meet Indra, she fell in love with him. But Arjuna refused her as he thought her as his mother.

===Uttamaujas===
{{main|Uttamaujas}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Uttamaujas was a powerful Panchala warrior. He is described to be a protector of [[Arjuna]]. With his brother Yudhamanyu, they fought a battle against [[Duryodhana]]. He was killed during Ashwatthama's night raid. Sometimes, he is described to be Drupada's son and identified with [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Satyajit|Satyajit]].

===Uttanka===
{{Main|Uttanka}}
In the ''Mahabharata'', Uttanka is described as the disciple of the sage [[Gautama Maharishi|Gautama]]. In both legends, he is a learned sage who goes through many hurdles in procuring the earrings demanded by his guru's wife as the fee for the teacher (''[[gurudakshina]]'').

=== Uttara ===
{{Main|Uttara (Mahabharata)}}
Uttara Kumar was the prince of [[Matsya Kingdom]] and the son of King [[Virata]], at whose court the [[Pandavas]] spent one year in concealment during their exile. His sister [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]] was given in marriage to [[Abhimanyu]], son of [[Arjuna]].

=== Uttarā ===
{{Main|Uttarā (Mahabharata)}}
'''''Uttarā''''' or Anglicized as '''''Uttaraa''''' (उत्तरा) was daughter of King [[Virata]], at whose court the [[Pandavas]] spent a year in concealment during their exile. She was sister of Prince [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]]. She was wife of [[Abhimanyu]] and mother of [[Parikshit]].

== V ==
=== Vajra ===
{{Main|Aniruddha#Children}}
He was the son of [[Aniruddha]]. Vajra was crowned as the King of [[Indraprastha]] on the request of Krishna by the [[Pandava]]s after the [[Mausala Parva|Yadava fratricide]] just before the [[Vana Parva|Pandavas' exile]].

=== Vajranabh ===
Vajra in the [[Vayu Purana]] and the [[Harivamsa]], described as the son of [[Satyabhama#Marriage and Children|Bhanu]], the eldest son of [[Krishna]] and [[Satyabhama]]. He had a sister named Bhanumati.

=== Valandhara ===
Valandhara was the princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi Kingdom]], and wife of [[Pandava]] [[Bhima]]. They both had a son Sarvaga, who became the King of Kashi after the Kurukshetra War. Sarvaga's granddaughter Vapusthama married [[Janamejaya]], the great-grandson of [[Arjuna]], and bore him 2 sons – Shatanika and Sahashranika.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://glorioushinduism.com/2015/12/31/kasi-kingdom/|title=Kasi Kingdom|date=1 January 2016|website=Glorious Hinduism}}</ref>

=== Vapusthama ===
Vapusthama was the princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], the grand-daughter of King Sarvaga and great-granddaughter of [[Bhima]], the 2nd [[Pandava]]. Vapusthama was married to [[Arjuna]]'s great-grandson [[Janamejaya]], and bore him 2 sons – Shatanika and Sankukarna.

=== Vasudeva ===
{{Main|Vasudeva}}
Vasudeva the father of the Hindu deities [[Krishna]], [[Balarama]] and [[Subhadra]]. He was king of the [[Vrishni]]s and a [[Yadava]] prince. He was the son of the Yadava king [[Shurasena]]. His sister [[Kunti]] was married to [[Pandu]].

=== Vasundhara ===
She was the queen of [[Manipura]] and the mother of [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]]. She was also the grandmother of [[Babruvahana]]. Her husband was King Chitravahana.

=== Vayu ===
{{Main|Vayu}}
Vayu deva is the god of wind. He is son of Aditi and Kashyapa. In the epic, he is the spiritual father of [[Hanuman]] and the Pandava, [[Bhima]]. He was the second god called by [[Kunti]] after her marriage using a mantra as her husband couldn't conceive due to a curse.

=== Vichitravirya ===
{{Main|Vichitravirya}}
Vichitravirya (Sanskrit: विचित्रवीर्य, vicitravīrya) was a king in Indian Religious Texts. In the ''Mahabharata'' he was the younger son of queen Satyavati and king Shantanu and grandfather of the Pandavas and Kauravas.

=== Vidura ===
{{Main|Vidura}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Vidura is described as the [[prime minister]] of the [[Kuru Kingdom]] and also the uncle of the [[Pandavas]] and [[Kauravas]]. He was born from Niyoga- between sage [[Vyasa]] and Parishrami, a handmaiden to the queens- [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Ambika|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]].
===Vidura's wife (Sulabha)===
The wife of [[Vidura]], the half-brother of King [[Dhritarashtra]] and the Prime Minister of [[Hastinapur]]. She was also a chaste woman of supreme order. She too had a high degree of devotion and abdication. When [[Lord Krishna]] visited [[Hastinapur]] as an emissary of [[Pandavas]], he had not accepted [[Duryodhana|Duryodhana's]] request to stay in his palace but instead he chose to stay at [[Vidura|Vidura's]] home and accepted a simple meal there. She is named Sulabha in later versions of the Mahabharata.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vaidya|first=Sahna|date=2018-03-10|title=My Beloved Lord Krishna: The man 'with and behind' every strong woman.|url=http://pravaahwellness.com/index.php/2018/03/10/my-beloved-lord-krishna-the-man-with-and-behind-every-strong-woman-a-true-and-first-feminist-of-history/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Pravaah Wellness|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Shun self|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/shun-self/article5620543.ece|access-date=2021-01-19|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata Characters 19 – Vidura 01 – A true friend, affectionate but not attached {{!}} The Spiritual Scientist|url=https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2014/06/mahabharata-characters-19-vidura-01-a-true-friend-affectionate-but-not-attached/|access-date=2021-01-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Sulabha was a great devotee of [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]]. One day he came to her home for a surprise meal. She was enchanted by his glowing face. In absence of her husband, she offered him peels of banana instead of the fruit. And he ate them respecting her [[bhakti]] note.<ref name=":0" />

=== Vijaya ===
In the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Mahabharat]]'', '''Vijaya''' was the daughter of king
Dyutimata of Madra and wife of [[Sahadeva]]. They got married in a [[swayamvara|self choice ceremony]]. Vijaya was [[Nakula]]'s maternal uncle's daughter. They had a son [[Suhotra]].<ref name="auto" /> After the Kurukshetra War, Vijaya and Suhotra lived in Madra, when Sahadeva was appointed as the king of Madra Kingdom.

=== Vikarna ===
{{Main|Vikarna}}
Vikarna was third [[Kaurava]], son of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] and a brother to the [[crown prince]] [[Duryodhana]]. Vikarna is universally referred to as the third-most reputable of Kauravas. Usually, he is also indicated as the third-oldest son, but in other sources, the "third-strongest" reputation remained and it is implied that Vikarna is just one of Gandhari's 99 children (after [[Duryodhana]] and [[Dussasana]]). Vikarna was the only [[Kaurava]] who questioned the humiliation of [[Draupadi]], the wife of his cousin [[Pandavas]] after they lost her in a game of dice to Duryodhana.

=== Vinata ===
{{Main|Vinata}}
Vinata, was the mother of [[Aruna (Hinduism)|Aruna]] and [[Garuda]] (the birds). She was also the daughter of [[Daksha]] and wife of sage [[Kasyapa]].

=== Vinda and Anuvinda ===
Vinda and Anuvinda were brothers, and the two kings of [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]]. They were the sons of Jayasena and Rajadhidevi. They also had a sister, Mitravinda, who married [[Lord Krishna]]. They were good friends of [[Duryodhana]], and fought for his cause in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

=== Viraja ===
In the Harivamsa, (an appendix of ''Mahabharata''), the spouse of [[Nahusha]] is mentioned to be Viraja, the daughter of [[Pitrs]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xY8MAQAAMAAJ&q=nahusa+viraja|title=Virajā, the Capital of Ancient Orissa|isbn=9788177021509|last1=Mishra|first1=S. P.|year=2007}}</ref> Later, she was replaced by [[Ashokasundari]], the daughter of goddess Parvati and lord Shiva.

=== Virata ===
{{Main|Virata}}
In the epic, Virata was the king of [[Matsya Kingdom]] with its [[Virata Kingdom]], in whose court the [[Pandavas]] spent a year in concealment during their exile. Virata was married to Queen [[Sudeshna]] and was the father of Prince [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]] and Princess [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]], who married [[Abhimanyu]], the son of [[Arjuna]].

=== Vishoka ===
Vishoka was the charioteer of Pandava Bhima during the Kurukshetra War.

=== Vrihanta ===
{{Main|Vrihanta}}
Vrihanta was king of the Ulukas. His name appears at several places in the ''Mahabharata''.

===Vridhakshtra===
He was former king of [[Singhu]] Kingdom. He was father of [[Jayadratha]] and Vijayadratha. He later became a rishi. When [[Arjuna]] beheaded his son Jayadratha, his head came on his lap while he was dping Tapasya and when he stood up and Jayadratha's head blasted, killing Vridhakshtra.

=== Vrishaketu ===
{{Main|Vrishaketu}}
Vrishaketu is a figure in the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. He was the son of King of Anga Karna and his chief consort Maharani [[Wives of Karna|Supriya]] also youngest and surviving son of [[Karna]] and Arjuna teaches him many more skills of great warrior. Later, he becomes King of Anga.

=== Vrishasena ===
{{Main|Vrishasena}}
Vrishasena was the son of Karna and Vrishali. With his father, he entered battle field on the 11th day of Kurukshetra war and fought for Kauravas. He was killed by Arjuna.

===Vasantraja of Trilokapura===
Vasantraja was the king of Trilokapura Kingdom and he was the father of many daughters including Mayuri and a son named Matrasena. His elder daughter [[Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]] was married to [[Duryodhana]], the elder Kaurava Prince.

=== Vyasa ===
{{Main|Vyasa}}
Vyasa was the author of epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. According to the ''Mahabharata'', the sage Vyasa was the son of [[Satyavati]] and [[Parashara]]. He was also the surrogate father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura. They were born through [[Niyoga]]. Later, he helped in birth of 101 children of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. He also helped the Pandavas many times.

==Y==
===Yama or Dharma===
{{Main|Yama (Hinduism)}}
In the epic, the death god [[Yama]]{{mdash}} often identified with the god Dharma{{mdash}}is the spiritual father of [[Yudhishthira]]. He was the first god called by [[Kunti]] after her marriage using a mantra as her [[Pandu|husband]] couldn't conceive. Yama also appeared in the tale of [[Savitri and Satyavan]]. In the story, he tried to take Satyavan's soul, but Savitri tricked him. Dharma, later in the epic, appears testing Yudhishthira by taking form of a Yaksha. When the Pandavas and Draupadi went for heaven, he accompanied them by taking form of a dog and was only surviving left along with Yudhishthira. At the end, he showed his true form to Yudhishthira.

=== Yamuna ===
{{Main|Yamuna in Hinduism}}
Devi Yamuna or Yami is the river goddess of life. She is daughter of [[Surya]] and [[Saranyu]] as well as the twin of [[Yama (Hinduism)|Yamraj]]. In the epic, she appears as '''Kalindi'''. She is one of lord [[Ashtabharya|Krishna's eight wives]].

===Yashoda===
{{Main|Yashoda}}
She is the wife of [[Nanda Baba|Nanda]] (head of Gokul) and foster mother of Lord [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]]. She is popularly and best known as Mother of Krishna. Krishna and Balarama spent their childhood with Yashoda and Nanda and the couple took care of them. There is a popular story about replacement of Krishna with [[Vindhyavasini|Yashoda's daughter]] by [[Vasudeva]] after an agreement with Nanda.

===Yaudheya===
Yaudheya was the son of Yudhishthira and Devika, and the grandson of Govasena, who was the king of [[Sivi Kingdom]]. Yaudheya succeeded his grandfather after his death in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

According to the [[Matsya Purana]], Yaudheya is also the name of the son of [[Upapandavas#Prativindhya|Prativindhya]], however he does not succeed Yudhishthira to the throne of [[Hastinapur]] as he inherits his maternal kingdom.

===Yayati===
{{Main|Yayati}}
Yayati was an ancestor of [[Shantanu]] and the son of king [[Nahusha]] and [[Ashokasundari]], the daughter of goddess [[Parvati]]. He had two wives, [[Devayani]] and [[Sharmishtha]].

=== Yogmaya ===
{{Main|Vindhyavasini}}
Yogmaya or Vindhyavasini is an incarnation of goddess [[Adi Parashakti]]. She was the daughter of [[Yashoda]] and [[Nanda Baba|Nanda]], the foster parents of [[Krishna]]. Krishna and Yogmaya were born on [[Janamashtami|the same day]]. They were exchanged by their parents to save Krishna from [[Kamsa]]. Many believe that [[Subhadra]] was her reincarnation.

=== Yudhisthira ===
{{Main|Yudhishthira}}
Yudhishtira was the first among the five [[Pandavas]] and was blessed by death god Yama to [[Pandu]] and [[Kunti]]. He became the king of [[Indraprastha]] and later of [[Hastinapura]] (Kuru). He was the leader of the successful [[Pandava]] side in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. At the end of the epic, he [[Entering heaven alive|ascended to heaven]]. He was also blessed with the spiritual vision of second sight by a celestial [[Rishi]] as a boon.

=== Yuyutsu ===
{{Main|Yuyutsu}}
Yuyutsu was the illegitimate son of [[Dhritrashtra|Dhritarashtra]] with Dasi aka Sughada/Sauvali, his wife [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]'s maid. He was the paternal half – sibling to Gandhari's children: [[Duryodhana]] and the rest of the 100 Kaurava brothers and their sister [[Dushala]]. Eventually, he was the only son of [[Dhritarashtra]] who survived the [[Kurukshetra]] war.

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
{{ref begin}}
* {{Cite book|last=Mani|first=Vettam|url=http://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft|title=Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature|date=1975|publisher=Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass|others=Robarts – University of Toronto}}
* {{Cite book|last=Chakravarti|first=Bishnupada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivQ6CwAAQBAJ&pg=PT105|title=Penguin Companion to the Mahabharata|date=2007-11-13|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-93-5214-170-8|language=en}}
*{{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2014-04-18|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-81-8475-277-9|language=en}}
{{ref end}}

== External links ==
{{Mahabharata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata|*]]
[[Category:People related to Krishna]]
[[Category:Javanese mythology]]
[[Category:Wayang]]

Dushasana

2023-05-27T10:55:31Z

Gomateshwari:

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}
{{short description|One of the Kauravas in the epic Mahabharata}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Information
| alt = Dushasana
| image = Draupadi dragged from her chamber.jpg
| caption = Dushasana dragging Draupadi from her chamber, an early 20th illustration by [[Evelyn Paul]]
| children = [[Drumasena]] Bharat Arohi (from [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]]) (daughter)
| family = {{ubl|[[Dhritarashtra]] (father)|[[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] (mother)|[[Duryodhana]], [[Vikarna]] and 97 others brothers|[[Duhsala]] (sister)|[[Yuyutsu]] (half-brother)}}
| color = #FFC569
| spouse = *[[Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]] (chief
and senior consort)
* [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]] (Second principal wife)
* [[Lata (Mahabharata)|Lata]]
(Third principal wife)
* [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]]
(Fourth principal consort)
* Divija
(Fifth principal consort)
}}

'''Dushasana''' ({{lang-sa|दुःशासन}}, {{IAST|Duḥśāsana}}, {{lit|hard to rule}}), also spelled as '''Dussasana''' and '''Duhsasana''', is an antagonist of the [[Hindu epic]], ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was one of the [[Kaurava]] princes and the younger brother of [[Duryodhana]].

==Etymology==

The name is often derived from two elements, the Sanskrit: duh "hard" and sasana, meaning "rule". So the word ''Duhshasana'' means "Hard to rule" or "unbounded".<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=7wJBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA98&dq=drupada+sons&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj20szk3truAhVbYysKHaIJDxcQ6AEwBHoECAQQAg#v=onepage&q=drupada%20sons&f=false</ref>

==Birth and Early Life==

When Dhritarashtra's queen Gandhari's pregnancy continued for an unusually long time, she beat her womb in frustration and in envy of [[Kunti]], the queen of [[Pandu]], who had given birth to three of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. Due to her actions, a hardened mass of grey-coloured flesh emerged from her womb. Gandhari was devastated, and called upon [[Vyasa]], the great sage who had blessed her with one hundred sons, to redeem his words.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXV|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01116.htm|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

Dushasana was devoted to his older brother [[Duryodhana]]. He was also closely involved in the various schemes and plots to kill the [[Pandavas]] along with [[Duryodhana]] and [[Shakuni]].

==Marriage and children==
Dushasana's marriage is found in the various parvas. Stree Parva mentions, he abducted the daughter of Ashwinraja, [[Narada]] does not describe the princess but states she is fair and beautiful. In the later versions, she is named Chandramukhi. Drumasena was the son of Dushasana and Chandramukhi. She was the princess of [[Trigarta]].

He abducted a princess and she was his second queen, named Shweta in the regional stories. She was the princess of Trilokapura or in Tamil (திரிலோகபுரா), ''Trilokapuram''. Jyoti is the daughter of Dushasana and Shweta. He also married Princess Shweta's sister, Lata. The final text of marriage of the [[Kauravas]] in the Shanti Parva, narrates the war of Dushasana and [[Nirjara]]. Nirjara was from the Dholakapura, which is also mentioned in Mahabharata as a kingdom. Duryodhana (not to be confused with [[Duryodhana]]), a son and a daughter named Sirat (or '''Sirat Kumari''') were the children of Dushasana and Nirjara. Divija, the younger sister of Nirjara was his fifth consort. Some folktales mention '''Kairat''' as the daughter of Dushasana and Queen Divija of [[Hastinapura]].

==Draupadi's humiliation==
[[File: The ordeal of Queen Draupadi.jpg|alt=|thumb|Dushasana drags Draupadi to the court]]
After [[Yudhishthira]] lost his kingdom, his brothers and his wife [[Draupadi]], in a game of dice with [[Shakuni]], Duhshasana dragged [[Draupadi]] by the hair into the assembly, at the behest of his brother [[Duryodhana]], and tried to disrobe her. Draupadi prayed to [[Krishna]] and he made her [[sari]] to be of an infinite length so that Duhshasana could not take it off. Dushasana was very exhausted and he nearly fainted. The assembled men were amazed at this miracle. They condemned Duhshasana and praised Draupadi. However, Draupadi was humiliated by being dragged into court by her hair. After this humiliation, Draupadi swore that she will not tie her hair until it is bathed with the blood of Duhshasana. [[Bhima]], who could no longer watch Draupadi's insult in silence, rose up. He vowed to tear open Dussasana's chest in battle and drink his blood. Bhima also exclaimed that if he could not fulfill his oath, then he would not meet his ancestors in heaven.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-08-02|title=The Clothes of Draupadi|url=https://devdutt.com/articles/the-clothes-of-draupadi/|access-date=2020-09-01|website=Devdutt|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File: Draupadi s presented to a pachisi game.jpg|thumb|right|Draupadi is presented to a Parcheesi game]]

==Kurukshetra war and death==
He along with Duryodhana lead one of the Akshauhanis (battle divisions) of the Kaurava army. <ref>{{cite web |author1=Aayush |title=18 Days of The Mahabharata War – Summary of the War |url=https://vedicfeed.com/18-days-of-the-mahabharata-war-summary-of-the-war/ |website=vedicfeed.com |publisher=VEDICFEED |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jha Preeti |title=जानिए महाभारत युद्ध के 18 दिनों में किस दिन क्या हुआ था |url=https://www.jagran.com/spiritual/sant-saadhak-mahabharat-yudh-ka-18-dino-ka-ghatnakram-15405663.html |website=jagran.com |publisher=jagran |access-date=8 June 2020 |language=hi}}</ref>

Dushasana was the warrior who shot the first arrow in the Mahabharata war. On the first day of the war, Dushasana had fought with Nakula. On the tenth day, Dushasana was appointed on the frontlines to defend [[Bhishma]] from the Pandava army. Dushasana exhibited his valour on that day by resisting all the Pandavas single-handedly. But later, [[Arjuna]] managed to defeat him.

On the thirteenth day, Dushasana was present in the Chakravyuha. After a fierce duel, [[Abhimanyu]] badly defeated Dushasana and his charioteer had to take him away from the battlefield. The son of Dushasana who helped his father many times in the Kurukshetra war was also present inside the Chakra Vyuh on the thirteenth day of the war. He was deprived of his chariot by Abhimanyu and saved by Aswathamma by cutting Abhimanyu's arrow in mid-air. After that, Dushasana's son killed Abhimanyu in a mace duel. On 14th day, Dushasana's son was brutally killed by Draupadi's sons, the [[Upapandavas]], in revenge for Abhimanyu. He fought [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]] who losethe war and also married her sister, Divija.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-06|title=Mythology 3 – Abhimanyu|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/littlethoughts/mythology-3-abhimanyu/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Times of India Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Death ===
[[File: Bhima drinks blood.jpg|thumb|Bhima fulfilling his promise regarding Dussasana in the Mahabharata field]]
On the seventeenth day, Dushasana encountered Bhima in a duel. First, they fought by means of archery. Both broke each other's chariots and then they engaged in a mace duel. Bhima broke Dushasana's mace and started using wrestling manoeuvres to beat up Dushasan. After beating him up badly, Bhima seized Dushasana's right arm and uprooted it from his body while roaring loudly. Then (remembering his vow taken on dice game day), Bhima tore open Dushasana's chest with his bare hands and drank his hot blood. Many soldiers who saw Bhima drinking Dushasana's blood had fallen unconscious and some soldiers said that Bhima was a monster for drinking a human's blood. After that, Bhima danced around Dushasana's corpse. Dushasana's death had greatly agitated the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana who become numb. Bhima had given Dushasana one of the most brutal deaths in Mahabharata.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

*'' Mahabharata'' (1999) by [[Krishna Dharma]]

==External links==
* {{Commonscatinline|Dushasana}}

{{Mahābhārata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category: Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Shweta (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T10:54:52Z

Gomateshwari:

Shweta (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T10:49:35Z

Gomateshwari:

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T10:39:49Z

Gomateshwari:

{{Multiple issues|{{unreferenced|date=May 2023}}{{original research|date=May 2023}}}}

{{Infobox character|color=#FFC569|series=[[Mahabharata]]|based_on=[[Mahabharata]]|family=Ashwinraja (father), Suchitra (mother)|spouse=[[Dushasana]]|children=[[Drumasena]] Bharata|relatives='''Cousins''' {{bulleted list|[[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)|Bhanumati]] and [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]}}}}

'''Chandramukhi''' or '''Dushasanpriya''' was a senior and chief queen of [[Dushasana]] in the epic [[Mahabharata]]. She is originally unnamed - in the epic but later added in the other versions. She had two cousins - [[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)|Bhanumati]] (Kalinga Princess) and the other one was [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]] (Trilokapura Princess). Bhanumati, a companion or so called sister of Mayuri used to be with her as a friend. Chandramukhi, a cousin sister of the two princesses were very happy with each other. She had two sons -Drumasena and Bharata. She was one of the fairest complex of beauty ever had Dushasana had seen her. He took her with the help of [[Duryodhana]] in the earlier folktales.

Chandramukhi's marriage in the Shanti Parva describes Dushasana abducted the daughter of Ashwinraja, who was the fairest of the other princesses. Mayuri, the beloved wife of Duryodhana, later gets her married to [[Dushasana]]. Gandhari describes her with hail and calmness. [[Krishna]], thought if Dushasana had died, his five wives will get robbed. Chandramukhi, even though the queen of [[Dushasana]], resulted in the death of her husband and weeping, her two cousins consoled her.

==Sources==
Chandramukhi was never directly described in the [[Mahabharata]] but fortunately added in the other versions. In the [[Shanti Parva]] book, Dushasana abducted the first princess of Trigarta, the daughter of Ashwinraja, the daughter (Chandramukhi) as she rejected him during the [[Swayamvara]], with the help of his elder brother. Drumasena was born to [[Dushasana]] from the womb of Chandramukhi. Gandhari, describes her truth to [[Krishna]] in a mannerly way -

{{Blockquote|Behold, the wife of Dushasana, the mother of Drumasena who was a princess of Trigarta. The woman with big hips crying for her husband and the other at her son. O Madhava, striking her head with her hands, she fell on the breast of her spouse, Dushasana the second king of Hastinapura|Gandhari|Translated By Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}

Gandhari then continues -

{{Blockquote|O, look at that girl, sorrow from her eyes, the woman who was the queen of Dushasan, o my look at her, weeping at her son Drumasena, the cousins Mayuri, Bhanumati then and only come there, my hearty daughter in law, the queen of Hastinapura, who didn't say a word from her mouth, even a single word after her husband and son's death. Chandramukhi, the fair queen whom Dushasan loved her}}

Chandramukhi is described to be a fair lady from the quotes of [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. She (Chandramukhi) later laments her husband and son's death. Mayuri and Bhanumati, her two cousins could understand the feelings of her cousin as [[Dushasana]] left the Hastinapura means his death. His five wives including Nirjara cry for [[Dushasana]] but a single Kaurava queen was silent. The Pandavas took care of the kaurava queens. Drumasena fights with [[Bhima]] according to folklores of Mahabharata.

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T10:32:01Z

Gomateshwari:

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T09:09:41Z

Gomateshwari: No one will revert this edit otherwise I'll put a horrible message on your talk page

{{Infobox character|color=#FFC569|series=[[Mahabharata]]|based_on=[[Mahabharata]]|family=Ashwinraja (father), Suchitra (mother)|spouse=[[Dushasana]]|children=[[Drumasena]] Bharata|relatives='''Cousins''' {{bulleted list|[[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)|Bhanumati]] and [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]}}}}

'''Chandramukhi''' or '''Dushasanpriya''' was a senior and chief queen of [[Dushasana]] in the epic [[Mahabharata]]. She is originally unnamed - in the epic but later added in the other versions. She had two cousins - [[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)|Bhanumati]] (Kalinga Princess) and the other one was [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]] (Trilokapura Princess). Bhanumati, a companion or so called sister of Mayuri used to be with her as a friend. Chandramukhi, a cousin sister of the two princesses were very happy with each other. She had two sons -Drumasena and Bharata. She was one of the fairest complex of beauty ever had Dushasana had seen her. He took her with the help of [[Duryodhana]] in the earlier folktales.

Chandramukhi's marriage in the Shanti Parva describes Dushasana abducted the daughter of Ashwinraja, who was the fairest of the other princesses. Mayuri, the beloved wife of Duryodhana, later gets her married to [[Dushasana]]. Gandhari describes her with hail and calmness. [[Krishna]], thought if Dushasana had died, his five wives will get robbed. Chandramukhi, even though the queen of [[Dushasana]], resulted in the death of her husband and weeping, her two cousins consoled her.

User talk:2402:8100:387D:A7C:84B7:B1FF:FEB0:7360

2023-05-27T08:29:53Z

Gomateshwari: /* Reverting again */ new section

Did I tell you to edit things. Stop vandalizing otherwise a block message will be sent to u

== Reverting ==

When something has gone wrong, then only edit. You will not edit anymore ok otherwise you'll receive a block message [[User:Gomateshwari|Gomateshwari]] ([[User talk:Gomateshwari|talk]]) 16:42, 17 February 2023 (IST)

== Reverting again ==

Stop reverting otherwise I'll complain and remove the page chandramukhi [[User:Gomateshwari|Gomateshwari]] ([[User talk:Gomateshwari|talk]]) 13:59, 27 May 2023 (IST)

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:28:34Z

Gomateshwari: Blanked the page

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:28:24Z

Gomateshwari:

==See also==
* [[Dhritarashtra]]

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:28:14Z

Gomateshwari: The one who has created the page should know

==Portrayed by==
Anita Pawar Portrayed Chandramukhi in [[Mahabharat Katha]].

Portrayed By Nishtha Sharma in [[Mahabharata 2013 (TV Series)]]

==See also==
* [[Dhritarashtra]]

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:27:38Z

Gomateshwari:

==Sources==
She had two children - Drumasena and Bharata. Drumasena and Bharata were the apple of the eye of [[Dushasana]].

Chandramukhi is mostly commonly mentioned as Charumati.[[Dushasana]] married five wives and one was a warrior princess named Nirjara. Nirjara is one of the warrior princesses and she was just like [[Chitrāngadā]]. But here, Chitrangada married [[Arjuna]], and Chandramukhi wanted to marry [[Arjuna]] but as per her father's wish, she married [[Dushasana]].

==Portrayed by==
Anita Pawar Portrayed Chandramukhi in [[Mahabharat Katha]].

Portrayed By Nishtha Sharma in [[Mahabharata 2013 (TV Series)]]

==See also==
* [[Dhritarashtra]]

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:27:11Z

Gomateshwari:

==Description in Mahabharata or mentions==
She is described by her mother-in-law Gandhari to [[Krishna]], about being a beautiful princess how she believed [[Dushasana]], her husband, he promised Chandramukhi that he'll take good care of her. Maids were kept to look after Dushasana's wife.

Therefore, the marriage of [[Dushasana]] and Chandramukhi echoes the marriage of [[Duryodhana]] and [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]] and Mayuri.. Gandhari says to Krishna,

{{Blockquote|Behold, the wife of Dushasana,the mother of Drumasena and Bharata, the woman who sorrows for her husband and her two sons, the daughter of King Ashwinraja and Queen Suchitra Devi,the cousin of Bhanumati and Mayuri, her sorrows were only a divine love for Dushasana, her husband|Gandhari|Translated By Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}

==Sources==
She had two children - Drumasena and Bharata. Drumasena and Bharata were the apple of the eye of [[Dushasana]].

Chandramukhi is mostly commonly mentioned as Charumati.[[Dushasana]] married five wives and one was a warrior princess named Nirjara. Nirjara is one of the warrior princesses and she was just like [[Chitrāngadā]]. But here, Chitrangada married [[Arjuna]], and Chandramukhi wanted to marry [[Arjuna]] but as per her father's wish, she married [[Dushasana]].

==Portrayed by==
Anita Pawar Portrayed Chandramukhi in [[Mahabharat Katha]].

Portrayed By Nishtha Sharma in [[Mahabharata 2013 (TV Series)]]

==See also==
* [[Dhritarashtra]]

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:26:55Z

Gomateshwari:

==Abduction and marriage==
Incident like [[Duryodhana]], all the Kauravas have kidnapped princess to make their wife, like [[Duryodhana]] kidnapped princess
Bhanumati, Charuchitra kidnapped one princess, Dussaha kidnapped one princess etc.

==Description in Mahabharata or mentions==
She is described by her mother-in-law Gandhari to [[Krishna]], about being a beautiful princess how she believed [[Dushasana]], her husband, he promised Chandramukhi that he'll take good care of her. Maids were kept to look after Dushasana's wife.

Therefore, the marriage of [[Dushasana]] and Chandramukhi echoes the marriage of [[Duryodhana]] and [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]] and Mayuri.. Gandhari says to Krishna,

{{Blockquote|Behold, the wife of Dushasana,the mother of Drumasena and Bharata, the woman who sorrows for her husband and her two sons, the daughter of King Ashwinraja and Queen Suchitra Devi,the cousin of Bhanumati and Mayuri, her sorrows were only a divine love for Dushasana, her husband|Gandhari|Translated By Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}

==Sources==
She had two children - Drumasena and Bharata. Drumasena and Bharata were the apple of the eye of [[Dushasana]].

Chandramukhi is mostly commonly mentioned as Charumati.[[Dushasana]] married five wives and one was a warrior princess named Nirjara. Nirjara is one of the warrior princesses and she was just like [[Chitrāngadā]]. But here, Chitrangada married [[Arjuna]], and Chandramukhi wanted to marry [[Arjuna]] but as per her father's wish, she married [[Dushasana]].

==Portrayed by==
Anita Pawar Portrayed Chandramukhi in [[Mahabharat Katha]].

Portrayed By Nishtha Sharma in [[Mahabharata 2013 (TV Series)]]

==See also==
* [[Dhritarashtra]]

Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:26:09Z

Gomateshwari: Gomateshwari moved page Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata) to Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

#REDIRECT [[Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)]]

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:26:08Z

Gomateshwari: Gomateshwari moved page Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata) to Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

Chandramukhi or Cāndramukhi ([[Sanskrit]]:चंद्रमुखी)(lit. the person having moon looks) is the princess of [[Trigarta Kingdom]] and the wife of [[Dushasana]]. She is also considered as the mother of Drumasena and Bharat. She is the daughter of King Ashwinraja and Queen Suchitra. In the [[Stri Parva]], she loses her husband and son both. In that parva, [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] is mentioned as [[Dushasana]]'s wife. [[Shanti Parva]] mentions how [[Dushasana]] did the act of [[Duryodhana]], his elder brother kidnapped her cousin sister princess Bhanumati. After the death of her husband, her son Bharat takes revenge of his father's death.

{{Infobox character
| family = {{Unbulleted list|[[Draft:Ashwinraja (King)|Ashwinraja]] (father), Suchitra (mother), [[Dhritarashtra]] (father in law), [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] (mother in law)}}
| spouse = [[Dushasana]]
| children = [[Drumasena]] and Bharat
| affiliation = Kuru Queen
| info-hdr = Information
| color = #FFC569
| home = [[Trigarta Kingdom]] (by birth), [[Hastinapura]] (by marriage)
}}

==Abduction and marriage==
Incident like [[Duryodhana]], all the Kauravas have kidnapped princess to make their wife, like [[Duryodhana]] kidnapped princess
Bhanumati, Charuchitra kidnapped one princess, Dussaha kidnapped one princess etc.

==Description in Mahabharata or mentions==
She is described by her mother-in-law Gandhari to [[Krishna]], about being a beautiful princess how she believed [[Dushasana]], her husband, he promised Chandramukhi that he'll take good care of her. Maids were kept to look after Dushasana's wife.

Therefore, the marriage of [[Dushasana]] and Chandramukhi echoes the marriage of [[Duryodhana]] and [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]] and Mayuri.. Gandhari says to Krishna,

{{Blockquote|Behold, the wife of Dushasana,the mother of Drumasena and Bharata, the woman who sorrows for her husband and her two sons, the daughter of King Ashwinraja and Queen Suchitra Devi,the cousin of Bhanumati and Mayuri, her sorrows were only a divine love for Dushasana, her husband|Gandhari|Translated By Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}

==Sources==
She had two children - Drumasena and Bharata. Drumasena and Bharata were the apple of the eye of [[Dushasana]].

Chandramukhi is mostly commonly mentioned as Charumati.[[Dushasana]] married five wives and one was a warrior princess named Nirjara. Nirjara is one of the warrior princesses and she was just like [[Chitrāngadā]]. But here, Chitrangada married [[Arjuna]], and Chandramukhi wanted to marry [[Arjuna]] but as per her father's wish, she married [[Dushasana]].

==Portrayed by==
Anita Pawar Portrayed Chandramukhi in [[Mahabharat Katha]].

Portrayed By Nishtha Sharma in [[Mahabharata 2013 (TV Series)]]

==See also==
* [[Dhritarashtra]]

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:25:48Z

Gomateshwari:

Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)

2023-05-27T08:25:18Z

Gomateshwari:

Chandramukhi or Cāndramukhi ([[Sanskrit]]:चंद्रमुखी)(lit. the person having moon looks) is the princess of [[Trigarta Kingdom]] and the wife of [[Dushasana]]. She is also considered as the mother of Drumasena and Bharat. She is the daughter of King Ashwinraja and Queen Suchitra. In the [[Stri Parva]], she loses her husband and son both. In that parva, [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] is mentioned as [[Dushasana]]'s wife. [[Shanti Parva]] mentions how [[Dushasana]] did the act of [[Duryodhana]], his elder brother kidnapped her cousin sister princess Bhanumati. After the death of her husband, her son Bharat takes revenge of his father's death.

{{Infobox character
| family = {{Unbulleted list|[[Draft:Ashwinraja (King)|Ashwinraja]] (father), Suchitra (mother), [[Dhritarashtra]] (father in law), [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] (mother in law)}}
| spouse = [[Dushasana]]
| children = [[Drumasena]] and Bharat
| affiliation = Kuru Queen
| info-hdr = Information
| color = #FFC569
| home = [[Trigarta Kingdom]] (by birth), [[Hastinapura]] (by marriage)
}}

==Abduction and marriage==
Incident like [[Duryodhana]], all the Kauravas have kidnapped princess to make their wife, like [[Duryodhana]] kidnapped princess
Bhanumati, Charuchitra kidnapped one princess, Dussaha kidnapped one princess etc.

==Description in Mahabharata or mentions==
She is described by her mother-in-law Gandhari to [[Krishna]], about being a beautiful princess how she believed [[Dushasana]], her husband, he promised Chandramukhi that he'll take good care of her. Maids were kept to look after Dushasana's wife.

Therefore, the marriage of [[Dushasana]] and Chandramukhi echoes the marriage of [[Duryodhana]] and [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]] and Mayuri.. Gandhari says to Krishna,

{{Blockquote|Behold, the wife of Dushasana,the mother of Drumasena and Bharata, the woman who sorrows for her husband and her two sons, the daughter of King Ashwinraja and Queen Suchitra Devi,the cousin of Bhanumati, her sorrows were only a divine love for Dushasana, her husband|Gandhari|Translated By Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}

==Sources==
She had two children - Drumasena and Bharata. Drumasena and Bharata were the apple of the eye of [[Dushasana]].

Chandramukhi is mostly commonly mentioned as Charumati.[[Dushasana]] married five wives and one was a warrior princess named Nirjara. Nirjara is one of the warrior princesses and she was just like [[Chitrāngadā]]. But here, Chitrangada married [[Arjuna]], and Chandramukhi wanted to marry [[Arjuna]] but as per her father's wish, she married [[Dushasana]].

==Portrayed by==
Anita Pawar Portrayed Chandramukhi in [[Mahabharat Katha]].

Portrayed By Nishtha Sharma in [[Mahabharata 2013 (TV Series)]]

==See also==
* [[Dhritarashtra]]

Dushasana

2023-05-26T16:15:39Z

Gomateshwari: /* Birth and Early Life */

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}
{{short description|One of the Kauravas in the epic Mahabharata}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Information
| alt = Dushasana
| image = Draupadi dragged from her chamber.jpg
| caption = Dushasana dragging Draupadi from her chamber, an early 20th illustration by [[Evelyn Paul]]
| children = [[Drumasena]] Bharat Jyoti (from [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]] (daughter)
| family = {{ubl|[[Dhritarashtra]] (father)|[[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] (mother)|[[Duryodhana]], [[Vikarna]] and 97 others brothers|[[Duhsala]] (sister)|[[Yuyutsu]] (half-brother)}}
| color = #FFC569
| spouse = *[[Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]] (chief
and senior consort)
* [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]] (Second principal wife)
* [[Lata (Mahabharata)|Lata]]
(Third principal wife)
* [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]]
(Fourth principal consort)
* Divija
(Fifth principal consort)
}}

'''Dushasana''' ({{lang-sa|दुःशासन}}, {{IAST|Duḥśāsana}}, {{lit|hard to rule}}), also spelled as '''Dussasana''' and '''Duhsasana''', is an antagonist of the [[Hindu epic]], ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was one of the [[Kaurava]] princes and the younger brother of [[Duryodhana]].

==Etymology==

The name is often derived from two elements, the Sanskrit: duh "hard" and sasana, meaning "rule". So the word ''Duhshasana'' means "Hard to rule" or "unbounded".<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=7wJBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA98&dq=drupada+sons&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj20szk3truAhVbYysKHaIJDxcQ6AEwBHoECAQQAg#v=onepage&q=drupada%20sons&f=false</ref>

==Birth and Early Life==

When Dhritarashtra's queen Gandhari's pregnancy continued for an unusually long time, she beat her womb in frustration and in envy of [[Kunti]], the queen of [[Pandu]], who had given birth to three of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. Due to her actions, a hardened mass of grey-coloured flesh emerged from her womb. Gandhari was devastated, and called upon [[Vyasa]], the great sage who had blessed her with one hundred sons, to redeem his words.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXV|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01116.htm|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

Dushasana was devoted to his older brother [[Duryodhana]]. He was also closely involved in the various schemes and plots to kill the [[Pandavas]] along with [[Duryodhana]] and [[Shakuni]].

==Marriage and children==
Dushasana's marriage is found in the various parvas. Stree Parva mentions, he abducted the daughter of Ashwinraja, [[Narada]] does not describe the princess but states she is fair and beautiful. In the later versions, she is named Chandramukhi. Drumasena was the son of Dushasana and Chandramukhi. She was the princess of [[Trigarta]].

He abducted a princess and she was his second queen, named Shweta in the regional stories. She was the princess of Trilokapura or in Tamil (திரிலோகபுரா), ''Trilokapuram''. Jyoti is the daughter of Dushasana and Shweta. He also married Princess Shweta's sister, Lata. The final text of marriage of the [[Kauravas]] in the Shanti Parva, narrates the war of Dushasana and [[Nirjara]]. Nirjara was from the Dholakapura, which is also mentioned in Mahabharata as a kingdom. Duryodhana (not to be confused with [[Duryodhana]]), a son and a daughter named Sirat (or '''Sirat Kumari''') were the children of Dushasana and Nirjara. Divija, the younger sister of Nirjara was his fifth consort. Some folktales mention '''Kairat''' as the daughter of Dushasana and Queen Divija of [[Hastinapura]].

==Draupadi's humiliation==
[[File: The ordeal of Queen Draupadi.jpg|alt=|thumb|Dushasana drags Draupadi to the court]]
After [[Yudhishthira]] lost his kingdom, his brothers and his wife [[Draupadi]], in a game of dice with [[Shakuni]], Duhshasana dragged [[Draupadi]] by the hair into the assembly, at the behest of his brother [[Duryodhana]], and tried to disrobe her. Draupadi prayed to [[Krishna]] and he made her [[sari]] to be of an infinite length so that Duhshasana could not take it off. Dushasana was very exhausted and he nearly fainted. The assembled men were amazed at this miracle. They condemned Duhshasana and praised Draupadi. However, Draupadi was humiliated by being dragged into court by her hair. After this humiliation, Draupadi swore that she will not tie her hair until it is bathed with the blood of Duhshasana. [[Bhima]], who could no longer watch Draupadi's insult in silence, rose up. He vowed to tear open Dussasana's chest in battle and drink his blood. Bhima also exclaimed that if he could not fulfill his oath, then he would not meet his ancestors in heaven.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-08-02|title=The Clothes of Draupadi|url=https://devdutt.com/articles/the-clothes-of-draupadi/|access-date=2020-09-01|website=Devdutt|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File: Draupadi s presented to a pachisi game.jpg|thumb|right|Draupadi is presented to a Parcheesi game]]

==Kurukshetra war and death==
He along with Duryodhana lead one of the Akshauhanis (battle divisions) of the Kaurava army. <ref>{{cite web |author1=Aayush |title=18 Days of The Mahabharata War – Summary of the War |url=https://vedicfeed.com/18-days-of-the-mahabharata-war-summary-of-the-war/ |website=vedicfeed.com |publisher=VEDICFEED |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jha Preeti |title=जानिए महाभारत युद्ध के 18 दिनों में किस दिन क्या हुआ था |url=https://www.jagran.com/spiritual/sant-saadhak-mahabharat-yudh-ka-18-dino-ka-ghatnakram-15405663.html |website=jagran.com |publisher=jagran |access-date=8 June 2020 |language=hi}}</ref>

Dushasana was the warrior who shot the first arrow in the Mahabharata war. On the first day of the war, Dushasana had fought with Nakula. On the tenth day, Dushasana was appointed on the frontlines to defend [[Bhishma]] from the Pandava army. Dushasana exhibited his valour on that day by resisting all the Pandavas single-handedly. But later, [[Arjuna]] managed to defeat him.

On the thirteenth day, Dushasana was present in the Chakravyuha. After a fierce duel, [[Abhimanyu]] badly defeated Dushasana and his charioteer had to take him away from the battlefield. The son of Dushasana who helped his father many times in the Kurukshetra war was also present inside the Chakra Vyuh on the thirteenth day of the war. He was deprived of his chariot by Abhimanyu and saved by Aswathamma by cutting Abhimanyu's arrow in mid-air. After that, Dushasana's son killed Abhimanyu in a mace duel. On 14th day, Dushasana's son was brutally killed by Draupadi's sons, the [[Upapandavas]], in revenge for Abhimanyu. He fought [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]] who losethe war and also married her sister, Divija.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-06|title=Mythology 3 – Abhimanyu|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/littlethoughts/mythology-3-abhimanyu/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Times of India Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Death ===
[[File: Bhima drinks blood.jpg|thumb|Bhima fulfilling his promise regarding Dussasana in the Mahabharata field]]
On the seventeenth day, Dushasana encountered Bhima in a duel. First, they fought by means of archery. Both broke each other's chariots and then they engaged in a mace duel. Bhima broke Dushasana's mace and started using wrestling manoeuvres to beat up Dushasan. After beating him up badly, Bhima seized Dushasana's right arm and uprooted it from his body while roaring loudly. Then (remembering his vow taken on dice game day), Bhima tore open Dushasana's chest with his bare hands and drank his hot blood. Many soldiers who saw Bhima drinking Dushasana's blood had fallen unconscious and some soldiers said that Bhima was a monster for drinking a human's blood. After that, Bhima danced around Dushasana's corpse. Dushasana's death had greatly agitated the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana who become numb. Bhima had given Dushasana one of the most brutal deaths in Mahabharata.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

*'' Mahabharata'' (1999) by [[Krishna Dharma]]

==External links==
* {{Commonscatinline|Dushasana}}

{{Mahābhārata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category: Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Duryodhana

2023-05-26T15:45:53Z

Gomateshwari: Do not revert

{{Short description|Eldest Kaurava in the epic Mahabharata}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox character
| affiliation = [[Kaurava]]
| info-hdr = Information
| name = Duryodhana
| image = Duryodhana showing his army to Drona.jpg
| alt = Duryodhana
| caption = Duryodhana showing his army to [[Drona]]
| aliases = Suyodhana
| spouse = [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]] and [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]]
|
| weapon = [[Gada (mace)]]
| family = [[Dhritarashtra]] (father) [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] (mother) [[Dushasana]],Dussaha, Jalagandha, Durmuka [[Vikarna]],Subahu, Sulochana, Anudhara, Chitrasena and 90 more (brothers) [[Dushala]] (sister) [[Yuyutsu]] (step-brother)
| children = [[Laxman Kumara]], [[Lakshmanaa]]
| relatives = [[Pandavas]] (paternal cousins) [[Shakuni]] (maternal uncle)
| color = #FFC569
}}

'''Duryodhana''' ({{lang-sa|दुर्योधन}}, {{IAST3|Duryodhana}}) also known as '''Suyodhana''', is the main antagonist in the Hindu epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and was the eldest of the [[Kaurava]]s, the hundred sons of a blind king [[Dhritarashtra]] and queen [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. Being the firstborn son of the blind king, he was the crown prince of [[Kuru Kingdom]] and its capital [[Hastinapura]] along with his cousin [[Yudhishtra]] who was older than him. [[Karna]] was Duryodhana's closest friend. Notably, Duryodhana, with significant assistance from Karna, performs Vaishnava Yagna when the Pandavas are in exile.<ref name="Netlancers Inc, 2014">{{cite book|last1=Ganguli|first1=Kisari Mohan|title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva|publisher=Netlancers Inc, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Karna the conqueror of the entire world">{{cite web | url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03252.htm | title=Mahabaratha, Digvijaya yatra of Karna | publisher=Sacred Texts | work=The Mahabharata | date=1896 | access-date=11 June 2015 | author=Kisari Mohan Ganguli| author-link=Kisari Mohan Ganguli }}</ref> Duryodhana used his greater skill in wielding the mace to defeat opponents. He was also an extremely courageous warrior and he was said to be a good ruler. Duryodhana's greed and arrogance were the two qualities said to lead to his downfall in the Mahabharata.

== Etymology ==
The Sanskrit word, ''Duryodhana'' means "invincible".<ref>{{cite book|last=Gandhi|first=Maneka|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PkW6hs1OjyEC|title=The Penguin Book of Hindu Names|date=1993|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=9780140128413|page=125}}</ref>

==Birth==
[[File:Vyas ki vardhan.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Gandhari receiving boon from Vyasa]]

When [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari's]] pregnancy continued for an unusually long period of time, Her mother-in-law Ambika and Ambalika were very upset with her. Pandu and Kunti earlier bore a son whom they named Yudhishthira. So she beat her womb in frustration. This caused a hardened mass of grey-coloured flesh to issue from her womb. She implored [[Vyasa]], the great sage who had blessed her as "Shata Putra Praptirasthu" (Sanskrit for "blessed with a hundred sons"), to redeem his words. Vyasa divided the ball of flesh into one hundred and one equal pieces and put them in pots of [[milk]], which were sealed and buried into the earth for two years. At the end of the second year, the first pot was opened, and Duryodhana emerged.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01116.htm |title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXV |publisher=Sacred-texts.com |access-date=2014-08-15}}</ref>

==Early years==
[[File:Duryodana-kl.jpg|thumb|Duryodhana in Javanese [[Wayang]]]]

Although loved by his family, Duryodhana and most of his brothers were not seen on the same level as the [[Pandavas]] in their adherence to virtue, duty, and respect for elders. Duryodhana felt that the partiality everyone showed to the Pandavas was only due to the [[Demigod#Hinduism|circumstances of their birth]]. Duryodhana was mentored by his maternal uncle [[Shakuni]], who masterminded most of Duryodhana's plots to humiliate and kill the Pandavas.

Duryodhana's hatred for the Pandavas stemmed from his sincere belief that he [[primogeniture|being the son of the eldest brother]] should be the [[heir]] apparent to the throne of Hastinapura. Because of his father's ([[Dhritarashtra]]) blindness , his father had to renounce the throne in favour of his younger brother, [[Pandu]]. Duryodhana deeply believed that what was rightfully his was being given away to his older cousin [[Yudhishthira]]. He also felt that the Pandavas were the sons of Kunti and [[Gods|devas/deities]], and not of Pandu. He never believed that their divine origin alone proved their superiority. On many occasions he questioned their merits and always called them 'Kaunteya' (sons of Kunti). He would never accept the Pandavas as his brothers but always did his best to restrain them. He also bore a deep hatred of [[Bhima]], who was older than him but much stronger and dominated his brothers in sport and skill with his immense physical power and strength. Out of anger and jealousy, he even tried to poison Bheem, but was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite book|last=Rao|first=Shanta Rameshwar|title=The Mahabharata (Illustrated)|year=1985|publisher=Orient Blackswan|isbn=9788125022800|pages=25–26}}</ref>

===Training===

Learning martial skills from his gurus [[Dronacharya]], he proved to be extremely skilled with the [[Gada (mace)|mace]]. He then went to specialize in mace fighting under [[Balarama]], so as to gain sympathy from him and went on to become his favourite pupil. [[Balarama]] described Duryodhana's body to be "lightning made flesh" and declared him to be the greatest mace fighter of his generation.

===Relationship with Karna===
At the martial exhibition where the [[Kaurava]] and [[Pandava]] princes demonstrated their skills before their elders, their guru [[Drona]] and the people of that kingdom, [[Karna]] appeared and challenged an unsuspecting [[Arjuna]], who is considered to be the best of the princes. But Karna was stopped when [[Kripa]] asked him to ascertain his lineage, as it would be inappropriate for unequal to compete. Karna, not being a [[kshatriya]], bowed his head in shame.<ref>{{cite book|last=McGrath |first=Kevin |year=2004 |title=The Sanskrit Hero: Karna in Epic Mahābhārata |publisher=Brill Academic |isbn=90-04-13729-7 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YkmXk3-1j7UC |access-date=25 November 2013 }}</ref>

Duryodhana immediately defended Karna, arguing that it is skill and bravery, and not birth, that defines a warrior. Using the boon granted to him by [[Dhritarashtra]], Duryodhana made Karna king of [[Anga]] so that he was regarded as Arjuna's equal.<ref name=":0" /> Karna pledged his allegiance and friendship to Duryodhana. Neither of them knew that Karna was in fact [[Kunti|Kunti's]] oldest son, born to (the sun god) [[Surya]], before her marriage to [[Pandu]].

In the [[Kurukshetra War]], Karna was Duryodhana's greatest champion and served as [[Kurukshetra War#Day 15|commander from the fifteenth day]]. Duryodhana sincerely believed that Karna was superior to [[Arjuna]], and would defeat his four brothers. When [[Karna]] was killed, Duryodhana mourned his death intensely, even more so than the death of his own brothers and was inconsolable. When Karna's identity was revealed to him, Duryodhana's love for Karna only grew and it is said to be he, and not the Pandavas, who performed Karna's last rites.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jain|first=Gopal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1wvQDwAAQBAJ&q=karna%27s+final+rights+were+performed+by&pg=PA444|title=SHAKUNI - AN OATH FOR REVENGE|date=2020-02-14|publisher=BlueRose Publishers|language=en}}</ref> Krishna confirmed that he had the highest right over Karna, as they loved and supported each other truly.

===Tendencies and schemes===

During their childhood, Bhima used his brute strength to inflict injuries on the [[Kaurava]] brothers. As Bhima was gluttonous, Duryodhana, guided by Shakuni attempted to kill Bhima by feeding him poison, but Bhima survived the trap and emerged even stronger than before. Duryodhana then participated in a [[Lakshagraha|plot by Shakuni]] to burn the Pandavas in a house of wax at Varnavata; however, they managed to escape the trap having been warned by [[Vidura]].

== Marriage and children ==
In the [[Stri Parva]] of Mahabharata, Gandhari mentioned the wife of Duryodhana and mother of Laxman. In the [[Shanti Parva]], sage Narada narrated the marriage of Duryodhana with the daughter of King Chitrangada of Kalinga. In the Mahabharata, the wife of Duryodhana is unnamed but by most sources, Duryodhana had only one wife, who was named Mayuri in later interpolations.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Sharma|first=Arvind|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KnCxH85Vra4C&q=duryodhana+wife&pg=PA298|title=Essays on the Mahābhārata|date=2007|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publishe|isbn=978-81-208-2738-7|language=en}}</ref>

According to the story found in ''Mahabharata'', Duryodhana abducted King Vasantraja's daughter, the maiden of the fairest complexion, from her [[swayamvara]] with the help of his best friend [[Karna]] in the wake of having been rejected by her. It is described that he loved her immensely. On reaching Hastinapur, Duryodhana justified his act by giving the example of his great grandfather [[Bhishma]] abducting three princesses of Kashi for his stepbrother. <ref>{{Cite book|last=Anonymous|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygA2240G74kC&q=Narada+said%2C+%27Having+thus+obtained+weapons+from+him+of+Bhrigu%27s+race%2C+Karna+began+to+pass+his+days+in+great+joy%2C+in+the+company+of+Duryodhana%2C+O+bull+of+Bharata%27s+race.&pg=PT7783|title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Complete)|publisher=Library of Alexandria|isbn=978-1-4655-2637-3|language=en}}</ref>
[[Laxman Kumara]] and [[Lakshmanaa]] were the children of Duryodhana and Mayuri.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Complete Life of Krishna: Based on the Earliest Oral Traditions and the Sacred Scriptures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LFwoDwAAQBAJ&q=lakshmana+daughter+of+duryodhana&pg=PT171|publisher=Simon and Schuster|author=Vanamali|access-date=22 May 2012|isbn = 9781594776908|year=2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/iml/iml23.htm |title=Indian Myth and Legend: Chapter XVIII. The Battle of Eighteen Days |publisher=Sacred-texts.com }}</ref> Little is revealed about them in the ''Mahabharata'' other than Laxman's death in the Kurukshetra War and Laxmanaa's marriage to [[Krishna]]'s son [[Samba (Krishna's son)|Samba]].

==Usurping the Kingdom==

After the Pandavas revealed that they had survived the wax house, with [[Draupadi|a new wife]] to boot, [[Bhishma]] suggested that the kingdom be divided in order to ease the obvious tension. [[Yudhishthira]] is given half the kingdom and made king of [[Khandavprastha]], so as to avoid a clash with the Kaurava princes over the whole [[Kuru Kingdom]]. Duryodhana became the crown prince of [[Hastinapura]], and owing to the age and blindness of his father, he accumulated much control and influence, managing the state affairs himself with a group of his advisers that included his uncle [[Shakuni]], brother [[Dushasana]], Bhishma, Vidura, and [[Karna]].
[[File:Duryodfhana fall into water.jpg|thumb|Duryodhana slips into water, while Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadev laugh at him.]]
But Duryodhana remained jealous of Yudhishthira, especially after the Pandavas along with [[Krishna]] transformed Khandavaprastha to [[Indraprastha]]. Moreover, Yudhishthira performed the [[Rajasuya|Rajasuya Yagna]] and gained authority over several other kingdoms; Indraprastha's prosperity and fame appeared to exceed Hastinapura's. Duryodhana was unable to contain his anger, which was intensified when [[Bhima]], [[Arjuna]], the twins and the servants laughed at him when he slipped into a pool of water during a visit to Indraprastha.

In popular culture, television shows and post-modern novels on Mahabharata attribute this blame to [[Draupadi]] with an added statement "the son of the blind man also is blind", but the scene in the canonical text of Vyasa's Sanskrit epic is different. As per original scripture written by Ved Vyasa Draupadi didn't taunt Duryodhana.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02046.htm | title=The Mahabharata, Book 2: Sabha Parva: Sisupala-badha Parva: Section XLVI}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-05-19|title=Did Draupadi Insult Duryodhana during Rajasuya, Karna in Swayamvara?|url=https://www.myindiamyglory.com/2020/05/19/did-draupadi-insult-duryodhana-during-rajasuya-karna-in-swayamvara/|access-date=2020-09-09|website=myIndiamyGlory|language=en-GB}}</ref>
This enraged Duryodhana and increases his hostility towards the Pandavas.

===The dice plot, and Draupadi's humiliation===
[[File:Draupadi s presented to a pachisi game.jpg|thumb|Draupadi is presented to a pacheesi game]]

Duryodhana's jealousy of the prosperity and fame of Indraprastha and being humiliated by the Pandavas made him furious and he wished to throw down the [[Pandavas]]. To support his will, Shakuni devised a scheme to rob [[Yudhishthira]] of his kingdom and wealth by defeating him in a [[Pachisi|Pakida or game of dice]], in which Shakuni couldn't lose as he had dices which he could control.

Unable to decline the invitation, due to diplomacy, Yudhishthira gambled away his entire kingdom, his wealth, his four brothers and even his wife, in a series of gambits to retrieve one by staking another. After Yudhishthira lost Draupadi, Duryodhana encouraged his brother Dushasana to drag her into the court as she was now his property. Dushsana pulled Draupadi's hair and dragged her into the court. Duryodhana ordered Draupadi to sit on his left thigh, showing and patting it to insult her for revenge. Draupadi refused and Duryodhan ordered Dushashan to disrobe her. Following his brother's orders, Dushashan laughed and started pulling Draupadi's saree. Duryodhan, [[Shakuni]], [[Karna]] and the other Kauravas (except [[Vikarna]]) also started laughing. However, by Krishna's grace, Draupadi's amount of clothing remained the same.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HMsMAwAAQBAJ|title=The Mahabharata|last=Raya|first=Pratapacandra|date=1884|publisher=Рипол Классик|isbn=9785875963933|language=en}}</ref>

Due to this action, Bhima pledged that he would break Duryodhana's thigh.

As an enraged Draupadi was about to curse the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru clan]], [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] intervened. Fearing retribution by the Pandavas, their allies, and history, [[Dhritarashtra]] and Gandhari reversed all of Yudhishthira's losses. But then (either through Duryodhana forcing his father to command the Pandavas to play again or through Shakuni's vicious tricks) the game was repeated. For this game of dice Shakuni set the condition that upon losing, Yudhishthira and his brothers must spend thirteen years in exile in the forest and one year of ''Agyatavasa'' (remain unknown to others possibly by a disguise) before they reclaim their kingdom. The thirteenth year must be passed incognito, or else the term of exile would be repeated. The Pandavas lost and began their exile.

==Virata War==
Duryodhana was a good friend of [[Matsya Kingdom]]'s commander-in-chief [[Kichaka]]. When [[Bhima]] killed him for humiliating [[Draupadi]], Duryodhana blamed Matsya's King [[Virata]] for his friend Kichaka's death. Virata got angry and ordered Duryodhana to get out of his Kingdom after insulting him. Duryodhana took his army and attacked Matsya. He ordered his wife's cousin [[Susharma]] to attack Matsya from other side but they failed to conquer it because [[Arjuna]] and [[Bhima]] defended it.

==The Kurukshetra War==
===Peace Talks and Buildup===

At the end of the exile term, Duryodhana refused to return [[Yudhishthira|Yudhishthira's]] kingdom, despite the counsel of [[Bhishma]], [[Dronacharya]], and [[Vidura]]. Although [[Dhritarashtra]] openly criticized his son, he tacitly desired that Duryodhana retain his throne. In a final attempt at securing peace, [[Krishna]] returned with the [[Pandavas|Pandavas']] final proposal: the Pandavas would give up all claims to [[Indraprastha]] and [[Hastinapura]] in exchange for five villages. Scoffing, Duryodhana said he will not even give even a needlepoint of land to the Pandavas. Egged on by Krishna, Duryodhana attempted to arrest him. Krishna revealed his [[Vishvarupa]] form. The entire [[Kaurava]] court, saved for Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, and Dhritarashtra (who was granted a divine vision in order to see that by supporting his son, he was going against [[God]]), was temporarily blinded by the form. This confirmed to those present that Krishna was indeed an [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]]. Duryodhana, being vastly egoistic (in some versions of the story an outright [[atheism|atheist]]), brushed off the incident, not convinced of Krishna's divinity, and believing that strength of arms, not [[philosophy]], would win him a war.

===Gathering the army===

With war inevitable, Duryodhana gathered support from his powerful vassals. The most powerful warriors – [[Bhishma]], [[Drona]], [[Karna]], [[Kripa]], [[Shalya]], [[Bhurisravas]], [[Ashwatthama]], even those who were critical of him were forced to fight for Duryodhana due to their previous commitments. He ended up amassing a larger army than his rivals.

Shakuni also advised Duryodhana to seek Krishna's help. Duryodhana rushed to [[Dvārakā|Dwarika]] only to find Krishna sleeping; he waited at the head of Krishna's bed when suddenly, [[Arjuna]] arrived with the same goal in mind. Arjuna waited at the foot of Krishna's bed. When Krishna woke up, both Duryodhana and Arjuna appealed for his alliance. Krishna offered a choice of himself, completely unarmed or the entire [[Vrishni]] army. Duryodhana proclaimed that because he arrived first, he should get first pick. However, Krishna said that because he saw Arjuna first and because Arjuna was younger, that Arjuna gets the first choice. Duryodhana became worried but was overjoyed when Arjuna elected to reject Krishna's army in favour of Krishna alone. Joyously, Duryodhana returned to Hastinapura with the [[Vrishni]] army in hand, only to be rebuked by Shakuni, who comments that Krishna is worth many armies by himself.

Duryodhana also managed to win the army of [[Shalya]], the maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva. Duryodhana intercepted Shalya's army as it came to [[Kurukshetra]] and offered hospitality; Shalya accepted thinking [[Yudhishthira]] had made the offer. After Shalya had enjoyed Duryodhana's comforts, Duryodhana revealed the duplicity and indicated that Shalya is now indebted to him. He used this indebtedness to extract Shalya's army and support. Duryodhana wanted Shalya mainly so that [[Karna]] would have an equivalent [[Ratha|charioteer]] to Arjuna's Krishna.

===4th day===
[[Bhima]] attacked Duryodhana, pierced him and cut off his bow. In return, Duryodhana pierced [[Bhima]], his Charioteer and cut off his bow. Duryodhana pierced [[Bhima]] with shafts on his breast. [[Bhima]] feeling great pain fled away from the battlefield.<ref name="sacred-texts.com">{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section LXIV|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06064.htm|website=sacred-texts.com|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref>

=== 8th day ===
On the 8th day, Rakashasaas of Ghatotkacha's army attacked Duryodhana. Duryodhana slew many rakshasas like Vegavat, Maharudra, Vidyujihva and Pramathin.<ref name="sacred-texts.com"/> Later, he killed Visharada, son of [[Kunti-Bhoja]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section XCV|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06095.htm|website=sacred-texts.com|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref>

=== 14th day ===
Uttamauja and Yudhamanyu (sons of [[Drupad]])<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 7: Drona Parva: Jayadratha-Vadha Parva: Section CXXIX|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07126.htm|website=sacred-texts.com|access-date=2020-05-12}}</ref> attacked Duryodhana and Duryodhana defeated them in mace fighting.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> After the death of [[Jayadratha]], Duryodhana became very angry and he started killing the Pandava army. However, he is later defeated by [[Yudhishthira]], who in turn starts massacring the Kaurava army.

=== 15th day ===
[[Nakula]] attacked Duryodhana. Duryodhana fought with him and defeated Nakula, forcing him to flee. On the sixteenth day, he tried to face Yudishthira and bravely withstood his onslaught. But soon, Yudishthira defeated him and destroyed his chariot. Luckily, he was rescued by Karna.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Defeat of Nakula by Duryodhana|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m07/m07184.htm?fbclid=IwAR1wKvwUUcltb_jFK2W275ssjKJqRg7Pcz7SN1GsOqnMWYcoHdNSsysw3gc}}</ref>

=== 17th day ===
[[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]] attacked Duryodhana. Duryodhana pierced them and nearly killed them. Later, [[Dhrishtadyumna]] saved them. Then many Pandava warriors, including Yudhishthira, Bhima, Dristadyumna, Satyaki, etc. all together attacked Duryodhana. However Duryodhana alone managed to resist all the Pandavas and he repelled the Pandavas' group attack single-handedly.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva: Section 3|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09003.htm|access-date=2020-06-04|website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

=== 18th day ===
On the 18th day, the Pandavas together had attacked Duryodhana but they were unsuccessful as Duryodhana alone resisted and defeated all of them.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva: Section 17|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09017.htm|access-date=2020-06-04|website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva: Section 22|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09022.htm|access-date=2020-06-04|website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref> Duryodhana had also killed a Yadava warrior named Chekitana on that day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva: Section 12|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09012.htm|access-date=2020-06-04|website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

==Gada-Yuddha==

[[File:Duel between Duryodhana and Bhima.jpg|thumb|left|The final battle between [[Bhima]] and Duryodhana]]
[[File:Bhima fighting Duryodhana.jpg|left|175px|thumb|Bhima fighting with Duryodhana, [[Kalighat painting]]]]
[[File:Duryodhana_found_in_the_lake.jpg|thumb|Duryodhana Found in The Lake]]
[[File:Canvas1.png|thumb|Duryodana was defeated by Bhima – A scene from Razmanama]]
On the eighteenth day of the war, with his army reduced to himself, [[Ashwatthama]], [[Kripa]] and [[Kritvarma]], Duryodhana went to meditate in a lake. When the [[Pandavas]] and [[Krishna]] eventually found him, Duryodhana told them that he wanted to gift the kingdom to them, and retire to the forest. [[Yudhishthira]] rejected the offer, telling him that [[Hastinapur]] is not Duryodhana's to gift. Instead, he offered that Duryodhana may pick any of the Pandava brothers to fight against one-to-one with a weapon of his choice, with the winner of the conflict the victor of the war.

Despite his proposed advantage over Yudhishthira, [[Arjuna]], [[Nakula]], or [[Sahadeva]] with the [[gada (mace)|gada]], Duryodhana picked his nemesis [[Bhima]]. Despite Bhima's physical advantage, Duryodhana had the better technique due to his devotion to his craft. After a long and brutal battle between the two disciples of Balarama, Duryodhana began to exhaust Bhima and nearly made Bhima faint.

At this point, Krishna, observing the fight, called out to Bhima and signalled him by repeatedly clapping his own thigh with his hand. As intended, Bhima was reminded of an [[oath]] he had taken after the [[pachisi|game of dice]] to crush Duryodhana's thighs. Bhima victoriously attacked Duryodhana with his mace and struck his thigh, mortally wounding Duryodhana. After having his face insultingly kicked by Bhima, Duryodhana bemoaned that he was slain by unfair means, given that it was illegal to attack below the waist in a mace fight.

Infuriated at the violation, [[Balarama]], the brother of Lord Krishna, raised his weapon to attack. Lord Krishna consoled Balarama, by reminding him of Duryodhana's evil deeds, and reprimanded him for trying to influence a war he refused to participate in.<ref>K M Ganguly(1883-1896) [http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09060.htm Balarama curses Bhima and came to aid of Duryodhana] October 2003, Retrieved 2015-03-08</ref>

Lying defeated, Duryodhana boasted to the Pandavas about how he would die a glorious death, about how he got to enjoy Hastinapur while the Pandavas were in exile, and about how he would now spend the afterlife in the company of his friends and relatives. He again eviscerated the Pandavas for all their chicanery during the war and decried their legacy. Venerating his own character, Duryodhana proclaimed he will die happily.

==Death==

When the coast was clear, [[Ashwatthama]], [[Kripacharya]], and [[Kritvarma]], having witnessed the fight and not wanting to interrupt so as to rob Duryodhana of his [[honor]], came to Duryodhana's broken body. Ashwatthama promised Duryodhana that he would dispatch the Pandavas and their allies to the abode of Yama and requests his permission to continue the war.

Ashwatthama proceeds to the encampment and into Drishtadyumna's tent at night while everybody of Pandava camp were sleeping. Drishtadyumna awakens from his sleep, and begs Ashwatthama not to kill him cowardly at night and unarmed, and let him die a warrior's death with an appropriate duel. Ashwatthama ignores his plea and beats him to death. The Upapandavas and Shikhandhi alerted by Drishtadyumn’s cries, came out of their tents to battle, only to be slain. Ashwatthama proceeds to massacre everyone in the encampment while any escapees were slain by Kripacharya and Kritvarma at the gates of the encampment.

After killing the Upapandavas and the last remnants of the Panchalas, Ashwatthama returns to Duryodhana. He showed Duryodhana the blood on his sword which belonged to the Upapandavas, hearing Duryodhana peacefully left his body satisfied with revenge. Concomitant with Duryodhana's death, [[Sanjaya]] loses his divine sight, which he had been using to update Duryodhana's father Dhritarashtra. This symbolizes the conclusion to the war.

After the Pandavas retired, only Yudhishthira reached heaven alive. There, he saw Duryodhana, which shocked him. When asked by Yudhishthira, Narada replied that Duryodhana fulfilled his religious duties.<ref>https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m18/m18001.htm</ref>

==Evaluation==
{{More citations needed section|date=March 2021}}
Duryodhana is a popular choice of analysis. His merits, flaws, symbolism, and relevance are widely discussed.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

[[Urubhanga]]m is a [[Sanskrit]] play written by [[Bhasa]] in the 2nd or 3rd century AD with Duryodhana as its primary protagonist. Written as a tragedy, the drama focuses on his point of view of the events of Mahabharata. His portrayal as a tragic hero is especially unique within the body of works in [[Sanskrit drama]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

Many [[Hindu]]s believe that Duryodhana was the personification of [[Kali (demon)|Kali]] with demoniac qualities such as greed, ego and lust. Many critics argue that he is not without positives; many consider Duryodhana as a fair king and there are temples dedicated to him and the [[Kauravas]]. Scholars believe that like most other characters of the [[Mahabharata]], the true picture is not [[black and white]]. His name is often mistaken to mean bad ruler, however, his name is actually coined from the Sanskrit words "du"/"duh" which means "difficult" and "yodhana" which means "fight"/"war".{{Citation needed|reason=Reliable source needed for the whole sentence|date=August 2015}} So Duryodhana actually means ''someone who is extremely difficult to fight/defeat or wage war against''.

Duryodhana is viewed, by some, as the product of Dhritarashtra's ambition and also in a metaphorical sense, his "blindness". He is also praised for his adherence to his duties as a [[Kshatriya]], and even in his last combat, fights bravely. He chooses to face [[Bhima]] in combat over all the other [[Pandavas]], with whom he has an advantage in mace fighting. His skills in the mace are also praised; many stories call him the greatest mace-fighter of the age after [[Balarama]], Krishna and Bheema.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

===Friendship with Karna===

The friendship between [[Karna]] and Duryodhana is considered to be a great one, and is used as an example of friendship and loyalty.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last1=Vignesh|first1=Inba|title=The Greatest friends ever lived - Karna and Duriyoudan|url=http://www.hearty-india.com/2011/10/karan-and-dhuriyoudan-greatest-friends.html|website=India - The Land of Hearts|publisher=India - The Land of Hearts|access-date=15 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Friendship|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/friendship/article2296494.ece|access-date=15 June 2017|agency=The Hindu|work=The Hindu}}</ref>
A lesser-known story is told about Karna, Duryodhana, and his wife Bhanumati, as an example of honest friendship.
With the help of Karna, Duryodhana married Bhanumati. According to the ''Mahabharata'', Duryodhana abducted Bhanumati, the maiden of the fairest complexion, from her [[swayamvara]] with the help of his best friend [[Karna]] in the wake of having been rejected by her.

As per a Tamil folktale, when Duryodhana had recently wedded Bhanumati, one day, he requested Karna to take care of her and entertain her for the evening as he had duties to be taken care of. To pass time, Karna and Bhanumati began playing a game of dice. The game soon got very interesting, engrossing the two of them completely. Gradually, Karna started winning. Meanwhile, Duryodhana had returned early and entered the room. Seeing her husband come in, Bhanumati immediately stood up as a mark of respect. Karna, whose back was facing the door, did not realize this and misconstrued her intent, thinking that she was leaving because she was on the losing side.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

He immediately reached for her pearl-trimmed shawl, and accidentally pulled so hard that the trimming broke, and the pearls were scattered all over the floor. Her veil also slipped along with the shawl, so she was half-dressed. Bhanumati, who was as yet, not so familiar with Karna, froze at the thought of how her husband would react. She had heard of his ego and had personally been present the last time he was insulted, which had resulted in her own abduction.{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}

Karna, following Bhanumati's stunned gaze, turned around to see Duryodhana observing them both carefully. He stood in shame, embarrassment and guilt, considering the wrath and inevitable punishment he was going to face from his friend. He was sure Duryodhana would immediately accuse them of impropriety. However, much to both their surprise, Duryodhana looked past Karna, and addressed his wife, ''"Should I just collect the beads, or would you like me to string them, as well?”{{Citation needed|date=March 2021}}''

Bhanumati and Karna could only look at each other in shock, mutely, feeling ashamed at the way they had both severely misjudged him. He had implicit faith and great love for his queen, and even greater was his faith in his friend Karna. Not for a moment did he suspect that the man he had considered his brother would ever betray him, and only quietly picked up the pearls trustfully. This story is not present in the [[Vyasa|Vyasa Mahabharata]], but is often commonly told when discussing Karna and Duryodhana's genuine friendship.<ref>https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/93789/5/05_chapter%203.pdf</ref>
[[File:Coronation of Karna.jpg|thumb|Coronation of Karna]]

===Modern Worship===
* At [[Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple]] in [[Kerala]]'s [[Kollam|Kollam district]], Duryodhana is worshipped as the main deity. It is the only temple in [[South India]] where a [[Kaurava]] is considered a [[God]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.malanada.com/ |title=Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada | The one and only one Duryodhana Temple in South India |publisher=Malanada.com |access-date=2014-08-15}}</ref>
* In the [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] region of [[Uttarakhand]], several beautifully carved temples are dedicated to Duryodhana and he is worshipped as the deity. The mountain tribes of [[Kumaon division|Kumaon]] fought along with Duryodhana in the Mahabharata war; he was venerated as a capable and generous administrator.
* There is a temple in Osla, [[Garhwal division]] of Uttarakhand. This was built by the inhabitants of Saur. People believe he stayed here with the blessings of [[Mahasu Devta Temple|Lord Mahasu]] to care for the people.<ref>{{cite news|title=Shrine for Duryodhana!|url=http://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/a-temple-for-duryodhana-in-the-himalayas/article18425964.ece?homepage=true|access-date=12 May 2017|work=The Hindu|date=11 May 2017}}</ref>

== In media ==
* ''[[Krishnavatara]]'' (Hindi: कृष्णअवतार), a series of seven novels written by Dr. [[K.M. Munshi]] ([[Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan]])
* ''Duryodhana'' by [[Viswanathan Raghunathan]] (2014, Harper Collins).

=== Television & films ===
*[[Mammootty]] played a character based on Duryodhana in the 1991 [[Kollywood]] film [[Thalapathi]]. The theme of the film is based on the friendship between [[Karna]] and Duryodhana.<ref>{{cite web|last1=R|first1=Narendran|title=Vintage Movie Review: A Review on Thalapathi|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-fans-Column/vintage-movie-review-a-review-on-thalapathi-thalpathi-visitor-review.html|access-date=18 February 2016|website=Behindwoods.com|publisher=Behindwoods.com}}</ref>
*[[Manoj Bajpayee]] played a character based on Duryodhana in the 2010 [[Bollywood]] film [[Raajneeti]].{{cn|date=January 2022}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Project !! Played by!! Country !! Language
|-
| 1964 ||''[[Karnan (1964 film)|Karnan]]''||[[S. A. Ashokan]]|| rowspan="3" | India || Tamil
|-
| 1977 ||''[[Daana Veera Shura Karna]]''||[[N. T. Rama Rao]]|| Telugu
|-
| 1988 ||''[[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)]]''||[[Puneet Issar]]|| Hindi
|-
| 1989 ||''[[The Mahabharata (1989 film)|The Mahabharata]]''||[[Georges Corraface]]|| Belgium Australia U.S. Sweden Portugal Norway Netherlands Japan Ireland Iceland Finland Denmark UK France || English
|-
| 1993 ||''[[Krishna (TV series)]]''|| Kumar Hegde|| rowspan="9" | India || Hindi
|-
| 2002 ||''[[Maharathi Karna (TV series)|Maharathi Karna]]''||[[Nimai Bali]]|| Hindi
|-
| 2008 ||''[[Kahaani Hamaaray Mahaabhaarat Ki]]''||[[Aryan Vaid]]|| Hindi
|-
| 2013 ||''[[Mahabharatham (TV series)]]''|| Vetri Vel|| Tamil
|-
| 2013 ||''[[Mahabharat (2013 TV series)|Mahabharat]]''||[[Arpit Ranka]]|| Hindi
|-
| 2013 ||''[[Mahabharat (2013 film)|Mahabharat]]''||[[Jackie Shroff]] (voice)|| Hindi
|-
| 2015 ||''[[Suryaputra Karn]]''||[[Shaleen Bhanot]]|| Hindi
|-
| 2018 ||''[[Karn Sangini]]''||[[Paras Chhabra]]|| Hindi
|-
| 2019 ||''[[Kurukshetra (2019 film)|Kurukshetra]]''||[[Darshan (actor)|Darshan]]||[[Kannada]], [[Malayalam]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], and [[Hindi]]
|-
|2018 -
|[[RadhaKrishn]]
|Krrip Kapur Suri
|India
|Hindi
|}

==See also==
*[[Kauravas]]
*[[Kali (demon)]]
*''[[Mahabharata]]''

==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{notelist|30em}}
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==
*''The Mahabharata'' (1999) by [[Krishna Dharma]]

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{commons category|Duryodhana}}

*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100205123023/http://ancientindians.wordpress.com/duryodhana/ Duryodhana Temples and Lineage]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20170304200505/http://www.freeindia.org/biographies/greatpersonalities/karna/page8.htm karna great personalities]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140317194726/http://newzfeaturez.com/2014/03/17/the-relevance-of-karna-and-duryodhanas-friendship-in-the-modern-indian-society/ THE RELEVANCE OF “KARNA AND DURYODHANA’S” FRIENDSHIP IN THE MODERN INDIAN SOCIETY]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20171108140058/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/from-duryodhanas-perspective/article7530151.ece From Duryodhana’s perspective]

{{Mahābhārata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Forms of Kali (demon)]]

User talk:2402:8100:387D:352B:5437:81FF:FE0B:2E5D

2023-05-26T14:48:13Z

Gomateshwari: /* Reverting */ new section

== Reverting ==

If you think, Medha is the cousin of Mayuri, make a page of Medha in bharatpedia and let's see. [[User:Gomateshwari|Gomateshwari]] ([[User talk:Gomateshwari|talk]]) 20:18, 26 May 2023 (IST)

User talk:2402:8100:387D:352B:5437:81FF:FE0B:2E5D

2023-05-26T14:47:32Z

Gomateshwari: Blanked the page

Template:Mahabharata

2023-05-26T14:44:58Z

Gomateshwari:

{{navbox
| name = Mahabharata
| title = ''[[Mahabharata]]''
| state = {{{state|autocollapse}}}
| basestyle = background-color:#FFC569; 
| image = [[File:Kurukshetra.jpg|right|175px]]
| listclass = hlist

|group1 = [[The 18 parvas|Books (''parva''s)]]
|list1 =
* [[Adi Parva|Adi]]
* [[Sabha Parva|Sabha]]
* [[Vana Parva|Vana]]
* [[Virata Parva|Virata]]
* [[Udyoga Parva|Udyoga]]
* [[Bhishma Parva|Bhishma]]
* [[Drona Parva|Drona]]
* [[Karna Parva|Karna]]
* [[Shalya Parva|Shalya]]
* [[Sauptika Parva|Sauptika]]
* [[Stri Parva|Stri]]
* [[Shanti Parva|Shanti]]
* [[Anushasana Parva|Anushasana]]
* [[Ashvamedhika Parva|Ashvamedhika]]
* [[Ashramavasika Parva|Ashramavasika]]
* [[Mausala Parva|Mausala]]
* [[Mahaprasthanika Parva|Mahaprasthanika]]
* [[Svargarohana Parva|Svargarohana]]
* [[Harivamsa]]

|group2 = [[Kuru Kingdom]]
|list2 =
* [[Shantanu]]
* [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]]
* [[Bhishma]]
* [[Satyavati]]
* [[Chitrāngada]]
* [[Vichitravirya]]
* [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]]
* [[Ambalika]]
* [[Vidura]]
* [[Dhritarashtra]]
* [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]
* [[Pandu]]
* [[Kunti]]
* [[Madri]]
* [[Pandava]]s
** [[Yudhisthira]]
** [[Bhima]]
** [[Arjuna]]
** [[Nakula]]
** [[Sahadeva]]
* [[Draupadi]]
* [[Hidimbi]]
* [[Ulupi]]
* [[Chitrāngadā]]
* [[Subhadra]]
* [[Kaurava]]s
** [[Duryodhana]]
** [[Dushasana]]
** [[Vikarna]]
** [[Yuyutsu]]
** [[Duhsala|Dushala]]
* [[Upapandavas]]
* [[Ghatotkacha]]
* [[Abhimanyu]]
* [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]
* [[Laxman Kumara]]
* [[Kauravas|Kauravas' wives]]
** [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]
** [[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)|Bhanumati]]
** [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]]
** [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]]
* [[Parikshit]]
* [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]]

|group3 = Other characters
|list3 =
* [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]
* [[Ashwatthama]]
* [[Balarama]]
* [[Bhagadatta]]
* [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]]
* [[Chitrasena_(Mahabharata)|Chitrasena]]
* [[Damayanti]]
* [[Dhrishtadyumna]]
* [[Drona]]
* [[Drupada]]
* [[Durvasa]]
* [[Dushyanta]]
* [[Ekalavya]]
* [[Hidimba]]
* [[Jarasandha]]
* [[Jayadratha]]
* [[Karna]]
* [[Kichaka]]
* [[Kripa]]
* [[Krishna]]
* [[Kritavarma]]
* [[Mayasura]]
* [[Markandeya]]
* [[Nahusha]]
* [[Nala]]
* [[Pururavas]]
* [[Sanjaya]]
* [[Satyaki]]
* [[Savitri and Satyavan]]
* [[Shakuni]]
* [[Shakuntala]]
* [[Shalya]]
* [[Shikhandi]]
* [[Shishupala]]
* [[Bahlika (Mahabharata)|Bahlika]]
* [[Sudeshna]]
* [[Urvashi]]
* [[Uttara_(Mahabharata)|Uttara Kumara]]
* [[Virata]]
* [[Vrishasena]]
* [[Vyasa]]
* [[Yayati]]
*''[[Characters in the Mahabharata|more]]''

|group4 = Related articles
|list4 =
* [[Avatars in the Mahabharata|Avatars]]
* [[Hastinapur]]
* [[Indraprastha]]
* [[Epic India|Kingdoms]]
* [[Kurukshetra War]]
* ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''
* [[Padmavyuha]]
* [[Vedic-Puranic chronology]]

|belowstyle = background:#FFC569; 
|below =
{{icon|CAT}}[[:Category:Mahabharata|Category]]
}}
<noinclude>
{{collapsible option}}
[[Category:Hinduism templates]]
[[Category:Poetry navigational boxes]]

</noinclude>

Template:Mahabharata

2023-05-26T14:20:26Z

Gomateshwari:

{{navbox
| name = Mahabharata
| title = ''[[Mahabharata]]''
| state = {{{state|autocollapse}}}
| basestyle = background-color:#FFC569; 
| image = [[File:Kurukshetra.jpg|right|175px]]
| listclass = hlist

|group1 = [[The 18 parvas|Books (''parva''s)]]
|list1 =
* [[Adi Parva|Adi]]
* [[Sabha Parva|Sabha]]
* [[Vana Parva|Vana]]
* [[Virata Parva|Virata]]
* [[Udyoga Parva|Udyoga]]
* [[Bhishma Parva|Bhishma]]
* [[Drona Parva|Drona]]
* [[Karna Parva|Karna]]
* [[Shalya Parva|Shalya]]
* [[Sauptika Parva|Sauptika]]
* [[Stri Parva|Stri]]
* [[Shanti Parva|Shanti]]
* [[Anushasana Parva|Anushasana]]
* [[Ashvamedhika Parva|Ashvamedhika]]
* [[Ashramavasika Parva|Ashramavasika]]
* [[Mausala Parva|Mausala]]
* [[Mahaprasthanika Parva|Mahaprasthanika]]
* [[Svargarohana Parva|Svargarohana]]
* [[Harivamsa]]

|group2 = [[Kuru Kingdom]]
|list2 =
* [[Shantanu]]
* [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]]
* [[Bhishma]]
* [[Satyavati]]
* [[Chitrāngada]]
* [[Vichitravirya]]
* [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]]
* [[Ambalika]]
* [[Vidura]]
* [[Dhritarashtra]]
* [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]
* [[Pandu]]
* [[Kunti]]
* [[Madri]]
* [[Pandava]]s
** [[Yudhisthira]]
** [[Bhima]]
** [[Arjuna]]
** [[Nakula]]
** [[Sahadeva]]
* [[Draupadi]]
* [[Hidimbi]]
* [[Ulupi]]
* [[Chitrāngadā]]
* [[Subhadra]]
* [[Kaurava]]s
** [[Duryodhana]]
** [[Dushasana]]
** [[Vikarna]]
** [[Yuyutsu]]
** [[Duhsala|Dushala]]
* [[Upapandavas]]
* [[Ghatotkacha]]
* [[Abhimanyu]]
* [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]
* [[Laxman Kumara]]
* Kauravas' wife
** [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]
** [[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)|Bhanumati]]
** [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]]
** [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]]
* [[Parikshit]]
* [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]]

|group3 = Other characters
|list3 =
* [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]
* [[Ashwatthama]]
* [[Balarama]]
* [[Bhagadatta]]
* [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]]
* [[Chitrasena_(Mahabharata)|Chitrasena]]
* [[Damayanti]]
* [[Dhrishtadyumna]]
* [[Drona]]
* [[Drupada]]
* [[Durvasa]]
* [[Dushyanta]]
* [[Ekalavya]]
* [[Hidimba]]
* [[Jarasandha]]
* [[Jayadratha]]
* [[Karna]]
* [[Kichaka]]
* [[Kripa]]
* [[Krishna]]
* [[Kritavarma]]
* [[Mayasura]]
* [[Markandeya]]
* [[Nahusha]]
* [[Nala]]
* [[Pururavas]]
* [[Sanjaya]]
* [[Satyaki]]
* [[Savitri and Satyavan]]
* [[Shakuni]]
* [[Shakuntala]]
* [[Shalya]]
* [[Shikhandi]]
* [[Shishupala]]
* [[Bahlika (Mahabharata)|Bahlika]]
* [[Sudeshna]]
* [[Urvashi]]
* [[Uttara_(Mahabharata)|Uttara Kumara]]
* [[Virata]]
* [[Vrishasena]]
* [[Vyasa]]
* [[Yayati]]
*''[[Characters in the Mahabharata|more]]''

|group4 = Related articles
|list4 =
* [[Avatars in the Mahabharata|Avatars]]
* [[Hastinapur]]
* [[Indraprastha]]
* [[Epic India|Kingdoms]]
* [[Kurukshetra War]]
* ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''
* [[Padmavyuha]]
* [[Vedic-Puranic chronology]]

|belowstyle = background:#FFC569; 
|below =
{{icon|CAT}}[[:Category:Mahabharata|Category]]
}}
<noinclude>
{{collapsible option}}
[[Category:Hinduism templates]]
[[Category:Poetry navigational boxes]]

</noinclude>

Template:Mahabharata

2023-05-26T14:01:22Z

Gomateshwari: Mayuri Bhanumati and Nirjara should be in kuru category

{{navbox
| name = Mahabharata
| title = ''[[Mahabharata]]''
| state = {{{state|autocollapse}}}
| basestyle = background-color:#FFC569; 
| image = [[File:Kurukshetra.jpg|right|175px]]
| listclass = hlist

|group1 = [[The 18 parvas|Books (''parva''s)]]
|list1 =
* [[Adi Parva|Adi]]
* [[Sabha Parva|Sabha]]
* [[Vana Parva|Vana]]
* [[Virata Parva|Virata]]
* [[Udyoga Parva|Udyoga]]
* [[Bhishma Parva|Bhishma]]
* [[Drona Parva|Drona]]
* [[Karna Parva|Karna]]
* [[Shalya Parva|Shalya]]
* [[Sauptika Parva|Sauptika]]
* [[Stri Parva|Stri]]
* [[Shanti Parva|Shanti]]
* [[Anushasana Parva|Anushasana]]
* [[Ashvamedhika Parva|Ashvamedhika]]
* [[Ashramavasika Parva|Ashramavasika]]
* [[Mausala Parva|Mausala]]
* [[Mahaprasthanika Parva|Mahaprasthanika]]
* [[Svargarohana Parva|Svargarohana]]
* [[Harivamsa]]

|group2 = [[Kuru Kingdom]]
|list2 =
* [[Shantanu]]
* [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]]
* [[Bhishma]]
* [[Satyavati]]
* [[Chitrāngada]]
* [[Vichitravirya]]
* [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]]
* [[Ambalika]]
* [[Vidura]]
* [[Dhritarashtra]]
* [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]
* [[Pandu]]
* [[Kunti]]
* [[Madri]]
* [[Pandava]]s
** [[Yudhisthira]]
** [[Bhima]]
** [[Arjuna]]
** [[Nakula]]
** [[Sahadeva]]
* [[Draupadi]]
* [[Hidimbi]]
* [[Ulupi]]
* [[Chitrāngadā]]
* [[Subhadra]]
* [[Kaurava]]s
** [[Duryodhana]]
** [[Dushasana]]
** [[Vikarna]]
** [[Yuyutsu]]
** [[Duhsala|Dushala]]
* [[Upapandavas]]
* [[Ghatotkacha]]
* [[Abhimanyu]]
* [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]
* [[Laxman Kumara]]
* [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]
* [[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)|Bhanumati]]
* [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]]
* [[Parikshit]]
* [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]]

|group3 = Other characters
|list3 =
* [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]
* [[Ashwatthama]]
* [[Balarama]]
* [[Bhagadatta]]
* [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]]
* [[Chitrasena_(Mahabharata)|Chitrasena]]
* [[Damayanti]]
* [[Dhrishtadyumna]]
* [[Drona]]
* [[Drupada]]
* [[Durvasa]]
* [[Dushyanta]]
* [[Ekalavya]]
* [[Hidimba]]
* [[Jarasandha]]
* [[Jayadratha]]
* [[Karna]]
* [[Kichaka]]
* [[Kripa]]
* [[Krishna]]
* [[Kritavarma]]
* [[Mayasura]]
* [[Markandeya]]
* [[Nahusha]]
* [[Nala]]
* [[Pururavas]]
* [[Sanjaya]]
* [[Satyaki]]
* [[Savitri and Satyavan]]
* [[Shakuni]]
* [[Shakuntala]]
* [[Shalya]]
* [[Shikhandi]]
* [[Shishupala]]
* [[Bahlika (Mahabharata)|Bahlika]]
* [[Sudeshna]]
* [[Urvashi]]
* [[Uttara_(Mahabharata)|Uttara Kumara]]
* [[Virata]]
* [[Vrishasena]]
* [[Vyasa]]
* [[Yayati]]
*''[[Characters in the Mahabharata|more]]''

|group4 = Related articles
|list4 =
* [[Avatars in the Mahabharata|Avatars]]
* [[Hastinapur]]
* [[Indraprastha]]
* [[Epic India|Kingdoms]]
* [[Kurukshetra War]]
* ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''
* [[Padmavyuha]]
* [[Vedic-Puranic chronology]]

|belowstyle = background:#FFC569; 
|below =
{{icon|CAT}}[[:Category:Mahabharata|Category]]
}}
<noinclude>
{{collapsible option}}
[[Category:Hinduism templates]]
[[Category:Poetry navigational boxes]]

</noinclude>

User talk:2402:3A80:687:BDBA:0:12:8820:6601

2023-05-26T11:20:44Z

Gomateshwari: Created page with "Very good, keep going with your edits."

Very good, keep going with your edits.

Vikarna

2023-05-26T10:25:59Z

Gomateshwari:

{{use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{short description|Character in the Mahabharata}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Vikarna
| image = File:The three main Kaurava.jpg
| info-hdr=Information
| caption = Vikarna sitting at the corner (left) with [[Duryodhana]] (centre) and [[Dussasana]] (right)
| weapon = [[Bow and Arrow]]
| family = [[Dhritarashtra]] (father) [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] (mother), [[Duryodhana]], [[Dushasana]], 97 other (brothers), [[Duhsala]] (sister) and [[Yuyutsu]] (half-brother) 
| color = #FFC569
| spouse = [[Sudeshnavati (Mahabharata)|Sudeshnavati]] and [[Indumati (Mahabharata)|Indumati]]
|children=*[[List of characters in the Mahabharata#Jyotsyana|Jyotsyana]] (from [[Sudeshnavati (Mahabharata)|Sudeshnavati]])
*Durga and 10 unnamed daughters (from [[Indumati (Mahabharata)|Indumati]])}}

In the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]'', '''Vikarna''' ({{lang-sa|विकर्ण}}) was third [[Kaurava]], son of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] and a brother to the [[crown prince]] [[Duryodhana]]. Vikarna is universally referred to as the third-most reputable of Kauravas. Usually, he is also indicated as the third-oldest son, but in other sources, the "third-strongest" reputation remained and it is implied that Vikarna is just one of Gandhari's 100 children (after [[Duryodhana]] and [[Dussasana]]). Vikarna was the only [[Kaurava]] who questioned the humiliation of [[Draupadi]], the wife of his cousin [[Pandavas]] after they lost her in a game of dice to Duryodhana.

==Etymology==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2020}}
The word ''Vikarna'' has two meanings. Basically it is made from two words. First word is ''vinā'' ({{lang|sa|विना}}) or ''vishāla'' ({{lang|sa|विशाल}}), while second word is ''karna'' ({{lang|sa|कर्ण}}. ''vinā'' means 'without' and ''vishāla'' means 'large'. And ''karna'' means 'ears'. So this name contains two meanings. Either it is 'the one who is earless' or 'large eared'. This could say something about his character. It is possible that the name Vikarna basically came from his character of either not listening to anyone(self-esteemed) or who listens and captures wisdom through his (large)ears.

==Growing up==

Vikarna was one of [[Dronacharya]]'s students who excelled in archery like Arjuna. On completing their training, Drona asked the [[Kauravas]] to bring him [[Drupada]] as a [[Dakshina|guru dakshina]]. [[Duryodhana]], [[Dushasana]], [[Yuyutsu]], Vikarna, and the remaining Kauravas with the [[Hastinapura]] army attacked [[Panchala|Pañchala]]. Their attack was repelled. Vikarna and his brothers were forced to flee and abandon the field.<ref>''The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa'', trl. into English by P.C. Roy, New Delhi 1972, pp. 291-92</ref>

==Marriage and children==
In some folktales of [[Mahabharata]] of the Shanti Parva, Vikarna abducted a beautiful princess. [[Narada]] did not take the name of the princess but sources name her [[Sudeshnavati (Mahabharata)|Sudeshnavati]], who was a friend of [[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]], the first wife of Vikarna (Sudeshnavati) was a princess of a Trilokapura Kingdom and so was a sister of [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]].
The other unnamed princess was also a sister of Sudeshnavati. Folklores name her Indumati. Jyotsyana was a daughter of Vikarna and Sudeshnavati. While, Durga and other 10 unnamed daughters were the children of Vikarna and Indumati.

==Game of dice==
During the infamous [[Pachisi|dice game]] of the [[Mahabharatha]], Vikarna raised his voice against the game as a whole, and specifically, at the mistreatment of [[Draupadi]], his sister-in-law. Vikarna echoed the questions Draupadi had already asked the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] elders, demanding that her questions be answered. His protests were met with silence, even from wise elders like [[Bhishma]] and [[Dronacharya]].

In the silence, and depending on the version of the story, [[Karna]] later rebuked and taunted Vikarna for his outburst. Vikarna quietly replied:

{{quote| The sister-in-law's insult is an affront to the entire Kuru clan. If her questions are not answered, our line is doomed.|Vikarna|<ref name="google">{{cite book|title=Mahabharata|author=Rajagopalachari, C.|date=1974|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2_MfAAAAMAAJ|access-date=2015-03-13}}</ref>}}

==Death==
Despite his misgivings, Vikarna fights for [[Duryodhana]] during the [[Kurukshetra War]]. [[Bhishma]] names him as one of the great warriors on the [[Kaurava]] side. Mentioned throughout the war, Vikarna has a few notable moments. On the fourth day of the war, he attempts to check [[Abhimanyu|Abhimanyu's]] advance, and is severely repulsed. On the fifth day of the war, he attempts to break the [[Mahismati|King of Mahismati's]] defense of the [[Pandava]] formation, and is unsuccessful. On the seventh day, he covers the retreat of his brothers from [[Bhima|Bhima's]] rampage. On the tenth day, he attempts to prevent [[Arjuna]] and [[Shikhandi]] from reaching Bhishma, but is counter-checked by [[Drupada]].

On the thirteenth day of the war, depending on the version of the story, Vikarna is either a silent bystander in the slaying of Abhimanyu or an active participant. On the fourteenth day, [[Arjuna]] navigates the [[chakravyuha]] of [[Drona]], in order to reach and kill [[Jayadratha]] before sunset. Duryodhana sends Vikarna to check Bhima's advance. Bhima, who had sworn to kill all of [[Dhritarashtra|Dhritarashtra's]] true-born (100) sons, calls Vikarna a man of [[dharma]] and advises him to step aside. Vikarna replies that even knowing that the Kauravas would not win a war against a side with [[Krishna|Sri Krishna]] on it, he cannot forsake Duryodhana. Pleadingly, Bhima reminds him of the dice game, where Vikarna had criticized his brother. Vikarna replied:

{{quote|That was my duty then, and this is my duty now. Fight me, o son of [[Vayu]]!|Vikarna challenging Bhima|<ref name="google"/>}}

Bhima quickly dispatches Vikarna; in some versions of the story Vikarna asks for Bhima to perform his last rites. His death brings tears to the eyes of Bhima. After his death, Bhima laments:

{{quote|Alas, O Vikarna, you were just and knew what was dharma! You fought in loyal obedience to the call of duty. Indeed this battle is a curse upon us wherein men like you...have had to be slaughtered.|Bhima upon Vikarna's death|}}

==Analysis==
Vikarna is somewhat comparable to [[Kumbhakarna]] from the [[Ramayana]]. Both Vikarna and Kumbhakarna acknowledged that their elder brother's actions are against [[dharma]] but ultimately they remained loyal to [[Duryodhana]] and [[Ravana]] respectively. [[Yuyutsu]] had the same ideology and mindset that of Vikarna. Yuyutsu also felt that Duryodhana's actions are wrong; however, he defected to [[Pandavas]] at the onset of [[Kurukshetra war]]; Yuyutsu's equivalent in the Ramayana is [[Vibhishana]].<ref>Critical Perspectives on the Rāmāyaṇa. Jaydipsinh Dodiya Sarup & Sons, Jan 1, 2001 - Hindu literature, Sanskrit - 297 pages</ref>

== Literature ==
*''Vikarna'' in: M.M.S. Shastri Chitrao (1964), ''Bharatavarshiya Prachin Charitrakosha'' (Dictionary of Ancient Indian Biography, in Hindi), Pune, p. 839
*''Vikarna'' in: Wilfried Huchzermeyer (2018), ''Studies in the Mahabharata. Indian Culture, Dharma and Spirituality in the Great Epic.'' Karlsruhe, pp. 58–63. {{ISBN|978-3-931172-32-9}}, or E-Book

==References==
*Mahabharata by [[C. Rajagopalachari]]

{{reflist}}

{{Mahabharata}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

List of characters in the Mahabharata

2023-05-26T10:23:35Z

Gomateshwari:

{{DISPLAYTITLE:List of characters in the ''Mahabharata''}}
{{short description|List of characters appearing in the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata''}}
{{use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2017}}
[[File:Major characters in the Mahabharata.jpg|thumb|Major characters in the ''Mahabharata''.]]

The ''[[Mahabharata]]'' is one of the two major [[Sanskrit literature|Sanskrit]] [[Indian epic poetry|epics]] of [[ancient India]]; it was composed by the sage [[Vyasa]]. The most important characters of ''[[Mahabharata]]'' can be said: [[Krishna]], [[Pandavas]] {{mdash}} [[Yudhishthira]], [[Bhima|Bheema]], [[Arjuna]], [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]], along with their wife [[Draupadi]] followed by [[Bhishma]], [[Drona]]charya, [[Karna]] and the [[Kauravas]] (who were a hundred brothers), led by the eldest brother, [[Duryodhana]]. The most important other characters include [[Dhritrashtra]], [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]], [[Kunti]] and [[Shakuni]]. Some pivotal additional characters include [[Vidura]], [[Subhadra]], [[Abhimanyu]], [[Kripacharya]], [[Pandu]], [[Ashwatthama]], [[Satyavati]], [[Balarama]] and [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]]. Deities who play a significant role in the epic include [[Vishnu]], [[Brahma]], [[Shiva]], [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]], [[Indra]], [[Surya]] and [[Yamraj|Yama]].

This list mentions notable characters and may also contain characters appearing in regional stories and folklores related to ''Mahabharata''.{{refn|group=note|The list tries to mention as many characters as possible, but is not complete. It contains characters appearing in ''[[Harivamsa]]'', a book connected to ''Mahabharata''.}}

==A==

=== Abhimanyu ===
{{Main|Abhimanyu}}
Abhimanyu was the son of third Pandava prince [[Arjuna]] and Yadava princess [[Subhadra]]. He was a disciple of his maternal uncles [[Krishna]] and [[Balrama]]. He was killed unfairly on the 13th day of [[Kurukshetra War]]. In the war, Abhimanyu killed warriors including Rukmartha, Brihadbala, [[Laxman Kumara|Laksmana]] (Duryodhana's son), Dushmanara (Dushyasana's 2nd son), 7 foster brothers of Karna, sons of Shalya, etc. and defeated mighty warriors including Ashwatthama, Kripa, Shalya, Duryodhana, Dushasana, etc. in direct and joint attacks when he had a bow in his hands. However, he was attacked by Drona, Dushasana, Ashwatthama, Karna, Shakuni, Duryodhana Kripa, Kritavarma Vrishasena and Drumasena (Dushasana's son) and many other warriors along with a small contingent of the army, and was killed brutually with the act of treachery. He was the most loved son of Pandavas.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-06|title=Mythology 3 – Abhimanyu|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/littlethoughts/mythology-3-abhimanyu/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Times of India Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

===Adhiratha===
Adhiratha was the foster father of Karna and the charioteer of Bheeshma. He was also the leader of all Sutas and royal charioteers. His wife was Radha.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Adhiratha|url=http://en.krishnakosh.org/krishna/Adhiratha|access-date=2020-08-28|website=en.krishnakosh.org|language=en}}</ref> Shon was their biological son. As the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'', Adhiratha descended from [[Yayati]] and therefore was related to [[Krishna]]. He was also the descendant of [[Romapada]],<ref name="Sukhdev Singh Chib">{{cite book|last=Chib|first=Sukhdev Singh|title=Bihar|year=1980|page=4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V8S1AAAAIAAJ&q=Rompad,Angadesh}}</ref> the king of [[Anga]] and brother-in-law of [[Dashratha]]'s descendant Shighra, king of [[Ayodhya]].

===Anusuya===
She is the daughter of Anushalva and Tejashree.

===Adrika===
Adrika was an [[apsara]], who was cursed to become a fish and only to be liberated when she gives birth to a human. Adrika, as a fish, lived in the river [[Yamuna]]. Once she came in contact with the semen of [[Uparichara Vasu|Uparichara]] and impregnated herself. After 10 month, some [[Dashraj|fishermen]] caught her, cut open her womb and found two children {{mdash}} [[Matsyagandha]] and [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]. After the incident, Adrika was liberated from her curse and returned to heaven.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chakravarti|first=Bishnupada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivQ6CwAAQBAJ&q=Adrika&pg=PT105|title=Penguin Companion to the Mahabharata|date=2007-11-13|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-93-5214-170-8|language=en}}</ref>

===Agni===
{{main|Agni}}
Agni is the Hindu god of fire. In the Vana Parva, sage Markandeya told the story of Agni's marriage.
In the Khandava-daha Parva, Agni in disguise approaches [[Krishna]] and [[Arjuna]] seeking sufficient food for gratification of his hunger and expressed his desire to consume the forest of Khandava protected by Indra for the sake of [[Takshaka]], the chief of the [[Naga Kingdom|Nagas]]. Aided by Krishna and Arjuna, Agni consumes the [[Khandava Forest]]. Later, as a boon, Arjuna got all his weapons from Indra and also the bow, [[Gandiva]], from [[Varuna]].<ref>{{cite book |title=The Mahabharata |volume=Book 1 |pages=434–447 |website=Sacred-texts.com |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01226.htm }}</ref> The epic heroine [[Draupadi]] emerged from sacrificial fire.

=== Alambusha ===
Alambusha was a [[Rakshasa]] and younger brother of [[Bakasura|Baka]] and [[Kirmira]]. In the [[Kurukshetra War]], he fought from the Kaurava side. During the war, he killed [[Iravan]], son of Pandava prince [[Arjuna]]. Later, Alambusha was killed by Bhima's son, [[Ghatotkacha]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&q=Alambusha|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2014-04-18|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-81-8475-277-9|language=en}}</ref>

=== Alayudha ===
He was a demon and friend of another demon named Alambhusha. He and Alambhusha were killed by [[Bhima]]'s demon son [[Ghatotkacha]] during Night war.

=== Amba ===
{{Main|Amba (Mahabharata)}}
'''Amba''' was the eldest daughter of Kashya, the king of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]] and the sister of Ambika and Ambalika. Amba was abducted by [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] prince [[Bheeshma|Bhishma]] and holds him responsible for her misfortune. Her sole goal in life becomes his destruction, to fulfill which she is reborn as [[Shikhandini]]/[[Shikhandi]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The story of Amba {{!}} Mahabharata Stories, Summary, and Characters from Mahabharata|url=https://www.mahabharataonline.com/stories/mahabharata_character.php?id=77|access-date=2020-08-28|website=www.mahabharataonline.com}}</ref>

=== Ambalika ===
{{Main|Ambalika}}
Ambalika is the daughter of Kashya, the King of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], and wife of [[Vichitravirya]], the King of [[Hastinapur]]. She was also the mother of [[Pandu]], step mother of [[Dhritarashtra]] and grand mother of [[Pandavas]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mentor|first=Shopping|date=2017-05-10|title=Revenge of Amba, Ambika & Ambalika|url=https://indianmythologystories.wordpress.com/2017/05/10/revenge-of-amba-ambika-ambalika/|access-date=2020-08-28|website=Indian Mythology|language=en}}</ref>

===Ambika===
{{Main|Ambika (Mahabharata)}}
Ambika is the daughter of Kashya, the King of [[Varanasi|Kashi]], and wife of [[Vichitravirya]], the king of [[Hastinapura]].<ref>Law, B.C. (1973). Tribes in Ancient [[India]], Poona: Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, p.105</ref> She was also the mother of [[Dhritarashtra]] and stepmother of [[Pandu]] and grandmother to the [[Kauravas]].<ref name=B>{{cite book|title=Myths and Legends from India – Great Women|last=Bhanu|first=Sharada|publisher=Macmillan India Limited|year=1997|location=Chennai|isbn=0-333-93076-2|pages=35–6}}</ref>
===Ambika's maid===
The chief maid of Ambika—named Parishrami in later retelling—was sent by Ambika and Ambalika to Maharishi [[Vyasa]] for [[Niyoga]]. From their union, Vidura was born.

===Anjanaparvana===
He was the son of [[Ghatotkacha]] and [[Ahilawati|Mourvi]]. His grandparents were [[Bhima]] and [[Hidimbi|Hidimbā]]. He was killed by [[Ashwatthama]] in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

=== Arjuna ===
{{Main|Arjuna}}
Arjuna plays the listener's role in ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''. Arjuna was the son of [[Pandu]] and [[Kunti]] in the [[Kuru Kingdom]]. He was the spiritual son of [[Indra]]. He was the 3rd of the [[Pandava]] brothers and was married to [[Draupadi]], [[Ulupi]], [[Chitrāngadā]] and [[Subhadra]] at different times. His 4 children included [[Iravan]], [[Babruvahana]], [[Abhimanyu]] and [[Upapandavas#Srutakarma|Srutakarma]]. He was a cousin and best friend of [[Lord Krishna]].

===Aruni===
In the ''Mahabharata'', Aruni appeared in the [[Adi Parva]]. Aruni was a disciple of sage named Dhaumya. Once a flood took place in the fields of the ashram (school). A breach was formed in the embankment. Dhaumya sent Aruni to stop the water from entering the embankment. After a long time, Aruni had not returned. So, Dhaumya went out to find Aruni. The latter lying in the breach of the embankment to prevent the water from entering it. Because of his loyalty, Aruni is also known as Gurubhakta Aruni.

===Ashvins===
{{Main|Ashvins}}
The Ashvins or Ashwini is a pair of twin gods. Their father is Surya and his mother is Saranyu. They are the gods of medicine and health. In the epic, Kunti felt bad for Madri as she didn't have any children due to a curse and shared her secret mantra with her. Madri, using the mantra, called the Ashwini and had one pair of twins, [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]].<ref>Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. Volume II M-Z. Benjamin Walker. Routledge. 2019. Entry: "Pandava"</ref>

=== Ashwatthama ===
{{Main|Ashwatthama}}
Ashwatthama was the son of [[guru]] [[Drona]] and the grandson of the sage [[Bharadwaja]]. Ashwatthama possessed the celestial weapon Narayanastra (which no one possessed in the ''Mahabharat'' era). He used Narayanastra and killed 1 akshouni of the Pandava army. Ashvatthama fought on the [[Kaurava]] side against the [[Pandavas]] in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. He became a Chiranjivi (immortal) due to a curse on him by Lord Krishna after he shot the Brahmashirastra over Uttara's womb. Ashvatthama was appointed as the final [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Kauravas]] in the Kurukshetra War. Overcome with grief and rage, he slaughters most of the [[Pandava]] camp in a single [[Night combat|night offensive]].

===Astika===
{{Main|Astika (Hinduism)}}
Astika was a [[rishi]], and he was a son of [[Jaratkaru]] by the serpent goddess [[Manasa]] – a sister of the great serpent king [[Vasuki (snake)|Vasuki]]. He saved the life of a serpent [[Takshaka]], the king of snakes, when the king [[Janamejaya II|Janamejaya]] organized a snake sacrifice known as [[Sarpa Satra]], where he made great sacrifices of serpents, to avenge for the death of his father [[Parikshit]].

===Avantini===
She was the wife of [[Shalya]] and the mother of Madranjaya, Rukmanagada, and Rukmanaratha. She was the princess of Avanti.

===Ayushmati===
She is the wife of [[Kaurava]] Dirghabhu.

===Ayu===
Ayu or Ayus was an ancestor of Shantanu. He was a son [[Pururavas]] and his apsara wife, [[Urvashi]]. He married Prabha, an asura princess (daughter of Swarbhanu). He was succeeded by his son [[Nahusha]].{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=96}}

=== Ayodhaumya ===
Ayodhaumya/ Dhaumya was a sage of Avanti. He had three disciples namely [[Aruni]] of Panchal, [[Upamanyu]] and Veda. He even accompanied the Pandavas into the forest of Kurujangala during their exile. He sang songs of [[Sama Veda]] referring to [[Yama]].

==B==
=== Babruvahana ===
{{Main|Babruvahana}}
Babruvahana was one of the sons of [[Arjuna]], begotten through [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]], the princess of [[Manipur]]. During the [[Ashvamedha]] yagna, he killed his father Arjuna without knowing his identity. But Arjuna's other wife [[Ulupi]] brought back his life with the help of Nagamani.

===Bahlika===
{{Main|Bahlika (Mahabharata)}}
Bahlika, also spelled as Vahlika, was the king of Bahlika kingdom in the Mahabharata, the elder brother of Shantanu, who was a king of Hastinapur and the uncle of Bhishma. He was the oldest warrior to fight in the Mahabharata war. He had a son, Somadatta, and grandson, Bhurishravas, who along with him fought on the side of the Kaurava army in the Kurukshetra War. He was slain by Bhima on the 14th day of the war when it continued after sunset. According to Yudhishthira, Bahlika's only wish was that there should be peace among the Bhāratas.

=== Bakasura ===
{{Main|Bakasura}}
Bakasura was a demon who was killed by [[Bhima]] near the city of [[Ekachakra|Ekacakrā]].

=== Balarama ===
{{Main|Balarama}}
Balarama was the elder brother of [[Krishna]]. He is also known as '''Baladeva''', '''Balabhadra''', '''Haladhara''' and '''Halayudha'''. He was the son of Vasudev and Rohini. He was the incarnation of the great serpent God Seshnag. He is described as an extremely powerful warrior. He taught both Duryodhana of the Kauravas and Bhima of the Pandavas the art of fighting with a mace.

===Banasena===
He was a son of [[Karna]]. He was an excellent Mace-wielder.He killed many warriors and defeated Bhima and hitting his head very hard but then Bhima killed him after which Karna reduced Bhima's chariot and spared his life remembering the vow of Kunti.

===Bhadra and Madira===
Bhadra and Madira were two wives of [[Vasudeva]], the others being Rohini Devi and [[Devaki]]. Bhadra's children were Upanidhi, Gada, and others. Madira's children were Nanda, Upananda, Kritaka, and others. They cremated themselves with Vasudeva.

=== Bhagadatta ===
{{Main|Bhagadatta}}
'''Bhagadatta''' was the son of [[Narakasur|Naraka]], king of the [[Pragjyotisha Kingdom]] and second in a line of kings of [[Naraka dynasty]]. He was succeeded by his son [[Vajradatta]]. He sided with [[Kaurava]] in the Mahabharata war as he was an enemy of Lord Krishna. He was killed by Arjuna on the 12th day of battle. In the war, he defeated great Pandava warriors including Drishtadyumna, Drupada, Matsya king Virata, Bhima.

=== Bhandasura ===
{{Main|Bhandasura}}
He was created ashes of [[Kamadeva]] by [[Kali (demon)|Kali Purusha]]. He was killed by [[Bhairavi|Tripura Bhairavi]] in before of Mahabharata war.

=== Bhanu ===
He was the son of [[Shri Krishna]] and [[Satyabhama]]. He was the father of Bhanumati (not to be confused with Duryodhan's wife). According to the regional folklore, he married [[Kaurava]] Chitrayudha and his wife Padmanjali's daughter, Shakeela and had a son named Vajra.

===Bharadwaja===
{{Main|Bharadwaja}}
Bharadwaja was a sage with divine powers. He was one of the sons of God [[Brihaspati]]. Once he was visiting Haridwar, where he saw Ghritachi, an [[Apsara]], bathing in river. He was filled with desire and discharged his seed. It fell into a pot and [[Drona]] was born. Bharadwaja trained his son and [[Drupada]].

=== Bharata ===
{{Main|Bharata (Mahabharata)}}
Bharata is an ancestor of the [[Pandava]]s and the [[Kaurava]]s in the Sanskrit epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. Though the [[Bhāratas]] is a prominent community in the [[Rigveda]], the story of Bharata is first told in the [[Adi Parva]] of the Mahabharata, wherein he is the son of [[Dushyanta]] and [[Shakuntala]]. According to the epic, Bharata was a ''Chakravartin.''

===Bhima===
{{Main|Bhima}}
Bhima is the 2nd born of the [[Pandavas]]. He was the son of Pandu and Kunti and spiritual son of [[Vayu]]. The ''[[Mahabharata]]'' relates many events which portray the might of Bhima. Physically, Bhima was the strongest person on Earth after [Hanumana]] and [[Balarama]]. Bhima killed demons including [[Bakasura]], Hidimbasura, Kirmira, Jatasura, etc. Bhima defeated and killed fearsome warrior [[Jarasandha]]. Bhima also slew Krodhavanshas, demon Maniman, and [[Kichaka]]. In [[Kurukshetra]] war, Bhima alone killed 100 [[Kaurava]] brothers. He was considered to have the physical strength of 10,000 elephants approximately. Bheema was an invincible wrestler and invincible mace fighter.

=== Bhima of Vidarbha ===
In the Vana Parva of the epic, sage [[Markandeya]] narrated the story of [[Nala]] and [[Damayanti]]. Bhima was the king of Vidarbha and the father of [[Damayanti]].

=== Bhishma ===
{{Main|Bhishma}}
Originally named as 'Devavrata', he was the eighth son of the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] King [[Shantanu]] and the river goddess [[Ganges in Hinduism|Ganga]]. Bhishma was blessed with a boon from his father that he could choose the time of his death or he may remain immortal till he desires. He was related to both the [[Pandavas]] and the [[Kauravas]] through his half-brother, Vichitravirya (Son of Satyavati). He was one of the best archers and one of the greatest warriors of his time and he was trained by Lord [[Parashurama]]. On one of the occasions, he gave a tough fight to [[Parashurama]]- no Kshatriya achieved this feat.

=== Bhrigu ===
{{Main|Bhrigu}}
Sauti said in the [[Pauloma Parva]] that Bhrigu was the son of [[Brahma]]. He was married to Puloma, who gave birth to Chyavana. When the demon Puloma was carrying off his wife Puloma, she gave birth to his son, Chyavana, by whose brightness the demon was burnt into ashes. When Bhrigu saw his wife crying, he asked the reason. Puloma stated that Agni had said to the demon Puloma that I was the girl with whom Puloma was betrothed. In anger, Bhrigu cursed [[Agni]] to engulf everything whether pure or impure.

===Bhurishravas===
{{Main|Bhurishravas}}
Bhurishravas was the son of Somadatta and the grandson of Bahlika, hence making him the cousin of Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and Vidura. Bhurishravas had 2 brothers – Bhuri and Shala. Bhurishravas, in the [[Kurukshetra War]], is known to have a rivalry with [[Yadava]] general [[Satyaki]]. Bhurishravas is eventually killed by Satyaki in the War.

===Budha===
{{Main|Budha}}
Budha is the illegitimate son of [[Chandra]], the moon god, and [[Taraka (goddess)|Tara]], wife of Brihaspati. He met [[Ila (Hinduism)|Ilā]] and married her. From their union, a son was born, who was known as [[Pururava]]. Pururavas founded the great [[lunar dynasty]].

==C==
===Chandra===
{{Main|Chandra}}
Chandra is the moon god. He is son of [[Anusuya]] and [[Atri]]. The [[Chandravanshi]] (lunar dynasty) is named after him as he started it. Chandra had an affair with [[Taraka (goddess)|Tara]], [[Brihaspati]]'s wife. From their union, Tara became pregnant with Chandra's son, [[Budha]]. Budha's son, [[Pururavas]], was the first king of the lunar dynasty. Later, Chandra married [[Rohini (goddess)|Rohini]] and a son named [[Varchas]] was born.

===Chandravarma Kamboja===
Chandravarma Kamboja is the first [[Kambojas|Kamboja]] king mentioned by name in the ''[[Mahābhārata]]''. He was an ancestor of Duryodhana's wife Bhanumati and Mayuri.<ref>Political History of Ancient India, 1953, p 150, Hemchandra Raychaudhuri, University of Calcutta.</ref><ref>''The People and Culture of Bengal, a Study in Origins: A Study in Origins'', 2002, p 564, Annapurna Chattopadhyaya.</ref><ref>Lord Mahāvīra and his times, 1974, p 213, Kailash Chand Jain.</ref><ref>Ancient Indian History, 1988, p 149, Madhavan Arjunan Pillai.</ref> He appears to have been an ancient very powerful and renowned (''vikhyaat'') ruler of the Kambojas. He finds mention in the Adiparva section of the [[Epic poetry|epic]] ''[[Mahābhārata]]'', where he is stated to be an Asura or a [[demon]]ic ruler.<ref>Epic Mythology, 1969, p 62, Edward Washburn Hopkins.</ref><ref>See epic referential link: [http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/mb/m01/m01068.htm].</ref><ref>Cf: ''Candravarma, the King of Kambojas, was the Asura or demon Candra, son of [[Diti]]...'' (Ref: Epic Mythology, 1915, p 62, Edward Washburn Hopkins – Hindu Mythology.</ref>

===Gandharva King Chitrasena===
{{main|Ghoshayatra}}
Chitrasena appeared twice in the epic. Chitrasena was the King of the Gandharvas who prevented the Kauravas from putting up their camp near the pond where he himself had encamped.

Chitrasena was also introduced in the epic in the Vana Parva, as a teacher of music by [[Indra]]. Indra foresaw that Arjuna would have to spend one year at King [[Virata]]'s palace as a eunuch, during which time he would need the knowledge of music and dance. He wanted Arjuna to be trained by the king of the Gandharvas, Chitrasena. Chitrasena began his classes soon and the two also became good friends.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chandra Roy|first=Pratap|title=The Mahābhārata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|publisher=Forgotten Books|isbn=9781451018240|pages=98–99}}</ref> When [[Urvashi]] cursed Arjuna to remain a eunuch for life, it was Chitrasena along with Indra who mediated with her to reduce the tenure of her curse to a single year. Chitrasena was able to achieve this by narrating to her the story of the [[Pandavas]] and the bravery of Arjuna.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chandra Roy|first=Pratap|title=The Mahābhārata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa|publisher=Forgotten Books|isbn=9781451018240|pages=100–102}}</ref>

===Chekitana===
Chekitana was the son of Kekaya king Dhrishtaketu and Queen Shrutakirti, a Yadava. Chekitana was described to be a valorous warrior, who fought with warriors like [[Susharma]], [[Kripacharya]] and [[Dronacharya]]. He also rescued [[Nakula]] from the clutches of [[Duryodhana]]. On the 18th day, he was killed by Duryodhana.

===Chitra and Chitrasena===
Chitra and Chitrasena were brothers and the 2 kings of the Abhisara Kingdom. Both of them sided with the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War. Chitra was killed by [[Upapandavas#Prativindhya|Prativindhya]] on the 16th day, whereas Chitrasena was killed by [[Upapandavas#Shrutakarma|Shrutakarma]] on the same day.

===Chitrāngada===
{{main|Chitrāngada}}
Chitrāngada was a king in ancient India. In the ''Mahabharata'', he is the elder son of Shantanu and Satyavati, ascending the throne of Hastinapura after his father's death. However, he is killed by a Gandharva named Chitrāngada soon after that.

===Gandharva Chitrāngada===
Chitrangada was a Gandharva, who was jealous of Shantanu's son [[Chitrāngada]], for sharing a name. One day, the Gandharva challenged the prince and killed him.

===Chitrāngada of Kalinga===
Chitrāngada was the king of the Kalinga kingdom. In the [[Shanti Parva]] of the epic, [[Narada]] narrated that Chitrangada's daughter ([[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]]) with Kaurava Duryodhana. After him, [[Srutayudha]] became the king of Kalinga as he had no son. Possibly, his wife was Chandramudra.

=== Chitrāngadā ===
{{Main|Chitrāngadā}}
Chitrāngadā was the warrior princess of [[Manipura]]. She was the only heir of king Chitravahana and one of [[Arjuna]]'s consorts. She had a son named [[Babruvahana|Babhruvahana]] with him. Later, Babhruvahana unknowingly killed his father but was revived by [[Ulupi]], Chitrāngadā's friend, and co-wife.

===Chitravahana===
He was the king of [[Manipura]] and the father of [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangadaa]]. He was also the grandfather of [[Babruvahana]]. His wife was Queen Vasundhara.

==D==
===Damayanti===
{{Main|Damayanti}}
Damayanti is a character in a love story found in the [[Vana Parva]] book of the ''Mahabharata''. She was a princess of the Vidarbha Kingdom, who married King [[Nala]] of the Nishadha Kingdom. Her story is set long before the Kurukshetra War.

===Dantavakra ===
{{main|Dantavakra}}

Dantavakra was the king of [[Karusha Kingdom|Karusha]] according to the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and the [[Puranas]].

===Dashraj===
Dashraj, also known as Nishadraj and Kevatraj, was the chief fisherman of Hastinapura and the adoptive father of [[Satyavati]]. He was the one who asked Satyavati's heir to be the ruler of Hastinapura, due to which [[Bhishma]] took a vow of celibacy and a vow not to rule Hastinapura.

=== Devaki ===
{{Main|Devaki}}
Devaki was the daughter of [[Ugrasena]], the stepsister of [[Kamsa|Kansa]], wife of [[Vasudeva Anakadundubhi]], the biological mother of Lord [[Krishna]].

===Devayani===
{{Main|Devayani}}
Devayani was the daughter of [[Shukra]], the guru of the [[Asura]]s. She was married to Yayati and gave birth to two sons — [[Yadu]] and [[Turvashas|Turvasu]], and a daughter {{mdash}}Madhavi. Before her marriage, she once fell in love with Brihaspati's son, [[Kacha (sage)|Kacha]]. However, Kacha later refused to marry her. She had a friend named [[Sharmishtha]] who was secretly in relationship with her husband Yayati.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Garg|first=Ashutosh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jgv0DwAAQBAJ&q=Sharmistha+yayati&pg=PA39|title=Indra: The Saga of Purandar|date=2020|publisher=Manjul Publishing|isbn=978-93-89647-75-4|language=en}}</ref>

===Devika===
Devika is a minor character in the ''Mahabharata''. She was the daughter of Govasena, the king of the Sivi Kingdom, and the second wife of [[Yudhishthira]] they got married in a self choice ceremony. They had a son called Yaudheya.

===Dhrishtadyumna===
{{main|Dhrishtadyumna}}
Dhrishtadyumna was the son of Drupada and the brother of Draupadi, Shikhandi, and Satyajit in the epic ''Mahabharata''. He had 4 sons – Kshatradharman, Kshatravarman, Kshatranjaya, and Dhrishtaketu. He was the commander-in-chief of the Pandava army during the entire Kurukshetra War i.e. for 18 days. Dhrishtadyumna killed Drona, the royal guru, when he was meditating which was against the rules of engagement.

=== Dhritrashtra ===
{{Main|Dhritarashtra}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Dhritarashtra is the King of [[Kuru Kingdom]] with its capital [[Hastinapur]]. He was born to [[Vichitravirya]]'s first wife [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]]. Dhritarashtra was born blind and became father to 100 sons and one daughter Dushala by his wife [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] (Gāndhārī), and another son [[Yuyutsu]] by Sughada, his wife's maid. These children, including the eldest son [[Duryodhana]], came to be known as the [[Kauravas]].

===Dhrishtaketu of Chedi===
[[Chedi Kingdom#King Dhrishtaketu of Chedi|Dhrishtaketu]] was the son of Chedi king [[Shishupala]], who was a cousin of Krishna. Dhrishtaketu became the king of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] after his father's death and became an ally of the [[Pandava]]s. His sister Karenumati was married to [[Nakula]]. Dhrishtaketu and his brothers and sons participated in the [[Kurukshetra War]], where they all were killed.

===Dhrishtaketu of Kekeya===
Dhrishtaketu was the ruler of [[Kekeya Kingdom|Kekeya]], and his wife was Shrutakirti, a Yadava who was the daughter of [[Shurasena]]. Many of Dhrishtaketu's sons participated in the Kurukshetra War, participating on both sides. Vrihadkshatra and Chekitana were 2 of his notable sons. Dhrishtaketu's daughter Bhadra was married to Krishna, who bore him many sons.

=== Draupadi ===
{{Main|Draupadi}}
Draupadi also referred to as Panchalī, is the most important female and one of the most important characters in ''[[Mahabharata]]''. She was born from a yajna organized by Panchala King Drupada and is described to be one of the most beautiful woman of her time. She was the common wife of the [[Pandavas]], who fought their cousins, the [[Kauravas]] in the great [[Kurukshetra War]]. She had five sons from each Pandava, who were collectively addressed as the [[Upapandavas]].

=== Drona ===
{{Main|Drona}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Droṇa or Droṇāchārya was the royal [[preceptor]] to the [[Kauravas]] and [[Pandavas]]. He was a friend of [[Guru Sukracharya]], the [[guru]] of [[Asura]]s, including [[Mahabali]]. He was the son of rishi [[Bharadwaja]] and a descendant of sage [[Angiras (sage)|Angirasa]]. He was a master of advanced military arts, including the divine weapons or [[Astra (weapon)|Astras]]. He was also the second commander- in- chief of kaurava army from 11th day to 15th day. He was beheaded by [[Dhrishtadyumna]] when he was meditating to release his soul on the battlefield.{{sfn|Chakravarti|2007}}

=== Drupada ===
{{Main|Drupada}}
Drupada was the son of King Prishata. He was the king of the land of Southern [[Panchala]]. His capital was known as [[Kampilya]]. He was father of [[Shikhandi]], Satyajit, [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and [[Draupadi]].
He was friend turned rival of Droṇa and rivalry developed when he humiliated Droṇa in front of his ministers. Later, with the help of Arjuna, Droṇa took half of Drupada's kingdom. This led Drupada to perform a yajna from which Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna emerged. He was killed by Droṇa during the Kurukshetra War.

=== Durmasena ===
Durmasena was the son of [[Dushasana]] and [[Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]]. He helped his father many times in the Kurukshetra war. He was also present inside the Chakra Vyuh on the thirteenth day of the war. He was deprived of his chariot by Abhimanyu and saved by Aswathamma by cutting Abhimanyu's arrow in mid air. After that, Durmasena killed brutally injured [[Abhimanyu]] in a mace duel. On 14th day, Durmasena was brutally killed by Draupadi's sons, the [[Upapandavas]], in revenge for Abhimanyu.

=== Duryodhana ===
{{Main|Duryodhana}}
Duryodhana also is known as Suyodhana, is a major antagonist in ''Mahabharata'' and was the eldest of the [[Kaurava]]s, the hundred sons of a blind king [[Dhritarashtra]] and Queen [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. Being the firstborn son of the blind king, he was the crown prince of [[Kuru Kingdom]] and its capital [[Hastinapura]] along with his cousin [[Yudhishtra]] who was older than him. [[Karna]] was Duryodhana's closest friend.
===Duryodhana's wife (Bhanumati)===
{{Main|Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)}}
Duryodhana's wife{{mdash}}named Bhanumati is a character is in ''[[Mahabharata]]''.<ref name=keith>{{cite book|author=[[Arthur Berriedale Keith]]|title=The Sanskrit Drama in Its Origin, Development, Theory & Practice|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sfqRhylNBpwC&pg=PA213|year=1992|publisher=[[Motilal Banarsidass]]|isbn=978-81-208-0977-2|page=213}}</ref>She got a place in the epic because of Karna and she is famous as a close friend of Karna and not as a wife of Duryodhana.It is described that she was the princess of [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]] Kingdom and was the daughter of [[#Chitrangada of Kalinga kingdom|Chitrangada]]. She was abducted by Duryodhana with the help of his friend [[Karna]] and Karna and Bhanumati became best of friends and spent most of the time together. From [[Duryodhana]], she is the mother of a son, [[Laxman Kumara]], and daughter, [[Lakshmanaa]]. Bhanumati's mother-in-law [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] described her to [[Krishna]] in the posterior to the [[Kurukshetra War|battle of Kurukshetra]].She was also a part in the extremely vast lifestory of Karna.She followed and helped her friend Karna many times just like her husband ardently followed Karna.She raised Karna on her shoulders and helped him kill the Daityas of Angadesh.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Valmiki|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qj9bDwAAQBAJ&q=mother+of+Lakshmana&pg=PT5921|title=Delphi Collected Sanskrit Epics (Illustrated)|last2=Vyasa|date=2018-05-19|publisher=Delphi Classics|isbn=978-1-78656-128-2|language=en}}</ref>

===Duryodhana's wife (Mayuri)===
{{Main|Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)}}
Mayuri is the daughter of King Vasantraja of Trilokapura, she was kidnapped by [[Duryodhana]] just like Bhanumati. She is also described as the mother of [[Laxman Kumara]] and Lakshmanaa. [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] describes her in the [[Shanti Parva]] about her marriage with [[Duryodhana]] and how she helped Bhanumati. Like Bhanumati, Mayuri was the friend of [[Karna]].{{efn|Mayuri is not only the friend of Bhanumati, but also other Kauravas wives, not Indumati}}

===Dushala===
{{Main|Dushala}}
Dushala was the daughter of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]], the sister of the [[Kauravas]] and the wife of Jaydrath.She was the best friend of Bhanumati, Mayuri and Karna until her marriage.

=== Dushasana ===
{{Main|Dushasana}}
Dushasana was a [[Kaurava]] prince, the second son of the blind king [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] and the younger brother of [[Duryodhana]] in the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]'', according to Mahabharatahe had married five wives unnamed [[Draft:Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]], Shweta, Lata, Nirjara and Divija.

===Dharmavati===
{{Main|Draft:Dharmavati}}
Dharmavati was the wife of [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and cousin sister of Bhanumati. When [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and Dharmavati, saw each other, they fell in love with each other but [[Duryodhana]], who is the primary antagonist in the Mahabharata tried to break Dharmavati's love and wanted to make her his wife, but Dharmavati however writes a letter to [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and he kidnapped her after her [[Svayamvara]].

=== Dushyanta ===
{{Main|Dushyanta}}
Dushyanta was an ancestor of Shantanu and a king of Hastinapura. He was the husband of [[Shakuntala]] and the father of the [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Emperor Bharata]].

==E==
===Ekalavya===
{{Main|Ekalavya}}
Ekalavya (English: एकलव्य, ékalavya) is a character from the epic the ''Mahābhārata''. He was a young prince of the Nishadha, a confederation of jungle tribes (Adivasi) in Ancient India.

==G==
=== Gandhari ===
{{Main|Gandhari (Mahabharata)}}
Gandhari is a prominent character in the [[India]]n epic the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. She was a princess of [[Gandhara]] (modern-day Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa) and the wife of [[Dhritrashtra]], the blind king of [[Hastinapura]], and the mother of a hundred sons, the [[Kaurava]]s.
===Gandhari's maid===
The chief maid of Gandhari—named Sughada in later retelling—was the mother of [[Yuyutsu]]. When Gandhari was pregnant for more than nine months, Dhritrashtra, in fear that there would be no heir, impregnated the maid. Later Gandhari gave birth to the 101 Kauravas and Sughada gave birth to Yuyutsu.

===Ganesha===
{{Main|Ganesha}}
Ganesha is the god of beginnings. He is the son of [[Shiva]] and [[Parvati]]. The epic poem ''[[Mahabharata]]'' says that the sage [[Vyasa]] asked him to serve as his scribe to transcribe the poem as he dictated it to him. Ganesha agreed but only on the condition that Vyasa recites the poem uninterrupted, that is, without pausing. The sage agreed but found that to get any rest he needed to recite very complex passages so Ganesha would have to ask for clarifications.{{refn|group=note|This is scene not included in the Critical edition.}}

=== Ganga ===
{{Main|Ganga in Hinduism}}
In the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Ganga was the first wife of [[Shantanu]], and the mother of heroic warrior-patriarch, [[Bhishma]]. When she met Shantanu for the first time, Shantanu asked her to become his wife. She agreed on the condition that he wouldn't ask her a single question. Later, she gave birth to 8 children, who were [[Vasu]]s reborn as mortals due to a curse. Ganga drowned her seven sons as the Vasus requested her to do so. However, Shantanu stopped her from drowning their eighth son, who was Bhishma, and asked her questions. Ganga's condition was broken and she left Shantanu. However, she promised him to return his son. When Bhishma is mortally wounded in the [[Kurukshetra War]], Ganga came out of the water in human form and wept uncontrollably over his body.

=== Ghatotkacha ===
{{Main|Ghatotkacha}}
[[Bhima|Bhimsen's]] son Ghatotkacha played a very important role in the story of Mahabharata. He was a firm friend and ally of the Pandavas since birth. He accepted the death of a hero in the great war. Before marrying Draupadi, Bhima begat Ghatotkacha with a wild woman, a demoness named [[Hidimbi]] at her request. Indra bestowed on Ghaṭotkaca prowess enough to be a suitable opponent to Karṇa. <ref>https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01158.htm</ref> <ref>https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/compilation/puranic-encyclopaedia/d/doc241600.html</ref> [[Karna]] confronted Ghotakacha and failed to kill him in any way, he used Vasavi Shakti (dart) as a last resort. This power was given to him by [[Indra]] in exchange for his head-gear and earrings, and Karna had reserved the power to kill [[Arjuna]]. Somehow Karna used it against Ghatotkacha and he was killed. After killing Ghatotkacha, Vasavi returned to Indra.

===Ghritachi===
Ghritachi is one of the prominent [[Apsara]]. In the ''Mahabharata'', she appeared in Adi Parva. According to the story, she was bathing in a river. Bharadwaja was passing by, then he saw her. He was filled with desire and discharged his seed. It fell into a pot and Drona was born.

==H==
===Hanuman===
{{Main|Hanuman}}
Unlike [[Ramayana]], lord Hanuman doesn't have a large role in ''Mahabharata''. He appears during the exile of Pandavas. In the story, [[Bhima]], Hanuman's celestial brother, performed a penance to gain more strength. Hanuman wanted to test Bhima and appeared as a normal monkey in front of him. The monkey asked Bhima to lift his tail if he believed in his strength. But, Bhima wasn't able to lift the tail. Later, he realised who the monkey was and apologized.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Bheema and Hanuman|last=Chandrakant|first=Kamala|publisher=Amar Chitra Katha|year=1980|location=India|pages=1–32}}</ref> Hanuman taught battle-skills to Bheema for some time.

=== Hidimba ===
{{Main|Hidimba}}
Hidimba was a [[Rakshasa]] and the brother of Hidimbi. He was killed by [[Bhima]], who later married his sister.

=== Hidimbi ===
{{Main|Hidimbi}}
Hiḍimbī or Hiḍimbā was a Rakshasi in the ''Mahābhārata''. Hidimbi, along with her brother, Hidimba, tried to eat the Pandavas, when they entered their forest. But when she met Bhima, she fell in love with him and told them the plan. After [[Bhima]] killed Hidimba, Hidimbi married Bhima and gave birth to [[Ghatotkacha]].

==I==
===Ila===
{{Main|Ila (Hinduism)}}
Ila or Ilā was a character from ''Mahabharata'' who could change his/her gender. As a woman, she married [[Budha]], son of Chandra, and had a son named [[Pururavas]]. Pururavas's descendants founded the [[lunar dynasty]].

===Indra===
{{Main|Indra}}
In the epic, Indra appears numerous times. He is son of [[Kashyapa]] and [[Aditi]]. He is the spiritual father of [[Arjuna]]. He was the reason for the separation of [[Urvashi]] and [[Pururavas]]. During his temporary absence, [[Nahusha]] took his place as the king. He is called by [[Kunti]] after [[Yama|Dharmaraj]] and Vayu. Later in the epic, he is shown protecting Takshaka's forest from Arjuna. The [[Pandava]]s named their capital, [[Indraprastha]], after him. During the exile of Pandavas, Arjuna came to meet him. During the Kurukshetra war, he took the indestructible armor and earrings from [[Karna]] and gave him a powerful weapon. These were some of his appearances in the epic.

===Iravan===
{{main|Iravan}}
Iravan also is known as Aravan and Iravat<ref>Sörensen (1902) p. 345 indexes the name as Irāvat.</ref> is a minor character in [[Mahabharata]]. He was a son of [[Pandava]] prince [[Arjuna]] (one of the main heroes of the Mahabharata) and the [[Nāga|Naga]] princess [[Ulupi]], Iravan is the central deity of the cult of '''Kuttantavar''' which is also the name commonly given to him in that cult—and plays a major role in the cult of [[Draupadi]]. Iravan played a huge role in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. On the 7th day, he massacred the Kaurava army and killed many brothers of [[Shakuni]]. However, on the 8th day, in a battle of many illusions and magical powers, Iravan is beheaded by the demon Alambusha.

===Indumati (Wife of Vikarna)===
{{Main|Draft:Indumati (Mahabharata)}}
Indumati is the second wife of [[Vikarna]] and younger sister of Mayuri and the daughter of Vasantraja and Vaishali. [[Vikarna]] and Indumati had 10 unnamed daughters and one was Durga who was married to Karna's son Satyasena.

==J==
===Jambavati===
{{Main|Jambavati}}
Jambavati is second of the [[Ashtabharya]], the eight principal queen-consorts of [[Krishna]]. She was the only daughter of the bear-king [[Jambavan]]. Krishna married her, when he defeated Jambavan to retrieve the stolen [[Syamantaka]] jewel.<ref name=Jamba>{{cite web|url=http://srimadbhagavatam.com/sb/10/56/en|title=Chapter 56: The Syamantaka Jewel|access-date=27 February 2013|publisher=Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928211736/http://srimadbhagavatam.com/sb/10/56/en|archive-date=28 September 2011}}</ref>

===Janamejaya===
{{Main|Janamejaya}}
Janamejaya was a Kuru king and a descendant of [[Arjuna]]. He was the son of [[Parikshit]] and the grandson of [[Abhimanyu]] and [[Uttarā]]. He performed a snake sacrifice called [[Sarpa Satra]] to avenge his father's death, who was killed by [[Takshaka]], Arjuna's naga enemy. [[Astika]], son of [[Manasa]], stopped the sacrifice.

===Janapadi===
Janapadi is an [[Apsara]], who once roamed in the forests. One day, upon seeing her, Shardavan, son of [[Gautama Maharishi]] discharged his seed. From his seed, [[Kripa]] and [[Kripi]] were born.

=== Jarasandha ===
{{Main|Jarasandha}}
According to the Hindu epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', '''Jarasandha''' was a powerful king of [[Magadha]]. He was a descendant of a king [[Brihadratha]], the creator of the Barhadratha dynasty of Magadha. He was killed by 2nd Pandava [[Bhima]].

=== Jaratkaru ===
{{Main|Jaratkaru}}
[[Jaratkaru]] was a sage who wandered all over the earth and remained unmarried. He encountered his ancestors who hung upside down, leading to hell for he did not have any son. This led to his marriage with the snake goddess, Manasa. They gave birth to Astika who saved the snakes from being burnt during the snake sacrifice.

=== Jayadratha ===
{{Main|Jayadratha}}
'''Jayadratha''' was King of Sindhu Kingdom. He was the son of King Vridhakshtra. He was married to [[Kauravas]]' only sister and only daughter of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]], Dushala. He kidnapped [[Draupadi]] on [[Duryodhana]]'s order but was stopped by [[Arjuna]] and [[Bhima]]. His hairs were cut off as a punishment. He was the biggest reason for [[Abhimanyu]]'s death. Abhimanyu's father [[Arjuna]] swore to kill Jayadratha and he fulfill his oath.

===Jyotsyana===
In the [[Stri Parva|Stree Parva]] of ''Mahabharata'', the daughter of [[Vikarna]] and Sudeshnavati, and the niece of Duryodhana. She is known to be the wife of one of the sons of [[Krishna]]. Her cousin, Lakshmanaa was her best friend.

==K==

=== Kadru ===
{{Main|Kadru}}
Kadru was the daughter of [[Daksha]] and wife of [[Kasyapa]]. She was the mother of thousand [[nāgas]]. She even cursed her children for not obeying her to be burnt in the snake sacrifice.

===Kaalvakra===
He was the most loyal companion, commander-in-chief and main bodyguard of [[Kamsa|Kansa]]. He was always appreciated by Kansa. He was also cruel like Kansa. When [[Krishna]] was killing Kansa, [[Balarama]] killed him by beating him and cutting his head with hands.

===Kalayavana===
{{Main|Kalyavana}}
Kalyavana was a ruler. He was an ally of Magadha ruler, Jarasandha, and enemy of Krishna and Mathura. Krishna, using his wit, killed Kalyavana.

=== Kacha ===
{{Main|Kacha (sage)}}
[[Kacha (sage)|Kacha]]'s story is mentioned in ''Mahabharata''<nowiki/>'s Adi Parva. He was the son of [[Brihaspati]]. He was sent by Devas to Sukracharya's ashram to learn about Mrita Sanjeevani mantra. Sukra's daughter Devyani fell in love with him. However, Kacha later refused to marry her.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Chandrakant|first=Kamala|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1_91RAAACAAJ&q=kacha+devayani|title=Kacha and Devayani: A Tale from the Mahabharata|date=1972|publisher=India Book House|isbn=978-81-7508-172-7|language=en}}</ref>

=== Kamsa ===
{{Main|Kamsa}}
Kamsa or Kansa was the tyrant ruler of the [[Vrishni]] kingdom with its capital at [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]]. He is the brother of [[Devaki]], the mother of the god [[Krishna]] who later slew Kamsa.

=== Kanika ===
Kanika was a sage of [[Hastinapur]]. He acted as a counselor to [[Dhritarashtra]]. When [[Yudhisthira]] was announced the crown prince, Dhritarashtra became sad for his sons were deceived. And at this time Kanika was summoned to counsel the king, who advised Dhritarashtra not to resort to fight but remove his foes secretly. Unethical methods may also be adopted for killing a foe, was his advice. Then he narrated a story of a jackal, who deceived his companions (tiger, mongoose, wolf, and mouse) by tricking them. Influenced by his counsels Dhritarashtra exiled the Pandavas to Varanavata and constructed the house of lac.<ref>Pratap Chandra Roy Mahabharata, Sambhava Parva and Jatugriha Parva, Pages 335-338</ref>

===Karenumati===
Karenumati was the daughter of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] king [[Shishupala]], and sister of his successor [[Chedi Kingdom#King Dhrishtaketu of Chedi|Dhrishtaketu]]. She was the wife of [[Pandava]] [[Nakula]] and begot him a son, Niramitra. Niramitra succeeded his father Nakula to the throne of the Northern Madra Kingdom.

=== Karna ===
{{Main|Karna}}
Karna was the son of Surya and Kunti. Karna was secretly born to an unmarried Kunti in her teenage and was abandoned by her adrift in a basket on the Ganges, fearing outrage and backlash from society over her premarital pregnancy. Karna grows up to be an accomplished warrior of extraordinary abilities and was a celebrated warrior from the [[Kaurava]] sides.

=== Karna's adoptive brothers ===
[[Adhiratha]] and [[Radha (Mahabharata)|Radha]], the adoptive parents of [[Karna]], had some biological children. Karna's adoptive brothers were killed during the [[Kurukshetra War]].<ref name = "KarnaFam" >{{Cite book|last=McGrath|first=Kevin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YkmXk3-1j7UC|title=The Sanskrit Hero: Karṇa in Epic Mahābhārata|date=2004-01-01|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-13729-5|pages=135|language=en}}</ref> In later retelling, one of them is named Shon, who was killed by [[Abhimanyu]] on the 13th day of Kurukshetra War.

=== Karna's wives ===
{{Main|Wives of Karna}}
In the original ''[[Mahabharata]]'', there are some mentions of Karna's wife. In the original scriptures,Karna married only Padmavati and had only one wife. Love story of Padmavati and Karna has been described in detail in the stree parva. Padmavati and their son Vrishaketu were later brought to Hastinapur.<ref name = "KarnaFam" />

===Kauravas===
{{Main|Kaurava}}
Kauravas were the 102 sons of Dhritarashtra. Out of which, 101 were his legitimate children from his wife [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]. He had one illegitimate son named [[Yuyutsu]], who was conceived through a maid during Gandhari's two year long pregnancy. Out of these
children, [[Dushala]] is the only girl. The names of the 102 Kauravas are
{{Hlist|[[Duryodhana]]| [[Yuyutsu]]|[[Dushasana]]|Duhsaha|Duhshal|Durmukha|Vivinsati|[[Vikarna]]|Jalasandha|Sulochna|Vinda|Anuvinda|Durdharsha|Suvahu|Dushpradharshana|Durmarshana|Dushkarna|Karna|Chitra|Vipachitra|Chitraksha|Charuchitra|Angada|Durmada|Dushpradharsha|Vivitsu|Vikata|Sama|Urananabha|Padmanabha|Nanda|Upanandaka|Sanapati|Sushena|Kundodara|Mahodara|Chitravahu|Chitravarman|Suvarman|Durvirochana|Ayovahu|Mahavahu|Chitrachapa|Sukundala|Bhimavega|Bhimavala|Valaki|Bhimavikrama|Ugrayudha|Bhimaeara|Kanakayu|Dridhayudha|Dridhavarman|Dridhakshatra|Somakirti|Anadara|Jarasandha|Dridhasandha|Satyasandha|Sahasravaeh|Ugrasravas|Ugrasena|Kshemamurti|Aprajita|Panditaka|Visalaksha|Duradhara|Dridhahasta|Suhasta|Vatavega|Suvarchasa|Adityaketu|Vahvasin|Nagadatta|Anuyaina|Nishangi|Kuvachi|Dandi|Dandadhara|Dhanugraha|Ugra|Bhimaratha|Vira|Viravahu|Alolupa|Abhaya|Raudrakarman|Dridharatha|Anadhrishya|Kundaveda|Viravi|Dhirghalochana|Dirghavahu| Mahavahu|Vyudhoru|Kanakangana|Kundaja|Chitraka|[[Dushala]]}}

===Kauravya===
He was the father of [[Ulupi]] and grandfather of [[Iravan]]. His wife was Vishvahini.

===Kichaka===
{{Main|Kichaka}}
Kichaka was the general of the Mastya kingdom. He was the brother of [[Sudeshna]], queen of Matsya. He was very powerful and feared by [[Virata]] and the citizens of the kingdom. He was killed by [[Bhima]] when he tried to force himself on [[Draupadi]].

===Kirmira===
{{Main|Kirmira}}
Kirmira was a demon and younger brother of demons Alambhusha and [[Bakasura|Baka]]. When [[Pandavas]] and [[Draupadi]] went [[Kamyaka Forest]], Kirmira encountered them and challenged [[Bhima]] for a fight as Bhima killed his brother Baka. After a tough fight, Bhima beheaded Kirmira.

=== Kripa ===
{{Main|Kripa}}
Kripacharya was the son of Śaradvān and Jānapadī, born in a particularly extraordinary manner. He was the grandson of [[Maharishi Gautam]]a. He was a descendant of sage [[Angiras (sage)|Angiras]]. He along with his sister Kripi were adopted by King [[Shantanu]]. Later on Kripa became an ''[[acharya]]'', teacher of the royal children, giving him the name ''Kripacharya''. His twin sister Kripi married [[Drona]]. Kripa was among the Maharathis who fought on the Kauravas's side against the Pandavas in the [[Kurukshetra war]] in the [[Hindu]] epic of the [[Mahabharata]].

===Kripi===
Kripi was the sister of [[Kripa]]charya. She and her brother were adopted by the ''Rajguru'' of King [[Shantanu]]. Her actual parents were Saradvan and Janapadi. She married [[Drona]]charya, who was poor at that time. When they wanted a powerful son, they prayed to Shiva, and a son named [[Ashwathama]] was born.

=== Krishna ===
{{Main|Krishna|Krishna in the Mahabharata}}
{{Main|Krishna|Krishna in the Mahabharata}}
Lord [[Krishna]] is a Hindu deity. He is a major character in epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was an eighth avatar of lord Vishnu. He was born to [[Devaki]] and her husband, [[Vasudeva]] of the [[Yadava]] clan in [[Mathura]]. However ,the original scriptures doesn't describe his birth at all and there is also no mention of him being an avatar of Vishnu ;the words like 'Ranchhod' and 'Chhaliya'(playful) has been never used for him in the sccriptures. His life was never playful as shown in different plays. He had to go under a lot of things. Initially the epic described him as a savior for the Pandavas but later of the epic due to the curses and sins he committed and made Arjuna,Satyaki,Yuddhistira and Dristhadyumna commit, he became the anti-hero. In the Mausala Parva,due to the curse of Gandhari,entire yadava clan was destroyed and he was killed by a hunter named 'Jara'. His character in the epic was controversial as a mixture of good and bad. Krishna counsels Arjuna to "fulfill his [[Kshatriya]] (warrior) duty to uphold the [[Dharma]]" through "selfless action".

=== Kritavarma ===
{{Main|Kritavarma}}
Kritavarma was one of the [[Yadava]] warriors and chieftain, and a contemporary of [[Krishna]]. During Kuruksetra war, Kritavarma fought for Kauravas along with Krishna's Narayani sena and was one of survivors of the war.

===Kunti-Bhoja===
In [[Hindu mythology]], '''Kunti-Bhoja''' (or '''Kuntibhoja''') was the adoptive father of [[Kunti]] and cousin of [[Shurasena]]. He was the ruler of the [[Kunti Kingdom]]. Kunti was a daughter of King [[Shurasena]] but was later given to Kuntibhoja since he was devoid of children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mythfolklore.net/india/encyclopedia/kunti.htm|title=Kunti|website=www.mythfolklore.net}}</ref> Kuntibhoja raised her as his own daughter and loved her.<ref>'' First Book Adi Parva Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa and Kisari Mohan Ganguli'' by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa. Page 272.</ref> She was very beautiful and intelligent and later married [[Pandu]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXII|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01113.htm|access-date=2020-08-31|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref> When Kunti was a young girl, the sage [[Durvasa]] visited Kuntibhoja one day and sought his hospitality. The king entrusted the sage to Kunti's care and tasked Kunti with the responsibility of serving the sage and meeting all his needs during his stay with them.<ref name="The Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Chapter 301">{{cite web | url= http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03301.htm | title= The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, Vana Parva, Section CCCI}}</ref> Eventually, the sage was gratified. Before departing, he rewarded Kunti by teaching her ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' [[mantra]]s which enabled her to invoke any [[god]] of her choice to beget children by them.<ref name="The Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapter 111">{{cite web | url= http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01112.htm | title= The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, Adi Parva, Section CXI}}</ref> His son Visharada succeeded him who was killed by [[Duryodhana]] on the 8th day.

=== Kunti ===
{{Main|Kunti}}
Kunti or Pritha was the daughter of [[Shurasena]], and the foster daughter of his cousin [[Kuntibhoja]]. She was married to King [[Pandu]] of [[Hastinapur]] and was the mother of [[Karna]] and the Pandavas [[Yudhishthira]], [[Bhima]], [[Arjuna]]. She was the paternal aunt of [[Krishna]], [[Balarama]], and [[Subhadra]]. She was the step mother of [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]]. She was very beautiful and intelligent.

===Kuru===
Kuru is the name of the ancestor of the clan of the Kurus in the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was the son of [[Samvarana]] and of [[Tapati]], the daughter of the Sun.<ref>Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (Oxford, 1899), p. 294.1</ref>

In the literature, Kuru is an ancestor of [[Pandu]] and his descendants, the [[Pandava]]s, and also of [[Dhritarashtra]] and his descendants, the [[Kaurava]]s. This latter name derived as a [[patronym]] from "Kuru", is only used for the descendants of Dhritarashtra.<ref>Monier Williams (1899), S. 294.1</ref>

King Kuru had two wives named Shubhangi and Vahini. He had a son named Viduratha with Shubhangi, and five sons with Vahini, named Ashvavat, Abhishyat, Citraratha, Muni, and Janamejaya.<ref>Mbhr. 1.89.44 and 1.90.40 (Pune Critical Edition 1971)</ref><ref>J.A.B. van Buitenen, ''Mahabharata'' Book 1, Chicago 1973, pp. 212–214</ref> Due to his merits and great ascetic practices the region "Kurujangal" was named after him. It has also been known as [[Kurukshetra]] since ancient Vedic times.<ref>M.M.S. Shastri Chitrao, ''Bharatavarshiya Prachin Charitrakosha'' (Dictionary of Ancient Indian Biography, in Hindi) Pune 1964, p. 151</ref>

==L==
===Lakshmana Kumara===
{{Main|Laxman Kumara}}
In the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'', Laxman Kumara or simply Laxman ({{not a typo|Lakshman(a)}}) is the son of Duryodhana, and grandson of Dhritarashtra. He had a twin sister called Lakshmanaa who was kidnapped by Samba (Krishna's son). Not much is revealed about Laxman in the Mahabharata.

===Lakshmanaa===
In the ''[[Stree Parva]]'', Lakshmanaa (also spelled Laxmanaa or Lakshmanā), also known as Lakshana, is the daughter of Duryodhana. She is revealed about Laxmanaa in the text other than her marriage to Krishna's son [[Samba (Krishna's son)|Samba]]. She married Samba as a political arrangement by the Kauravas and Karna's son Vrishasena was his best friend.

==M==
===Madanjaya===
He was Prime Minister of Kuru Kingdom before [[Vidura]]. When [[Bhishma]] gave his post to Vidura, he tried to kill Vidura but he fought and was beheaded by Bhishma.

===Madranjaya===
He was eldest son of [[Shalya]] and Avantini who was killed on 2nd day of war by [[Virata]].

===Madrasena===
He was younger brother of [[Shalya]] and elder brother of Madri. He was uncle of [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]]. He was unmarried and was killed by [[Yudhishthira]] along with Shalya on the last day of war.

===Madri===
{{Main|Madri}}
In the ''Mahabharata'' epic, Madri, was sister of [[Shalya]], princess of the [[Madra Kingdom]], second wife of [[Pandu]] and the mother of two sons: [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/maha/index.htm|title=Sacred-Texts: Hinduism|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/madri|title=Madri, Mādrī, Mādri, Madrī: 14 definitions}}</ref> One day, Pandu and Madri made love, this led Pandu to die due to his curse and Madri to commit suicide.

=== Malini ===
She was maid of [[Draupadi]] married to a Kshatriyan soldier Pralanksena. Her son Nakusha was Bodyguard of [[Drupada]]. Her husband and son were killed by [[Drona]] before Drupada's death on the 15th day of war.

===Manasa===
{{Main|Manasa}}
In the ''Mahabharata'', [[Nāga|Naga]] Goddess Manasa is the wife of [[Jaratkaru]]. They had a son, [[Astika (Hinduism)|Astika]], who saved the serpents including [[Takshaka]] from [[Sarpa Satra]] organised by king [[Janamejaya]] to avenge his [[Parikshit|father's]] death.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hindu Mythology, Vedic and Puranic |first=W. J.|last= Wilkins|year=2004|publisher= Kessinger Publishing|pages=428|isbn= 0-7661-8881-7 |edition=First published: 1882}}</ref>

===Marisha===
[[Shurasena]] was married to a [[Nāga]] (or serpent) woman named Marisha. She bore all of his children and was the cause for [[Vasuki]]’s boon to Bhima.<ref>''"During the Mahabharata age the region around Mathura was ruled by the yadava dynasty."'' The Quarterly Review of Historical Studies, By Institute of Historical Studies (Calcutta, India), Published by Institute of Historical, Studies., 1983, Item notes: v.22, Original from the University of Michigan, Digitized 29 Aug 2008</ref><ref name = "Surasena as Yadava">"''Surasena or shoorsaini was a Yadava. One of his descendants could, therefore, call himself a Yadava or a Surasena as he liked..." '' Chauhān Dynasties: A Study of Chauhān Political History, Chauhān Political Institutions, and Life in the Chauhān Dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D., By Dasharatha Sharma, pp 103, Published by Motilal Banarsidass, 1975</ref><ref>Tales From the Mahabharat, pp31, By B.K. Chaturvedi, Published by Diamond Pocket Books (P) Ltd. {{ISBN|81-288-1228-9}}, {{ISBN|978-81-288-1228-6}}</ref> after whom the [[Surasena Kingdom]] or mahajanpada and the Yadava sect of [[Surasena]]s <ref name = "ShooApabhramsa">"''As Bhadanaka-desa was almost coterminous with Surasena janapada, we may designate the Apabhramsa of the area as Apabhramsa..."'' Early Chauhān Dynasties: A Study of Chauhān Political History, Chauhān Political Institutions, and Life in the Chauhān Dominions, from 800 to 1316 A.D., By Dasharatha Sharma, pp 103, Published by Motilal Banarsidass, 1975</ref> were named. She was the mother of [[Kunti]] and [[Vasudeva]] as well.

===Markandeya===
{{Main|Markandeya}}
Markandeya was blessed by Lord [[Shiva]] to remain young till the end of ''[[Kali Yuga]]''. In the Mahabharat, Markandeya visits the Pandavas during their exile and tells them the story of [[Nala]] and [[Damayanti]], [[Savitri and Satyavan]], etc.

===Meghavarna===
He was the son of [[Ghatotkach]] and [[Maurvi]]. He was the grandson of [[Bhima]] and [[Hidimbi]]. He was the brother of Anjanaparvana. He did not fight the War, and hence, was the only alive son of Ghatotkacha.

===Menaka===
{{Main|Menaka}}
Menaka was a beautiful apsara. She was sent by Indra to fill Vishwamitra with lust and destroy his penance. Upon seeing her, Vishwamitra was filled with desire and from their union, [[Shakuntala]], mother of great king Bharat, was born. Menaka left Shakuntala and Vishwamitra again started to meditate. Shakuntala was left with sage Kanva.

=== Muchukunda ===
{{Main|Muchukunda}}
Muchukunda, son of [[King Mandhata]], and brother of equally illustrious [[Ambarisha]], was born in the [[Ikshvaku]] dynasty. He later became a sage and his divine powers killed [[Kalyavana]].<ref>http://www.urday.com/muchukunda.html</ref>

==N==
===Nala===
{{Main|Nala}}
Nala is the main character of a [[The Story of Nal and Damayanti in Bhakti and Sufism Accounts|love story]] in the [[Vana Parva]] of Mahabharata. He was king of Nishada. He fell in love with [[Damayanti]] and married her. But they struggled a lot after their marriage. His story is set long before the Kurukshetra war.

===Nahusha===
{{Main|Nahusha}}
Nahusha was a king from lunar dynasty and an ancestor of [[Shantanu]]. He was the son of Ayu and Prabha. He was equal to [[Indra]] in every way and was made the ruler of Swarga in Indra's absence. He married [[Ashokasundari|Ashokasundari/Viraja]], the daughter of Devi Parvati and Lord Shiva, and had a son named [[Yayati]]. He was removed from his position as the king because of his arrogance and cursed to turn into a snake. His curse was over when he met [[Yudhishthira]] in a forest.

=== Nakula ===
{{Main|Nakula}}
Nakula was fourth of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. Nakula and [[Sahadeva]] were twins born to [[Madri]], who had invoked the [[Ashwini Kumaras]]. Nakula and his brother [[Sahadeva]], are both called as ''Ashvineya''(आश्विनेय), as they were born from Ashvinas. Nakula was said to be a skilled master in sword-fighting. On the 18th day of Kurukshetra War, Nakula had killed 3 sons of Karna.

===Nanda===
{{Main|Nanda Baba}}
Nanda was the head of the Gopas tribe of Yadava cowherds referred as Holy Gwals. He was a friend of [[Vasudeva]], spouse of [[Yashoda]] and the foster father of [[Krishna]].

=== Narakasura ===
{{Main|Narakasura}}
Narakasura was the son of [[Bhūmi|Bhumi]], the earth goddess. He gained a boon that only his mother could kill him. He captured and married women forcefully. Lord [[Krishna]] and [[Satyabhama]] ( the human incarnation of Bhumi) killed him.

===Niramitra===
In the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', '''Niramitra''' ([[Sanskrit]]: निरमित्र, lit. ''he who has no enemies'') was the son of [[Nakula]] and his wife [[Karenumati]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCV|date=16 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-date=16 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="Rengarajan1999">{{cite book|author=T. Rengarajan|title=Glossary of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rbcoAAAAYAAJ|year=1999|publisher=Oxford & IBH Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-204-1348-1|page=229}}</ref>

==P==
===Padmavati===
Padmavati was the name of wife of [[Karna]].She was among the main female characters and her character story is described after death of Karna.Her story began in the Stree Parva and her love-relation with Karna was complex.After Karna,Vrishaketu became the main character of the Mahabharata.

=== Parashara ===
{{Main|Parashara}}
Parashara was a sage. He was the grandson of [[Vasishtha]], the son of [[Śakti Maharṣi]], and the father of [[Vyasa]]. Before [[Satyavati]] married Shantanu, she had an affair with Parashara. During that time, she was known as Matsyagandha. Later they had a child named Vyasa. However they parted away but before leaving, Parashara restored Matsyagandha's virginity and gave her an enchanting scent.

=== Parashuram ===
{{Main|Parashuram}}
Parashuram is the [[dashavatara|sixth avatar]] of [[Vishnu]] in [[Hinduism]] and he is one of the chiranjeevis who will appear at the end of the ''[[Kali Yuga]]''. He was born to destroy evil Kshatriya, who had begun to abuse their power. [[Parashurama]] is also the Guru of [[Bhishma]], [[Dronacharya]], and [[Karna]].However in the texts,he was the teacher of only Karna and education of Bhishma and Drona has never been mentioned.<ref name="JonesRyan2006p324">{{cite book|author1=Constance Jones|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OgMmceadQ3gC|title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism|author2=James D. Ryan|publisher=Infobase Publishing|year=2006|isbn=978-0-8160-7564-5|page=324}}</ref><ref name="Lochtefeld2002p500">{{cite book|author=James G. Lochtefeld|url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group|year=2002|isbn=978-0-8239-3180-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/500 500]–501|url-access=registration}}</ref>

=== Parikshit ===
{{Main|Parikshit}}
Parikshit was a king from kuru lineage. He was the son of [[Abhimanyu]] ([[Arjuna|Arjuna's]] son) and [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]]. When he was in his mother's womb, he was attacked and killed by [[Ashwatthama]] using [[Brahmastra]]. However Shri Krishna revived him and named him Parikshit. After the Pandavas and Draupadi retired for heaven, he was crowned as the new king. Later, [[Kali (demon)]] manipulated Parikshit and he placed a dead snake on a meditating rishi. The Rishi's son saw it and cursed him to die by a snakebite. After he was bitten and killed by [[Takshaka]], his son [[Janamejaya]] performed [[Sarpa Satra]]. This is where he hears the story of his great-grandfathers.

=== Pandu ===
{{Main|Pandu}}
Pandu was the king of [[Hastinapur]], the son of [[Ambalika]] and [[Vyasa|Vichitravirya]]. He is popularly known as the father of the [[Pandava]]s, who were called so after him. Pandu was responsible and a great warrior, who expanded his kingdom during his rule. He had two wives named Kunti and Madri. He died early due to a curse of a sage.

=== Prabha ===
Prabha, sometimes Indumati, was the daughter of Asura [[Svarbhanu]], who later became [[Rahu]] and [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]]. She married [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Ayu|Ayu]], son of [[Pururavas]] of [[lunar dynasty]], and had a son named [[Nahusha]].

=== Pradyumna ===
{{Main|Pradyumna}}
Pradyumna was the son of Sri [[Krishna]] and [[Rukmini]]. Pradyumna was born of a part of Sanatkumāra. After his birth, he was kidnapped by [[Sambara]] and thrown into water. However, he survived and was raised by Mayawati (reincarnation of devi [[Rati]]). Later, he defeated Sambara and returned to [[Dwarka]]. He married Mayawati, Prabhavati and [[Vidarbha]] princess Rukmavati, and had a son [[Aniruddha]]. [[Karna]] was once defeated by Pradyumna.

===Pratipa===
{{Main|Pratipa}}
Pratipa was a king in the ''[[Mahabharata]]'', who was the father of [[Shantanu]] and grandfather of [[Bhishma]].<ref>Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (Oxford, 1899), p. 674.1</ref>

===Prativindhya===
Prativindhya was the son of [[Yudhisthir]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the eldest brother among [[Upapandavas]].

===Prishati===
Prishati (lit. daughter-in-law of Prishata) was the wife of King [[Drupada]] and the mother of [[Shikhandini]] and Satyajit. After Drupada performed a [[yajna]] (fire-sacrifice) to obtain a powerful son, she was asked by the sages to consume the sacrificial offering to conceive a child. However, Prishati had perfumed saffron in her mouth and requested the sages to wait till she had a bath and washed her mouth. The sages criticised her untimely request and poured the offering into the flames of the yajna, from which [[Dhrishtadhyumna]] and [[Draupadi]] emerged. Overwhelmed by their arrival, Prishati requested the sages to declared her as the mother of Dhrishtadhyumna and Draupadi.<ref name="C169">{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Chaitraratha Parva: Section CLXIX|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01170.htm|access-date=2021-06-03|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

===Purochana===
Purochana was the builder of the [[Lakshagraha]]. However, he, along with his wife and her sons, perished in the fire.
He was the royal chief architect in Hastinapura. He was a friend of Shakuni and Duryodhana. Purochana built the Lakshagraha palace and burnt it. He was killed by Bhima in the Lakshagraha palace. Purochana had a wife and many sons. In his last life, Purochana had been Prahasta, Ravana's uncle and commander-in-chief of his army.
Shakuni and Duryodhana made another plan to kill the Pandavas. Shakuni told Purochana to build a really beautiful palace in Varnavrata out of only materials that can catch and spread fire easily. Purochana quickly did as Shakuni had said. Purochana called the palace Lakshagraha. It was made out of materials such as wax and twigs.
After some time, Shakuni convinced the Pandavas and Kunti to visit Lakshagraha. Purochana and his wife welcomed the Pandavas and Kunti grandly. After 10 days, during the night, Purochana set fire on the palace. The Pandavas woke up and realized that this had been another one of Duryodhana and Shakuni's evil schemes. Bhima got really mad. While Purochana and his sons and wife were trying to escape, Bhima killed all of them, including Purochana.
The Pandavas barely managed to escape the fire.

===Pururavas===
{{Main|Pururavas}}
Pururavas was the first king from the lunar dynasty (Shantanu's dynasty). He was the son [[Budha]], son of [[Chandra]], and Ilā. He married princess of Kashi. Later, he married [[Urvashi]] but she left him. He was succeeded by his son, Ayu.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.blush.me/|title=Blush.me|website=Blush}}</ref>

==R==
===Radha===
Rādhā is considered to be one of the two forms of Lakṣmīdevī. When Kṛṣṇa lived in Gokula as a man with two hands Rādhā was his dearest consort. But when he lives in Vaikuṇṭha as four-handed Viṣṇu, Lakṣmī is his dearest consort. She was born in Gokula as daughter of Vṛṣabhānu and Kalāvatī. The eternal consort of Śrī Kṛṣṇa and the embodiment of the hlādinī potency, known as mahābhāva-svarūpinī, the personification of the highest ecstacy of divine love. She is the source of all the gopīs, the queens of Dvārakā, and the Lakṣmīs of Vaikunṭha.

===Revati===
{{Main|Revati}}
In ''Mahabharata'', Revati was daughter of King Kakudmi and consort of [[Balarama]], the elder brother of [[Krishna]].

===Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)===
{{Main|Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)}}
She was the wife of [[Vasudeva]] and mother of [[Balrama]]. She looked after [[Balaram]] in his childhood. After Vasudeva and [[Devaki]] were released, she started living with them. After the passing of Vasudeva in the Yadu massacre, Rohini cremates herself on Vasudeva's pyre along with his other wives Devaki, Bhadra and Madira.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m16/m16007.htm |title=The Mahabharata, Book 16: Mausala Parva: Section 7 |publisher=Sacred-texts.com |access-date=2018-07-18}}</ref>

===Rukmi===
{{Main|Rukmi}}
Rukmi was the ruler of Vidarbha. He was the son of king Bhishmaka and elder brother of Rukmini.

===Rukmini===
{{Main|Rukmini}}
Rukmini was the first and chief queen consort of [[Krishna]]. She was an avatar of goddess Lakshmi. She was the daughter of king Bhishmaka, sister of Rukmi and the princess of Vidarbha.

=== Ruru ===
Ruru was a rishi(sage) of the epic ''Mahabharata''. He was the son of Pramati and Ghritachi, the celestial danseuse and a descendant of Bhrigu. Ruru married Pramadvara, foster-daughter of sage Sthulakesha. He was the father of Sunaka.

==S==
=== Sahadeva ===
{{Main|Sahadeva}}
Sahadeva was the youngest of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. [[Nakula]] and Sahadev were twins born to [[Madri]] who had invoked the [[Ashwini Kumaras]]. Sahadeva had two wives Draupadi and Vijaya. Draupadi was the common wife of Pandavas while Vijaya was the beloved wife of Sahadeva. Similar to his twin brother Nakula, Sahadeva was also accomplished in swordsmanship. On the 18th of war, Sahadeva had killed [[Shakuni]] who was mainly responsible for the Kurukshetra War.

===Sahadeva of Magadha===
{{Main|Sahadeva of Magadha}}
Sahadeva was the son of powerful king [[Jarasandha]]. When Bhima slayed his father, Krishna declared him to be the new ruler of Magadha. Sahadeva is a frequent ally of the Pandavas, and attended the Rajsuya of Yudhishthira. During the Kurukshetra War, he fought from the side of Pandavas and was slayed by [[Shakuni]].

=== Sakradeva ===
He was son of King [[Srutayudha]] and Queen Sakrayani of [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]]. He was Yuvaraja (Crown Prince) of Kalinga. He was killed by [[Bhima]] on the 2nd day of war along with many soldiers and two generals Satya and Satyadeva.

=== Samba ===
{{Main|Samba (Krishna's son)}}
Samba was the mischievous son of [[Krishna]] and his second wife, [[Jambavati]]. He was born as a boon of Lord [[Shiva]]. Samba was the husband of [[Lakshmanaa]], [[Duryodhana]]'s daughter. Later in the epic, his mischief becomes the reason for the destruction of Krishna's Yaduvansha, to whom [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] cursed.

=== Shamika ===
Shamika was a sage in the epic ''Mahabharata''. One day, while hunting Parikshit had wounded a deer but lost it in the woods. Searching for it, fatigued he asked meditating Shamika about the deer. The sage did not answer as he was observing the vow of silence. This angered the king, who placed a dead snake on Shamika's shoulder. Sringin, son of Shamika enraged by this act cursed Parikshit to be killed by [[Takshaka]](snake) within seven days.

===Samvarana===
{{Main|Samvarana}}
Samvarana was a king from lunar dynasty and an ancestor of Shantanu. He married [[Tapati]], daughter of Surya, and had a child named [[Characters in Mahabharata#Kuru|Kuru]].

=== Sanjaya ===
{{Main|Sanjaya}}
Sanjaya was [[Dhritarashtra]]'s advisor and also his [[chariot]]eer. Sanjaya was a disciple of sage [[Vyasa|Krishna Dwaipayana Veda Vyasa]] and was immensely devoted to his master, King [[Dhritarashtra]]. Sanjaya – who has the gift of seeing events at a distance ([[divya-drishti]]) right in front of him, granted by the sage [[Vyasa]] – narrates to Dhritarashtra the action in the climactic battle of [[Kurukshetra]], which includes the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]''.

=== Sarama ===
{{Main|Sarama}}
Sarama, according to ''Mahabharata'', is a celestial female dog. Janamejaya and his brothers beat one of her sons without any reason when the dog arrives at an occasion of sacrifice. This angers Sarama, and she curses the princes and Janamejaya that evil may happen to them.

===Satrajit===
{{Main|Satrajit}}
In the Hindu scriptures like the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and [[Bhagavata Purana|Bhagvata Puran]], Satrajit was a [[Yadava]] king who was a great devotee of [[Surya]]deva, the Sun god. He is famous for his role in the story of [[Syamantaka]] gem. He was the father of [[Satyabhama]], who was [[Bhūmi|Bhumidevi's]] incarnation and Sri [[Krishna|Krishna's]] third wife.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Syamantaka gem|date = April 1971|isbn = 8189999648|publisher =Amar Chitra Katha Private Limited}}</ref>{{sfn|Mani|1975|pages=701}}

===Satyabhama===

=== Satyajit ===
He was second born child of King [[Drupada]] and Queen Prishati. He was younger brother of [[Shikhandi]]ni/Shikhandi and elder brother of [[Dhrishtadyumna]] and [[Draupadi]]. He succeeded the throne of Panchala.

=== Satyaki ===
{{Main|Satyaki}}
'''Yuyudhana''', better known as '''Satyaki''', was a powerful warrior belonging to the [[Vrishni]] clan of the [[Yadava]]s, to which [[Krishna]] also belonged.Son of the Sini, and a prominent member of the Yadu dynasty. He was a close friend of Lord Krishna and a student of Arjuna. He fought during Kurukshetra war and killed many kings on the side of Kauravas. He was also called Yuyudhana.

=== Satyavati ===
{{Main|Satyavati}}
Satyavati is the matriarch of the ''Mahabharata''. She was a fisherwoman before her marriage with [[Shantanu]]. She along with her father, Dashraj, proposed the conditions which led [[Bhishma]] to take his vow. With Shantanu, she is the mother of [[Chitrāngada|Chitrangada]] and [[Vichitravirya]]. She is also the mother of the [[Vyasa]], author of the epic, whom she called for [[Niyoga]] when Vichitravirya died without any heir.

=== Savitri and Satyavan ===
{{Main|Savitri and Satyavan}}
In the ''Mahabharata'', Savitri and Satyavan are characters appearing in the [[Vana Parva]] of the epic. Savitri is a princess born by the boon of [[Savitr]]a. She is wise and beautiful. She fell in love with Satyavan, a prince who is destined to die at very young age. Savitri, knowing that she would become a widow at a young age, married Satyavan. The later part of the story is about how Savitri's love and wit saves her husband from [[Yama]], god of death.

=== Shakuni ===
{{Main|Shakuni}}
Shakuni was the prince of [[Gandhara Kingdom]] in present-day [[Gandhara]], later to become the King after his father's death. He is the main antagonist in the [[Hindu]] [[Epic (genre)|epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was the brother of [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] and hence [[Duryodhana]]'s maternal uncle. Shakuni was killed by Sahadeva on the 18th day of the Kurukshetra War.
===Shakuni's wife (Arshi)===
Shakuni's wife was the queen of [[Gandhara]] and the mother of [[Uluka]]. In later retellings she is named Arshi and is also known as ''Arsh'' and ''Charulata''.
Her brothers Keturaja and Ketusena were killed by [[Drupada]] on the 11th day of the war. She was very close to her sister-in-law, [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]].

=== Shakuntala ===
{{Main|Shakuntala}}
Shakuntala was wife of [[Dushyanta]] and the mother of [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Emperor Bharata]]. Her story is told in the ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and dramatized by many writers, the most famous adaption being [[Kālidāsa|Kalidasa]]'s play ''[[Shakuntala (play)|Abhijñānaśākuntala]]'' (''The Sign of Shakuntala'').

===Shalva===
Shalva was the king of Shalva kingdom. He and [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]], the princess of Kashi, fell in love and Amba decided to choose him during her Swayamvara. However, [[Bhishma]] won the princesses for his brother Vichitravirya. When, Amba told Bhishma about her love, he sent her with honour to Shalva. But, Shalva rejected her and told her that he cannot marry her as she was won by Bhishma.

=== Shalya ===
{{Main|Shalya}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', King Shalya was the brother of [[Madri]] (mother of [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]]), as well as the ruler of the [[Madra Kingdom|Madra]] kingdom. Shalya, a powerful spear fighter and a formidable charioteer, was tricked by [[Duryodhana]] to fight the war on the side of the [[Kauravas]]. On the last day of the Kurukshetra War, Yudhishthira killed him during a spear fight.

===Shankha===
Shankha was 3rd son of King [[Virata]]. He was killed by [[Bhishma]] on very first day of war.

=== Shantanu ===
{{Main|Shantanu}}
Shantanu was a [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]] king of [[Hastinapura]] in the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was a descendant of the [[Bhāratas|Bharata]] race, of the Lunar dynasty and great-grandfather of the [[Pandava]]s and [[Kaurava]]s. He was the youngest son of King [[Pratipa]] of Hastinapura and had been born in the latter's old age. He was husband of [[Ganga in Hinduism|Ganga]] and [[Satyavati]]. He was father of Devavrat ([[Bhishma]]), [[Chitrāngada|Chitrāngad]] and [[Vichitravirya]].

===Sharmishtha===
{{Main|Sharmishtha}}
Sharmishtha was an Asura princess and a spouse of Yayati, an ancestor of Shantanu.

===Shatanika===
Shatanika was the son of [[Nakula]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the third brother among [[Upapandavas]].

=== Shaunaka ===
Shaunaka headed the sages during their conclave at his twelve-year sacrifice, where [[Ugrashravas]] Sauti recited the ''Mahabharata''.

=== Shikhandi ===
{{Main|Shikhandi}}
Shikhandi was born as a baby girl, named "Shikhandini," to [[Drupada]], the king of [[Panchala Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Panchala]], and his wife. Later she changed her sex and took the name Shikhandi. He fought in the [[Kurukshetra war]] for the [[Pandavas]] along with his father Drupada and brother [[Dhristadyumna]]. He was Kashi's [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]] in previous birth.

=== Shishupala ===
{{Main|Shishupala}}
Shishupala was the son of Damaghosha. He was slain by his cousin [[Krishna]], at the great coronation ceremony of [[Yudhishthira]] in punishment for the opprobrious abuse made against his august personage. He was also called Chaidya, being a member of Chedi kingdom.

===Shrutkarma===
Shrutkarma was the son of [[Arjuna]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the youngest brother among [[Upapandavas]].

===Shrutsena===
Shrutsena was the son of [[Sahadeva]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the fourth brother among [[Upapandavas]].

===Shukracharya===
{{main|Shukra}}
Shukracharya is the son of sage [[Bhrigu]] and his wife [[Kavyamata]]. After the Devas killed his mother (who was later revived), Shukra developed a deep hatred towards the Devas and became the guru of Asuras. He had a daughter named [[Devayani]], who was married to Lunar king [[Yayati]]. But Yayati developed an affair with Devayani's maid, [[Sharmishtha]]. This led Shukra to curse Yayati to lose his youth.

===Shveta===
He was second son of [[Virata]]. He was killed on the first day of war by [[Shalya]].

===Sons of Karna===
Karna's sons were [[Vrishasena]], [[Vrishaketu]], [[Banasena]], Chitrasena, Satyasena, Sushena, Shatrunjaya, Dvipata and Prasena. All except for Vrishaketu were killed in the war.

===Sons of Shalya===
[[Shalya]] and Avantini's three sons were Madranjaya, Rukmanagada and Rukmanaratha. Madranjaya was the eldest than other two with a gap of 10 years. Rukmanagada and Rukmanaratha were twins. Madranjaya was killed on 2nd day of war by [[Virata]] and other two were killed by [[Abhimanyu]] inside the Chakravyuha on 13th day.

===Sons of Shishupala===
The four sons of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] King [[Shishupala]] were Dhrishtaketu, Mahipala, Suketu, Sarabha. They had a sister named [[Karenumati]] who was younger than Dhrishtaketu but elder than other three. Dhrishtaketu succeeded the throne of Chedi after Shishupala's death. Dhrishtaketu was killed by [[Dronacharya]] on 6th day of war and other three were killed by [[Shakuni]]'s son Vrikaasur.

===Subala===
Subala was father of [[Shakuni]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. He was King of Gandhara and later King-Father under Shakuni's rule. He was husband of Sudharma.

===Subhadra===
{{main|Subhadra}}

In the epic, she is the sister of [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]], wife of [[Arjuna]], mother of [[Abhimanyu]] and grandmother of [[Parikshit]]. She is the daughter of [[Vasudeva]] and [[#Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)|Rohini]]. When Arjuna visited Dwarka during his exile, he fell in love with Subhadra and eloped with her.

===Sudakshina===
{{Main|Sudakshina}}
Sudakshina (Sanskrit: सुदक्षिण) was a king of the Kambojas, and fought on the side of the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War.

===Sudeshna===
{{Main|Sudeshna}}
Sudeshna was the wife of King Virata, at whose court the Pandavas spent a year in concealment during their exile. She was the mother of [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]], [[Uttarā]], Shveta and Shankha. She had a younger brother named [[Kichaka]] and a brother-in-law named Sahtanika.

===Surya===
{{Main|Surya}}
Surya is the god of sun and day. He is son of [[Aditi]] and [[Kashyapa]]. He is consort of [[Saranyu]]. In the epic, he was the first god called by [[Kunti]] using the mantra given by sage [[Durvasa]] to obtain a child. She did it out of curiosity and gave birth to [[Karna]], who was born with indestructible armour and earrings. During that time she wasn't married and had to abandon the child. Later in the epic, Surya gave Akshaypatra to [[Yudhishthira]].

===Sutsoma===
Sutsoma was the son of [[Bhima]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the second brother among [[Upapandavas]].

===Svaha===
{{main|Svaha}}
Svaha is the daughter of Prajapati [[Daksha]] and the wife of [[Agni]]. In the Vana Parva, sage [[Markandeya]] narrated her story to the [[Pandavas]]. As per the story, Agni visited the [[ashram]] of the seven [[Saptarshi]] and saw their wives. He was attracted towards them but none responded to him. Svaha was present there and was attracted to Agni, but he wasn't. Later Agni went to forest to calm down his mind. Svaha, taking the form of the wives of sages (except for [[Arundhati (Hinduism)|Arundhati]]), slept with Agni one by one. Later Agni realised Svaha's love and married her.

===Shashwathi===
Shashwathi was the daughter of [[Pandu]] and [[Madri]] and the sister of [[Pandavas]]. She is the wife of [[Dhrishtadyumna]], the twin brother of [[Draupadi]].

===Shashirekha===
Shashirekha is the second wife of [[Dhrishtadyumna]], she is the daughter of [[Brihadratha]] and Sister of [[Jarasandha]].

== T ==

=== Takshaka ===
{{Main|Takshaka}}
Takshaka was the king of nagas. He lived in a city named Takshasila, which was the new territory of Takshaka after his race was banished by Pandavas led by Arjuna from the Khandava Forest and Kurukshetra, where they built their new kingdom. Because of this, he made a fierce rivalry with Arjuna. During the Kurukshetra war, he sat on an arrow of Karna which was shot at Arjuna. However Krishna saved Arjuna. After his failure, Takshaka vowed to end Arjuna's lineage. After the Pandavas and Draupadi left for heaven, Takshaka killed Parikshit.

===Tapati===
{{Main|Tapati}}
Tapati is a river goddess. She is daughter of [[Surya]] and [[Chhaya]]. She married [[Samvarana]] and had a child named, [[Characters in Mahabharata#Kuru|Kuru]]. Kuru was an ancestor of Shantanu.

=== Tilottama ===
{{Main|Tilottama}}
In the Hindu epic ''Mahabharata'', Tilottama is described to have been created by the divine architect [[Vishwakarma]], at [[Brahma]]'s request, by taking the best quality of everything as the ingredients. She was responsible for bringing about the mutual destruction of the Asuras, [[Sunda and Upasunda]]. Even gods like Indra are described to be enamoured by Tilottama. Her story was told by sage [[Narada]] to the [[Pandavas]] as he wanted to tell them how a woman can lead to rivalry between brothers.

===Tara===
{{Main|Taraka (goddess)}}
Tara is the goddess of felicity. She is spouse of Brihaspati, a guru of gods. [[Brihaspati]] often ignored Tara and she started to have an affair with [[Chandra]], the moon god. From their union, [[Budha]] was born, whose son, [[Pururavas]], founded the lunar dynasty.

===Tejashree===
{{Main|Draft:Tejashree (Mahabharata)}}
Tejashree is the wife of King Anushalva, brother of Shalva. She is the daughter of King Charuratha and mother of Anusuya, daughter of Anushalva.

==U==

=== Usha ===
{{Main|Uṣā}}
Uṣā or Usha was daughter of [[Banasura]], powerful king of Sonitpur and a devotee of Lord Shiva. Later Usha was married to [[Aniruddha]], grandson of Lord Krishna.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L5iBAAAAMAAJ&q=banasur+Usha|title=Fables and Folk-tales of Assam|date=1998|publisher=Firma KLM|isbn=9788171020751|language=en}}</ref>

===Ugrasena===
{{main|Ugrasena}}
Ugrasena (Sanskrit: उग्रसेन) is a Yadava king in ''Mahabharata'' epic. He was the king of Mathura, a kingdom that was established by the powerful Vrishni tribes from Yaduvanshi clan. Lord Krishna was the grandson of Ugrasena. He established his grandfather as the ruler of Mathura again after defeating his uncle, King Kamsa who was a wicked ruler. Before this, King Ugrasena was overthrown from power by his own son Kansa and was sentenced to prison along with his daughter Devaki and son in law Vasudeva to prison. Devki and Vasudev were parents of Lord Krishna.

===Ugrashravas Sauti===
{{Main|Ugrashravas}}
Ugrashravas Sauti was the son of Lomaharsana. He was the Lomaharshana. He was a disciple of [[Vyasa]]. He was the narrator of ''[[Mahabharata]]'' and several [[Puranas]] before the gathering of the sages in [[Naimisha Forest]].

=== Uluka ===
{{Main|Uluka}}
Uluka was eldest son of [[Shakuni]] and Arshi. He was sent as messenger to [[Pandavas]] by [[Duryodhana]]. He was killed by [[Sahadeva]] on 18th day of war before his father's death.

=== Ulupi ===
{{Main|Ulupi}}
Ulupi was daughter of Kauravya, the [[Nāgarāja|king of Nāgas]], she was among the four wives of [[Arjuna]]. She had a son named [[Iravan]].

===Urvashi===
{{Main|Urvashi}}
Urvashi was a celestial maiden in Indra's court and was considered the most beautiful of all the Apsaras. She was the consort of [[Pururavas]], an ancestor of Pandavas and Kauravas. Later she left him and returned to heaven.<ref name="auto1"/> When Arjuna came to heaven to meet Indra, she fell in love with him. But Arjuna refused her as he thought her as his mother.

===Uttamaujas===
{{main|Uttamaujas}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Uttamaujas was a powerful Panchala warrior. He is described to be a protector of [[Arjuna]]. With his brother Yudhamanyu, they fought a battle against [[Duryodhana]]. He was killed during Ashwatthama's night raid. Sometimes, he is described to be Drupada's son and identified with [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Satyajit|Satyajit]].

===Uttanka===
{{Main|Uttanka}}
In the ''Mahabharata'', Uttanka is described as the disciple of the sage [[Gautama Maharishi|Gautama]]. In both legends, he is a learned sage who goes through many hurdles in procuring the earrings demanded by his guru's wife as the fee for the teacher (''[[gurudakshina]]'').

=== Uttara ===
{{Main|Uttara (Mahabharata)}}
Uttara Kumar was the prince of [[Matsya Kingdom]] and the son of King [[Virata]], at whose court the [[Pandavas]] spent one year in concealment during their exile. His sister [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]] was given in marriage to [[Abhimanyu]], son of [[Arjuna]].

=== Uttarā ===
{{Main|Uttarā (Mahabharata)}}
'''''Uttarā''''' or Anglicized as '''''Uttaraa''''' (उत्तरा) was daughter of King [[Virata]], at whose court the [[Pandavas]] spent a year in concealment during their exile. She was sister of Prince [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]]. She was wife of [[Abhimanyu]] and mother of [[Parikshit]].

== V ==
=== Vajra ===
{{Main|Aniruddha#Children}}
He was the son of [[Aniruddha]]. Vajra was crowned as the King of [[Indraprastha]] on the request of Krishna by the [[Pandava]]s after the [[Mausala Parva|Yadava fratricide]] just before the [[Vana Parva|Pandavas' exile]].

=== Vajranabh ===
Vajra in the [[Vayu Purana]] and the [[Harivamsa]], described as the son of [[Satyabhama#Marriage and Children|Bhanu]], the eldest son of [[Krishna]] and [[Satyabhama]]. He had a sister named Bhanumati.

=== Valandhara ===
Valandhara was the princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi Kingdom]], and wife of [[Pandava]] [[Bhima]]. They both had a son Sarvaga, who became the King of Kashi after the Kurukshetra War. Sarvaga's granddaughter Vapusthama married [[Janamejaya]], the great-grandson of [[Arjuna]], and bore him 2 sons – Shatanika and Sahashranika.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://glorioushinduism.com/2015/12/31/kasi-kingdom/|title=Kasi Kingdom|date=1 January 2016|website=Glorious Hinduism}}</ref>

=== Vapusthama ===
Vapusthama was the princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]], the grand-daughter of King Sarvaga and great-granddaughter of [[Bhima]], the 2nd [[Pandava]]. Vapusthama was married to [[Arjuna]]'s great-grandson [[Janamejaya]], and bore him 2 sons – Shatanika and Sankukarna.

=== Vasudeva ===
{{Main|Vasudeva}}
Vasudeva the father of the Hindu deities [[Krishna]], [[Balarama]] and [[Subhadra]]. He was king of the [[Vrishni]]s and a [[Yadava]] prince. He was the son of the Yadava king [[Shurasena]]. His sister [[Kunti]] was married to [[Pandu]].

=== Vasundhara ===
She was the queen of [[Manipura]] and the mother of [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]]. She was also the grandmother of [[Babruvahana]]. Her husband was King Chitravahana.

=== Vayu ===
{{Main|Vayu}}
Vayu deva is the god of wind. He is son of Aditi and Kashyapa. In the epic, he is the spiritual father of [[Hanuman]] and the Pandava, [[Bhima]]. He was the second god called by [[Kunti]] after her marriage using a mantra as her husband couldn't conceive due to a curse.

=== Vichitravirya ===
{{Main|Vichitravirya}}
Vichitravirya (Sanskrit: विचित्रवीर्य, vicitravīrya) was a king in Indian Religious Texts. In the ''Mahabharata'' he was the younger son of queen Satyavati and king Shantanu and grandfather of the Pandavas and Kauravas.

=== Vidura ===
{{Main|Vidura}}
In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Vidura is described as the [[prime minister]] of the [[Kuru Kingdom]] and also the uncle of the [[Pandavas]] and [[Kauravas]]. He was born from Niyoga- between sage [[Vyasa]] and Parishrami, a handmaiden to the queens- [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Ambika|Ambika]] and [[Ambalika]].
===Vidura's wife (Sulabha)===
The wife of [[Vidura]], the half-brother of King [[Dhritarashtra]] and the Prime Minister of [[Hastinapur]]. She was also a chaste woman of supreme order. She too had a high degree of devotion and abdication. When [[Lord Krishna]] visited [[Hastinapur]] as an emissary of [[Pandavas]], he had not accepted [[Duryodhana|Duryodhana's]] request to stay in his palace but instead he chose to stay at [[Vidura|Vidura's]] home and accepted a simple meal there. She is named Sulabha in later versions of the Mahabharata.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vaidya|first=Sahna|date=2018-03-10|title=My Beloved Lord Krishna: The man 'with and behind' every strong woman.|url=http://pravaahwellness.com/index.php/2018/03/10/my-beloved-lord-krishna-the-man-with-and-behind-every-strong-woman-a-true-and-first-feminist-of-history/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Pravaah Wellness|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Shun self|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/shun-self/article5620543.ece|access-date=2021-01-19|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata Characters 19 – Vidura 01 – A true friend, affectionate but not attached {{!}} The Spiritual Scientist|url=https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2014/06/mahabharata-characters-19-vidura-01-a-true-friend-affectionate-but-not-attached/|access-date=2021-01-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Sulabha was a great devotee of [[Krishna|Lord Krishna]]. One day he came to her home for a surprise meal. She was enchanted by his glowing face. In absence of her husband, she offered him peels of banana instead of the fruit. And he ate them respecting her [[bhakti]] note.<ref name=":0" />

=== Vijaya ===
In the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Mahabharat]]'', '''Vijaya''' was the daughter of king
Dyutimata of Madra and wife of [[Sahadeva]]. They got married in a [[swayamvara|self choice ceremony]]. Vijaya was [[Nakula]]'s maternal uncle's daughter. They had a son [[Suhotra]].<ref name="auto" /> After the Kurukshetra War, Vijaya and Suhotra lived in Madra, when Sahadeva was appointed as the king of Madra Kingdom.

=== Vikarna ===
{{Main|Vikarna}}
Vikarna was third [[Kaurava]], son of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]] and a brother to the [[crown prince]] [[Duryodhana]]. Vikarna is universally referred to as the third-most reputable of Kauravas. Usually, he is also indicated as the third-oldest son, but in other sources, the "third-strongest" reputation remained and it is implied that Vikarna is just one of Gandhari's 99 children (after [[Duryodhana]] and [[Dussasana]]). Vikarna was the only [[Kaurava]] who questioned the humiliation of [[Draupadi]], the wife of his cousin [[Pandavas]] after they lost her in a game of dice to Duryodhana.

=== Vinata ===
{{Main|Vinata}}
Vinata, was the mother of [[Aruna (Hinduism)|Aruna]] and [[Garuda]] (the birds). She was also the daughter of [[Daksha]] and wife of sage [[Kasyapa]].

=== Vinda and Anuvinda ===
Vinda and Anuvinda were brothers, and the two kings of [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]]. They were the sons of Jayasena and Rajadhidevi. They also had a sister, Mitravinda, who married [[Lord Krishna]]. They were good friends of [[Duryodhana]], and fought for his cause in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

=== Viraja ===
In the Harivamsa, (an appendix of ''Mahabharata''), the spouse of [[Nahusha]] is mentioned to be Viraja, the daughter of [[Pitrs]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xY8MAQAAMAAJ&q=nahusa+viraja|title=Virajā, the Capital of Ancient Orissa|isbn=9788177021509|last1=Mishra|first1=S. P.|year=2007}}</ref> Later, she was replaced by [[Ashokasundari]], the daughter of goddess Parvati and lord Shiva.

=== Virata ===
{{Main|Virata}}
In the epic, Virata was the king of [[Matsya Kingdom]] with its [[Virata Kingdom]], in whose court the [[Pandavas]] spent a year in concealment during their exile. Virata was married to Queen [[Sudeshna]] and was the father of Prince [[Uttara (Mahabharata)|Uttara]] and Princess [[Uttarā (Mahabharata)|Uttarā]], who married [[Abhimanyu]], the son of [[Arjuna]].

=== Vishoka ===
Vishoka was the charioteer of Pandava Bhima during the Kurukshetra War.

=== Vrihanta ===
{{Main|Vrihanta}}
Vrihanta was king of the Ulukas. His name appears at several places in the ''Mahabharata''.

===Vridhakshtra===
He was former king of [[Singhu]] Kingdom. He was father of [[Jayadratha]] and Vijayadratha. He later became a rishi. When [[Arjuna]] beheaded his son Jayadratha, his head came on his lap while he was dping Tapasya and when he stood up and Jayadratha's head blasted, killing Vridhakshtra.

=== Vrishaketu ===
{{Main|Vrishaketu}}
Vrishaketu is a figure in the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. He was the son of King of Anga Karna and his chief consort Maharani [[Wives of Karna|Supriya]] also youngest and surviving son of [[Karna]] and Arjuna teaches him many more skills of great warrior. Later, he becomes King of Anga.

=== Vrishasena ===
{{Main|Vrishasena}}
Vrishasena was the son of Karna and Vrishali. With his father, he entered battle field on the 11th day of Kurukshetra war and fought for Kauravas. He was killed by Arjuna.

===Vasantraja of Trilokapura===
Vasantraja was the king of Trilokapura Kingdom and he was the father of many daughters including Mayuri and a son named Matrasena. His elder daughter [[Draft:Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]] was married to [[Duryodhana]], the elder Kaurava Prince.

=== Vyasa ===
{{Main|Vyasa}}
Vyasa was the author of epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. According to the ''Mahabharata'', the sage Vyasa was the son of [[Satyavati]] and [[Parashara]]. He was also the surrogate father of Dhritarashtra, Pandu and Vidura. They were born through [[Niyoga]]. Later, he helped in birth of 101 children of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. He also helped the Pandavas many times.

==Y==
===Yama or Dharma===
{{Main|Yama (Hinduism)}}
In the epic, the death god [[Yama]]{{mdash}} often identified with the god Dharma{{mdash}}is the spiritual father of [[Yudhishthira]]. He was the first god called by [[Kunti]] after her marriage using a mantra as her [[Pandu|husband]] couldn't conceive. Yama also appeared in the tale of [[Savitri and Satyavan]]. In the story, he tried to take Satyavan's soul, but Savitri tricked him. Dharma, later in the epic, appears testing Yudhishthira by taking form of a Yaksha. When the Pandavas and Draupadi went for heaven, he accompanied them by taking form of a dog and was only surviving left along with Yudhishthira. At the end, he showed his true form to Yudhishthira.

=== Yamuna ===
{{Main|Yamuna in Hinduism}}
Devi Yamuna or Yami is the river goddess of life. She is daughter of [[Surya]] and [[Saranyu]] as well as the twin of [[Yama (Hinduism)|Yamraj]]. In the epic, she appears as '''Kalindi'''. She is one of lord [[Ashtabharya|Krishna's eight wives]].

===Yashoda===
{{Main|Yashoda}}
She is the wife of [[Nanda Baba|Nanda]] (head of Gokul) and foster mother of Lord [[Krishna]] and [[Balarama]]. She is popularly and best known as Mother of Krishna. Krishna and Balarama spent their childhood with Yashoda and Nanda and the couple took care of them. There is a popular story about replacement of Krishna with [[Vindhyavasini|Yashoda's daughter]] by [[Vasudeva]] after an agreement with Nanda.

===Yaudheya===
Yaudheya was the son of Yudhishthira and Devika, and the grandson of Govasena, who was the king of [[Sivi Kingdom]]. Yaudheya succeeded his grandfather after his death in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

According to the [[Matsya Purana]], Yaudheya is also the name of the son of [[Upapandavas#Prativindhya|Prativindhya]], however he does not succeed Yudhishthira to the throne of [[Hastinapur]] as he inherits his maternal kingdom.

===Yayati===
{{Main|Yayati}}
Yayati was an ancestor of [[Shantanu]] and the son of king [[Nahusha]] and [[Ashokasundari]], the daughter of goddess [[Parvati]]. He had two wives, [[Devayani]] and [[Sharmishtha]].

=== Yogmaya ===
{{Main|Vindhyavasini}}
Yogmaya or Vindhyavasini is an incarnation of goddess [[Adi Parashakti]]. She was the daughter of [[Yashoda]] and [[Nanda Baba|Nanda]], the foster parents of [[Krishna]]. Krishna and Yogmaya were born on [[Janamashtami|the same day]]. They were exchanged by their parents to save Krishna from [[Kamsa]]. Many believe that [[Subhadra]] was her reincarnation.

=== Yudhisthira ===
{{Main|Yudhishthira}}
Yudhishtira was the first among the five [[Pandavas]] and was blessed by death god Yama to [[Pandu]] and [[Kunti]]. He became the king of [[Indraprastha]] and later of [[Hastinapura]] (Kuru). He was the leader of the successful [[Pandava]] side in the [[Kurukshetra War]]. At the end of the epic, he [[Entering heaven alive|ascended to heaven]]. He was also blessed with the spiritual vision of second sight by a celestial [[Rishi]] as a boon.

=== Yuyutsu ===
{{Main|Yuyutsu}}
Yuyutsu was the illegitimate son of [[Dhritrashtra|Dhritarashtra]] with Dasi aka Sughada/Sauvali, his wife [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]'s maid. He was the paternal half – sibling to Gandhari's children: [[Duryodhana]] and the rest of the 100 Kaurava brothers and their sister [[Dushala]]. Eventually, he was the only son of [[Dhritarashtra]] who survived the [[Kurukshetra]] war.

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
{{ref begin}}
* {{Cite book|last=Mani|first=Vettam|url=http://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft|title=Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature|date=1975|publisher=Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass|others=Robarts – University of Toronto}}
* {{Cite book|last=Chakravarti|first=Bishnupada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivQ6CwAAQBAJ&pg=PT105|title=Penguin Companion to the Mahabharata|date=2007-11-13|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-93-5214-170-8|language=en}}
*{{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2014-04-18|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-81-8475-277-9|language=en}}
{{ref end}}

== External links ==
{{Mahabharata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata|*]]
[[Category:People related to Krishna]]
[[Category:Javanese mythology]]
[[Category:Wayang]]

Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)

2023-05-26T07:35:36Z

Gomateshwari:

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Short description|Beloved wife of Duryodhana in Mahabharata}}
{{Infobox character
| family = Vasantraja (father), Vaishali (mother), Matrasena (brother) Shweta, Lata, Sudeshnavati, Indumati (sisters), Bhanumati(so called sister)
| info-hdr = Information
| affiliation = [[Kuru (Kingdom)|Kuru]] Queen
| home = [[Trilokapura]] (by birth), [[Hastinapura]] (By marriage)
| spouse = [[Duryodhana]]
| children = [[Lakshmanaa]] and [[Laxman Kumara]]
| color = #FFC569
| image = File:The another spouse of Duryodhan, described to the fairest of all.jpg
|caption = An illustration of Mayuri
}} '''Mayuri''' also known as '''Mayurī''' is the wife of [[Duryodhana]] and mother of [[Laxman Kumara]] and Lakshmanaa in folklores. She is one of the antagonists of the epic [[Mahabharata]] and she is the daughter in law of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]. She is a good friend of Vrushali, [[Karna]]'s wife.

Mayuri is a prominent character in the epic [[Mahabharata]]. She is known basically as the wife of [[Duryodhana]]. She is the only one who is a mother [[Laxman Kumara]] and his sister [[Lakshmanaa]]. In the ''Mahabharata'', Duryodhana's wife is mentioned four or five times, the complexion of beauty, and she was a Maharani of [[Hastinapura]], capital of the [[Kuru Kingdom]].She is the only one who understands Bhanumati's problems.

==Information==
She is mentioned in the [[Shanti Parva]] about her marriage and kidnappings and in [[Stri Parva]] Mayuri and Bhanumatilose [[Duryodhana]]. After the death of [[Duryodhana]], Mayuri and Bhanumati, together being sisters, committed Sati.

==Marriage of Duryodhana and Mayuri==
===Story===
Duryodhana's marriage is found in the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata. The tale of the Swayamvar of Vasantraja's daughter is narrated by Narada, the god sage. The text never mentions the name of the princess but states that she is fair and beautiful.{{sfn|Chakravarti|2007}}

Duryodhana was invited to the [[Svayamvara]] of the daughter of King Vasantraja of [[Trilokapura (Mahabharata)|Trilokapura]. Duryodhana went to the city of Rajapura, taking along his dear friend [[Karna]]. Many legendary rulers like [[Shishupala]], [[Jarasandha]], Bhishmaka, Vakra, Kapotaroman, Nila, [[Rukmi]], Sringa, Asoka, Satadhanwan etc. attended the ceremony. After the commencing of the ceremony, the lovely princess entered the arena with a garland in her hand, surrounded by her nursemaid and bodyguards. As she was being informed about the names of the participants & their lineage, she walked away from Duryodhana. Duryodhana refuses to accept her rejection and already smitten by the princess, took her away on his chariot challenging other suitors to beat him & Karna. Karna successfully battled with the rest of the suitors to protect his friend. Karna easily defeated the pursuing Kings and the other royal suitors abandoned their pursuit after seeing Karna's fighting prowess. On reaching [[Hastinapur]], Duryodhana justified his act by giving the example of his great grandfather [[Bhishma]] abducting three princesses of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]] for his stepbrother, [[Vichitravirya]]. Finally, the fair lady consented and married Duryodhana.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Anonymous|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygA2240G74kC&q=Narada+said%2C+%27Having+thus+obtained+weapons+from+him+of+Bhrigu%27s+race%2C+Karna+began+to+pass+his+days+in+great+joy%2C+in+the+company+of+Duryodhana%2C+O+bull+of+Bharata%27s+race.&pg=PT7783|title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Complete)|publisher=Library of Alexandria|isbn=978-1-4655-2637-3|language=en}}</ref>

Mayuri's story end with Gandhari's mentions after Duryodhana's death. In the Mahabharata, it is never mentioned if she married another man.

==In the Mahabharata==

She was described by her mother-in-law Gandhari,[[Duryodhana]] loved his wife Mayuri so much. Duryodhana and Mayuri had two children: [[Laxman Kumara]] and [[Lakshmana]]. Gandhari describes her daughter in law to Krishna,

{{Blockquote|Behold, the beloved wife of Duryodhana and mother of Lakshmanaa and Laxman Kumara, the Queen of Hastinapura, the woman who was with her friend, Vrushali, who is the beautiful princess of Trilokapura, The Daughter of Vasantraja and Vaishali, the woman who was sorrowing for her husband, Duryodhana, the woman who committed Sati with Bhanumati and who mourned for her husband and son who died during the war, Mayuri fell on her heroic spouse, Duryodhana's breast, the king of Hastinapura|Gandhari|Translated By Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}

==Lakshmanaa's Swayamvara==
At the time of [[Draft:Lakshmanā (Daughter of Duryodhana and Mayuri)|Lakshmanā]]'s marriage, her father [[Duryodhana]] held a [[Swayamvara]] and invited many princes. [[Samba (Krishna's son)|Samba]] heard this and wanted to marry [[Draft:Lakshmanā (Daughter of Duryodhana and Mayuri)|Lakshmanā]]. [[Duryodhana]] eventually invited him also. Lakshmanaa came with a beautiful garland in her hand and came to choose her husband, but when she saw [[Samba (Krishna's son)|Samba]] he kidnapped her from her [[Svayamvara]].

Her beauty was immense for [[Duryodhana]] and so he had kidnapped her. [[Karna]] also was with [[Duryodhana]] but as he died, she had commited sati and so Lakshmanaa, their daughter, too commited sati as her husband, Samba, was dead. In [[Kerala]], Mayuri is given the title "Mayureshwari" for Mayuri and "Bhanumateshwari" for Bhanumati. Mayuri is worshipped with [[Duryodhana]]. In the [[Yakshagana]] plays, [[Duryodhana]] is played and is further referred to some extent as Kondadakuli.

===Duryodhan's love===
She was a very beautiful girl who a played a role in Duryodhana's life. [[Karna]] and [[Shakuni]] chose her as a wife of [[Duryodhana]]. She had a love on [[Arjuna]] but for her father's wish, she didn't marry him and married Duryodhan, the main antagonist of the hindu epic [[Mahabharata]]. Mayuri remained silent after the death of Duryodhana, her spouse. But, she cursed [[Bhima]] for killing their husband. She was very concern about him till his death. Mayuri, still didn't forget about his memories when Duryodhana was dead peacefully. Mayuri's maids told her about the death of her husband, which was shocking for them. [[Draupadi]] consoled [[Gandhari]] when Duryodhana died.

===Blessing Lakshmanaa and Laxman Kumar===
She blessed her son for the [[Kurukshetra War]] but he was killed by [[Abhimanyu]], the son of [[Pandava]] prince [[Arjuna]] and Yadava princess, [[Subhadra]]. With the death of her husband, Mayuri mourned for her husband and her son while her daughter was kidnapped in front of [[Duryodhana]] which made him angry.

Because of this problem, Duryodhana's wife Mayuri suffered. [[Kunti]] consoles her. Mayuri still think for [[Duryodhana]], the love of her life. She was a heart for him (Duryodhana), she had immense and more love for him, some folktales describe that Bhanumati, without the recongize for her husband, married [[Arjuna]] and became his wife. Some folklores also describe Mayuri, did not marry [[Arjuna]] as she was concerned for his death.

==Relation with Bhanumati==
She had cordial relations with the another or last wife of [[Duryodhana]], Bhanumati. Her loyalty can be described to [[Karna]], sometimes and Mayuri and Bhanumati had a love-relationship with [[Duryodhana]], she used to never fight with anyone for small reasons. Her behaviour was extremely good with [[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)]]. Generally, Mayuri is not the sister of Bhanumati, but she used to care about Bhanumati as a elder one. As Mayuri had many siblings, she included Bhanumati as a so- called sister. Her adjustment with [[Karna]] was a complex, and Mayuri, Bhanumati, the wives of [[Duryodhana]], became his friends.

Mayuri was also a friend of [[Duhsala]], her husband, [[Duryodhana]]'s sister. Since, Mayuri was her sister-in-law, Dushala used to call her,"Didi" in respect, means a big sister. Mayuri and Bhanumati had also respect to [[Jayadratha]], Dushala's husband. Most of the stories say she is one of the most arrogant lady in [[Mahabharat]] but she acted like [[Duryodhana]] after his death.

==In popular culture==
* [[Arshin Mehta]] played Mayuri in Mahabharat Katha
* Sangeeta Sharma played Mayuri in [[Suryaputra Karn]].
* Aparna Deshmukh played Mayuri in the serial Draupadi.
* Manali Shah portrayed Mayuri in [[Karn Sangini]].
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)

2023-05-26T07:35:13Z

Gomateshwari: /* Relation with Bhanumati */

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
{{Short description|Beloved wife of Duryodhana in Mahabharata}}
{{Infobox character
| family = Vasantraja (father), Vaishali (mother), Matrasena (brother) Shweta, Lata, Sudeshnavati, Indumati (sisters), Bhanumati(so called sister)
| info-hdr = Information
| affiliation = [[Kuru (Kingdom)|Kuru]] Queen
| home = [[Trilokapura]] (by birth), [[Hastinapura]] (By marriage)
| spouse = [[Duryodhana]]
| children = [[Lakshmanaa]] and [[Laxman Kumara]]
| color = #FFC569
| image = File:The another spouse of Duryodhan, described to the fairest of all.jpg
|caption = An illustration of Mayuri
}} '''Mayuri''' also known as '''Mayurī''' is the wife of [[Duryodhana]] and mother of [[Laxman Kumara]] and Lakshmanaa in folklores. She is one of the antagonists of the epic [[Mahabharata]] and she is the daughter in law of [[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]. She is a good friend of Vrushali, [[Karna]]'s wife.

Mayuri is a prominent character in the epic [[Mahabharata]]. She is known basically as the wife of [[Duryodhana]]. She is the only one who is a mother [[Laxman Kumara]] and his sister [[Lakshmanaa]]. In the ''Mahabharata'', Duryodhana's wife is mentioned four or five times, the complexion of beauty, and she was a Maharani of [[Hastinapura]], capital of the [[Kuru Kingdom]].She is the only one who understands Bhanumati's problems.

==Information==
She is mentioned in the [[Shanti Parva]] about her marriage and kidnappings and in [[Stri Parva]] Mayuri and Bhanumatilose [[Duryodhana]]. After the death of [[Duryodhana]], Mayuri and Bhanumati, together being sisters, committed Sati.

==Marriage of Duryodhana and Mayuri==
===Story===
Duryodhana's marriage is found in the Shanti Parva of Mahabharata. The tale of the Swayamvar of Vasantraja's daughter is narrated by Narada, the god sage. The text never mentions the name of the princess but states that she is fair and beautiful.{{sfn|Chakravarti|2007}}

Duryodhana was invited to the [[Svayamvara]] of the daughter of King Vasantraja of [[Trilokapura (Mahabharata)|Trilokapura]. Duryodhana went to the city of Rajapura, taking along his dear friend [[Karna]]. Many legendary rulers like [[Shishupala]], [[Jarasandha]], Bhishmaka, Vakra, Kapotaroman, Nila, [[Rukmi]], Sringa, Asoka, Satadhanwan etc. attended the ceremony. After the commencing of the ceremony, the lovely princess entered the arena with a garland in her hand, surrounded by her nursemaid and bodyguards. As she was being informed about the names of the participants & their lineage, she walked away from Duryodhana. Duryodhana refuses to accept her rejection and already smitten by the princess, took her away on his chariot challenging other suitors to beat him & Karna. Karna successfully battled with the rest of the suitors to protect his friend. Karna easily defeated the pursuing Kings and the other royal suitors abandoned their pursuit after seeing Karna's fighting prowess. On reaching [[Hastinapur]], Duryodhana justified his act by giving the example of his great grandfather [[Bhishma]] abducting three princesses of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi]] for his stepbrother, [[Vichitravirya]]. Finally, the fair lady consented and married Duryodhana.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Anonymous|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ygA2240G74kC&q=Narada+said%2C+%27Having+thus+obtained+weapons+from+him+of+Bhrigu%27s+race%2C+Karna+began+to+pass+his+days+in+great+joy%2C+in+the+company+of+Duryodhana%2C+O+bull+of+Bharata%27s+race.&pg=PT7783|title=The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (Complete)|publisher=Library of Alexandria|isbn=978-1-4655-2637-3|language=en}}</ref>

Mayuri's story end with Gandhari's mentions after Duryodhana's death. In the Mahabharata, it is never mentioned if she married another man.

==In the Mahabharata==

She was described by her mother-in-law Gandhari,[[Duryodhana]] loved his wife Mayuri so much. Duryodhana and Mayuri had two children: [[Laxman Kumara]] and [[Lakshmana]]. Gandhari describes her daughter in law to Krishna,

{{Blockquote|Behold, the beloved wife of Duryodhana and mother of Lakshmanaa and Laxman Kumara, the Queen of Hastinapura, the woman who was with her friend, Vrushali, who is the beautiful princess of Trilokapura, The Daughter of Vasantraja and Vaishali, the woman who was sorrowing for her husband, Duryodhana, the woman who committed Sati with Bhanumati and who mourned for her husband and son who died during the war, Mayuri fell on her heroic spouse, Duryodhana's breast, the king of Hastinapura|Gandhari|Translated By Kisari Mohan Ganguli}}

==Lakshmanaa's Swayamvara==
At the time of [[Draft:Lakshmanā (Daughter of Duryodhana and Mayuri)|Lakshmanā]]'s marriage, her father [[Duryodhana]] held a [[Swayamvara]] and invited many princes. [[Samba (Krishna's son)|Samba]] heard this and wanted to marry [[Draft:Lakshmanā (Daughter of Duryodhana and Mayuri)|Lakshmanā]]. [[Duryodhana]] eventually invited him also. Lakshmanaa came with a beautiful garland in her hand and came to choose her husband, but when she saw [[Samba (Krishna's son)|Samba]] he kidnapped her from her [[Svayamvara]].

Her beauty was immense for [[Duryodhana]] and so he had kidnapped her. [[Karna]] also was with [[Duryodhana]] but as he died, she had commited sati and so Lakshmanaa, their daughter, too commited sati as her husband, Samba, was dead. In [[Kerala]], Mayuri is given the title "Mayureshwari" for Mayuri and "Bhanumateshwari" for Bhanumati. Mayuri is worshipped with [[Duryodhana]]. In the [[Yakshagana]] plays, [[Duryodhana]] is played and is further referred to some extent as Kondadakuli.

===Duryodhan's love===
She was a very beautiful girl who a played a role in Duryodhana's life. [[Karna]] and [[Shakuni]] chose her as a wife of [[Duryodhana]]. She had a love on [[Arjuna]] but for her father's wish, she didn't marry him and married Duryodhan, the main antagonist of the hindu epic [[Mahabharata]]. Mayuri remained silent after the death of Duryodhana, her spouse. But, she cursed [[Bhima]] for killing their husband. She was very concern about him till his death. Mayuri, still didn't forget about his memories when Duryodhana was dead peacefully. Mayuri's maids told her about the death of her husband, which was shocking for them. [[Draupadi]] consoled [[Gandhari]] when Duryodhana died.

===Blessing Lakshmanaa and Laxman Kumar===
She blessed her son for the [[Kurukshetra War]] but he was killed by [[Abhimanyu]], the son of [[Pandava]] prince [[Arjuna]] and Yadava princess, [[Subhadra]]. With the death of her husband, Mayuri mourned for her husband and her son while her daughter was kidnapped in front of [[Duryodhana]] which made him angry.

Because of this problem, Duryodhana's wife Mayuri suffered. [[Kunti]] consoles her. Mayuri still think for [[Duryodhana]], the love of her life. She was a heart for him (Duryodhana), she had immense and more love for him, some folktales describe that Bhanumati, without the recongize for her husband, married [[Arjuna]] and became his wife. Some folklores also describe Mayuri, did not marry [[Arjuna]] as she was concerned for his death.

==Relation with Bhanumati==
She had cordial relations with the another or last wife of [[Duryodhana]], Bhanumati. Her loyalty can be described to [[Karna]], sometimes and Mayuri and Bhanumati had a love-relationship with [[Duryodhana]], she used to never fight with anyone for small reasons. Her behaviour was extremely good with [[Bhanumati (wife of Duryodhana)]]. Generally, Mayuri is not the sister of Bhanumati, but she used to care about Bhanumati as a elder one. As Mayuri had many siblings, she included Bhanumati as a so- called sister. Her adjustment with [[Karna]] was a complex, and Mayuri, Bhanumati, the wives of [[Duryodhana]], became his friends.

Mayuri was also a friend of [[Duhsala]], her husband, [[Duryodhana]]'s sister. Since, Mayuri was her sister-in-law, Dushala used to call her,"Didi" in respect, means a big sister. Mayuri and Bhanumati had also respect to [[Jayadratha]], Dushala's husband. Most of the stories say she is one of the most arrogant lady in [[Mahabharat]] but she acted like [[Duryodhana]] after his death.

==Mayuri after Duryodhana's death==
She did not marry anyone after the death of [[Duryodhana]]. But some folklores, say she married [[Sahadeva]] but she thought the wife of Sahadeva, liked Duryodhana and Mayuri was a beloved wife of Duryodhana and still the wife of Sahadeva.

==In popular culture==
* [[Arshin Mehta]] played Mayuri in Mahabharat Katha
* Sangeeta Sharma played Mayuri in [[Suryaputra Karn]].
* Aparna Deshmukh played Mayuri in the serial Draupadi.
* Manali Shah portrayed Mayuri in [[Karn Sangini]].
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Janamejaya

2023-05-25T16:31:47Z

Gomateshwari:

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{infobox royalty
| succession = [[King]] [[Kuru Kingdom|of Kuru Kingdom]]
| reign = 12th-9th century BCE
| title = Kuru King
| predecessor = [[Parikṣit]]
| father = [[Parikṣit]]
| mother = Madravati (mother), Adrika (stepmother)
|spouse = Vapusthama
|issue = Chandrapida (Shatanika), Suryapida (Sahasranika)
| religion = [[Historical Vedic Religion]]|
| dynasty = [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]]
}}

'''Janamejaya''' ({{lang-sa|जनमेजय}}) was a [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]] king who reigned during the Middle [[Vedic period]].<ref>[[Michael Witzel]] (1989), ''Tracing the Vedic dialects'' in ''Dialectes Dans Les literatures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. [[Colette Caillat|Caillat]], Paris, 97–265.</ref> Along with his father and predecessor [[Parikshit]], he played a decisive role in the consolidation of the Kuru state, the arrangement of [[Vedas|Vedic hymns]] into collections, and the development of the orthodox [[srauta]] ritual, transforming the Kuru realm into the dominant political and cultural part of northern [[India]]. He also appears as a figure in later legends and traditions, the [[Mahabharata]] and the [[Puranas]].

== Etymology ==
The name ''Janamejaya'' means "man-impelling".<ref name=":0" />

==In Vedic Literature==

The ''[[Aitareya Brahmana|Aitareya Brāhmaṇa]]'' states that he was a great conqueror and that his ''[[purohita]]'' (domestic priest) Tura Kāvaṣeya consencrated him as king and officiated his ''[[ashvamedha|aśvamedha]]'' (horse sacrifice). It also states that at one of his sacrifices he did not employ the Kaśyapas as priests but rather the Bhūtavīras. It states that the Asitamr̥ga family of Kaśyapas were eventually reemployed by Janamejaya. The ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana|Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa]]'' mentions that he along with his brothers Ugrasena, Bhīmasena, and Śrutasena performed an ''[[ashvamedha|aśvamedha]]'', officiated by Indrota Daivāpa Śaunaka, in order to cleanse themselves of sin. Both previous Brāhmaṇas state that his capital was Āsandīvant. The ''Gopatha Brāhmaṇa'' narrates an "absurd" anecdote regarding Janamejaya and two ganders.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Macdonell|first=Arthur Anthony|title=Vedic Index of Names and Subjects|last2=Keith|first2=Arthur Berriedale|publisher=John Murray|year=1912|volume=I|pages=72, 78–79, 273–274, 314|language=}}</ref>{{Sfn|Raychaudhuri|1923|p=11}}

The ''[[Panchavimsha Brahmana|Pañcaviṃśa Brāhmaṇa]]'' mentions a Janamejaya who was a priest at a snake sacrifice, but Macdonell and Keith consider him to be a different person than Janamejaya the Kuru king.<ref name=":0b">{{Cite book|last=Macdonell|first=Arthur Anthony|title=Vedic Index of Names and Subjects|last2=Keith|first2=Arthur Berriedale|publisher=John Murray|year=1912|volume=I|pages=78–79, 273–274, 314|language=}}</ref>

==Historicity==

[[File: Late_Vedic_Culture_(1100-500_BCE).png|right|thumb|[[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] and other kingdoms of the [[Vedic period]]]]
[[Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri|H.C. Raychaudhuri]] dates [[Parikshit]], his father, in ninth century BC.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|2006|pp=29-30}} [[Michael Witzel]] states the Pārikṣita dynasty corresponds with the presence of [[Black and red ware|Black and Red ware]] in the Panjab and West & South regions of North India, which archeologically dates to 1180 BCE.<ref>Michael Witzel (1989), [http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~witzel/dialects.pdf ''Tracing the Vedic dialects''], p.141</ref>

Historian [[H. C. Raychaudhuri]] notes that there are two pairs of Parikṣits and Janamejayas in epic and Puranic genealogies, but believes that the second Janamejaya's description better corresponds to the Vedic king, whereas the information available about the first is scant and inconsistent, but Raychaudhuri questions whether there were actually two distinct kings. He suggests that there "is an intrusion into the genealogical texts" of the late, post-Vedic tradition, which also has two of Janamejaya's father Parikṣit, possibly "invented by genealogists to account for anachronisms" in the later parts of the ''Mahābhārata'', as "a bardic duplication of the same original individual regarding whose exact place in the Kuru genealogy no unanimous tradition had survived."<ref>Raychaudhuri (1996), pp.2-19</ref>{{refn|group=note|Also, Witzel (1995) only refers to one Parikshit and one Janamejaya.}}

Four copper-plate grant inscriptions purportedly issued during Janamejaya's reign were discovered in the 20th century, but were proved to be fake by historians.<ref>{{cite book |author=Richard Salomon |title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t-4RDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA167 |year=1998 |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |isbn=978-0-19-509984-3 |page=167 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Shankar Goyal |title=History writing of early India: new discoveries and approaches |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pS9uAAAAMAAJ |year=1996 |publisher=Kusumanjali |oclc=34752382 |page=1}}</ref>

==In Puranic Literature==
{{Infobox character
| color = #FFD300
| info-hdr = Personal Information
| name = Janamejaya
| image = The sage Vyasa and the king Janamejaya..jpg
| caption = The sage [[Vyasa]] and King Janamejaya
| spouse = Vapushtama <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-date = 16 January 2010|title = The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCV}}</ref>
| children = Śatáníka, Sankukarna
| affiliation = Kurus
| relatives = [[Parikṣit]] (father), [[Madravti]] (mother), [[Draft:Adrika|Adrika]] (stepmother), [[Asvmedhadatta]] (grandson)
}}
He was the son of King [[Parikshit]] and Queen Madravati and stepson of queen [[Draft:Adrika|Adrika]] according to the [[Mahabharata]] (I.95.85). {{sfn|Raychaudhuri|2006|p=15, 35n}} He was the grandson of great warrior [[Abhimanyu]] and the great-grandson of [[Arjuna]], the valiant warrior hero of the [[Mahābhārata]]. He ascended to the Kuru throne following the death of his father. His significance comes as the listener of the first narration of the Mahābhārata, narrated by [[Vaishampayana]], a pupil of [[Vyasa]]. According to the [[Vayu Purana]] and the [[Matsya Purana]], there was a dispute between him and Vaishampayana. Possibly, as its aftermath, he abdicated and his son Shatanika succeeded him.<ref>Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, {{ISBN|81-7276-413-8}}, p.278</ref> Also the [[Devi-Bhagavata Purana|Devi Bhagavata Purana]] was narrated to him by Vyasa.

===In Mahabharata===

In [[Mahabharata]], Janamejaya was mentioned as having six able brothers viz, Kakshasena, Ugrasena, Chitrasena, Indrasena, Sushena, and Nakhaysena.<ref>'' Journal of the Department of Letters'' by University of Calcutta (Dept. of Letters), Publ. Calcutta University Press, 1923, p2</ref> The initial chapters of the epic narrate various aspects of his life including his conquest of [[Taxila|Takshasila]] and about his encounter with [[Nāga]] [[Takshaka]]. He wanted to exterminate the race of Nagas since Takshaka was responsible for the death of his father Parikshit.

[[File: Kashyapa_alive_tree_what_is_burnt_by_Takshak_(_near_Pond_)_and_parikshit_bitten_by_Takshak.jpg|left|thumb|Parikshit bitten by Takshak from Birla razmnama.]]

Emperor Janamejaya was responsible for the retelling of the famous epic ''[[Mahābhārata]]'', a story of Janamejaya's ancestors from the time of [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]] up to the great [[Kurukshetra]] war between his great-grandfathers the [[Pandavas]] and their paternal cousins the [[Kauravas]]. The Mahabharata states that it was recited to Janamejaya at the ''sarpa satra'' (snake sacrifice) by the sage [[Vaishampayana]] to whom it had been imparted by his preceptor [[Vedavyasa]],<ref>Vaidya P.L. and A.D. Pusalkar (1962, reprint 2003). ''The Mahabharata: Its History and Character'' in S. Radhakrishnan (ed.) ''The Cultural Heritage of India'', Vol.II, Kolkata: The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, {{ISBN|81-85843-03-1}}, p.60</ref> after he asked [[Vaishampayana]] about his ancestors.

===Sarpa Satra (snake sacrifice)===
{{main|Sarpa Satra}}
[[File:Snakesacrifice.jpg|thumb|The snake sacrifice of Janamejaya, as [[Astika (mythology)|Astika]] tries to stop it.]]
Emperor Janamejaya ascended to the throne of [[Hastinapura]] upon the death of his father [[Parikshit]]. According to legend, Parikshit, the lone descendant of the House of [[Pandu]], had died of snakebite. He had been cursed by a sage to die so, the curse having been consummated by the serpent-chieftain [[Takshak]].
Janamejaya bore a deep grudge against the serpents for this act, and thus decided to wipe them out altogether. He attempted this by performing a great ''Sarpa Satra'' – a sacrifice that would destroy all living serpents.
At that time, a learned sage named [[Astika (mythology)|Astika]], a boy in age, came and interfered. His mother [[Manasa]] was a Naga and his father a [[Brahmin]]. Janamejaya had to listen to the words of the learned Astika and set the then-imprisoned Takshaka free. He also stopped the massacre of the Nagas and ended all enmity with them (1,56).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Janamejaya's Sarpa Yaga (Snake Sacrifice) {{!}} Mahabharata Stories, Summary and Characters from Mahabharata|url=https://www.mahabharataonline.com/stories/mahabharata_story.php?id=28|access-date=2020-09-03|website=www.mahabharataonline.com}}</ref> From that time onward, the Nagas and Kurus lived in peace.
The mass sacrifice was started on the banks of the river Arind at Bardan, now known as Parham, a corrupt form of [[Parikshitgarh]]. {{citation needed|date=April 2016}} A masonry tank (reservoir) said to have been built by Emperor Janamejaya to mark the site of the sacrificial pit, known as ''Parikshit kund'', still exists in [[Mainpuri]] district. This is known as Gowdvana. Close to this village a very large and high Khera-''(Regional Word meaning Hamlet)'' containing the ruins of a fort and some stone sculptures has been found. It is said to date back to the time of Emperor Parikshit. A popular local legend is that as a consequence of the virtues of that sacrifice snakes are still harmless in this place and its neighborhood.

==See also==

* [[Kuru Kingdom]]
* [[Hindu mythology]]
* [[Janaka]]
* [[Bimbisara]]
*[[Historicity of the Mahabharata]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{citation|last=Raychaudhuri|first=Hemchandra|title=Political History of Ancient India: From the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty|url=|year=1923|author-link=Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri|publisher=University of Calcutta|isbn=}}
{{Mahābhārata}}

[[Category:Vedic period]]
[[Category:9th-century BC Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Janamejaya

2023-05-25T16:30:49Z

Gomateshwari: Fixed

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}} {{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{infobox royalty
| succession = [[King]] [[Kuru Kingdom|of Kuru Kingdom]]
| reign = 12th-9th century BCE
| title = Kuru King
| predecessor = [[Parikṣit]]
| father = [[Parikṣit]]
mother = Madravati
spouse = Vapusthama
Issue = Chandrapida (Shatanika), Suryapida (Sahasranika)
| religion = [[Historical Vedic Religion]]|
| dynasty = [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]]
}}

'''Janamejaya''' ({{lang-sa|जनमेजय}}) was a [[Kuru (kingdom)|Kuru]] king who reigned during the Middle [[Vedic period]].<ref>[[Michael Witzel]] (1989), ''Tracing the Vedic dialects'' in ''Dialectes Dans Les literatures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. [[Colette Caillat|Caillat]], Paris, 97–265.</ref> Along with his father and predecessor [[Parikshit]], he played a decisive role in the consolidation of the Kuru state, the arrangement of [[Vedas|Vedic hymns]] into collections, and the development of the orthodox [[srauta]] ritual, transforming the Kuru realm into the dominant political and cultural part of northern [[India]]. He also appears as a figure in later legends and traditions, the [[Mahabharata]] and the [[Puranas]].

== Etymology ==
The name ''Janamejaya'' means "man-impelling".<ref name=":0" />

==In Vedic Literature==

The ''[[Aitareya Brahmana|Aitareya Brāhmaṇa]]'' states that he was a great conqueror and that his ''[[purohita]]'' (domestic priest) Tura Kāvaṣeya consencrated him as king and officiated his ''[[ashvamedha|aśvamedha]]'' (horse sacrifice). It also states that at one of his sacrifices he did not employ the Kaśyapas as priests but rather the Bhūtavīras. It states that the Asitamr̥ga family of Kaśyapas were eventually reemployed by Janamejaya. The ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana|Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa]]'' mentions that he along with his brothers Ugrasena, Bhīmasena, and Śrutasena performed an ''[[ashvamedha|aśvamedha]]'', officiated by Indrota Daivāpa Śaunaka, in order to cleanse themselves of sin. Both previous Brāhmaṇas state that his capital was Āsandīvant. The ''Gopatha Brāhmaṇa'' narrates an "absurd" anecdote regarding Janamejaya and two ganders.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Macdonell|first=Arthur Anthony|title=Vedic Index of Names and Subjects|last2=Keith|first2=Arthur Berriedale|publisher=John Murray|year=1912|volume=I|pages=72, 78–79, 273–274, 314|language=}}</ref>{{Sfn|Raychaudhuri|1923|p=11}}

The ''[[Panchavimsha Brahmana|Pañcaviṃśa Brāhmaṇa]]'' mentions a Janamejaya who was a priest at a snake sacrifice, but Macdonell and Keith consider him to be a different person than Janamejaya the Kuru king.<ref name=":0b">{{Cite book|last=Macdonell|first=Arthur Anthony|title=Vedic Index of Names and Subjects|last2=Keith|first2=Arthur Berriedale|publisher=John Murray|year=1912|volume=I|pages=78–79, 273–274, 314|language=}}</ref>

==Historicity==

[[File: Late_Vedic_Culture_(1100-500_BCE).png|right|thumb|[[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] and other kingdoms of the [[Vedic period]]]]
[[Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri|H.C. Raychaudhuri]] dates [[Parikshit]], his father, in ninth century BC.{{sfn|Raychaudhuri|2006|pp=29-30}} [[Michael Witzel]] states the Pārikṣita dynasty corresponds with the presence of [[Black and red ware|Black and Red ware]] in the Panjab and West & South regions of North India, which archeologically dates to 1180 BCE.<ref>Michael Witzel (1989), [http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~witzel/dialects.pdf ''Tracing the Vedic dialects''], p.141</ref>

Historian [[H. C. Raychaudhuri]] notes that there are two pairs of Parikṣits and Janamejayas in epic and Puranic genealogies, but believes that the second Janamejaya's description better corresponds to the Vedic king, whereas the information available about the first is scant and inconsistent, but Raychaudhuri questions whether there were actually two distinct kings. He suggests that there "is an intrusion into the genealogical texts" of the late, post-Vedic tradition, which also has two of Janamejaya's father Parikṣit, possibly "invented by genealogists to account for anachronisms" in the later parts of the ''Mahābhārata'', as "a bardic duplication of the same original individual regarding whose exact place in the Kuru genealogy no unanimous tradition had survived."<ref>Raychaudhuri (1996), pp.2-19</ref>{{refn|group=note|Also, Witzel (1995) only refers to one Parikshit and one Janamejaya.}}

Four copper-plate grant inscriptions purportedly issued during Janamejaya's reign were discovered in the 20th century, but were proved to be fake by historians.<ref>{{cite book |author=Richard Salomon |title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t-4RDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA167 |year=1998 |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |isbn=978-0-19-509984-3 |page=167 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Shankar Goyal |title=History writing of early India: new discoveries and approaches |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pS9uAAAAMAAJ |year=1996 |publisher=Kusumanjali |oclc=34752382 |page=1}}</ref>

==In Puranic Literature==
{{Infobox character
| color = #FFD300
| info-hdr = Personal Information
| name = Janamejaya
| image = The sage Vyasa and the king Janamejaya..jpg
| caption = The sage [[Vyasa]] and King Janamejaya
| spouse = Vapushtama <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-date = 16 January 2010|title = The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCV}}</ref>
| children = Śatáníka, Sankukarna
| affiliation = Kurus
| relatives = [[Parikṣit]] (father), [[Madravti]] (mother), [[Draft:Adrika|Adrika]] (stepmother), [[Asvmedhadatta]] (grandson)
}}
He was the son of King [[Parikshit]] and Queen Madravati and stepson of queen [[Draft:Adrika|Adrika]] according to the [[Mahabharata]] (I.95.85). {{sfn|Raychaudhuri|2006|p=15, 35n}} He was the grandson of great warrior [[Abhimanyu]] and the great-grandson of [[Arjuna]], the valiant warrior hero of the [[Mahābhārata]]. He ascended to the Kuru throne following the death of his father. His significance comes as the listener of the first narration of the Mahābhārata, narrated by [[Vaishampayana]], a pupil of [[Vyasa]]. According to the [[Vayu Purana]] and the [[Matsya Purana]], there was a dispute between him and Vaishampayana. Possibly, as its aftermath, he abdicated and his son Shatanika succeeded him.<ref>Misra, V.S. (2007). Ancient Indian Dynasties, Mumbai: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, {{ISBN|81-7276-413-8}}, p.278</ref> Also the [[Devi-Bhagavata Purana|Devi Bhagavata Purana]] was narrated to him by Vyasa.

===In Mahabharata===

In [[Mahabharata]], Janamejaya was mentioned as having six able brothers viz, Kakshasena, Ugrasena, Chitrasena, Indrasena, Sushena, and Nakhaysena.<ref>'' Journal of the Department of Letters'' by University of Calcutta (Dept. of Letters), Publ. Calcutta University Press, 1923, p2</ref> The initial chapters of the epic narrate various aspects of his life including his conquest of [[Taxila|Takshasila]] and about his encounter with [[Nāga]] [[Takshaka]]. He wanted to exterminate the race of Nagas since Takshaka was responsible for the death of his father Parikshit.

[[File: Kashyapa_alive_tree_what_is_burnt_by_Takshak_(_near_Pond_)_and_parikshit_bitten_by_Takshak.jpg|left|thumb|Parikshit bitten by Takshak from Birla razmnama.]]

Emperor Janamejaya was responsible for the retelling of the famous epic ''[[Mahābhārata]]'', a story of Janamejaya's ancestors from the time of [[Bharata (Mahabharata)|Bharata]] up to the great [[Kurukshetra]] war between his great-grandfathers the [[Pandavas]] and their paternal cousins the [[Kauravas]]. The Mahabharata states that it was recited to Janamejaya at the ''sarpa satra'' (snake sacrifice) by the sage [[Vaishampayana]] to whom it had been imparted by his preceptor [[Vedavyasa]],<ref>Vaidya P.L. and A.D. Pusalkar (1962, reprint 2003). ''The Mahabharata: Its History and Character'' in S. Radhakrishnan (ed.) ''The Cultural Heritage of India'', Vol.II, Kolkata: The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, {{ISBN|81-85843-03-1}}, p.60</ref> after he asked [[Vaishampayana]] about his ancestors.

===Sarpa Satra (snake sacrifice)===
{{main|Sarpa Satra}}
[[File:Snakesacrifice.jpg|thumb|The snake sacrifice of Janamejaya, as [[Astika (mythology)|Astika]] tries to stop it.]]
Emperor Janamejaya ascended to the throne of [[Hastinapura]] upon the death of his father [[Parikshit]]. According to legend, Parikshit, the lone descendant of the House of [[Pandu]], had died of snakebite. He had been cursed by a sage to die so, the curse having been consummated by the serpent-chieftain [[Takshak]].
Janamejaya bore a deep grudge against the serpents for this act, and thus decided to wipe them out altogether. He attempted this by performing a great ''Sarpa Satra'' – a sacrifice that would destroy all living serpents.
At that time, a learned sage named [[Astika (mythology)|Astika]], a boy in age, came and interfered. His mother [[Manasa]] was a Naga and his father a [[Brahmin]]. Janamejaya had to listen to the words of the learned Astika and set the then-imprisoned Takshaka free. He also stopped the massacre of the Nagas and ended all enmity with them (1,56).<ref>{{Cite web|title=Janamejaya's Sarpa Yaga (Snake Sacrifice) {{!}} Mahabharata Stories, Summary and Characters from Mahabharata|url=https://www.mahabharataonline.com/stories/mahabharata_story.php?id=28|access-date=2020-09-03|website=www.mahabharataonline.com}}</ref> From that time onward, the Nagas and Kurus lived in peace.
The mass sacrifice was started on the banks of the river Arind at Bardan, now known as Parham, a corrupt form of [[Parikshitgarh]]. {{citation needed|date=April 2016}} A masonry tank (reservoir) said to have been built by Emperor Janamejaya to mark the site of the sacrificial pit, known as ''Parikshit kund'', still exists in [[Mainpuri]] district. This is known as Gowdvana. Close to this village a very large and high Khera-''(Regional Word meaning Hamlet)'' containing the ruins of a fort and some stone sculptures has been found. It is said to date back to the time of Emperor Parikshit. A popular local legend is that as a consequence of the virtues of that sacrifice snakes are still harmless in this place and its neighborhood.

==See also==

* [[Kuru Kingdom]]
* [[Hindu mythology]]
* [[Janaka]]
* [[Bimbisara]]
*[[Historicity of the Mahabharata]]

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
* {{citation|last=Raychaudhuri|first=Hemchandra|title=Political History of Ancient India: From the Accession of Parikshit to the Extinction of the Gupta Dynasty|url=|year=1923|author-link=Hem Chandra Raychaudhuri|publisher=University of Calcutta|isbn=}}
{{Mahābhārata}}

[[Category:Vedic period]]
[[Category:9th-century BC Indian monarchs]]
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Ropaini

2023-05-25T15:23:02Z

Gomateshwari: Gomateshwari moved page Ropaini to Draft:Ropaini: With no meaning and no mention in Bhagavanbhakthi. Com (Kimveka) stating so Kamalayani could be wife of Babruvahana. Should be available in other Wikipedias.

#REDIRECT [[Draft:Ropaini]]

Draft:Ropaini

2023-05-25T15:23:02Z

{{Db-nonsense}}
Ropaini was the wife of Babruvahana

Sahadeva

2023-05-25T15:13:50Z

Gomateshwari:

{{short description|Character from Indian epic Mahabharata; 5th Pandava}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox character
| color = #FFC569
| info-hdr = Personal Information
| image = Sahadeva.jpg
| caption = Artistic depiction of Sahadeva in Mayasabha
| weapon = [[Sword]]
| affiliation = [[Pandavas]] and Ashvineya
| spouse = {{hlist|[[Draupadi]]}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm |title=Archived copy |website=www.sacred-texts.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm |archive-date=16 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| family = '''Parents''' {{bulleted list|[[Ashvins]] (spiritual father), [[Vaishnavivati (goddess)|Vaishnavivati]] (spiritual mother)|[[Madri]] (Mother)|[[Pandu]] (De jure father)|[[Kunti]] (Step-Mother)}} '''Brother''' (Madri) {{bulleted list|[[Nakula]] by [[Ashvins]] (Twin Brother)}} '''Step-Brothers''' (Kunti) {{bulleted list|[[Karna]] by [[Surya]]|[[Yudhishthira]] by [[Yama (Hinduism)|Dharmaraja]]|[[Bhima]] by [[Vayu]]|[[Arjuna]] by [[Indra]]}}
| children = '''Sons''' {{bulleted list|[[Upapandavas#Shrutakarma|Shrutakarma]] by Draupadi}}
| relatives = {{bulleted list|[[Kauravas]] (Paternal Cousins)}}
}}
'''Sahadeva''' ([[Sanskrit]]: सहदेव) was the youngest of the [[Pandava]] brothers, the five principal protagonists of the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He and his twin brother, [[Nakula]], were blessed to King [[Pandu]] and Queen [[Madri]] by invoking the twin gods [[Ashvins]]. Sahadeva is described to be skilled in swordsmanship and astrology. During the [[Kurukshetra War]], he slew many warriors including [[Shakuni]].

== Etymology ==
The word sahadeva is derived from two Sanskrit words ''saha'' (सह) and ''deva'' (देव). ''Saha'' means ''with'' and ''deva'' is a [[Hindu]] term used for ''deity''. So literally, Sahadeva means ''with Gods''. Another meaning is ''thousand Gods''. Sahadeva and his brother [[Nakula]], are both called as ''Ashvineya'' (आश्विनेय), as they were born from [[Ashvins]].<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/73 73]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref>

==Birth and early years==
Due to [[Pandu]]'s inability to bear children (because of the curse of Rishi [[Kindama]]), [[Madri]] had to use the boon given to [[Kunti]] Devi by Sage [[Durvasa]] to give birth, who invoked the [[Ashwini Kumaras]] to beget Nakula and Sahadeva.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The five Pandavas and the story of their birth|url=http://aumamen.com/topic/the-five-pandavas-and-the-story-of-their-birth|access-date=2020-08-31|website=aumamen.com}}</ref>

Later, Pandu died due to his Kindama's curse when he attempted to make love with his wife. Madri handled her children to Kunti and committed sati. Kunti raised him along with his brothers in Hastinapura with love and care. It is believed that Sahadeva was Kunti's favourite son in spite of not being her biological son.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fang|first=Liaw Yock|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yIv3AwAAQBAJ&q=madri+suicide&pg=PA76|title=A History of Classical Malay Literature|date=2013|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian|isbn=978-981-4459-88-4|language=en}}</ref> It is also believed that Sahadeva was an incarnation of [[Shukra]], the [[guru]] of asuras.

Sahadeva and his brothers went to Hastinapura where they were instructed by Drona and Kripa in weapons. He mastered his skills in fencing and axe fighting. He also acquired the Nitishastra from Brihaspati, Guru of the Devas.

==Marriage and children==
Later [[Kunti]] and the five Pandavas moved to [[Hastinapura]]. Sahadeva's core skill was the wielding of the sword.<ref>{{cite book|last=A. van Nooten|first=Barend|title=The Mahābhārata; attributed to Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa Volume 131 of Twayne's world authors series: India}}</ref> Sahadeva is said to be mild-mannered, bashful, patient, and virtuous in every aspect except he was arrogant about his wisdom and his spiritual knowledge .<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04019.htm}}</ref>

Sahadeva had two wives Draupadi, the common wife of the Pandavas, and Vijaya, whom he married. Sahadev's son with Draupadi was Shrutasena and his son with his other wife Vijaya was Suhotra. Vijaya chose Sahadeva in her swarmavara, hence the marriage. Vijaya was Sahadeva's maternal cousin.

Suhotra was [[Vijaya (Mahabharat)|Queen Vijaya]] and Sahadeva's son. They were lives in Madra after Mahabharata.

==Conquest for Rajasuya==
[[Image:PathRajasuyaSahadevaDigvijaya.jpg|right|thumb|Sahadeva's military expedition to the southern kingdoms, as per epic [[Mahabharata]].]]
Sahadeva was sent south by the eldest Pandava [[Yudhishthira]] to subjugate kingdoms for the [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice, after crowning as the Emperor of [[Indraprastha]]. He was specifically chosen for the south because of his expertise with the sword, and because [[Bhishma]] opined that Southerners are skilled with sword-fighting in general. he Mahabharata mentions several kingdoms to the south of Indraprastha which were conquered by Sahadeva. Some of them are as under:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02030.htm|title=Mahabharata Text}}</ref>
*[[Surasena Kingdom|Surasenas]]
*[[Pandyan Dynasty]]
*[[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]], the king [[Dantavakra]], kings Sukumara, Sumitra, other Matsyas and Patacharas.
*Kings of Lanka who claimed to be descendants of [[Vibhishana]], the king of [[Lanka]] and brother of [[Ravana]]. He offered him diverse kinds of jewels and gems, sandalwood, celestial ornaments, costly apparel and valuable pearls.
*At [[Kishkindha]], the monkey-kings Mainda and Dwivida were defeated in a 7-day war.
*City of [[Mahishmati]], which was ruled by King Nila. Since the kingdom had the blessings of [[Agni]], a huge fire obstructed the army when Sahadeva tried to invade; later prayer to Agni enabled Sahadeva to complete the conquest.
* King [[Rukmi]] of [[Vidarbha]] and territories of [[Bhojakata]]
*[[the Nishada Kingdom|Nishadas]], the hill of Gosringa and King Sreenimath.
* Navarashtra, under King [[Kunti-Bhoja]]
* King Jamvaka, on the banks of the river [[Charmanwati]].
* Territories lying on the banks of the Venwa.
* Kingdoms that lay on the banks of the [[Narmada]].
* [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]], kings called Vinda and Anuvinda, a town of [[Bhojakata]]
* King of [[Kosala]]
* King of [[Tripura]]
* King of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]]
* [[Surparaka Kingdom|Surparaka kingdom]], Talakatas and [[Dandaka]]s
* [[Mlechchha]] tribe living on the sea coast, Nishadas, the cannibals, Karnapravarnas, and the Kalamukhas (a cross between human beings and Rakshasas) and the whole area of the Cole mountains.
* Surabhipatna and the island called the Copper island, and a mountain called Ramaka.
* The town of Timingila and a wild tribe is known by the name of the Kerakas who were men with one leg.
* The town of Sanjayanti, countries of the Pashandas, Karahatakas, Paundrayas, Dravidas, Udrakeralas, Andhras, Talavanas, Kalingas and Ushtrakarnikas, Sekas and Yavanas
* [[Pauravas|Paurava kingdom]]

==Exile==
[[File:Arishtanemi-Sahadeva.jpg|thumb|Sahadeva works as a cowherd in exile.]]
Yudhishthira's loss in the game of dice meant that all Pandavas had to live in exile for 13 years. Once in exile, [[Jatasura]], disguised as a Brahmin, kidnapped Nakula along with [[Draupadi]], Sahadeva and [[Yudhishthira]]; [[Bhima]] rescued them eventually.

In the 13th year, Sahadeva disguised himself as a [[Vaishya]] and assumed the name of ''Tantripal'' (within themselves Pandavas called him ''Jayadbala'') at the Kingdom of [[Virata]].<ref>{{cite book|editor= Subodh Kapoor|title=The Indian encyclopedia: biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552713|page=4462|edition=1st}}</ref> He worked as a cowherd who supervised the maintenance and upkeep of all cows in Virata's kingdom.

== Role in the Kurukshetra War ==
Sahadeva was very good in Astrology. Weeks before the war, Prince Duryodhana, on the advice of Shakuni approached Sahadeva in order to seek the right time (muhurta) to start the Mahabharata war so that the Kauravas will be victorious. Duryodhana offered to spare Sahadeva and his twin after the war and make them kings in exchange. Sahadeva declined his offer but disclosed the date for the Kauravas in spite of knowing that Kauravas were their enemy, as Sahadeva was known to be very honest in his profession. Then, Krishna planned to create an eclipse much before the beginning of the war. In the meantime, both Sun and Moon got shocked by Krishna's thoughts and appeared before Krishna stating that this will create a huge imbalance in the entire Universe. Then, Krishna declared that as Earth, Moon and Sun are together in one place, this in itself was an eclipse. Even before the great war, Duryodhana would always ask Sahadeva about his future and Sahadeva would tell his future. He was the most favourite Pandava of Duryodhana.

Sahadeva desired [[Virata]] to be the general of the Pandava army, but [[Yudhishthira]] and [[Arjuna]] opted for [[Dhristadyumna]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Menon|first=[translated by] Ramesh|title=The Mahabharata : a modern rendering|year=2006|publisher=iUniverse, Inc.|location=New York|isbn=9780595401888|page=88}}</ref> His conch was called Manipushpaka.

As a warrior, Sahadeva slew prominent warriors of the enemy side. The flag of Sahadeva's chariot bore the image of a silver [[swan]]. He defeated 40 brothers of Duryodhana while fighting them simultaneously. On the 13th day, his advance into the Chakravyuha was stopped and repelled by Jayadratha. On the night of the 14th day, he was defeated by Karna but his life was spared as Karna had made a promise to Kunti that he would only kill Arjuna. <ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/dutt/maha09.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor=Subodh Kapoor|title=The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552713|page=4462|edition=1st}}</ref> During the gambling loss, he took an oath of slaying [[Shakuni]]. He accomplished this task successfully on the 18th day of battle. Among other prominent warriors killed by Sahadeva were [[Uluka|Shakuni's Son]] on the 18th day and also Shalya's son on the same day and Trigata Prince [[Niramitra]] on the 14th day.

== Later life and death ==
After the war, Yudhishthira appointed [[Nakula]] as king of Northern and Sahadeva as the Kings of southern [[Madra]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a041.htm}}</ref>

Upon the onset of the [[Kali Yuga]] and the departure of [[Krishna]], the [[Pandavas]] retired. Giving up all their belongings and ties, the Pandavas, accompanied by a dog, made their final journey of pilgrimage to the [[Himalayas]].

Except for Yudhishthira, all of the Pandavas grew weak and died before reaching heaven. Sahadeva was the second one to fall after [[Draupadi]]. When Bhima asked Yudhishthira why Sahadeva fell, Yudhishthira replied that Sahadeva took much pride in his wisdom.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m17/m17002.htm Mahabharata Text]</ref>

== Special Skills ==

*'''Wisdom''': Sahadeva had the most knowledge among his brothers; of the past, present, and the future. In fact, Yudhisthir refers to him as being intelligent as [[Brihaspati]]-the divine teacher of gods. He was also a master in medicine, equestrian skills, bovine veterinary, politics and humanities. He was King Yudhishthira's private counsellor.
*'''Astrology''': It is said that he was a great astrologer and he even knew about everything including the Mahabharata battle beforehand. But he was cursed that if he disclosed the events to anyone then his head would split into pieces.
*'''Swordsmanship''': Sahadeva was one of the greatest swordsmen of Mahabharat like his brother, Nakula, but he was also very good at the axe.

==In the media==
*In [[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)]], Sanjeev acted as Sahadeva.
* In [[Mahabharat (2013 TV series)|2013 version of the Mahabharata]], Sahadeva was portrayed by [[Lavanya Bhardwaj]].
*In the TV show [[Suryaputra Karn]], Suchit Vikram Singh acted as Sahadeva.
*In [[RadhaKrishn|Radhakrishn]] (2018-) tv show, Sahadeva was portrayed by Vikas Singh.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Mahabharata}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Asmitadevi (Pala queen)

2023-05-25T13:41:46Z

Gomateshwari: /* Sources about Bharatnatyam */

{{Multiple issues|
{{unsourced|date=May 2023}}
{{original research|date=May 2023}}
}}
{{Infobox royalty|name=Asmitadevi|spouse=[[Mahipala II]]|dynasty=[[Haryanka dynasty|Haryankas]] (by birth), [[Pala Empire|Palas]] (by marriage)}}

'''Maharani Asmita''' or '''Asmita''' and '''Maitreyidevi''' was the empress consort of [[Mahipala II]] and a queen of the [[Pala Empire]]. Various inscriptions describe she was from a lineage of about 153 years of the [[Haryanka dynasty]]. Her name may occur in the inscriptions of the [[Haryanka dynasty]], chapter (23), the marriage of [[Mahipala II]]. Queen Asmita started the art of [[Bharatnatyam]] and established the rule of the [[Haryanka dynasty]] in 1456. The queen [[Mahata Devi|Mahata]] was her cousin. She was the first and senior consort of Mahipala II.

==Sources about Bharatnatyam==
Bharatnatyam, was a course started by the Queen (Asmita) and she was also great in that dance. She danced a few steps in front of King Mahipala, which impressed him and he married her. She was not a dancer but she was taught Nrutya and Kala. The first queen in [[India]] to know dance was Queen Asmita of [[Pala Empire]]. She encouraged people for doing pottery, cooking food and gifted two temples to the Brahmins, she outlived her husband. The two stayed happily. In Jagjivanpura, there is a copper plates stating Mahata and Asmita dance in the Bharatnatyam position of [[Shiva]] and Parvati.

==See also==
[[Brihadratha dynasty]]

Dushasana

2023-05-25T08:37:46Z

Gomateshwari:

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2014}}
{{short description|One of the Kauravas in the epic Mahabharata}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Information
| alt = Dushasana
| image = Draupadi dragged from her chamber.jpg
| caption = Dushasana dragging Draupadi from her chamber, an early 20th illustration by [[Evelyn Paul]]
| children = [[Drumasena]] Bharat Jyoti (from [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]] (daughter)
| family = {{ubl|[[Dhritarashtra]] (father)|[[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]] (mother)|[[Duryodhana]], [[Vikarna]] and 97 others brothers|[[Duhsala]] (sister)|[[Yuyutsu]] (half-brother)}}
| color = #FFC569
| spouse = *[[Chandramukhi (Mahabharata)|Chandramukhi]] (chief
and senior consort)
* [[Shweta (Mahabharata)|Shweta]] (Second principal wife)
* [[Lata (Mahabharata)|Lata]]
(Third principal wife)
* [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]]
(Fourth principal consort)
* Divija
(Fifth principal consort)
}}

'''Dushasana''' ({{lang-sa|दुःशासन}}, {{IAST|Duḥśāsana}}, {{lit|hard to rule}}), also spelled as '''Dussasana''' and '''Duhsasana''', is an antagonist of the [[Hindu epic]], ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was one of the [[Kaurava]] princes and the younger brother of [[Duryodhana]].

==Etymology==

The name is often derived from two elements, the Sanskrit: duh "hard" and sasana, meaning "rule". So the word ''Duhshasana'' means "Hard to rule" or "unbounded".<ref>https://books.google.co.in/books?id=7wJBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA98&dq=drupada+sons&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj20szk3truAhVbYysKHaIJDxcQ6AEwBHoECAQQAg#v=onepage&q=drupada%20sons&f=false</ref>

==Birth and Early Life==

When Dhritarashtra's queen Gandhari's pregnancy continued for an unusually long time, she beat her womb in frustration and in envy of [[Kunti]], the queen of [[Pandu]], who had given birth to three of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. Due to her actions, a hardened mass of grey-coloured flesh emerged from her womb. Gandhari was devastated, and called upon [[Vyasa]], the great sage who had blessed her with one hundred sons, to redeem his words.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXV|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01116.htm|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

Dushasana was devoted to his older brother [[Duryodhana]]. He was also closely involved in the various schemes and plots to kill the [[Pandavas]] along with [[Duryodhana]] and [[Shakuni]].

==Draupadi's humiliation==
[[File: The ordeal of Queen Draupadi.jpg|alt=|thumb|Dushasana drags Draupadi to the court]]
After [[Yudhishthira]] lost his kingdom, his brothers and his wife [[Draupadi]], in a game of dice with [[Shakuni]], Duhshasana dragged [[Draupadi]] by the hair into the assembly, at the behest of his brother [[Duryodhana]], and tried to disrobe her. Draupadi prayed to [[Krishna]] and he made her [[sari]] to be of an infinite length so that Duhshasana could not take it off. Dushasana was very exhausted and he nearly fainted. The assembled men were amazed at this miracle. They condemned Duhshasana and praised Draupadi. However, Draupadi was humiliated by being dragged into court by her hair. After this humiliation, Draupadi swore that she will not tie her hair until it is bathed with the blood of Duhshasana. [[Bhima]], who could no longer watch Draupadi's insult in silence, rose up. He vowed to tear open Dussasana's chest in battle and drink his blood. Bhima also exclaimed that if he could not fulfill his oath, then he would not meet his ancestors in heaven.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2006-08-02|title=The Clothes of Draupadi|url=https://devdutt.com/articles/the-clothes-of-draupadi/|access-date=2020-09-01|website=Devdutt|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File: Draupadi s presented to a pachisi game.jpg|thumb|right|Draupadi is presented to a Parcheesi game]]

==Kurukshetra war and death==
He along with Duryodhana lead one of the Akshauhanis (battle divisions) of the Kaurava army. <ref>{{cite web |author1=Aayush |title=18 Days of The Mahabharata War – Summary of the War |url=https://vedicfeed.com/18-days-of-the-mahabharata-war-summary-of-the-war/ |website=vedicfeed.com |publisher=VEDICFEED |access-date=8 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Jha Preeti |title=जानिए महाभारत युद्ध के 18 दिनों में किस दिन क्या हुआ था |url=https://www.jagran.com/spiritual/sant-saadhak-mahabharat-yudh-ka-18-dino-ka-ghatnakram-15405663.html |website=jagran.com |publisher=jagran |access-date=8 June 2020 |language=hi}}</ref>

Dushasana was the warrior who shot the first arrow in the Mahabharata war. On the first day of the war, Dushasana had fought with Nakula. On the tenth day, Dushasana was appointed on the frontlines to defend [[Bhishma]] from the Pandava army. Dushasana exhibited his valour on that day by resisting all the Pandavas single-handedly. But later, [[Arjuna]] managed to defeat him.

On the thirteenth day, Dushasana was present in the Chakravyuha. After a fierce duel, [[Abhimanyu]] badly defeated Dushasana and his charioteer had to take him away from the battlefield. The son of Dushasana who helped his father many times in the Kurukshetra war was also present inside the Chakra Vyuh on the thirteenth day of the war. He was deprived of his chariot by Abhimanyu and saved by Aswathamma by cutting Abhimanyu's arrow in mid-air. After that, Dushasana's son killed Abhimanyu in a mace duel. On 14th day, Dushasana's son was brutally killed by Draupadi's sons, the [[Upapandavas]], in revenge for Abhimanyu. He fought [[Nirjara (wife of Dushasana)|Nirjara]] who losethe war and also married her sister, Divija.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-04-06|title=Mythology 3 – Abhimanyu|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/littlethoughts/mythology-3-abhimanyu/|access-date=2020-08-16|website=Times of India Blog|language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Death ===
[[File: Bhima drinks blood.jpg|thumb|Bhima fulfilling his promise regarding Dussasana in the Mahabharata field]]
On the seventeenth day, Dushasana encountered Bhima in a duel. First, they fought by means of archery. Both broke each other's chariots and then they engaged in a mace duel. Bhima broke Dushasana's mace and started using wrestling manoeuvres to beat up Dushasan. After beating him up badly, Bhima seized Dushasana's right arm and uprooted it from his body while roaring loudly. Then (remembering his vow taken on dice game day), Bhima tore open Dushasana's chest with his bare hands and drank his hot blood. Many soldiers who saw Bhima drinking Dushasana's blood had fallen unconscious and some soldiers said that Bhima was a monster for drinking a human's blood. After that, Bhima danced around Dushasana's corpse. Dushasana's death had greatly agitated the Kauravas, especially Duryodhana who become numb. Bhima had given Dushasana one of the most brutal deaths in Mahabharata.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

*'' Mahabharata'' (1999) by [[Krishna Dharma]]

==External links==
* {{Commonscatinline|Dushasana}}

{{Mahābhārata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category: Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Shweta (Mahabharata)

2023-05-25T08:36:16Z

Gomateshwari:

'''Shweta''' was the queen and the second principal consort of [[Dushasana]] in the Hindu Epic [[Mahabharata]]. It may be said it was the choice of [[Shakuni]], who chose Princess Shweta as his nephew's wife but as she rejected, Dushasana had to kidnap her from her kingdom of Trilokapura. She was the younger sister of [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]. Dushasana's marriage could be found in the [[Shanti Parva]]. She was blessed by [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. It is described Dushasana had five principal consorts but his most beautiful consort was Chandramukhi
and he loved her immensely.

In the ''Mahabharata'', Shveta was the son of Queen [[Sudeshna]] of [[Virata Kingdom]] and Shweta was the daughter of King Vasantraja of Trilokapura {{efn|She had a daughter named Jyoti}}.

==See also==
* [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]
* [[Vikarna]]

<references group ="lower alpha"/>
{{reflist}}

Shweta (Mahabharata)

2023-05-25T08:35:07Z

Gomateshwari: /* References */

Shweta (Mahabharata)

2023-05-25T08:34:34Z

Gomateshwari: /* References */

Shweta (Mahabharata)

2023-05-25T08:34:19Z

Gomateshwari: /* See also */

Shweta (Mahabharata)

2023-05-25T08:33:41Z

Gomateshwari:

Shweta (Mahabharata)

2023-05-25T08:31:53Z

Gomateshwari: Created page with "'''Shweta''' was the queen and the second principal consort of Dushasana in the Hindu Epic Mahabharata. It may be said it was the choice of Shakuni, who chose Princess Shweta as his nephew's wife but as she rejected, Dushasana had to kidnap her from her kingdom of Trilokapura. She was the younger sister of Mayuri. Dushasana's marriage could be found in the Shanti Parva. She was blessed by Gandhari...."

'''Shweta''' was the queen and the second principal consort of [[Dushasana]] in the Hindu Epic [[Mahabharata]]. It may be said it was the choice of [[Shakuni]], who chose Princess Shweta as his nephew's wife but as she rejected, Dushasana had to kidnap her from her kingdom of Trilokapura. She was the younger sister of [[Mayuri (wife of Duryodhana)|Mayuri]]. Dushasana's marriage could be found in the [[Shanti Parva]]. She was blessed by [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. It is described Dushasana had five principal consorts but his most beautiful consort was Chandramukhi immensely.

In the ''Mahabharata'', Shveta was the son of Queen [[Sudeshna]] of [[Virata Kingdom]] and Shweta was the daughter of King Vasantraja of Trilokapura {{efn|She had a daughter named Jyoti}}.

==See also==
* [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]]
* [[Vikarna]]

Ashvins

2023-05-24T16:34:59Z

Gomateshwari:

{{short description|Hindu twin gods of medicine}}
{{Infobox deity
| type = Hindu
| deity_of = Gods of Health and Medicine
| other_names = Ashvini Kumaras, Ashvinau, Nasatya, Dasra
| consort = Vaishnavivati{{sfn|Kramisch|Miller|1983|p=171}}{{sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|p=48}}
| children = [[Nakula]] (spiritual son) [[Sahadeva]] (spiritual son)
| father = [[Surya]]
| mother = [[Sanjna]]
| siblings = [[Revanta]], [[Yami]], [[Yama]], [[Shraddhadeva Manu]], [[Shani]], [[Karna]], [[Tapati]] and [[Savarni Manu]]
| image = Ashwini Kumaras-L.jpg
| affiliation = [[Deva (Hinduism)|Devas]]
| greek_equivalent = [[Dioskuri]]
| equivalent1 = [[Ašvieniai]], [[Dieva Dēli]]
| equivalent1_type = Baltic
| texts = ''[[Rigveda]], [[Mahabharata]], [[Purana]]''s
}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}

The '''Ashvins''' ({{lang-sa|अश्विन्|Aśvin|horse possessors}}), also known as the '''Ashvini Kumaras''' and '''Asvinau''',<ref name=":0">{{Harvnb|Frame|2009}}, §1.42.</ref> are [[Hindu deities|Hindu]] twin gods associated with medicine, health, dawn, and the sciences.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wise|first=Thomas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2u0lAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA4|title=Commentary on the Hindu System of Medicine|date=1860|publisher=Trübner|language=en|pages=4}}</ref> In the ''[[Rigveda]]'', they are described as youthful divine twin horsemen, travelling in a chariot drawn by horses that are never weary, and portrayed as guardian deities that safeguard and rescue people by aiding them in various situations.{{sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|p=48}}{{Sfn|West|2007|p=187}}

There are varying accounts, but Ashvins are generally mentioned as the sons of the sun god [[Surya]] and his wife [[Sanjna]]. In the epic ''[[Mahabharata]],'' the Pandava twins [[Nakula]] and [[Sahadeva]] were the children of the Ashvins.

== Etymology and epithets ==
The [[Sanskrit]] name ''{{IAST|Aśvín}}'' (अश्विन्) derives from the [[Proto-Indo-Iranian language|Indo-Iranian]] stem ''*Haćwa-'' (cf. [[Avestan]] ''aspā''), itself from the [[Proto-Indo-European language|Indo-European]] word for the horse, ''*H1éḱwos'', from which also descends the Lithuanian name ''[[Ašvieniai]]''.<ref name=":02">[[Alexander Lubotsky|Lubotsky, Alexander]]. "Indo-Aryan Inherited Lexicon". ''Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Project''. [[Leiden University]]. s.v. ''áśva-''.</ref>

In the ''[[Rigveda]]'', the Ashvins are always referred to in the dual, without individual names,{{Sfn|West|2007|p=187}} although Vedic texts differentiate between the two Ashvins: "one of you is respected as the victorious lord of Sumakha, and the other as the fortunate son of heaven" (''RV'' 1.181.4). They are called several times ''divó nápātā,'' that is 'grandsons of [[Dyaus|Dyaús]] (the sky-god)'. This formula is comparable with the Lithuanian ''Dievo sūneliai'', 'sons of [[Dievas]] (the sky-god'), attached to the [[Ašvieniai]]; the Latvian ''[[Dieva Dēli]]'', the 'sons of Dievs (the sky-god)'; and the Greek ''Diós-kouroi'', the 'boys of [[Zeus]]', designating [[Castor and Pollux]].{{sfn|West|2007|p=187–191}}{{Sfn|Parpola|2015a|pp=109–110}}

The twin gods are also referred to as ''Nā́satyā'' (possibly 'saviours'; a derivative of ''nasatí'', 'safe return home'), a name that appears 99 times in the ''Rigveda''.{{Sfn|Parpola|2015a|pp=109–110}} The [[epithet]] probably derives from the [[Proto-Indo-European language|Proto-Indo-European]] root ''*nes-'' ('to return home [safely]'), with [[cognate]]s in the [[Avestan]] ''Nā̊ŋhaiθya'', the name of a demon – as a result of a [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] religious reformation that changed the status of prior deities –, and also in the Greek hero [[Nestor (mythology)|Nestor]] and in the [[Gothic language|Gothic]] verb ''nasjan'' ('save, heal').{{Sfn|Frame|2009|p=}}<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Ahmadi|first=Amir|date=2015|title=Two Chthonic Features of the Daēva Cult in Historical Evidence|journal=History of Religions|volume=54|issue=3|pages=348|doi=10.1086/679000|issn=0018-2710|jstor=10.1086/679000|s2cid=162230518}}</ref>

In the later ''[[Mahabharata]]'', the Ashvins are often called the ''Nasatyas'' or ''Dasras''. Sometimes one of them is referred to as ''Nasatya'' and one as ''Dasra''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Thadani|first=N.v.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MlKeGQiC58oC&q=nasatya+and+dasra&pg=PA362|title=The Mystery of the Mahabharata: Vol. I|publisher=India Research Press|pages=362|language=en}}</ref>

== Origin and equivalents==
The Ashvins are an instance of the [[Proto-Indo-European religion|Indo-European]] [[Divine twins|divine horse twins]].{{Sfn|Mallory|Adams|2006|p=432}}<ref>{{cite book|title=Comparative Mythology|last=Puhvel|first=Jaan|date=1987|publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press|isbn=0-8018-3938-6|location=Baltimore, Maryland|pages=58–61|author-link=Jaan Puhvel}}
</ref>{{Sfn|West|2007|p=187}} Reflexes in other Indo-European religions include the Lithuanian [[Ašvieniai]], the Latvian [[Dieva Dēli]], the Greek [[Castor and Pollux]]; and possibly the English [[Hengist and Horsa]], and the Welsh [[Bran the Blessed|Bran]] and [[Manawydan]].{{Sfn|Mallory|Adams|2006|p=432}}{{sfn|West|2007|p=187–191}} The first mention of the Nasatya twins is from a [[Mitanni-Aryan|Mitanni]] treaty (c.1350 BCE), between [[Suppiluliuma]] and [[Shattiwaza]], respectively kings of the Hittites and the [[Mitanni]].<ref>KBo 1 1. {{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/hittitediplomati00beck_0 |title=Hittite Diplomatic Texts|author=Gary M. Beckman|date=1999 |publisher=Scholars Press|page=[https://archive.org/details/hittitediplomati00beck_0/page/53 53]|isbn=9780788505515|url-access=registration}}. Excerpt http://www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/ranghaya/suppiluliuma_shattiwaza_treaty.htm</ref>

==Literature and legends==
[[File:Birth of the Celestial Twins, Folio from a Harivamsha (Lineage of Vishnu) LACMA M.83.1.7 (1 of 2).jpg|thumb|upright|Birth of Ashwinikumar, a folio from the text ''[[Harivansha]]'']]

===Vedic texts===
The Ashvins are mentioned 398 times in the ''Rigveda'',<ref name=":0" /> with more than 50 hymns specifically dedicated to them: 1.3, 1.22, 1.34, 1.46–47, 1.112, 1.116–120, 1.157–158, 1.180–184, 2.20, 3.58, 4.43–45, 5.73–78, 6.62–63, 7.67–74, 8.5, 8.8–10, 8.22, 8.26, 8.35, 8.57, 8.73, 8.85–87, 10.24, 10.39–41, 10.143.{{Sfn|West|2007|p=187}}

{{Poemquote|text=Your chariot, o Aśvins, swifter than mind, drawn by good horses, comes to the clans.
By which (chariot) you go to the home of the good ritual performer, by that, o men, travel your course to us.
You free Atri, the seer of the five peoples, from narrow straits, from the earth cleft along with his band, o men—confounding the wiles of the merciless Dasyu, driving them out, one after another, o bulls.

O Aśvins—you men, you bulls—by the wondrous powers you draw back together the seer Rebha, who bobbed away in the waters, like a horse hidden by those of evil ways. Your ancient deeds do not grow old.|char=1.117.2–4|sign=|title=|source=The Rigveda, translated by Stephanie W. Jamison (2014){{sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|pp=272–273}}}}
According to the text, the Ashvins were born after the sun god [[Vivasvat]] and his wife [[Saranyu]] (Sanjna) engaged in love making in the form of a stallion and a mare respectively.{{sfn|Lang|1887}} The Ashvins are also called "''divó nápātā"'', which is variously translated as either "sons" or "grandsons" of Dyaush.{{sfn|West|2007|p=187–191}}{{Sfn|Parpola|2015a|pp=109–110}}<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Macdonell|first=Arthur Anthony|title=Vedic Mythology|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1897|pages=51}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book|last1=De Witt Griswold|first1=Harvey|title=The Religion of the Rigveda|last2=Farquhar|first2=J. N.|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1923|pages=262}}</ref> At one mention, the [[Indus River|Indus (Sindhu) River]] is stated to be their mother.{{sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|p=157}} Ashvins were the close companions of the Vedic mother goddess [[Ushas]] (dawn) and sometimes they are even mentioned as her sons.{{sfn|Kinsley|1988|p=6}} The marriage of the Ashvin brothers is narrated in the ''Sukta'' 117 of Rigveda. According to the legend, the sun god, Surya-[[Savitra]], had a daughter named Sūryā (with a long ā) and arranged a horse-race to choose her bridegroom. The Ashvins won the race and thus, both of them married Suryā.{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=71}}{{sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|p=48}}{{efn|Contradictory to this, some chapters of Rigveda suggest that Sūryā's bridegroom was the god Soma and the Ashvins were his friends.{{sfn|Kramisch|Miller|1983|p=171}}}} [[Pushan]] is also stated to have chosen the Ashvins to be his fathers.<ref name=":2" />{{Sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|p=1522}}

The Ashvins are depicted as the helpers of mortals in various ''suktas'' of Rigveda. The ''sukta'' 112 describes that when the sage Dirghashravas prayed to Ashvins for rain, the twins poured sweet water from the sky. According to ''sukta'' 16, they also helped the sage Gotama, who was lost in a desert and begged for water. It is described that the gods dug a water well and helped the sage.{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=71}} According to another account, Rebha was bound, stabbed, and cast into the waters for nine days and ten nights before being saved by the twins. He was explicitly described as "dead" when the twins "raised (him) up" to save him (''RV'' 10.39.9). Similarly, Bhujyu was saved after his father or evil companions abandoned him at sea when the twins brought him home from the dead ancestors (''RV,'' 1.119.4).{{Sfn|Frame|2009|p=}}

The Ashvins also raised Vandana, rescued Atri from a fissure in the earth and its heat, found Vishnapu and returned him to his father, restored the youth of Kali, brought Kamadyū as a wife for Vimada, gave a son to Vadhrimatī (whose husband was a steer), restored the eyesight of Rijrashva, replaced the foot of [[Vishpala]] with a metal one, made the cow Śayu give milk, gave a horse to Pedu, and put a horse's head on [[Dadhichi|Dadhyañc]].{{sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|p=48}}
According to the ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]'', Ashvins once tried to seduce [[Sukanya]], the daughter of king Saryati and wife of an old sage named [[Chyavana]]. However, she refused and claimed that the twins were imperfect and told them to restore the youth of Chyavana. Desperate to know the reason for her words, they fulfilled her condition and the sage finally revealed that Ashvins were excluded from a [[yajna]] (fire sacrifice) performed by the gods, and thus, they were incomplete. Ashvins went to the sacrifice but the gods don't accept, claiming that the Ashvins were spending too much time with the mortals. After many attempts of explanation, they were finally accepted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FeAyMeaRwtMC&q=chyavana+sukanya&pg=PA342|title = "The" Vishnu Purana ; 3: A System of Hindu Mythology and Tradition ; Translated from the Original Sanskrit, and Illustrated by Notes Derived Chiefly from Other Puranas|year = 1866|last1 = Wilson|first1 = Horace H.}}</ref> The Ashvins are sometimes presented as fierce deities. In the ''sukta'' 117, they even destroyed an ''[[asura]]'' Vishvaka as well as his dynasty.{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=71}}

=== Post-Vedic text ===
[[File:Sukanya praying to Aswini kumaras to reveal her husband's identity.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Sukanya praying to the Ashvini Kumaras to reveal her husband's identity]]
In the post-Vedic texts of Hinduism, the Ashvins remain significant, and in these texts, one of them is referred as Nasatya and the another one is known as Darsa. Many of their legends are rewritten in various texts like the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', ''[[Harivansha|Harivamsha]],'' and the ''[[Puranas]]''.

According to these texts, Sanjna, daughter of [[Vishvakarma]], was married to Surya, but she was unable to bear his heat and decided to abandon him. She ran away and roamed in the forest of northern [[Kuru kingdom]] in the form of a mare. The ''[[Vishnu Purana]]'' adds that she performed austerities in the forest to gain control over Surya's heat. After Surya discovered Sanjna's disappearance, he located her and made love with her in a form of stallion. Sanjna gave birth to the twins.{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=69}} Rarely, in some ''Purana''s, Ashvins are mentioned as the sons (creation) of the god [[Brahma]].{{sfn|Dalal|2010|p=64}}

These texts also elaborate the story of [[Chyavana]], which was first narrated in [[Brahmanas]].{{sfn|Dalal|2010|p=100}} In this version, [[Sukanya]]{{mdash}}the beautiful daughter of the king Saryati{{mdash}}
accidentally blinded the old Chyavana, who was performing austerities. She married him to save her kingdom from his wrath and served him dutifully.{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=69}} While traveling on their chariot, the Ashvins saw Sukanya in a forest and tried to seduce her. They asked her to choose one of them as her new husband, but she refused and remained faithful to Chyavana. The twins were impressed by her chastity and asked her to wish anything. Upon their request, she told them to restore the youth and sight of Chyavana. Ashvins agreed but they had a condition. After curing Chyavana, they would also take similar form and she would have to identify Chyavana. Sukanya showed her consent after getting permission from her husband. Ashvins took Chyavana into a lake and cured him. When a young Chyavana emerged from the lake, Ashvins also took forms similar to him and Sukanya successfully identified her husband.{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=70}}{{sfn|Dalal|2010|p=101}}

The ''Mahabharata'' also narrates about the birth of Nakula and Sahadeva, who were the “spiritual sons” of the Ashvins. According to the epic, a king named [[Pandu]] was unable to make love due to a curse and didn't have any heir. However, he advised his wives, [[Kunti]] and [[Madri]], to invoke various gods and ask for sons. Ashvins Nasatya and Darsa blessed Madri with Nakula and Sahadeva respectively.{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=71}}<ref>Hindu World: An Encyclopedic Survey of Hinduism. Volume II M-Z. Benjamin Walker. Routledge. 2019. Entry: "Pandava"</ref>

== Associations ==
[[File:Thewakamnoet (1959, p. 147).jpg|thumb|Thai depiction of the Horse-faced Ashvins on a chariot]]
The Ashvins are often associated with rescuing mortals and bringing them back to life.<ref>{{Harvnb|Frame|2009}}, §1.43.</ref>{{efn|See [[#Vedic texts]] section of Literature and legends}} The ''[[Rigveda]]'' also describes the Ashvins as "bringing light": they gave "light-bringing help" (''svàrvatīr''…''ūtī́r'', 1.119.8) to Bhujyu, and "raised (Rebha) up to see the sun" (''úd''…''aírayataṃ svàr dṛśé'', 1.112.5).<ref>{{Harvnb|Frame|2009}}, §1.44.</ref>{{Sfn|West|2007|p=187}}

The Ashvins are associated with honey, which was likely offered to them in a sacrifice. They are the chief deities in the [[Pravargya|Pravargya rite]], in which they are offered hot milk. They are also associated with the morning pressing of [[Soma (drink)|Soma]], because they are dual deities, along with [[Indra]]-[[Vayu|Vāyu]] and [[Mitra (Vedic)|Mitra]]-[[Varuna|Varuṇa]]. They also are the last deities to receive Soma in the Atirātra, or Overnight Soma Ritual.{{sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|p=47}}

The Ashvins are invoked at dawn, the time of their principal sacrifice, and have a close connection with the dawn goddess, [[Ushas|Uṣas]]: she is bidden to awaken them (8.9.17), they follow her in their chariot (8.5.2), she is born when they hitch their steeds (10.39.12), and their chariot is once said to arrive before her (1.34.10). They are consequently associated with the "return from darkness": the twins are called “darkness slayers” (''tamohánā'', 3.39.3), they are invoked with the formula "you who have made light for mankind" (''yā́v''…''jyótir jánāya cakráthuḥ'', 1.92.17), and their horses and chariot are described as "uncovering the covered darkness" (''aporṇuvántas táma ā́ párīvṛtam'', 4.45.2).<ref>{{Harvnb|Frame|2009}}, §1.45.</ref>

The chariot of the Ashvins is repeatedly mentioned in the ''Rigveda''. Their chariot has three chariot-boxes, three wheels, three turnings, and three wheel rims. The emphasis on the number 3 is symbolized in the sacrifice with its three soma pressings. The chariot is pulled by bulls, buffaloes, horses, birds, geese, and falcons. The chariot allows the Ashvins to be quick and mobile and travel to a number of places, which is necessary to fulfill their role of rescuing people. Vaishnavivati, the daughter of King Adrashya Kumara and Queen Rohinivati, is sometimes mentioned as the wife of the Ashvins, and she rides with them in their chariot.{{sfn|Jamison|Brereton|2014|p=48}}

It is also believed that the Ashvins were the first one to prepare the [[Chyawanprash]] formulation for Rishi [[Chyavana]] at his [[Ashram]] on [[Dhosi Hill]] near [[Narnaul]], [[Haryana]], [[India]], hence the name ''Chyawanprash''.<ref>Panda, H; ''Handbook on Ayurvedic Medicines With Formulae, Processes And Their Uses'', 2004, p10 {{ISBN|978-81-86623-63-3}}</ref>

==See also==
[[Ašvieniai]], counterparts in [[Lithuanian mythology]]

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DH0vmD8ghdMC&q=Ashvins+brahma|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2010|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-14-341421-6|language=en}}
* {{Cite web|last=Frame|first=Douglas|title=Hippota Nestor - 3. Vedic|date=2009|url=https://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/5466.ch-3-vedic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920133941/https://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/5466.ch-3-vedic|archive-date=20 September 2019|website=Center for Hellenic Studies}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Jamison |first1=Stephanie W. |last2=Brereton |first2=Joel P. |title=The Rigveda: The Earliest Religious Poetry of India|date=2014 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-937018-4 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1-PRAwAAQBAJ}}
* {{cite book |last=Kinsley |first=David |title=Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition|url=https://archive.org/details/hindugoddessesvi0000kins |url-access=registration|year=1988|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-90883-3|pages=[https://archive.org/details/hindugoddessesvi0000kins/page/7 7]–8}}
* {{Cite book|last1=Kramisch|first1=Stella|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bxPeWwFz9MkC&q=S%C5%ABry%C4%81+asvins&pg=PP197|title=Exploring India's Sacred Art|last2=Miller|first2=Barbara|publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited|year=1983|isbn=81-208-1208-5|location=Shri Jainendra Press A-45, Naraina Industrial Area, Phase I, New Delhi-110 028, India|page=171}}
* {{Cite book|last=Lang|first=Andrew|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ClcWhh1eYPEC&q=Vivasvat+a%C5%9Bvins&pg=PA156|title=Myth, Ritual and Religion|date=1887|publisher=Longmans, Green|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|title=The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European and the Proto-Indo-European World|last1=Mallory|first1=James P.|last2=Adams|first2=Douglas Q.|date=2006|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-929668-2|location=Oxford, England|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tF5wAAAAIAAJ}}
* {{Cite book|last=Mani|first=Vettam|pages= [https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft/page/69/mode/2up 69]|title=Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature|date=1975|publisher=Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass|others=Robarts - University of Toronto}}
* {{Cite book|last=Parpola|first=Asko|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DagXCgAAQBAJ|title=The Roots of Hinduism: The Early Aryans and the Indus Civilization|date=2015a|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-022693-0|language=en|author-link=Asko Parpola}}
* {{Cite book|last=West|first=Martin L.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZXrJA_5LKlYC|title=Indo-European Poetry and Myth|date=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-928075-9 |author-link=Martin Litchfield West}}
{{refend}}

===Further reading===
{{refbegin}}
* [[Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend]] ({{ISBN|0-500-51088-1}}) by Anna L. Dallapiccola
* {{cite journal |last1=BOSCH |first1=F. D. K. |title=De Aśvin-goden en de epische tweelingen in de oudjavaanse kunst en literatuur |trans-title=The Aśvin godlings and the epic twins in old-javanese art and literature |language=nl |journal=Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde |date=1967 |volume=123 |issue=4 |pages=427–441 |doi=10.1163/22134379-90002890 |id={{ProQuest|1130862317}} |jstor=27860895 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Chakravarty |first1=Uma |title=The Aśvins: an Incarnation of the Universal Twinship Motif |journal=Annals of the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute |date=1989 |volume=70 |issue=1/4 |pages=137–143 |jstor=41693465 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=JAMISON |first1=S. W. |title=Review of Les Nāsatya, Volume II |journal=Indo-Iranian Journal |date=2002 |volume=45 |issue=4 |pages=347–350 |doi=10.1163/000000002124994928 |jstor=24664156 }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Mitra |first1=Jyotir |title=Ashvins, the Twin Celestial Physicians, and Their Medical Skill |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |date=1984 |volume=45 |pages=220–228 |jstor=44140202 }}
* {{cite book |doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780190226909.003.0011 |chapter=The Aśvins as Funerary Gods |title=The Roots of Hinduism |year=2015b |last1=Parpola |first1=Asko |pages=117–129 |isbn=978-0-19-022690-9 }}
* {{Cite web|last=Parva|first=Paushya|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01004.htm|title=Section III (Paushya Parva|pages=32–33|access-date=1 November 2013|publisher=Sacred Texts}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
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{{HinduMythology}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Asvins}}
[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Divine twins]]
[[Category:Health gods]]
[[Category:Hindu gods]]
[[Category:Rigvedic deities]]
[[Category:Savior gods]]
[[Category:Medicine deities]]

Vrishaketu

2023-05-24T12:09:25Z

Gomateshwari:

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
{{one source|date=September 2018}}

{{short description|Figure from the Mahabharata epic}}
{{Infobox character
| color = #FFC569
| caption = A painting depicting Vrishaketu (bottom) fighting [[Babruvahana]].
| info-hdr = Information
| name = Vrishaketu
| gender = Male
| family = {{unbulleted list|
[[Karna]] ( Father)
[[List of characters in Mahabharata#Padmavati|Padmavati]] ( Mother) 
[[Surya]] (Grand Father)
[[Kunti]] ( Grand Mother)
|[[Vrishasena]], Chitrasena, [[Satyasena]], Sushena, Shatrunjaya, Dvipata, Banasena, and Prasena (Brothers) 
[[Supriya]] (Step Mother)
| Sudama (Step Brothers), Ratnamala (Stepsister)
|[[Pandava]]s (uncles)}}
| image = File:Vrishaketu Shoots Babhruvahana into the Air on a Circle of Arrows (recto), Babhruvahana Resumes his Fight with Vrishaketu (verso), Scenes from the Story of Babhruvahana, Folio from a LACMA M.71.1.30a-b (2 of 2).jpg
}}

'''Vrishaketu''' is a central figure in the [[Sanskrit]] epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was the son of [[Karna]] and Princess Padmavati, Bhanumati and Geeta's friend and also the youngest of Karna and Padmavati's sons. He was the main protagonist of post-war Mahabharat. He was the only surviving son of Karna as he didn't participate in the [[Kurukshetra War]] because of his young age. After [[Arjuna]] got to know that Karna was his elder brother, he trained Vrishaketu. Later, Vrishaketu went to the kingdom of [[Manipur (Mahabharata)|Manipura]] with Arjuna and was killed by [[Babruvahana]], Arjuna and [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]]'s son in a battle. In some versions of the epic, Vrishaketu was revived by Krishna, as Arjuna was crestfallen having failed to keep his promise to take care of his elder brother's son.

== Life ==
Vrishaketu was the youngest son of [[Karna]] and [[Supriya (Karna's wife)|Supriya]]. He is the only son of Karna among tenth to survive the [[Mahabharata]] war. Once Karna's identity was revealed, he was taken under the patronage of the [[Pandava]]s. He was the last mortal who had the knowledge of Divyastras like [[Brahmastra]] and [[Varunastra]]. It is said that all the Pandavas especially [[Arjuna]] had great affection towards him. So, Arjuna taught him all the skills of archery. Krishna asked Vrishaketu for something; Vrishaketu told him he will give him whatever he asks for; and Krishna asked him to not teach anybody the knowledge of divine and celestial weapons.

Before the Ashwamedha Yagna, he took part in several wars with Arjuna against other kings.<ref name=herit1>Himanshu Agarwal, 2016, [https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=lfO7DAAAQBAJ&pg=PT140&dq=Vrishaketu++%2B+Anga+%2B&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwid8c7G1PDwAhXvFLcAHb6hDjkQ6AEwAnoECAoQAg#v=onepage&q=Vrishaketu%20%20%2B%20Anga%20%2B&f=false Mahabharata Retold: Part - 1], Notion Press.</ref> Vrishaketu was also an active participant in [[Yudhishthira]]'s [[Ashvamedha]] yagna. During the campaign, he married the daughter of King Yavanata. Later in the conquest, both Vrishaketu and Arjuna were killed by[[Ashvamedha|Babruvahana. Arjuna]] was revived by Krishna using a [[Snake-stone|Nagmani]].<ref>{{cite book| last=Ganguli|first=Kisari Mohan|title=The Mahabharata: Book 14: Anugita Parva|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14079.htm |publisher=[[Internet Sacred Text Archive]] |chapter=SECTION LXXIX|date=1883–1896|access-date=3 April 2016}}</ref> In some versions of the Mahabharata, Vrishaketu was revived by Krishna and was made the king of [[Anga]] and Indraprastha. Prior to the Mahabharata war, the kingdom of Anga was given to Karna by [[Duryodhana]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2020}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
* Mrityunjaya, the Death Conqueror: The Story of Karna.
*[https://sheetaluwach.com/glossary-indian-scriptures/ Glossary of Terms in Indian Scriptures]: Source of Information

{{Mahabharata|state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

{{Hindu-myth-stub}}