Satyaki Yuyudhana (Sanskrit: युयुधान, Yuyudhāna), better known as Satyaki (Sanskrit: सात्यकि, Sātyaki), was a powerful warrior belonging to the Vrishni clan of the Yadavas, to which Krishna also belonged. According to the Puranas, he was the grandson of Shini of the Vrishni clan, and adopted son of Satyaka, after whom he was named. A valiant warrior, Satyaki was devoted to Krishna and was…
Niyoga Niyoga (Sanskrit: नियोग) was an ancient tradition in India, in which a woman (whose husband is either incapable of fatherhood or has died without having a child) would request and appoint a man for helping her bear a child. According to this tradition, the man who was appointed must be or…
Ambika Another name of Parvati, Shiva’s consort. In Mahabharata Ambika (Sanskrit: अम्बिका, ambikā) was the daughter of Kashya, the King of Kashi, and wife of Vichitravirya, the king of Hastinapura. She was also the mother of Dhritarashtra and aunt of Pandu and grandmother to the Kauravas. Along with her sisters,…
Amba Amba was the eldest daughter of the king of Kashi, and she had two other sisters – Ambika and Ambalika. Amba considered the Kuru prince Bhishma responsible for her misfortune and her sole goal in life became his destruction, to fulfill which she is reborn as Shikhandi (the daughter of Drupada and sister…
Gandharva The Gandharvas (Sanskrit: गन्धर्व) are male nature spirits and husbands of the Apsaras. Some are part animal, usually a bird or horse. They have superb musical skills. They guard the Soma and make beautiful music for the gods in their palaces. Gandharvas are frequently depicted as singers in the court of the gods. Gandharvas in the…
Chitrangada Chitrāngada (Sanskrit: चित्रांगद, citrāngada) was the son of Shantanu, king of Hastinapur and Satyavati, and ascended the throne of Hastinapur after his father’s death. Following the wishes of Satyavati, Bhishma had placed Chitrangada on the throne of the kingdom of the Kurus after Shantanu’s departure. Chitrangada was a great warrior and defeated many powerful enemies and Asuras.…
Vichitravirya Vichitravirya (Sanskrit: विचित्रवीर्य, vicitravīrya) was the son of Shantanu, the king of Hastinapur and Satyavati. He was the grandfather of the Pandavas and Kauravas. Vichitravirya had an elder brother named Chitrāngada, whom his half-brother Bhishma placed on the throne of the kingdom of the Kurus after Shantanu’s death. He was a mighty warrior but the king of the Gandharvas defeated and…
Ambalika Ambalika (Sanskrit: अम्बालिका, ambālikā) was the daughter of Kashya, the King of Kashi, and was the wife of Vichitravirya, the son of Shantanu and King of Hastinapur. Along with her sisters, Amba and Ambika, Ambalika was taken by force by Bhishma from their Swayamvara, the latter having challenged and defeated the assembled royalty. He presented them to Satyavati…
Pandu Pandu (Sanskrit: पंडू Pāṇḍu, lit. yellowish, whitish, pale), was the king of Hastinapur, the son of Ambalika, Vichitravirya’s wife and Vyasa. He is more popularly known as the earthly father of the Pandavas, who were called so after him. He was said to be responsible and a great warrior, who expanded his kingdom during his rule. With Vichitravirya having died…
Madri Madri (Sanskrit: माद्री; IAST: Mādrī) was a princess of the Madra Kingdom who married Pandu, the king of Hastinapur. When Pandu was cursed by Rishi Kindama that he will die if he joins his wives in sexual intercourse, Kunti, with his permission, invokes, through the boon bestowed to her by Rishi Durvasa before marriage, the Gods Yama, Vayu…