Madri
The exceptionally beautiful Princess of Madra, and the deeply loved second wife of King Pandu, acquired by Bhishma through a massive payment of wealth to secure the political alliance. She accompanied Pandu and Kunti into their harsh, self-imposed exile in the forest following the king's devastating curse prohibiting physical intimacy. Through the generous sharing of the celestial mantra by her co-wife Kunti, Madri invoked the divine twin horsemen, the Ashvins, giving birth to the incredibly handsome Nakula and the staggering intellect Sahadeva. Tragically, her overwhelming beauty caused a fatal lapse in Pandu's judgment; unable to resist his desire for her, he embraced her and instantly died fulfilling the curse. Overwhelmed by agonizing guilt and asserting her position as the favorite, she entrusted her infant twins to Kunti's care and committed Sati on Pandu's funeral pyre, demonstrating fierce devotion but permanently shifting the emotional burden of raising all five princes onto Kunti.
Understanding this Character
Parva refers to a book or section of the Mahabharata. The epic consists of 18 main Parvas, each covering major portions of the story. Characters often appear across multiple Parvas as the narrative progresses.
Character Alignment
Relationship Map
Husband(1)
Understanding Relationships
The Mahabharata features complex family trees with both divine and mortal lineages. Many characters have divine parentage (gods fathering children) through the practice of niyoga or divine boons. Click on any character to explore their full profile and connections.
Lesser-Known Facts
- A prominent figure in the Mahabharata associated with the supporting.