Draupadi and Krishna are two of the most important characters of the Mahabharata. Though they know each other through their common link, the Pandavas, Draupadi and Krishna build a strong relationship of their own during the story. In this post, we will answer the question: What was the friendship between …
The death of Draupadi is one of the most important episodes of the Mahabharata. It occurs thirty six years after the Pandavas win the war of Kurukshetra, during the Mahaprasthanika Parva. In this post, we will answer the question: How did Draupadi die? Draupadi falls to her death soon after …
Dhrishtadyumna is the son of Drupada, the king of Panchala in the Mahabharata. He is the elder brother of Draupadi, and through her marriage to the Pandavas, becomes their brother-in-law. In the Mahabharata war, Dhrishtadyumna serves as the commander-in-chief of the Panchala forces that fight the Kauravas on behalf of …
Karna is the first son of Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas in the Mahabharata. He is also a close friend of Duryodhana, the eldest of the hundred sons of Dhritarashtra who are together called the Kauravas. Duryodhana is the story’s prime antagonist, and Karna becomes his prime ally in …
Dushasana is the younger brother of Duryodhana, the main antagonist of the Mahabharata. Along with Shakuni and Karna, Dushasana and Duryodhana form the ‘wicked quartet’ of the story. Dushasana’s life is characterized by blind obedience to all of Duryodhana’s instructions and plans. The most significant event of his life is …
Duryodhana is the main antagonist of the Mahabharata. He is the eldest son of King Dhritarashtra and Queen Gandhari of Hastinapur. He and his ninety nine younger brothers are together called the Kauravas. Central to Duryodhana’s life is his belief that Dhritarashtra was the rightful king of Hastinapur, and that …
Drona is the preceptor of the Kauravas and Pandavas in the Mahabharata. He is the son of Sage Bharadwaja, famously taking birth in an earthen vessel – a ‘Drona’. Despite being a Brahmin by birth, Drona becomes tired of living a life of penury with his wife Kripa and son …
Bhishma is the most long-standing character in the Mahabharata. He is the eighth son of Ganga, the divine river goddess, and Shantanu the king of Hastinapur. Bhishma’s original name is Devavrata. During his sixteenth year, he takes a lifelong oath of celibacy in order to ensure that his father can …
Abhimanyu is the son of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. He is the most significant among the Pandavas’ sons. He is believed to be the incarnation of Varcha, the son of Soma the moon god. Abhimanyu achieves glory by bravely entering the Chakravyuha (or the ‘wheel formation’) designed by Drona on …
Abhimanyu is the son of Arjuna in the Mahabharata. He is the most significant among the Pandavas’ sons. He is believed to be the incarnation of Varcha, the son of Soma the moon god. Abhimanyu achieves glory by bravely entering the Chakravyuha (or the ‘wheel formation’) designed by Drona on …