Ganga is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. She is the first wife of King Shantanu, the king of Hastinapur. She is the biological mother of Bhishma. Ganga plays an important role at the beginning of the Mahabharata story, chiefly by facilitating the birth of Prabhasa …
Dushasana is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. He is the younger brother of Duryodhana, who is in turn the oldest of the Kauravas, and the prime antagonist of the story. Dushasana’s character is defined by his utter loyalty to Duryodhana. His most notorious contribution occurs …
Drupada is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. He is the king of Panchala for the entire timeline of the story, and he is one of the key enemies of the Kuru dynasty. Drupada fathers three children who each plays a significant role in the destruction …
Dhrishtadyumna is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. He is the older brother of Draupadi, a son of Drupada, and the commander-in-chief of the Panchala forces in the Kurukshetra war. Dhrishtadyumna takes birth – fully formed as a youth – in a sacrificial fire when Drupada …
Bhagadatta is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. He is the ruler of what is called the Pragjyotisha kingdom, which is located to the far east of ancient India. Bhagadatta is considered one of the most powerful warriors to assemble on the Kurukshetra battlefield. He makes …
Balarama is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. He is the older brother of Krishna, and rules over the kingdom of Anarta with Dwaraka as his capital. Balarama plays mostly a passive role in the Mahabharata story, often acting as Krishna’s foil. Many popular interpretations of …
Ashwatthama is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. He is the son of Drona, the preceptor of the Kauravas and Pandavas. Ashwatthama’s most salient act in the story is to conduct a night-time raid on the eighteenth day of the Kurukshetra war. On this mission, he …
Shikhandi is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. He is the older brother of Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi. He is the son of Drupada, the king of Panchala in the years leading up to the Kurukshetra war. Shikhandi is born as a gift from Shiva to Drupada. …
Amba is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. She is the eldest daughter of King Kasya of Kosala (a city sometimes called Kasi). She has two younger sisters, Ambika and Ambalika. Amba’s story arc begins when a young Bhishma arrives in Kosala to win the hands …
Amba is one of the minor but significant characters in the Mahabharata. She is the eldest daughter of King Kasya of Kosala (a city sometimes called Kasi). She has two younger sisters, Ambika and Ambalika. Amba’s story arc begins when a young Bhishma arrives in Kosala to win the hands …