Pandavas – The Five Sons of Pandu – Indian Mythology

Entities

पाण्डव

The Pandavas are the five heroic sons of Pandu, the king of the Kuru dynasty, central to the epic Mahabharata. Their story forms the backbone of the epic, representing the eternal struggle between Dharma (righteousness) and Adharma (unrighteousness). Each of the Pandavas is notable for their divine heritage, extraordinary abilities, and significant roles in the Kurukshetra war.

Although they are called the sons of Pandu, they were not biologically his offspring, as Pandu had been cursed and was unable to father children. This curse arose from an incident where Pandu accidentally killed a sage and his wife while hunting. As a result, any attempt by Pandu to father a child would lead to his death. Hence, Pandu’s two wives, Kunti and Madri, bore children through divine intervention, invoking various gods to father the children.

Birth and Divine Fathers of the Pandavas

  • Yudhishthira, the eldest of the Pandavas, was born to Kunti after she invoked Yama, the god of righteousness and death. As a result, Yudhishthira inherited Yama’s sense of justice and was renowned for his unwavering adherence to Dharma. His moral integrity is a central theme throughout the Mahabharata, even though it sometimes leads to difficult choices.
  • Bheema, the second Pandava, was born to Kunti after she invoked Vayu, the god of wind. Bheema was known for his immense strength, which was said to be as powerful as that of the wind itself. His voracious appetite and immense physical prowess made him a formidable warrior in battle. One of the most notable stories of Bheema’s strength is his defeat of the demon Hidimba, after which he married Hidimbi, a Rakshasi (female demon), and fathered Ghatotkacha, a crucial warrior in the Kurukshetra war.
  • Arjuna, the third Pandava, was born when Kunti invoked Indra, the king of the gods and the god of war and weather. Arjuna inherited Indra’s martial prowess, becoming the greatest archer of his time. Arjuna’s role as a warrior and hero is emphasized throughout the Mahabharata, especially in the Bhagavad Gita, where he receives divine wisdom from Krishna. Besides his marriage to Draupadi, Arjuna also married Subhadra, the sister of Krishna, and fathered Abhimanyu, one of the most valiant young warriors in the Kurukshetra war.
  • Nakula and Sahadeva, the twin Pandavas, were born to Pandu’s second wife Madri. Madri invoked the Ashwini Kumaras, the twin gods of medicine and health, to father her sons. Nakula was known for his exceptional beauty and skill in horse taming, while Sahadeva was known for his wisdom and knowledge of astrology. Both twins played crucial roles in the Pandavas’ efforts during the war.
Pandava Divine Father Significance/Abilities
Yudhishthira Yama Embodiment of Dharma, known for his righteousness, truthfulness, and just nature.
Bheema Vayu Known for his immense physical strength, unmatched in battle, and fierce appetite.
Arjuna Indra Renowned as the greatest archer, key figure in the Bhagavad Gita, and skilled in warfare and archery.
Nakula Ashwini Kumaras Exceptional in horse taming and known for his physical beauty.
Sahadeva Ashwini Kumaras Known for his wisdom, intelligence, and expertise in astrology.

Marriage to Draupadi

All five Pandavas were married to Draupadi, the princess of Panchala, in a unique polyandrous marriage. Draupadi was born from a sacred fire ritual performed by her father, Drupada, who sought revenge against Drona, the teacher of the Pandavas and Kauravas. Draupadi’s divine origin was reflected in her beauty, intelligence, and strong will. Her marriage to the five Pandavas, a rare occurrence in Hindu mythology, was the result of a misunderstanding. After Arjuna won Draupadi’s hand in her swayamvara, he brought her home and announced to his mother Kunti, “I have brought something,” to which Kunti, unaware of what it was, instructed them to share it among themselves. This led to all five brothers marrying Draupadi.

Character Significance
Draupadi Wife of all five Pandavas, born from a fire ritual, known for her strength, intelligence, and crucial role in the epic.
Swayamvara The contest where Arjuna won Draupadi’s hand by successfully piercing the eye of a rotating fish, a testament to his archery skills.

Other Marriages and Children

While Draupadi was the common wife of the Pandavas, Arjuna and Bheema also had additional marriages:

  • Arjuna married Subhadra, the sister of Krishna, and they had a son named Abhimanyu, a brilliant young warrior who played a significant role in the Kurukshetra war. Abhimanyu is best known for his bravery in penetrating the Chakravyuha, a complex military formation, though he was tragically killed due to his inability to escape it.
  • Bheema married Hidimbi, a Rakshasi, after defeating her brother, Hidimba, in combat. Their son Ghatotkacha inherited his father’s great strength and his mother’s magical abilities. Ghatotkacha played a crucial role in the Kurukshetra war, where his abilities caused havoc among the Kauravas’ forces, until he was slain by Karna using the Vasavi Shakti, a divine weapon given to him by Indra.
Pandava Other Wife Child
Arjuna Subhadra Abhimanyu, a valiant warrior who played a key role in the Kurukshetra war but was tragically killed in battle.
Bheema Hidimbi Ghatotkacha, a half-Rakshasa warrior who fought valiantly in the Kurukshetra war and was killed by Karna.

Upa-Pandavas and the Tragedy of Ashwatthama

Through Draupadi, each of the Pandavas fathered a son, collectively known as the Upa-Pandavas. These sons were:

  • Prativindhya (son of Yudhishthira)
  • Sutasoma (son of Bheema)
  • Shrutakarma (son of Arjuna)
  • Shatanika (son of Nakula)
  • Shrutasena (son of Sahadeva)

The Upa-Pandavas, like their fathers, fought valiantly during the Kurukshetra War. However, their fate took a tragic turn at the war’s conclusion. After the defeat of the Kauravas, Ashwatthama, the son of Drona, sought revenge for the death of his father and the destruction of his side. In the dead of night, he infiltrated the Pandava camp and murdered the sleeping Upa-Pandavas, mistaking them for the Pandavas themselves. This horrific act of vengeance marked one of the most tragic episodes in the Mahabharata and showcased the destructive consequences of unchecked rage and the futility of revenge.

Upa-Pandava Father Fate
Prativindhya Yudhishthira Murdered by Ashwatthama after the war.
Sutasoma Bheema Killed in the same tragic night raid by Ashwatthama.
Shrutakarma Arjuna Slain by Ashwatthama during his vengeful rampage.
Shatanika Nakula Murdered alongside his brothers by Ashwatthama.
Shrutasena Sahadeva Killed by Ashwatthama during the attack on the Pandava camp.

Conclusion

The story of the Pandavas is central to the Mahabharata, showcasing the themes of divine intervention, fate, duty, and the consequences of moral choices. Each Pandava, born of a divine father, embodied specific traits and skills that made them extraordinary warriors and rulers. Their marriages, especially the unique polyandrous union with Draupadi, and their children, the Upa-Pandavas, are crucial elements of their legacy. The tragedy of their sons’ deaths at the hands of Ashwatthama adds a poignant layer to the epic, reflecting the endless cycle of vengeance and the heavy cost

Leave a Comment