The Mahabharata is one of the most important epics in Hindu literature, and its story is deeply rooted in the Kuru dynasty. The family tree of the Mahabharata spans several generations, focusing on the two main branches—the Kauravas and the Pandavas—who are the central figures in the epic's story of conflict, war, and duty.
Here’s a simplified family tree of the Kuru dynasty from the Mahabharata, focusing primarily on the key characters:
1. King Shantanu
- Shantanu was the king of the Kuru dynasty. He married Ganga (the river goddess) and later, Satyavati (a fisherwoman).
Children of Shantanu and Ganga:
- Bhishma (born as Devavrata, he was the son of Shantanu and Ganga, but renounced the throne for the sake of his father’s marriage to Satyavati).
Children of Shantanu and Satyavati:
- Chitrangada (died young, no heirs)
- Vichitravirya (the second son, who became king after Shantanu)
2. Vichitravirya (King of Hastinapur)
- Vichitravirya died young, leaving no heirs. His two queens, Ambika and Ambalika, were left childless. To ensure the continuation of the Kuru dynasty, his mother, Satyavati, called upon Vyasa (her first-born son from a previous relationship) to father children with the queens.
Children of Vyasa and Ambika:
- Dhritarashtra (born blind)
Children of Vyasa and Ambalika:
- Pandu (born pale)
3. Dhritarashtra and Pandu
Dhritarashtra and Pandu are brothers, sons of King Vichitravirya, and they become central figures in the Mahabharata.
Dhritarashtra's Family (the Kauravas):
- Dhritarashtra married Gandhari, a princess of Gandhara.
- Dhritarashtra and Gandhari had 100 sons, the most notable being Duryodhana (the eldest) and his brothers, the Kauravas.
Notable Kauravas:
- Duryodhana (the eldest son, antagonist of the Pandavas)
- Dushasana (his younger brother)
- Other Kaurava brothers (99 total)
Pandu's Family (the Pandavas):
Pandu, the younger brother of Dhritarashtra, had two wives—Kunti and Madri.
- Kunti had three sons by divine blessings:
- Yudhishthira (fathered by Yama, the god of death)
- Bhima (fathered by Vayu, the wind god)
- Arjuna (fathered by Indra, the king of the gods)
- Madri had two sons by the twin gods Ashvins:
- Nakula
- Sahadeva
Together, these five brothers are known as the Pandavas.
Summary of the Key Family Tree:
- King Shantanu → Married Ganga and Satyavati
- Bhishma (from Ganga)
- Vichitravirya (from Satyavati)
- Dhritarashtra (blind) and Pandu (pale)
- Dhritarashtra → Married Gandhari
- 100 Kaurava sons (most notably Duryodhana)
- Pandu → Married Kunti and Madri
- Yudhishthira (son of Yama)
- Bhima (son of Vayu)
- Arjuna (son of Indra)
- Nakula and Sahadeva (sons of the Ashvins)
- Dhritarashtra → Married Gandhari
- Dhritarashtra (blind) and Pandu (pale)
Key Figures in the Epic:
- Yudhishthira (eldest of the Pandavas)
- Bhima (known for his strength)
- Arjuna (great archer)
- Nakula and Sahadeva (known for their intelligence and warrior skills)
- Duryodhana (eldest of the Kauravas, main antagonist)
- Bhishma (the great grandfather, who played a pivotal role in the war)
- Draupadi (wife of the Pandavas, an important figure in the Mahabharata)
The Mahabharata also includes many other characters like Krishna, Karna, Dronacharya, and Vidura, whose roles are essential in the epic.
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