List of characters in the Mahabharata

{{Short description|Cast of ancient Sanskrit epic}} <!-- This short description is INTENTIONALLY "none" - please see WP:SDNONE before you consider changing it! --> {{Incomplete list|date=March 2026}} {{More citations needed|date=March 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Use Indian English|date=July 2025}} [[File:The Humiliation of Draupadi.jpg|thumb|A 19th-century miniature painting illustrating the ''Cheer Haran'' (Disrobing of [[Draupadi]]) episode, featuring prominent characters (Pandavas, Draupadi, Kauravas and their main allies) in the Kuru court.]] The ''[[Mahabharata]]'' is one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India composed by [[Veda Vyasa]]. At its heart lies the epic struggle between the [[Pandavas]] and the [[Kauravas]]. The central characters include the five Pandava brothers—[[Yudhishthira]], [[Bhima]], [[Arjuna]], [[Nakula]], and [[Sahadeva]]—along with their wife [[Draupadi]]. On the opposing side, the hundred [[Kaurava]] brothers are led by the elder brother, [[Duryodhana]]. However, the ''Mahabharata'' is richly populated with other notable figures including [[Krishna]], [[Bhishma]], [[Drona]], [[Karna]], [[Kunti]], [[Dushasana]], [[Kripa]], [[Dhritrashtra]], [[Gandhari (Mahabharata)|Gandhari]], [[Shakuni]], [[Ashwatthama]], [[Balarama]], [[Vyasa]], [[Vidura]], [[Abhimanyu]], [[Pandu]], [[Satyavati]] and [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]].

The ''Mahabharata'' manuscripts exist in numerous versions, wherein the specifics and details of major characters and episodes vary, often significantly. Except for the sections containing the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'' which is remarkably consistent between the numerous manuscripts, the rest of the epic exists in many versions.<ref>{{cite book|first= Robert N.|last= Minor|title= Bhagavad Gita: An Exegetical Commentary|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=ru_RjwEACAAJ|year =1982|publisher= South Asia Books|isbn= 978-0-8364-0862-1|pages=L–LI}}; Quote: "The current text of the Bhagavad gita is well-preserved with relatively few variant readings and none quite serious. This is especially remarkable in the light of the numerous variants for the remainder of the Mahabharata, some of which are quite serious. Secondary insertions are found in individual manuscripts of the Gita, but these are clearly secondary. The number of stanzas in the Gita is 700, a number confirmed by Shankara, and possibly deliberately chosen in order to prevent interpolations."</ref> The differences between the Northern and Southern recensions are particularly significant, with the Southern manuscripts more profuse and longer.{{sfn|McGrath|2004|pp=19–21 with footnotes}} The manuscripts found in the [[North India|North]] and [[South India]] have "great divergence" in details, though the thematic essence is similar.{{sfn|McGrath|2004|pp=21–22}} Scholars have attempted to construct a [[critical edition]], relying mostly on a study of the Bombay edition, the Poona edition, the Calcutta edition and the south Indian editions of the ''Mahabharata'' manuscripts. The most accepted version is one prepared by scholars led by Vishnu Sukthankar at the [[Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute]], preserved at the [[Kyoto University]], the [[Cambridge University]] and various Indian universities.{{sfn|McGrath|2004|pp=21–26 with footnotes}}<ref>[https://sanskritdocuments.org/mirrors/mahabharata/mahabharata-bori.html Critical Edition Prepared by Scholars at Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute BORI], Muneo Tokunaga, Kyoto University (1998)</ref>

This list follows the ''Critical Edition of the Mahabharata'', but may have characters exclusive to a particular recension.{{refn|group=note|The list tries to mention as many characters as possible, but is not complete. It contains characters appearing in ''[[Harivamsa]]'', a book connected to ''Mahabharata''. Characters appearing in folk tales are excluded.}}

==A== === Abhimanyu === {{Main|Abhimanyu}}

===Adhiratha=== Adhiratha was the foster-father of Karna. According to the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'', Adhiratha was descended from [[Yayati]] and therefore was related to [[Krishna]]. He was also the descendant of [[Romapada]],<ref name="Sukhdev Singh Chib">{{cite book|last=Chib|first=Sukhdev Singh|title=Bihar|year=1980|page=4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V8S1AAAAIAAJ&q=Rompad,Angadesh}}</ref> the king of [[Anga]] and brother-in-law of [[Dashratha|Dasharatha]]'s descendant Shighra, king of [[Ayodhya (Ramayana)|Ayodhya]]. His wife was Radha and their biological sons were Shatrunjaya and Chitrasena.

===Adrika=== Adrika was an [[apsara]], who was cursed to become a fish and only to be liberated when she gives birth to a human. Adrika, as a fish, lived in the river [[Yamuna]]. Once she came in contact with the semen of [[Uparichara Vasu|Uparichara]] and impregnated herself. After 10 months, some [[Dashraj|fishermen]] caught her, cut open her womb and found two children{{mdash}}[[Matsyagandha]] and [[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]]. After the incident, Adrika was liberated from her curse and returned to heaven.{{sfn|Chakravarti|2007}}{{page needed|date=June 2024}}

===Agni=== {{main|Agni#epics}}

=== Alambusha === Alambusha was a [[Rakshasa]]. In the [[Kurukshetra War]], he fought from the Kaurava side. During the war, he defeated [[Iravan]], son of Pandava prince [[Arjuna]]. Later on the 14th day of Kurukshetra war, Alambusha was killed by Bhima's son, [[Ghatotkacha]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ&q=Alambusha|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2014-04-18|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-81-8475-277-9|language=en}}</ref>

=== Alayudha === He was a demon and friend of another demon named Alambusha. He and Alambusha were killed by [[Bhima]]'s demon son [[Ghatotkacha]] during the Night war on the fourteenth day of the war.

=== Agastya === {{Main|Agastya}}

=== Amba === {{Main|Amba (Mahabharata)}}

=== Ambalika === {{Main|Ambalika}}

===Ambika=== {{Main|Ambika (Mahabharata)}}

==== Ambika's maid ==== The chief maid of [[Ambika (Mahabharata)|Ambika]] was sent by Ambika and Ambalika to Maharishi [[Vyasa]]. From their union, [[Vidura]] was born.

===Amitaujas=== Amitaujas is the mighty warrior of [[Pañcāla|Panchala]] Kingdom. He was the maharatha on the side of Pandavas.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2020-04-01 |title=Section CLXXII [Mahabharata, English] |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-mahabharata-mohan/d/doc375110.html |access-date=2022-11-26 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Arjuna === {{Main|Arjuna}}

===Aruni=== {{Main|Uddalaka Aruni#Mahabharata}}

=== Ashvapati === A king of [[Madra kingdom|Madra]] and the father of Savitri

===Ashvins=== {{Main|Ashvins}}

=== Ashwatthama === {{Main|Ashwatthama}}

===Astika=== {{Main|Astika (Hinduism)}}

===Ayu=== Ayu or Ayus was an ancestor of Shantanu. He was a son [[Pururavas]] and his apsara wife, [[Urvashi]]. He married Prabha, an asura princess (daughter of Swarbhanu). He was succeeded by his son [[Nahusha]].{{sfn|Mani|1975|p=96}}

=== Ayoda Dhaumya === Ayoda Dhaumya/ Dhaumya was a sage of Avanti. He had three disciples namely [[Aruni]] of Panchal, [[Upamanyu]] and Veda. He even accompanied the Pandavas into the forest of Kurujangala during their exile. He sang songs of [[Sama Veda]] referring to [[Yama]].

==B== === Babhruvahana === {{Main|Babruvahana}}

===Bahlika=== {{Main|Bahlika (Mahabharata)}}

=== Bakasura === {{Main|Bakasura}}

=== Balandhara === Balandhara, sometimes also written as Valandhara, was the princess of the [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi Kingdom]], daughter of King Devesha and wife of [[Bhima]]. They both had a son Sarvaga, who became the King of Kashi after the [[Kurukshetra War]]. Sarvaga's granddaughter Vapusthama married [[Janamejaya]], the great-grandson of [[Arjuna]], and bore him two sons – Shatanika and Sahashranika.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hinduism |first1=Glorious |date=1 January 2016 |title=Kasi Kingdom |url=https://glorioushinduism.com/2015/12/31/kasi-kingdom/ |website=Glorious Hinduism}}</ref>

=== Balarama === {{Main|Balarama}}

===Banasena=== He was a son of [[Karna]]. He was an excellent Mace-wielder. On the 16th day of the war, Banasena was fighting with [[Bhima]] and later killed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/index.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva Index|website=Internet Sacred Text Archive}}</ref>

===Bhadra and Madira=== Bhadra and Madira were 3rd and 4th wives of [[Vasudeva]]. They were the daughters of Giribhanu/Sumukha and Padmavati/Pataladevi, and elder sisters of [[Yashoda]]. Bhadra's sons were Upanidhi, Gada and Keshi. Madira's sons were Nanda, Upananda, Kritaka and Shura. They cremated themselves with Vasudeva.

=== Bhadrakali === {{Main|Bhadrakali}} Bhadrakali is the fierce form of Devi. To destroy Daksha yajna, She appeared with Veerabhadra. She also mentioned in Shalya Parva, when she was the one of followers of [[Kartikeya]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 9: Shalya Parva: Section 46 |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m09/m09046.htm |access-date=2022-12-09 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

=== Bhagadatta === {{Main|Bhagadatta}}

===Bharadvaja=== {{Main|Bharadwaja}}

=== Bharata === {{Main|Bharata (Mahabharata)}}

===Bhima=== {{Main|Bhima}}

=== Bhima of Vidarbha === In the Vana Parva of the epic, sage [[Markandeya]] narrated the story of [[Nala]] and [[Damayanti]]. Bhima was the king of Vidarbha and the father of [[Damayanti]].

=== Bhishma === {{Main|Bhishma}}

=== Bhrigu === {{Main|Bhrigu}}

===Bhurishravas=== {{Main|Bhurishravas}}

===Budha=== {{Main|Budha}}

=== Brahma === {{Main|Brahma}}

=== Brihadashva === A sage who councels Yudhishthira during his exile, narrates ''[[Nala and Damayanti|Nalopakhyana]]'' and blesses Yudhishthira with skill in dicing.

===Brihaspati=== {{Main|Brihaspati}}

==C== ===Chandra=== {{Main|Chandra}}

===Chandravarma Kamboja=== Chandravarma Kamboja is the first [[Kambojas|Kamboja]] king of solar race mentioned by name in the ''[[Mahābhārata]]''.<ref>Political History of Ancient India, 1953, p 150, Hemchandra Raychaudhuri, University of Calcutta.</ref><ref>''The People and Culture of Bengal, a Study in Origins: A Study in Origins'', 2002, p 564, Annapurna Chattopadhyaya.</ref><ref>Lord Mahāvīra and his times, 1974, p 213, Kailash Chand Jain.</ref><ref>Ancient Indian History, 1988, p 149, Madhavan Arjunan Pillai.</ref> He appears to have been an ancient very powerful and renowned (''vikhyaat'') ruler of the Kambojas. He finds mention in the Adiparva section of the [[Epic poetry|epic]] ''[[Mahābhārata]]'', where he is stated to be an Asura or a [[demon]]ic ruler.<ref>Epic Mythology, 1969, p 62, Edward Washburn Hopkins.</ref><ref>See epic referential link: [http://www.ibiblio.org/sripedia/ebooks/mb/m01/m01068.htm].</ref><ref>Cf: ''Candravarma, the King of Kambojas, was the Asura or demon Candra, son of [[Diti]]...'' (Ref: Epic Mythology, 1915, p 62, Edward Washburn Hopkins&nbsp;– Hindu Mythology.</ref> <ref>Rose, H. A.; Ibbetson, D.; Maclagan, E. D. ''A Glossary of the Tribes and Castes of the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province'', Vol II, Lahore: Government Printing, 1911, pp. 444–445. [https://archive.org/details/b2901086x_0002/page/443/mode/2up Archive.org]</ref> ===Chitraratha=== {{Main|Chitraratha}}

===Chitrasena=== {{main|Chitrasena (gandharva)}}

===Chekitana=== Chekitana was the son of [[Kekaya]] king [[Dhrishtaketu]] and Queen Shrutakirti, a [[Yadava]]. He was the leader of [[Andhaka]] sect of [[Yadavas]]. Chekitana was described to be a valorous warrior, who fought with warriors like [[Susharma]], [[Kripacharya]] and [[Dronacharya]]. He also rescued [[Nakula]] from the clutches of [[Duryodhana]]. On the 18th day, he was killed by Duryodhana.

===Chitra and Chitrasena=== Chitra and Chitrasena were brothers and the two kings of the Abhisara Kingdom. Both of them sided with the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War. Chitra was killed by [[Prativindhya]] on the 16th day, whereas Chitrasena was killed by [[Shrutakarma]] on the same day.

===Chitrāngada=== {{main|Chitrāngada}}

===Gandharva Chitrāngada=== Chitrangada was a Gandharva, who was jealous of Shantanu's son [[Chitrāngada]], for sharing a name. One day, the Gandharva challenged the prince and killed him.

===Chitrāngada of Kalinga=== Chitrāngada was the king of the Kalinga kingdom. In the [[Shanti Parva]] of the epic, [[Narada]] narrated that Chitrangada's daughter ([[Bhanumati (Mahabharata)|Bhanumati]]) with Kaurava Duryodhana. After him, [[Srutayudha]] became the king of Kalinga as he had no son. Possibly, his wife was Chandramudra.

=== Chitrāngadā === {{Main|Chitrāngadā}}

===Chitravahana=== He was the king of [[Manipura (Mahabharata)|Manipura or Manalura]] and the father of [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangadaa]]. He was also the grandfather of [[Babruvahana]].

==D==

=== Daksha === {{Main|Daksha}}

===Damayanti=== {{Main|Damayanti}}

===Dantavakra === {{main|Dantavakra}}

=== Danda and Dandadhara === Danda and Dandadhara is the two princes of [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha Kingdom]]. They fought the side of Kauravas and killed by [[Arjuna]] during Kurukshetra war.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2014-08-03 |title=Danda, Daṃḍa, Daṇḍa, Daṇḍā, Damda: 56 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/danda |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-04-20 |title=Dandadhara, Daṇḍadhara, Daṇḍadhāra, Daṇḍadharā, Danda-dhara, Damdadhara: 15 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/dandadhara |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Darada === Darada is the king of Bahlika Kingdom. Shushipala eulogized him when he was born the earth was cleaved because of his weight.

===Dasharaja=== Dasharaja was the fisherman chieftain of Hastinapura and the father of [[Satyavati]]. He was the one who asked Satyavati's heir to be the ruler of Hastinapura, due to which [[Bhishma]] took a vow of celibacy and a vow not to rule Hastinapura. He is a great-great-grandfather of the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

=== Devaki === {{Main|Devaki}}

=== Devasena and Daityasena === {{Main|Devasena#Mahabharata}}

===Devayani=== {{Main|Devayani}}

===Devika=== Devika was the daughter of Govasena, the king of the Sivi Kingdom of Shaivya tribe, and the second wife of [[Yudhishthira]] they got married in a self choice ceremony. They had a son called Yaudheya.

=== Dhaumya === {{main|Dhaumya}}

===Dhrishtadyumna=== {{main|Dhrishtadyumna}}

=== Dhritarashtra === {{Main|Dhritarashtra}}

===Dhrishtaketu of Chedi=== {{main|Dhrishtaketu}}

===Dhrishtaketu of Kekeya=== Dhrishtaketu was the ruler of [[Kekeya Kingdom|Kekeya]], and his wife was Shrutakirti, a Yadava who was the daughter of [[Shurasena]]. Many of Dhrishtaketu's sons participated in the Kurukshetra War, participating on both sides. Vrihadkshatra and Chekitana were two of his notable sons. Dhrishtaketu's daughter Bhadra was married to Krishna, who bore him many sons.

=== Divodasa === {{Main|Divodasa}}

=== Draupadi === {{Main|Draupadi}}

=== Drona === {{Main|Drona}}

=== Drupada === {{Main|Drupada}}

=== Durmasena === Durmasena was the son of [[Dushasana]]. He helped his father many times in the Kurukshetra war. He was also present inside the Chakra Vyuha on the thirteenth day of the war. He was deprived of his chariot by Abhimanyu and saved by Ashwatthama by cutting Abhimanyu's arrow in mid air. After that, Durmasena killed brutally injured [[Abhimanyu]] in a mace duel. On 14th day, Durmasena was brutally killed by Draupadi's sons, the [[Draupadeyas]], in revenge for Abhimanyu.

=== Duryodhana === {{Main|Duryodhana}}

=== Durga ===

{{Main|Durga}} Goddess Durga is also mentioned in the Mahabharata. In [[Virata Parva]] and Bhishma Parva of the epic, she was eulogized by [[Yudhishthira]] and [[Arjuna]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 4: Virata Parva: Pandava-Pravesa Parva: Section VI |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04006.htm |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 6: Bhishma Parva: Bhagavat-Gita Parva: Section XXIII |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m06/m06023.htm |access-date=2022-12-16 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

===Dushala=== {{Main|Dushala}}

=== Dushasana === {{Main|Dushasana}}

=== Dushyanta === {{Main|Dushyanta}}

==E== ===Ekalavya=== {{Main|Ekalavya}}

==G== === Gandhari === {{Main|Gandhari (Mahabharata)}}

==== Gandhari's maid ==== The chief maid of Gandhari was the mother of [[Yuyutsu]]. When Gandhari was pregnant for more than nine months, Dhritrashtra, in fear that there would be no heir, impregnated the maid. Later Gandhari gave birth to the 100 Kauravas and Sughada gave birth to Yuyutsu.

=== Ganga === {{Main|Ganga in Hinduism}}

=== Ghatotkacha === {{Main|Ghatotkacha}}

===Ghritachi=== {{Main|Ghritachi}}

==H== ===Hanuman=== {{Main|Hanuman}} Unlike [[Ramayana]], Hanuman does not have a large role in ''Mahabharata''. He appears during the exile of Pandavas. In the story, [[Bhima]], Hanuman's celestial brother, performed a penance to gain more strength. Hanuman wanted to test Bhima and appeared as a normal monkey in front of him. The monkey asked Bhima to lift his tail if he believed in his strength. But, Bhima was not able to lift the tail. Later, he realised who the monkey was and apologized.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=Bheema and Hanuman|last=Chandrakant|first=Kamala|publisher=Amar Chitra Katha|year=1980|location=India|pages=1–32}}</ref> Hanuman taught battle-skills to Bheema for some time.

=== Haryyashva === A king of [[Ayodhya (Ramayana)|Ayodhya]], contemporary to [[Yayati]], and one of the husbands of [[Madhavi (princess)|Madhavi]] with whom he had a son named Vasumanas.

=== Hayagriva === {{Main|Hayagriva}} Hayagriva was a horse headed avatar of Vishnu. He incarnated to slay the demons named Madhu and Kaitabha and brings the Vedas to Brahma.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |title=Hayagriva in Mahabharata, Book 12 |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12c047.htm |access-date=2022-06-30 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

=== Hidimb/ Hidimba=== {{Main|Hidimb}}

=== Hidimbi/ Hidimbā === {{Main|Hidimbi}}

==I== ===Ila=== {{Main|Ila (Hinduism)}}

===Indra=== {{Main|Indra}} In the epic, Indra appears numerous times. He is son of [[Kashyapa]] and [[Aditi]]. He is the spiritual father of [[Arjuna]]. He was the reason for the separation of [[Urvashi]] and [[Pururavas]]. During his temporary absence, [[Nahusha]] took his place as the king. He is called by [[Kunti]] after [[Yama|Dharmaraj]] and Vayu. Later in the epic, he is shown protecting Takshaka's forest from Arjuna. The [[Pandava]]s named their capital, [[Indraprastha]], after him. During the exile of Pandavas, Arjuna came to meet him. During the Kurukshetra war, he took the indestructible armor and earrings from [[Karna]] and gave him a powerful weapon. These were some of his appearances in the epic.

===Iravan=== {{main|Iravan}}

==J==

===Janamejaya=== {{Main|Janamejaya}}

===Janapadi=== Janapadi is an [[Apsara]], who once roamed in the forests. One day, upon seeing her, Shardavan, son of [[Gautama Maharishi]] discharged his seed. From his seed, [[Kripa]] and [[Kripi]] were born.

===Jara=== Jara was a demoness. When King Brihadratha's queen threw away their half-born child, Jara joined the two halves. The child was named '''Jarasandha'''.

=== Jarasandha === {{Main|Jarasandha}}

=== Jaratkaru === {{Main|Jaratkaru}}

=== Jatasura === According to the Vana Parva of Mahabharata, Jatasura was a demon. He attacked the Pandavas in there exile. Then Bhima killed him.

=== Jayadratha === {{Main|Jayadratha}}

=== Jayatsena === {{Main|Jayatsena}}

==K==

=== Kadru === {{Main|Kadru}}

=== Kalaratri === {{Main|Kalaratri}} Kalaratri is the seventh among the Navadurgas. She is stated in Sauptika Parva. When she appears to the [[Pandava]] soldiers in dreams, she appears amidst the fighting during an attack by [[Drona]]'s son [[Ashwatthama]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 10: Sauptika Parva: Section 8 |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m10/m10008.htm |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Internet Sacred Text Archive}}</ref>

=== Kalki === {{Main|Kalki}} Kalki is the final incarnation of the preserver deity, [[Vishnu]]. He is stated in [[Vana Parva]] of the epic, to incarnate at the end of the [[Kali Yuga]] and protect dharma, by destroying the sinners and [[Mleccha]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |first= |title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Markandeya-Samasya Parva: Section CLXXXIX |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03189.htm |website=sacred-texts.com |access-date=2022-05-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Markandeya-Samasya Parva: Section CLXL |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03190.htm |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

=== Kacha === {{Main|Kacha (sage)}}

=== Kamsa === {{Main|Kamsa}}

=== Kanika === Kanika was a sage of [[Hastinapur]]. He acted as a counselor to [[Dhritarashtra]]. When [[Yudhisthira]] was announced the crown prince, Dhritarashtra became sad for his sons were deceived. And at this time Kanika was summoned to counsel the king, who advised Dhritarashtra not to resort to fight but remove his foes secretly. Unethical methods may also be adopted for killing a foe, was his advice. Then he narrated a story of a jackal, who deceived his companions (tiger, mongoose, wolf, and mouse) by tricking them. Influenced by his counsels Dhritarashtra exiled the Pandavas to Varanavata and constructed the house of lac.<ref>Pratap Chandra Roy Mahabharata, Sambhava Parva and Jatugriha Parva, Pages 335–338</ref>

===Karenumati=== Karenumati was the daughter of king of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]], either [[Shishupala]] or his son [[Dhrishtaketu]]. She was the wife of [[Pandava]] [[Nakula]].

=== Karna === {{Main|Karna}}

==== Karna's adoptive brothers ==== [[Adhiratha]] and [[Radha (Mahabharata)|Radha]], the adoptive parents of [[Karna]], had some biological children. Karna's adoptive brothers were killed during the [[Kurukshetra War]].<ref name="KarnaFam">{{Cite book|last=McGrath|first=Kevin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YkmXk3-1j7UC|title=The Sanskrit Hero: Karṇa in Epic Mahābhārata|date=2004-01-01|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-13729-5|page=135|language=en}}</ref>

==== Karna's unnamed wives ==== {{Main|Wives of Karna}} In the original ''[[Mahabharata]]'', there are some mentions of Karna's wives. Their names are not revealed, but it is described that they belonged to Suta (charioteer) community.<ref name = "KarnaFam" />

==== Sons of Karna ==== Karna's sons were [[Vrishasena]], [[Vrishaketu]], [[Banasena]], Chitrasena, Satyasena, Sushena, Shatrunjaya, Dvipata, and Prasena. All except for Vrishaketu were killed in the war.

===Kauravas=== {{Main|Kaurava}} The names of the 100 Kauravas are: {{Hlist|[[Duryodhana]]|[[Dushasana]]|Duhsaha|Duhshal|Durmukha|Vivinsati|[[Vikarna]]|Jalasandha|Sulochna|Vinda|Anuvinda|Durdharsha|Suvahu|Dushpradharshana|Durmarshana|Dushkarna|Karna|Chitra|Vipachitra|Chitraksha|Charuchitra|Angada|Durmada|Dushpradharsha|Vivitsu|Vikata|Sama|Urananabha|Padmanabha|Nanda|Upanandaka|Sanapati|Sushena|Kundodara|Mahodara|Chitravahu|Chitravarman|Suvarman|Durvirochana|Ayovahu|Mahavahu|Chitrachapa|Sukundala|Bhimavega|Bhimavala|Valaki|Bhimavikrama|Ugrayudha|Bhimaeara|Kanakayu|Dridhayudha|Dridhavarman|Dridhakshatra|Somakirti|Anadara|Jarasandha|Dridhasandha|Satyasandha|Sahasravaeh|Ugrasravas|Ugrasena|Kshemamurti|Aprajita|Panditaka|Visalaksha|Duradhara|Dridhahasta|Suhasta|Vatavega|Suvarchasa|Adityaketu|Vahvasin|Nagadatta|Anuyaina|Nishangi|Kuvachi|Dandi|Dandadhara|Dhanugraha|Ugra|Bhimaratha|Vira|Viravahu|Alolupa|Abhaya|Raudrakarman|Dridharatha|Anadhrishya|Kundaveda|Viravi|Dhirghalochana|Dirghavahu| Mahavahu|Vyudhoru|Kanakangana|Kundaja|Chitraka}}

===Kauravya=== He was the father of [[Ulupi]] and grandfather of [[Iravan]].

=== Kichaka === {{main|Kichaka}}

===Kirmira=== {{Main|Kirmira}}

=== Kratha === Kratha is the Kshatriya king and the reincarnation of [[Rahu]]. He fought the side of Kauravas and killed by a Kulinda king during Kurukshetra war.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-10-16 |title=Kratha, Krātha: 11 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/kratha |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Kripa === {{Main|Kripa}}

===Kripi=== Kripi was the sister of [[Kripa]]. She and her brother were adopted by the ''Rajguru'' of King [[Shantanu]]. Her actual parents were Saradvan and Janapadi. She married [[Drona]]charya, who was poor at that time. When they wanted a powerful son, they prayed to Shiva, and a son named [[Ashwathama]] was born.

=== Krishna === {{Main|Krishna|Krishna in the Mahabharata}}

=== Kritavarma === {{Main|Kritavarma}}

===Kunti-Bhoja=== In Mahabharata, '''Kunti-Bhoja''' (or '''Kuntibhoja''') was the cousin of [[Shurasena]] and adoptive father of [[Kunti]]. He was the ruler of the [[Kunti Kingdom]]. Kunti was a daughter of King [[Shurasena]] but was later given to Kuntibhoja since he was devoid of children.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mythfolklore.net/india/encyclopedia/kunti.htm|title=Kunti|website=www.mythfolklore.net}}</ref> Kuntibhoja raised her as his own daughter and loved her.<ref>'' First Book Adi Parva Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa and Kisari Mohan Ganguli'' by Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa. Page 272.</ref> She was very beautiful and intelligent and later married [[Pandu]].<ref>{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section CXII|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01113.htm|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Internet Sacred Text Archive}}</ref> When Kunti was a young girl, the sage [[Durvasa]] visited Kuntibhoja one day and sought his hospitality. The king entrusted the sage to Kunti's care and tasked Kunti with the responsibility of serving the sage and meeting all his needs during his stay with them.<ref name="The Mahabharata, Vana Parva, Chapter 301">{{cite web | url= http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03301.htm | title= The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, Vana Parva, Section CCCI}}</ref> Eventually, the sage was gratified. Before departing, he rewarded Kunti by teaching her ''[[Atharvaveda]]'' [[mantra]]s which enabled her to invoke any [[god]] of her choice to beget children by them.<ref name="The Mahabharata, Adi Parva, Chapter 111">{{cite web | url= http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01112.htm | title= The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli, Adi Parva, Section CXI}}</ref> His son Visharada succeeded him who was killed by [[Duryodhana]] on the eighth day.

=== Kunti === {{Main|Kunti}}

===Kuru=== Kuru is the name of the ancestor of the clan of the Kurus in the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He was the son of [[Samvarana]] and of [[Tapati]], the daughter of the Sun.<ref>Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary (Oxford, 1899), p. 294.1</ref>

In the literature, Kuru is an ancestor of [[Pandu]] and his descendants, the [[Pandava]]s, and also of [[Dhritarashtra]] and his descendants, the [[Kaurava]]s. This latter name derived as a [[patronym]] from "Kuru", is only used for the descendants of Dhritarashtra.<ref>Monier Williams (1899), S. 294.1</ref>

King Kuru had two wives named Shubhangi and Vahini. He had a son named Viduratha with Shubhangi, and five sons with Vahini, named Ashvavat, Abhishyat, Citraratha, Muni, and Janamejaya.<ref>Mbhr. 1.89.44 and 1.90.40 (Pune Critical Edition 1971)</ref><ref>J.A.B. van Buitenen, ''Mahabharata'' Book 1, Chicago 1973, pp. 212–214</ref> Due to his merits and great ascetic practices the region "Kurujangal" was named after him. It has also been known as [[Kurukshetra]] since ancient Vedic times.<ref>M.M.S. Shastri Chitrao, ''Bharatavarshiya Prachin Charitrakosha'' (Dictionary of Ancient Indian Biography, in Hindi) Pune 1964, p. 151</ref>

==L== ===Lakshmana Kumara=== {{Main|Lakshmana (Mahabharata)}}

=== Lomasha === {{Main|Lomasha}}

=== Lopamudra === {{Main|Lopamudra}}

==M== ===Madhavi=== {{Main|Madhavi (princess)}}

===Madri=== {{Main|Madri}}

===Manasa=== {{Main|Manasa}} === Manimat === Manimat or Maniman is the king who was the rebirth of Vritra, the son of Danayu. He fought the side of Pandavas and killed by [[Bhurishravas]] in the Kurukshetra war.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-01-21 |title=Maniman, Maṇimān, Maṇiman: 4 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/maniman |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

===Markandeya=== {{Main|Markandeya}} ===Menaka=== {{Main|Menaka}}

=== Muchukunda === {{Main|Muchukunda}}

==N== ===Nala=== {{Main|Nala}}

===Nahusha=== {{Main|Nahusha}}

=== Nakula === {{Main|Nakula}}

===Nanda=== {{Main|Nand Baba}}

=== Nara-Narayana === {{Main|Nara Narayan}}

=== Narada === {{Main|Narada}}

=== Narakasura === {{Main|Narakasura}}

===Niramitra=== Niramitra was the son of [[Nakula]] and his wife [[Karenumati]].<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCV|date=16 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-date=16 January 2010}}</ref><ref name="Rengarajan1999">{{cite book|author=T. Rengarajan|title=Glossary of Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rbcoAAAAYAAJ|year=1999|publisher=Oxford & IBH Publishing Company|isbn=978-81-204-1348-1|page=229}}</ref>

==P== ===Padmavati=== Padmavati, mentioned in ''[[Shalya Parva]]'' of the epic, is one of the followers of Kartikeya.<ref name=":3" />

=== Parashara === {{Main|Parashara}}

=== Parashuram === {{Main|Parashuram}}

=== Parikshit === {{Main|Parikshit}}

=== Pandu === {{Main|Pandu}}

=== Pandya === He is the king of [[Pandya kingdom (Mahabharata)|Pandya Kingdom]]. He came to help the [[Pandava]]s with an army and also an maharathi on the side of Pandavas.

=== Paurava === Paurava is a king and the rebirth of Asura Sarabha. He fought the side of [[Kaurava]]s and was killed by Arjuna during Kurukshetra war.

=== Prabha === Prabha, sometimes called Indumati, was the daughter of Asura [[Svarbhanu]], who later became [[Rahu]] and [[Ketu (mythology)|Ketu]]. She married [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Ayu|Ayu]], son of [[Pururavas]] of [[lunar dynasty]], and had a son named [[Nahusha]].

=== Pradyumna === {{Main|Pradyumna}}

===Pratipa=== {{Main|Pratipa}}

===Prativindhya=== Prativindhya was the son of [[Yudhisthir|Yudhishthira]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the eldest brother among [[Draupadeyas]].

===Prishati=== Prishati (lit. daughter-in-law of Prishata) is the chief-queen of King [[Drupada]] and the mother of [[Shikhandini]], [[Dhrishtadhyumna]] and [[Draupadi]]. After Drupada performed a [[yajna]] (fire-sacrifice) to obtain a powerful son, she was asked by the sages to consume the sacrificial offering to conceive a child. However, Prishati had perfumed saffron in her mouth and requested the sages to wait till she had a bath and washed her mouth. The sages criticised her untimely request and poured the offering into the flames of the yajna, from which Dhrishtadhyumna and Draupadi emerged. Overwhelmed by their arrival, Prishati requested the sages to declare her as the mother of Dhrishtadyumna and Draupadi.<ref name="C169">{{cite web|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Chaitraratha Parva: Section CLXIX|url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01170.htm|access-date=2021-06-03|website=Internet Sacred Text Archive}}</ref>

===Purochana=== Purochana was the builder of the [[Lakshagraha]]. However, he, along with his wife and her sons, perished in the fire. He was the royal chief architect in Hastinapura. He was a friend of Shakuni and Duryodhana. Purochana built the Lakshagraha palace and burnt it. He was killed by Bhima in the Lakshagraha palace. Purochana had a wife and many sons. In his last life, Purochana had been Prahasta, Ravana's uncle and commander-in-chief of his army. Shakuni and Duryodhana made another plan to kill the Pandavas. Shakuni told Purochana to build a really beautiful palace in Varnavrata out of only materials that can catch and spread fire easily. Purochana quickly did as Shakuni had said. Purochana called the palace Lakshagraha. It was made out of materials such as wax and twigs. After some time, Shakuni convinced the Pandavas and Kunti to visit Lakshagraha. Purochana and his wife welcomed the Pandavas and Kunti grandly. After 10 days, during the night, Purochana set fire on the palace. The Pandavas woke up and realized that this had been another one of Duryodhana and Shakuni's evil schemes. Bhima got really mad. While Purochana and his sons and wife were trying to escape, Bhima killed all of them. The Pandavas barely managed to escape the fire. According to other myths, Vidura foresaw the scheme and warned the Pandavas, who set fire to it themselves killing Purochana and his kin.

===Pururavas=== {{Main|Pururavas}}

==R== ===Radha=== Radha was the [[fosterage|foster]] mother of [[Karna]], one of the central characters in the [[Hindu epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]''. She was the wife of [[Adhiratha]], the charioteer of [[Bhishma]]. Radha also bore a son named [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Shon|Shon]]. The young [[Kunti]] used a ''[[mantra]]'' to beget a son from the Sun god [[Surya]]. Afraid of the taint of being an unwed mother, she placed the baby in a basket and set him afloat a river. The child later known as Karna was found and adopted by Radha and Adiratha, who raised Karna as their own. Karna is known by the matronymic ''Radheya''. Karna, once he knows from Krishna and Kunti about his birth secret, having done so much harm to his brothers Pandavas, was in no position to abandon Duryodhana.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Kotru|first1=Umesh|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tBMfCAAAQBAJ&q=%22Radha%22+Mahabharata+-wikipedia&pg=PT46|title=Karna The Unsung Hero of the Mahabharata|last2=Zutshi|first2=Ashutosh|date=2015-03-01|publisher=One Point Six Technology Pvt Ltd|isbn=978-93-5201-304-3|language=en}}</ref>

===''Ramopakhyana'' characters=== The ''Mahabharata'' also contains an abridged retelling of the ''[[Ramayana]]'', known as ''[[Ramopakhyana]]''. Therefore, [[Rama]], [[Sita]], [[Lakshmana]], [[Ravana]] and other [[List of characters in Ramayana|characters of the ''Ramayana'']] also appear in the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.

===Revati=== {{Main|Revati}}

===Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)=== {{Main|Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)}}

=== Rochamana === Rochamana was Kshatriya king of Aswamedha kingdom. He was a warrior on the side of [[Pandava]]s and killed by Karna in the Kurukshetra war.

===Rukmi=== {{Main|Rukmi}}

===Rukmini=== {{Main|Rukmini}}

=== Ruru === Ruru was a rishi (sage) of the epic ''Mahabharata''. He was the son of Pramati and Ghritachi, the celestial dancer and a descendant of Bhrigu. Ruru married Pramadvara, foster-daughter of sage Sthulakesha. He was the father of Sunaka.

==S== === Sahadeva === {{Main|Sahadeva}}

===Sahadeva of Magadha=== {{Main|Sahadeva of Magadha}}

=== Sakradeva === He was son of King [[Srutayudha]] and Queen Sakrayani of [[Kalinga (Mahabharata)|Kalinga]]. He was the [[yuvaraja]] (crown prince) of Kalinga. He was killed by [[Bhima]] on the second day of war along with many soldiers, and two generals, Satya and Satyadeva.

=== Samba === {{Main|Samba (Krishna's son)}}

=== Samudrasena === Samudrasena is a king. Once, Bhima defeated Samudrasena and his son, Chandrasena, during his war of conquest. In the Kurukshetra War, he fought on the side of the Pandavas and was killed by the Kaurava army.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.wisdomlib.org |date=2017-11-13 |title=Samudrasena: 6 definitions |url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/samudrasena |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.wisdomlib.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Shamika === Shamika is a sage featured in the epic. One day, while hunting, Parikshit had wounded a deer, but lost it in the woods. Searching for it, fatigued, he asked the meditating Shamika about the deer. The sage did not answer as he was observing the vow of silence. This angered the king, who placed a dead snake on Shamika's shoulder. Sringin, the son of Shamika, enraged by this act, cursed Parikshit to be killed by [[Takshaka]] (snake) within seven days.

=== Shiva === {{Main|Shiva}}

===Shri=== {{See also|Lakshmi|Draupadi#Goddess Shri}} ===Samvarana=== {{Main|Samvarana}}

=== Sanjaya === {{Main|Sanjaya}}

=== Sarama === {{Main|Sarama}}

=== Sarasvati === {{Main|Saraswati#Mahabharata}}

===Satyabhama=== {{Main|Satyabhama}}

=== Satyajit === Satyajit was one of the ten sons of King [[Drupada]] of Panchala.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Buitenen |first=J. A. B. van |url=https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/The_Mahabharata_Volume_3/wFtXBGNn0aUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=cekitana&pg=PA322&printsec=frontcover |title=The Mahabharata, Volume 3: Book 4: The Book of the Virata; Book 5: The Book of the Effort |last2=Fitzgerald |first2=James L. |date=1973 |publisher=University of Chicago Press |isbn=978-0-226-84665-1 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Satyaki === {{Main|Satyaki}}

=== Satyavati === {{Main|Satyavati}}

=== Savitri (goddess) === Savitri is the consort of Brahma, who blesses King Ashvapati with a [[Savitri and Satyavan|daughter]] named in the goddess's honour.

=== Savitri and Satyavan === {{Main|Savitri and Satyavan}}

=== Senavindu === Senavindu, also called as Senabindu, is a king and the rebirth of the asura Tuhunda. Arjuna twice defeated this king during his ''digvijaya''. He is stated by Drupada as one of the kings who could be summoned to the cause of the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra War. He was killed by the Kauravas in the war.

=== Shachi === {{Main|Indrani}}

=== Shakuni === {{Main|Shakuni}}

=== Shakuntala === {{Main|Shakuntala}}

===Shalva=== Shalva was the king of the [[Salwa Kingdom|Shalva]] kingdom. He and [[Amba (Mahabharata)|Amba]], the princess of Kashi, fell in love, and Amba decided to choose him during her svayamvara. However, [[Bhishma]] won the princesses for his brother Vichitravirya. When Amba told Bhishma about her love, he sent her with honour to Shalva. But Shalva rejected her and told her that he would not be able marry her as she had been won by Bhishma.

=== Shalya === {{Main|Shalya}}

==== Sons of Shalya ==== [[Shalya]]'s three sons were Madranjaya, Rukmanagada, and Rukmanaratha. Madranjaya was the eldest than other two with a gap of 10 years. Rukmanagada and Rukmanaratha were twins. Madranjaya was killed on 2nd day of war by [[Virata]] and other two were killed by [[Abhimanyu]] inside the chakravyuha on 13th day.

===Shankha=== Shankha was third son of King [[Virata]]. He was killed by [[Bhishma]] on the very first day of the war.

=== Shantanu === {{Main|Shantanu}}

===Sharmishtha=== {{Main|Sharmishtha}}

===Shatanika=== Shatanika was the son of [[Nakula]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the third brother among the [[Draupadeyas]].

=== Shaunaka === Shaunaka headed the sages during their conclave at his twelve-year sacrifice, where [[Ugrashravas]] Sauti recited the ''Mahabharata''.

=== Shikhandi === {{Main|Shikhandi}}

=== Shishupala === {{Main|Shishupala}}

==== Sons of Shishupala ==== The four sons of [[Chedi Kingdom|Chedi]] King [[Shishupala]] were Dhrishtaketu, Mahipala, Suketu, Sarabha. They had a sister named [[Karenumati]] who was younger than Dhrishtaketu but elder than other three. Dhrishtaketu succeeded the throne of Chedi after Shishupala's death. Dhrishtaketu was killed by Drona on 6th day of war and other three were killed by Shakuni's son Vrikasura.

===Shrutakarma=== Shrutakarma was the son of [[Arjuna]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the youngest brother among the [[Draupadeyas]].

===Shrutasena=== Shrutasena was the son of [[Sahadeva]] and [[Draupadi]]. He was the fourth brother among [[Draupadeyas]].

=== Shrutayudha === {{Main|Shrutayudha}} ===Shukra=== {{main|Shukra}} Shukra is the son of sage [[Bhrigu]] and his wife [[Kavyamata]]. After the devas killed his mother (who was later revived), Shukra developed a deep hatred towards the devas and became the guru of the asuras. He had a daughter named [[Devayani]], who was married to the king [[Yayati]]. But Yayati had an affair with Devayani's maid, [[Sharmishtha]]. This led Shukra to curse Yayati to lose his youth.

===Shveta=== He was the second son of [[Virata]], also called Shvetavarman. He was killed on the first day of the war by [[Bhishma]].

===Shvetaki=== Shvetaki was a king who performed numerous yajnas. He is the reason of the destruction of the Khandava forest (Khandava Dahana).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Khandava-daha Parva: Section CCXXV (Story of Shvetaki) |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01226.htm |access-date=2022-05-05 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

===Shreniman=== Shreniman was a king. He ruled the Kumaradesa. [[Nakula]] defeated him during his digvijaya. In the Kurukshetra War, he fought on the side of the Pandavas and was killed by Drona.

===Subala=== Subala was the father of [[Shakuni]] and [[Gandhari (character)|Gandhari]]. He was the King of Gandhara and he was the husband of Sudharma.

===Subhadra=== {{main|Subhadra}}

===Sudakshina=== {{Main|Sudakshina}}

===Sudeshna=== {{Main|Sudeshna}}

=== Sunaka === Sunaka was the son of Sage Ruru and Pramadvara. This royal sage was a member of Yudhishthira's assembly. He received a sword from King Harivamsha and presented it to the king Ushinara.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Apaddharmanusasana Parva: Section CLXVI |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a165.htm |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Pauloma Parva: Section VII |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01008.htm |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

===Surya=== {{Main|Surya}} Surya, the Sun god, was the first god called by [[Kunti]] using the mantra given by the sage [[Durvasa]] to obtain a child. She did it out of curiosity and gave birth to [[Karna]], who was born with indestructible armour and earrings. During that time, as she was not married, she had to abandon the child. Later in the epic, Surya gave the [[Akshaya Patra]] to [[Yudhishthira]].

===Susharma=== Susharma was the king of the Trigarta Kingdom. He supported the Kauravas in the war. He was a friend of Duryodhana. He was killed by Arjuna on the fourteenth day of the war.

===Sutasoma=== Sutasoma was the son of Bhima and Draupadi. He was the second brother among the Draupadeyas.

===Svaha=== {{main|Svaha}}

== T ==

=== Takshaka === {{Main|Takshaka}}

===Tapati=== {{Main|Tapati}}

=== Tilottama === {{Main|Tilottama}}

===Tara=== {{Main|Taraka (goddess)}}

==U==

===Ugrasena=== {{main|Ugrasena}}

===Ugrashravas Sauti=== {{Main|Ugrashravas}}

=== Uluka === {{Main|Uluka}}

=== Ulupi === {{Main|Ulupi}}

=== Uma === {{Main|Uma (goddess)}}

=== Uparichara Vasu === {{Main|Uparichara Vasu}}

===Urvashi=== {{Main|Urvashi}}

=== Ushinara === A king of [[Bhoja tribe|Bhojas]], contemporary to [[Yayati]], and one of the husbands of [[Madhavi (princess)|Madhavi]] with whom he had a son named [[Shibi (king)|Shibi]]

===Uttamaujas=== {{main|Uttamaujas}}

===Uttanka=== {{Main|Uttanka}}

=== Uttara === {{Main|Uttara (Mahabharata)}}

=== Uttarā === {{Main|Uttarā (Mahabharata)}}

== V == === Vajra === He was the son of [[Aniruddha]]. Vajra was crowned as the King of [[Mathura|Indraprastha]] on the request of Krishna by the [[Pandava]]s after the [[Mausala Parva|Yadava fratricide]] just before the [[Mahaprasthanika Parva|Pandavas' journey to Mount Sumeru]].

=== Vapusthama === Vapusthama was the princess of [[Kingdom of Kashi|Kashi, present day Benaras]], the daughter of Subarnavarma, the granddaughter of King Sarvaga and great-granddaughter of [[Bhima]], the second [[Pandava]]. Vapusthama was married to [[Arjuna]]'s great-grandson [[Janamejaya]], and bore him two sons – Shatanika and Sankukarna.

=== Varaha === {{Main|Varaha}} Varaha is the boar-incarnation, stated in [[Vana Parva]] of the epic, when he rescued Bhumi during the [[Pralaya|Mahapralaya]] (great-flood).<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Tirtha-yatra Parva: Section CXLI |url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03141.htm |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=sacred-texts.com}}</ref>

=== Varuna === {{Main|Varuna#Mahabharata}}

=== Vasishtha === {{Main|Vasishtha}}

=== Vasudeva === {{Main|Vasudeva}}

=== Vayu === {{Main|Vayu}} Vayu deva is the god of wind. He is son of Aditi and Kashyapa. In the epic, he is the spiritual father of [[Hanuman]] and the Pandava, [[Bhima]]. He was the second god called by [[Kunti]] after her marriage using a mantra as her husband could not conceive due to a curse.

=== Virabhadra === {{Main|Virabhadra}} Veerabhadra was the fierce god who incarnated from Shiva to destroy Daksha's yajna. He is also stated in Shanti Parva of the epic Mahabharata.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The Mahabharata, Book 12: Santi Parva: Mokshadharma Parva: Section CCLXXXIV |url=https://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12b111.htm |access-date=2022-12-05 |website=Internet Sacred Text Archive}}</ref>

=== Vichitravirya === {{Main|Vichitravirya}}

=== Vidura === {{Main|Vidura}}

==== Vidura's wife ==== The wife of [[Vidura]], the half-brother of King [[Dhritarashtra]] and the Prime Minister of [[Hastinapur]]. She was also a chaste woman of supreme order. She too had a high degree of devotion and abdication. When [[Lord Krishna|Krishna]] visited [[Hastinapur]] as an emissary of [[Pandavas]], he had not accepted [[Duryodhana|Duryodhana's]] request to stay in his palace but instead he chose to stay at [[Vidura|Vidura's]] home and accepted a simple meal there. She is named Sulabha in later versions of the Mahabharata.<ref>{{cite web|last=Vaidya|first=Sahna|date=2018-03-10|title=My Beloved Lord Krishna: The man 'with and behind' every strong woman.|url=http://pravaahwellness.com/index.php/2018/03/10/my-beloved-lord-krishna-the-man-with-and-behind-every-strong-woman-a-true-and-first-feminist-of-history/|access-date=2021-01-19|website=Pravaah Wellness|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124071851/http://pravaahwellness.com/index.php/2018/03/10/my-beloved-lord-krishna-the-man-with-and-behind-every-strong-woman-a-true-and-first-feminist-of-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Shun self|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/religion/shun-self/article5620543.ece|access-date=2021-01-19|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Characters 19 – Vidura 01 – A true friend, affectionate but not attached {{!}} The Spiritual Scientist|url=https://www.thespiritualscientist.com/2014/06/mahabharata-characters-19-vidura-01-a-true-friend-affectionate-but-not-attached/|access-date=2021-01-19|language=en-US}}</ref> Sulabha was a great devotee of [[Krishna]]. One day he came to her home for a surprise meal. She was enchanted by his glowing face. In absence of her husband, she offered him peels of banana instead of the fruit. And he ate them respecting her [[bhakti]] note.<ref name=":0" />

=== Vijayā === In the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Mahabharat]]'', Vijaya was the daughter of king Dyutimata of Madra (Bahalika) and wife of [[Sahadeva]]. They got married in a [[swayamvara|self choice ceremony]]. Vijaya was [[Nakula]]'s maternal uncle's daughter. They had a son [[Suhotra]].<ref name="auto" /> After the Kurukshetra War, Vijaya lived in Madra.

=== Vikarna === {{Main|Vikarna}}

=== Vinata === {{Main|Vinata}}

=== Vinda and Anuvinda === {{Main|Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti}}

=== Virata === {{Main|Virata}}

=== Virini === {{Main|Asikni (goddess)}}

=== Vishnu === {{Main|Vishnu}}

=== Vishoka === Vishoka was the charioteer of Pandava Bhima during the Kurukshetra War.

=== Vishvamitra === {{Main|Vishvamitra}}

=== Vishvarajsinh Nakum === Vishvarajsinh was the king of avanti and was a descendent of nikumbh-vansh of ''suryavanshi'' of shree ram and joined pandavas during the Kurukshetra War.

=== Vrihanta === {{Main|Vrihanta}}

===Vridhakshtra=== He was former king of [[Sindhu]] Kingdom. He was father of [[Jayadratha]] and Vijayadratha. He later became a rishi. When [[Arjuna]] beheaded his son Jayadratha, his head came on his lap while he was doing tapa and when he stood up and Jayadratha's head blasted, killing Vridhakshtra.

=== Vrishaketu === {{Main|Vrishaketu}}

=== Vrishasena === {{Main|Vrishasena}}

=== Vyasa === {{Main|Vyasa}}

==Y== ===Yama=== {{Main|Yama (Hinduism)}} In the epic, the death god [[Yama]]{{mdash}}often identified with the god Dharma{{mdash}}is the spiritual father of [[Yudhishthira]]. He was the first god invoked by [[Kunti]] after her marriage using a mantra as her [[Pandu|husband]] could not conceive. Yama also appeared in the tale of [[Savitri and Satyavan]]. In the story, he tried to take Satyavan's soul during his predestined time of death, but Savitri was able to persuade the deity to let her husband live. Dharma, later in the epic, appears testing Yudhishthira by taking form of a yaksha. When the Pandavas and Draupadi departed to heaven, he accompanied them by taking the form of a dog and was the only survivor left, along with Yudhishthira. In the end, he showed his true form to Yudhishthira.

===Yaudheya=== Yaudheya was the son of Yudhishthira and Devika, and the grandson of Govasena, who was the king of [[Sivi Kingdom]]. Yaudheya succeeded his grandfather after his death in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

According to the [[Matsya Purana]], Yaudheya is also the name of the eldest son of [[Prativindhya]] and his first wife Subala, however he does not succeed Yudhishthira to the throne of Hastinapura as he inherits his maternal kingdom.

===Yayati=== {{Main|Yayati}}

=== Yudhamanyu === {{Main|Yudhamanyu}}

=== Yudhishthira === {{Main|Yudhishthira}}

=== Yuyutsu === {{Main|Yuyutsu}}

== Notes == {{Reflist|group=note}}

== References == {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

=== Sources === {{refbegin}} * {{Cite book|last=Mani|first=Vettam|url=https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft|title=Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature|date=1975|publisher=Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass|others=Robarts – University of Toronto|isbn=9780842608220 }} * {{Cite book|last=Chakravarti|first=Bishnupada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivQ6CwAAQBAJ&pg=PT105|title=Penguin Companion to the Mahabharata|date=2007-11-13|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-93-5214-170-8|language=en}} *{{Cite book|last=Dalal|first=Roshen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zrk0AwAAQBAJ|title=Hinduism: An Alphabetical Guide|date=2014-04-18|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-81-8475-277-9|language=en}} {{refend}}

== See also ==

* [[List of avatars in the Mahabharata|List of avatars in the ''Mahabharata'']] {{Mahabharata}} {{HinduMythology}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Characters in the Mahabharata}} [[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata| ]] [[Category:People related to Krishna]] [[Category:Javanese mythology]] [[Category:Wayang]] [[Category:Lists of people associated with religion]]