Characters of the Mahabharata

Discover the legendary figures who shaped the greatest epic ever told. From divine beings and noble heroes to tragic villains and wise sages, explore their stories, relationships, and roles in this timeless tale of dharma.

95

Total Characters

10

Protagonists

9

Antagonists

9

Divine

67

Supporting

New to the Mahabharata?

The Mahabharata is one of the world's longest epics, with hundreds of interconnected characters. Start with the Pandavas(the five noble brothers) and Krishna to understand the central narrative. Each character profile includes family connections, key moments, and explanations of terms to help you navigate this rich story.

Showing 95 of 95 characters

Y

Yudhishtira

Also known as: Dharmaraja

Protagonist

Eldest of the Pandava brothers, born to Queen Kunti through the direct invocation of Dharma (Yama, the God of Righteousness). Officially cro...

Son of Dharma (Yama)Child of Kunti
Appears in 22 Parvas
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B

Bhima

Also known as: Vrikodara

Protagonist

The second Pandava brother, born to Kunti through the invocation of Vayu (the Wind God), Bhima operates as the terrifying, unstoppable physi...

Son of Vayu (Wind God)Child of Kunti
Appears in 22 Parvas
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A

Arjuna

Also known as: Partha

Protagonist

The third Pandava brother, born to Kunti through Indra (King of the Gods), Arjuna stands as the undisputed greatest archer of his era and th...

Son of Indra (Rain God)Child of Kunti
Appears in 22 Parvas
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N

Nakula

Also known as: Madreya

Protagonist

The fourth Pandava brother, born alongside his twin Sahadeva to Madri through the invocation of the celestial Ashvins, Nakula represents the...

Son of Ashvins (twin gods)Child of Madri
Appears in 22 Parvas
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S

Sahadeva

Also known as: Madreya

Protagonist

The youngest of the five Pandava brothers, born alongside Nakula to Madri through the celestial Ashvins, Sahadeva is uniquely defined by his...

Son of Ashvins (twin gods)Child of Madri
Appears in 22 Parvas
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D

Draupadi

Also known as: Krishnaa

Protagonist

The staggeringly beautiful, fiery, and fiercely intelligent queen of the Pandavas, born not from a womb but miraculously emerging fully grow...

Son of DrupadaFather of Prativindhya
Appears in 22 Parvas
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K

Kunti

Also known as: Pritha

Supporting

The deeply intelligent, resilient matriarch of the Pandavas, born as Princess Pritha but given in adoption to King Kuntibhoja. As a young gi...

Son of ShurasenaWife of Pandu
Appears in 21 Parvas
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M

Madri

Also known as: Madri

Supporting

The exceptionally beautiful Princess of Madra, and the deeply loved second wife of King Pandu, acquired by Bhishma through a massive payment...

Wife of PanduFather of Nakula
Appears in 1 Parvas
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P

Pandu

Also known as: Pandu

Supporting

Father of the Pandavas, king of Hastinapura. Cursed by a sage to die if he embraced any woman, he retired to the forest with his wives where...

Son of VyasaChild of Ambalika
Appears in 1 Parvas
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K

Karna

Also known as: Radheya

Antagonist

One of the most tragic and intensely compelling figures in world literature, Karna was the secret, illegitimate firstborn son of Queen Kunti...

Son of Surya (Sun God)Child of Kunti
Appears in 17 Parvas
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D

Duryodhana

Also known as: Suyodhana

Antagonist

The eldest of the hundred Kaurava brothers, born to the blind King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari from a sterile mass of flesh blessed by...

Son of DhritarashtraChild of Gandhari
Appears in 17 Parvas
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D

Dushasana

Also known as: Duhshasana

Antagonist

The fiercely arrogant, deeply sadistic second brother of Duryodhana, acting as his brother's most loyal enforcer and the primary physical in...

Son of DhritarashtraChild of Gandhari
Appears in 11 Parvas
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D

Dhritarashtra

Also known as: King of Hastinapura

Antagonist

The blind king of Hastinapura, born visually impaired to Ambika via Vyasa's Niyoga, whose physical blindness operates as a profound, running...

Son of VyasaChild of Ambika
Appears in 18 Parvas
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G

Gandhari

Also known as: Gandhari

Supporting

The formidable and profoundly tragic Queen of Hastinapura, a devoted princess of Gandhara who made the radical, lifelong decision to permane...

Son of Subala (King of Gandhara)Wife of Dhritarashtra
Appears in 18 Parvas
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S

Shakuni

Also known as: Saubala

Antagonist

The cunning, manipulative Prince (and later King) of Gandhara and the brother of Queen Gandhari, Shakuni operates as the primary, architect...

Son of Subala
Appears in 9 Parvas
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B

Bhishma

Also known as: Devavrata

Protagonist

The towering, tragic patriarch of the entire Kuru dynasty, born as Devavrata, the son of King Shantanu and the river goddess Ganga. He earne...

Son of ShantanuChild of Ganga
Appears in 15 Parvas
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D

Drona

Also known as: Dronacharya

Supporting

The supremely skilled but deeply compromised royal preceptor to both the Kaurava and Pandava princes, born miraculously from a wooden vessel...

Son of Bharadwaja
Appears in 11 Parvas
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A

Ashwatthama

Also known as: Drona's son

Antagonist

The intensely fierce, ultimately monstrous son of Drona and Kripi, born with a divine gemstone embedded in his forehead that granted him imm...

Son of DronaChild of Kripi
Appears in 12 Parvas
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K

Kripa

Also known as: Kripacharya

Supporting

The highly skilled, deeply conflicted royal martial arts preceptor (Kripacharya) who survived the apocalyptic war through sheer immortality...

Appears in 11 Parvas
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K

Krishna

Also known as: Vasudeva

Divine

The supreme divine orchestrator of the entire epic, stepping onto the human stage as the charismatic, politically brilliant prince of Dwarka...

Son of VasudevaChild of Devaki
Appears in 20 Parvas
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B

Balarama

Also known as: Baladeva

Divine

The physically massive, plow-wielding elder brother of Lord Krishna, operating as a fiercely independent, highly volatile neutral force whos...

Son of VasudevaChild of Rohini
Appears in 10 Parvas
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V

Vidura

Also known as: Vidura

Supporting

The profoundly wise, deeply respected Prime Minister of Hastinapura, born to an ordinary palace maid through the Niyoga of Sage Vyasa, funct...

Son of VyasaChild of Ambika's maid
Appears in 17 Parvas
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S

Shantanu

Also known as: Shantanu

Supporting

The illustrious, highly romantic early monarch of the Kuru dynasty whose profound entanglements with mysterious women set the catastrophic g...

Son of PratipaFather of Bhishma (Devavrata)
Appears in 1 Parvas
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V

Vyasa

Also known as: Vedavyasa

Divine

The monumental author and simultaneously a direct, highly influential participant in the entire Mahabharata epic, known formally as Krishna...

Son of ParasaraChild of Satyavati
Appears in 11 Parvas
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D

Drupada

Also known as: Yajnasena

Supporting

The intensely proud King of Panchala whose entire life is defined by a desperate, consuming desire for political revenge, initiating the bir...

Appears in 10 Parvas
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D

Dhrishtadyumna

Also known as: Dhrishtadyumna

Supporting

Son of Drupada, twin brother of Draupadi, born from fire with his sister. Commander-in-chief of the Pandava army. Prophesied to kill Drona,...

Son of Drupada
Appears in 10 Parvas
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S

Shikhandi

Also known as: Shikhandini

Supporting

The fiercely determined, uniquely positioned warrior of Panchala whose highly complex gender identity and reincarnated desire for vengeance...

Son of Drupada
Appears in 5 Parvas
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A

Abhimanyu

Also known as: Abhimanyu

Protagonist

The extraordinarily heroic, incredibly tragic sixteen-year-old son of Arjuna and Subhadra (Krishna's sister), representing the pinnacle of r...

Son of ArjunaChild of Subhadra
Appears in 6 Parvas
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G

Ghatotkacha

Also known as: Rakshasa prince

Supporting

The terrifying, fiercely loyal half-demon (Rakshasa) son of Bhima and the demoness Hidimba, who operated as the Pandavas' most devastating a...

Son of BhimaChild of Hidimba
Appears in 8 Parvas
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V

Virata

Also known as: Virata

Supporting

King of Matsya kingdom where the Pandavas spent their year of incognito exile. His daughter Uttara married Abhimanyu. Died fighting for the...

Appears in 5 Parvas
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S

Shalya

Also known as: Shalya

Antagonist

King of Madra, maternal uncle of Nakula and Sahadeva. Originally intended to support the Pandavas but tricked by Duryodhana into fighting fo...

Father of Rukmangada
Appears in 7 Parvas
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J

Jayadratha

Also known as: Jayadratha

Antagonist

King of Sindhu, husband of Duhshala (Duryodhana's sister). Once tried to abduct Draupadi and was humiliated by the Pandavas. Had a boon that...

Son of Vridhakshtra
Appears in 6 Parvas
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P

Parikshit

Also known as: Parikshit

Protagonist

The incredibly crucial, sole surviving biological heir to the massive Kuru dynasty, whose very existence represents the fragile, devastating...

Son of AbhimanyuChild of Uttara
Appears in 11 Parvas
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S

Sanjaya

Also known as: Sanjaya

Supporting

The highly intelligent, deeply philosophical charioteer and closest personal advisor to the blind King Dhritarashtra, functioning as the cru...

Son of Gavalgana
Appears in 8 Parvas
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S

Satyavati

Also known as: Satyavati

Supporting

The fiercely ambitious, politically brilliant matriarch whose aggressive actions to secure her bloodline on the Kuru throne inadvertently sp...

Son of Uparichara Vasu (fish-nymph mother)Wife of Shantanu
Appears in 1 Parvas
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G

Ganga

Also known as: Jahnavi

Divine

The personification of the sacred river Ganges, who becomes the brief but momentous mortal wife of King Shantanu.

Married to ShantanuFather of Bhishma
Appears in 1 Parvas
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A

Amba

Also known as: Shikhandini

Supporting

The eldest princess of Kashi, whose abduction by Bhishma initiates a tragic cycle of humiliation and a lifelong vow of vengeance.

Son of King of Kashi
Appears in 3 Parvas
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A

Ambika

Supporting

The second princess of Kashi, wife of Vichitravirya, and the mother of Dhritarashtra.

Son of King of KashiMarried to Vichitravirya
Appears in 1 Parvas
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A

Ambalika

Supporting

The youngest princess of Kashi, wife of Vichitravirya, and the mother of Pandu.

Son of King of KashiMarried to Vichitravirya
Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Satyaki

Also known as: Yuyudhana

Protagonist

A fierce and highly skilled Vrishni warrior from Krishna's clan, deeply devoted to Arjuna, fighting for the Pandavas.

Son of Satyaka
Appears in 6 Parvas
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K

Kritavarma

Antagonist

A prominent Yadava commander who leads Krishna's Narayani Sena for the Kauravas and partakes in the midnight massacre.

Son of Hridika
Appears in 7 Parvas
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D

Dharma

Divine

The god of justice and righteousness. He is the divine father of Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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P

Prativindhya

Supporting

Eldest son of Yudhishthira and Draupadi.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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V

Vayu

Divine

The god of the wind. He is the divine father of Bhima, endowing him with immense physical strength.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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H

Hidimba

Supporting

Hidimba is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of line...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Sutasoma

Supporting

Sutasoma is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of lin...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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I

Indra

Divine

The king of the gods and lord of thunder. He is the divine father of Arjuna, giving him unparalleled skills in archery.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Subhadra

Supporting

Krishna's half-sister, Arjuna's wife, and mother of Abhimanyu. She forms a crucial link between the Yadavas and Pandavas.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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U

Ulupi

Supporting

A Naga princess who abducted and later married Arjuna. She gave him a son, Iravan, and played a vital role in resurrecting Arjuna after his...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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C

Chitrangada

Supporting

Princess of Manipur and one of Arjuna's wives. Unlike customary princesses, she was raised as a warrior to inherit the throne.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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I

Iravan

Supporting

The son of Arjuna and the Naga princess Ulupi. He fought valiantly on the side of the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra war and sacrificed himself...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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B

Babhruvahana

Supporting

The son of Arjuna and Chitrangada. He inherited the kingdom of Manipur and famously defeated his father Arjuna in battle during the Ashvamed...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Shrutakarma

Supporting

Shrutakarma is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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A

Ashvins

Divine

The twin Vedic gods of medicine and healing. They are the divine fathers of Nakula and Sahadeva.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Shatanika

Supporting

Son of Nakula and Draupadi, named in honor of a great rishi.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Shrutasena

Supporting

Shrutasena is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of l...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Shurasena

Supporting

Shurasena is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of li...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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K

Kuntibhoja

Supporting

Kuntibhoja is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of l...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Surya

Divine

The Sun god. He is the divine father of Karna, blessing his son with natural golden armor and earrings.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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A

Adhiratha

Supporting

Adhiratha is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of li...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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R

Radha

Supporting

Radha is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of lineag...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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V

Vrushali

Supporting

Vrushali is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of lin...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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B

Bhanumati

Supporting

Bhanumati is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of li...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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V

Vikarna

Supporting

One of the hundred Kaurava brothers. He was the only one who openly protested against the humiliation of Draupadi in the dice hall.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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C

Chitrasena

Supporting

Chitrasena is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of l...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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LK

Lakshmana Kumara

Supporting

Lakshmana Kumara is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast networ...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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D

Duhshala

Supporting

The only sister to the hundred Kaurava brothers. She was married to Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Subala

Supporting

Subala is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of linea...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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V

Vichitravirya

Supporting

The son of Shantanu and Satyavati, and the grandfather of the Pandavas and Kauravas. He had two wives, Ambika and Ambalika.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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B

Bharadwaja

Supporting

A revered sage and the father of Dronacharya, the martial preceptor of the Kurus.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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K

Kripi

Supporting

Kripi is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of lineag...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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V

Vasudeva

Supporting

The prince of the Yadavas, brother of Kunti, and father of Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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D

Devaki

Supporting

The wife of Vasudeva and the mother of Lord Krishna. She endured immense suffering under her brother Kamsa's imprisonment.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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R

Rukmini

Supporting

The chief queen of Krishna and the princess of Vidarbha. She eloped with Krishna to avoid an arranged marriage with Shishupala.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Satyabhama

Supporting

One of Krishna's principal wives, known for her strong will and martial skills. She accompanied Krishna to defeat the demon Narakasura.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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P

Pradyumna

Supporting

Pradyumna is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of li...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Samba

Supporting

Samba is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of lineag...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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R

Rohini

Supporting

Rohini is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of linea...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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R

Revati

Supporting

Revati is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of linea...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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AM

Ambika's maid

Supporting

Ambika's maid is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network o...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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P

Pratipa

Supporting

Pratipa is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of line...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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P

Parasara

Supporting

Parasara is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of lin...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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U

Uttara

Supporting

Uttara is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of linea...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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B

Barbarika

Supporting

Barbarika is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of li...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Sudeshna

Supporting

Sudeshna is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of lin...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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MF

Madri's father

Supporting

Madri's father is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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R

Rukmangada

Supporting

Rukmangada is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of l...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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R

Rukmaratha

Supporting

Rukmaratha is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of l...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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V

Vridhakshtra

Supporting

Vridhakshtra is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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J

Janamejaya

Supporting

The great-grandson of Arjuna and son of Parikshit. He organized the snake sacrifice (Sarpasatra) where the Mahabharata was narrated to him.

Appears in 1 Parvas
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G

Gavalgana

Supporting

Gavalgana is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of li...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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UV

Uparichara Vasu

Supporting

Uparichara Vasu is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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KO

King of Kashi

Supporting

King of Kashi is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network o...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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S

Satyaka

Supporting

Satyaka is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of line...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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H

Hridika

Supporting

Hridika is a notable character mentioned in the epic genealogies of the Mahabharata. They play a supporting part in the vast network of line...

Appears in 1 Parvas
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Key Terms to Know

Parva

A major book or section of the Mahabharata. The epic has 18 main Parvas (like Adi Parva, Bhishma Parva) plus a supplement.

Dharma

Righteousness, duty, and moral law. Characters are often tested on their understanding and commitment to dharma.

Niyoga

An ancient practice where a designated man begets children upon a widow or wife of an incapable husband to continue the lineage.

Swayamvara

A ceremony where a princess chooses her husband from among assembled suitors, often through a contest of skill.

Avatar

A deliberate descent of a deity to Earth. Krishna is the avatar of Vishnu, while other characters are partial incarnations.

Guru/Acharya

A teacher or master. Dronacharya was the weapons teacher to both Pandavas and Kauravas.