The Web of Dharma
Every action in the Mahabharata ripples across the web of relationships. Explore the allegiances, rivalries, and bonds that defined the Great War.
Allegiances
The Great Divide
The Pandavas
Arjuna
Warrior Prince
The Peerless Archer. Third Pandava prince and recipient of the Gita.
Yudhishthira
King / Eldest Brother
The Truthful. Eldest Pandava, known for his adherence to Dharma.
Bheema
Warrior
The Mighty. Second Pandava, possessing immense physical strength.
Nakula
Warrior
The Handsome. Fourth Pandava, skilled in swordsmanship and horsemanship.
Sahadeva
Warrior / Astrologer
The Wise. Youngest Pandava, known for his prescience.
Draupadi
Queen
Fire-Born. Wife of the Pandavas, whose humiliation sparked the war.
Abhimanyu
Prince / Warrior
The Young Lion. Son of Arjuna, known for his bravery in the Chakravyuha.
Kunti
Queen Mother
The Matriarch. Mother of the Pandavas and Karna.
Subhadra
Princess / Queen
Sister of Krishna, wife of Arjuna, and mother of the brave Abhimanyu.
Pandu
King / Father
The Pale King. Father of the Pandavas, cursed to die if he touched his wife.
Satyaki
Warrior
The Undefeated. A fierce Vrishni warrior and devoted student of Arjuna.
Dhrishtadyumna
Commander
Fire-Born Commander. Born from fire to kill Drona, leads the Pandava army.
Drupada
King
King of Panchala. Father of Draupadi and Dhrishtadyumna, rival of Drona.
Ghatotkacha
Warrior / Rakshasa
The Demon Son. Son of Bheema and Hidimbi, wreaked havoc in the night war.
Virata
King
King of Matsya. Sheltered the Pandavas during their final year of exile.
The Kauravas
Karna
Warrior / King of Anga
The Tragic Hero. Secret brother to the Pandavas, loyal friend to Duryodhana.
Duryodhana
Crown Prince
The Ambitious. Eldest Kaurava, driven by envy and desire for the throne.
Shakuni
Strategist
The Avenger. Prince of Gandhara who uses dice made of his father's bones to destroy the Kuru race.
Dhritarashtra
King
The Blind King. Father of the Kauravas, torn between love for his son and duty.
Gandhari
Queen Mother
The Devoted. Mother of the Kauravas, who blindfolded herself for her husband.
Ashwatthama
Warrior
The Immortal. Son of Drona, a fierce warrior cursed to roam the earth eternally.
Sanjaya
Narrator / Advisor
The Seer. Blessed with divine vision to narrate the war to Dhritarashtra.
Dushasana
Warrior
The Executor. Second Kaurava brother who dragged Draupadi into the court.
Vikarna
Warrior / Moralist
The Voice of Conscience. The only Kaurava who stood up against Draupadi's humiliation.
Elders & Divine Figures
Krishna
Guide / Avatar
The Divine Guide. Charioteer to Arjuna and avatar of Vishnu.
Bheeshma
Commander / Elder
The Grandsire. Bound by a vow to protect the throne, but haunted by the vengeance of Amba.
Drona
Guru / Commander
The Teacher. Master of arms who taught both Pandavas and Kauravas.
Vidura
Advisor
The Wise Counselor. Prime Minister, voice of reason and morality.
Ganga
Goddess / Mother
The River Goddess. Mother of Bheeshma, personification of the sacred river.
Kripacharya
Guru
The Royal Teacher. First guru of the princes, one of the immortals.
Vyasa
Sage / Author
The Author. Grandfather of the Kurus and narrator of the epic.
Shantanu
King / Ancestor
The Ancestor. King whose marriage to Ganga and Satyavati set the stage for the epic.
Satyavati
Queen Mother
The Matriarch. Fisher-girl who became Queen, ensuring the Kuru lineage continued.
Villains & Neutral Figures
Amba
Warrior / Avenger
The Vengeful. Princess reborn as Shikhandi to become the cause of Bheeshma's death.
Jarasandha
Emperor / Villain
The Magadha King. A terrifying emperor formed of two halves, slain by Bhima in a wrestling duel.
Shishupala
King / Villain
The Insolent. Krishna's cousin destined to be slain by him after 100 insults.
Ekalavya
Archer
The Devoted Student. Nishada prince who sacrificed his thumb for his Guru Drona.