In the great Hindu epic Mahabharata, Yudhisthira (Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर्, yudhishthir) was the eldest son of King Pandu and Queen Kunti, king of Hastinapura and Indraprastha, and World Emperor. He was the principal protagonist of the Kurukshetra War, and for his unblemished piety, known as Dharmaraja (Most pious one). Yudhisthira - Birth and Upbringing. Pandu, the king of Hastinapura and father of the Pandavas could not sire children as he was cursed to die by a ...

Including:

• Yudhisthira - Birth and Upbringing
• Yudhisthira - son of Dharma
• Yudhisthira - King of Indraprastha
• Yudhisthira - Rajasuya
• Yudhisthira - Exile of 14 years
• Yudhisthira - The War at Kurukshetra
• Yudhisthira - Drona's death
• Yudhisthira - Emperor of the World
• Yudhisthira - Ashwamedha
• Yudhisthira - Retirement and Ascent to Heaven

Read more here: » Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia - Yudhisthira

See also:

Yudhisthira, Yudhisthira - Birth and Upbringing, Yudhisthira - son of Dharma, Yudhisthira - King of Indraprastha, Yudhisthira - Rajasuya, Yudhisthira - Exile of 14 years, Yudhisthira - The War at Kurukshetra, Yudhisthira - Drona's death, Yudhisthira - Emperor of the World, Yudhisthira - Ashwamedha, Yudhisthira - Retirement and Ascent to Heaven

Read more here: » Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia II - Yudhisthira - The War at Kurukshetra

Pandu, the king of Hastinapura and father of the Pandavas could not sire children as he was cursed to die by a brahmin in deer form whom he had accidently killed, if he engaged in intercourse with his wives. He was born of a boon given to Queen Kunti, who had been grant the power to invoke the Devas by Rishi Durvasa. Yudhisthira was born when Kunti invoked the Lord of Righteousness Dharma, or Yama. Being Pandu's eldest son, Yudhisthira was the rightful heir to the throne of Hastinapura, held by Pandu's blind brother Dhritarashtra. This ...

See also:

Yudhisthira, Yudhisthira - Birth and Upbringing, Yudhisthira - son of Dharma, Yudhisthira - King of Indraprastha, Yudhisthira - Rajasuya, Yudhisthira - Exile of 14 years, Yudhisthira - The War at Kurukshetra, Yudhisthira - Drona's death, Yudhisthira - Emperor of the World, Yudhisthira - Ashwamedha, Yudhisthira - Retirement and Ascent to Heaven

Read more here: » Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia II - Yudhisthira - Birth and Upbringing

Upon the onset of the Kali yuga and the death of Krishna, Yudhisthira and his brothers retire, leaving the throne to the son of Abhimanyu, Parikshita. Giving up all their belongings and ties, the Pandavas begin their final journey of pilgrimage in the Himalayas. While climbing the peaks, one by one Draupadi and each Pandava in descending order fall to their deaths, each by the weight of their guilt of few, but real sins. But Yudhisthira reaches the mountain peak, because ...

See also:

Yudhisthira, Yudhisthira - Birth and Upbringing, Yudhisthira - son of Dharma, Yudhisthira - King of Indraprastha, Yudhisthira - Rajasuya, Yudhisthira - Exile of 14 years, Yudhisthira - The War at Kurukshetra, Yudhisthira - Drona's death, Yudhisthira - Emperor of the World, Yudhisthira - Ashwamedha, Yudhisthira - Retirement and Ascent to Heaven

Read more here: » Yudhisthira: Encyclopedia II - Yudhisthira - Retirement and Ascent to Heaven

In the epic Mahabharata, Drona (or Dronacharya) is the royal guru to the Kauravas and the Pandavas. He was a master of advanced military arts, including the devastras. Arjuna was his favorite student. Drona's love for Arjuna was only second to his love for his son Ashwathama. Drona - Birth and Early Life. Drona was born a brahmin, son of sage Bharadwaja. He spent his youth in poverty, but studied religion and military arts together with the then prince of Panchala, Drupada. Drupada and Drona b ...

Including:

• Drona - Birth and Early Life
• Drona - Drona and Drupada
• Drona - Guru Parasurama
• Drona - Dronacharya
• Drona - The ball and the ring
• Drona - Arjuna
• Drona - Ekalavya and Karna
• Drona - Revenge upon Drupada
• Drona - Drona in the war
• Drona - Abhimanyu's killing
• Drona - Yudhisthira's capture and Drona's death
• Drona - Modern assessment

Read more here: » Drona: Encyclopedia - Drona

In the epic Mahabharata, Jayadratha is the king of Sindhu. He is married to Dusshala, the sister of the Kaurava brothers. Jayadratha - Boon from Shiva. Jayadratha insults Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas, by attempting to abduct her and forcibly marry her. After the Pandavas capture him, he is saved from death by Yudhisthira, who proclaims him his slave. Desiring to avenge his humiliation, Jayadratha performs a tapasya to please Shiva. He asks for the power to defeat the Pandavas, but Shiva says th ...

Including:

• Jayadratha - Boon from Shiva
• Jayadratha - In the War
• Jayadratha - Arjuna's revenge
• Jayadratha - Aftermath

Read more here: » Jayadratha: Encyclopedia - Jayadratha

Please remove this notice after the article has been expanded. Details are on this talk page or at Wikipedia:Requests for expansion. In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Draupadi is the daughter of King Drupada, and becomes the wife of the five Pandavas. When Yudhisthira becomes the king of Hastinapura, Indraprastha and the Emperor of India at the end of the war, Draupadi becomes his Queen. Draupadi - Birth. Draupadi and her brother Dhristadyumna emerged together from a sacrificial fire that ...

Including:

• Draupadi - Birth
• Draupadi - Marriage to the Pandavas
• Draupadi - Draupadi's Cheer-Haran
• Draupadi - Devotion to Krishna

Read more here: » Draupadi: Encyclopedia - Draupadi

Parikshita is in the Mahabharata epic the successor of Yudhisthira to the throne of Hastinapura. Alternate spellings of his name are Pariksita, and Parikshit. His name is a common Hindu name across India today. Parikshita - Birth. Parikshita is the son of Uttara, the Matsya princess and Abhimanyu, the Vrishni son of Arjuna. He is born only after the end of the war. Uttara is carrying their son in her womb when Abhimanyu is mercilessly and unfairly slain by the Kauravas. Later, As ...

Including:

• Parikshita - Birth
• Parikshita - Prophecy of Life
• Parikshita - King of Hastinapura

Read more here: » Parikshita: Encyclopedia - Parikshita

The city of Indraprastha (City of Indra) was a major northern city in ancient India that was the capital of the kingdom led by the Pandavas in the Mahabharata epic. It is located upon the banks of the river Yamuna and extremely close to the modern national capital of Delhi. Indeed, it is said to have been "the first city of Delhi". Indraprastha - Foundation. When Yudhisthira, the eldest of the five Pandava brothers is given the kingdom of Khandavaprastha, a region northwest to the city ...

Including:

• Indraprastha - Foundation
• Indraprastha - In history
• Indraprastha - Declining importance
• Indraprastha - Lineage of Delhi

Read more here: » Indraprastha: Encyclopedia - Indraprastha

The Vishnu sahasranāma (literally: "Vishnu of the thousand names") is a list of 1,000 names for Vishnu, one of the main forms of God in Hinduism and the only Ultimate Reality for Vaishnavites (followers of Vishnu). More particularly, the Vishnu sahasranāma is one of the most sacred and chanted stotras in Hinduism. It is recited, often with a preface, as a prayer by many Vaishnavites. As described in the 149th chapter of Anushāsanaparva in the epic Mahabharata, the names were handed down to Yudhisthira by grand sire Bh ...

Including:

• Vishnu sahasranama - Etymology
• Vishnu sahasranama - Interpretation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Pronunciation and Merits of Recitation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Prayer
• Vishnu sahasranama - Shlokas
• Vishnu sahasranama - Recitation and aggregation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Tradition of recitation
• Vishnu sahasranama - Inclusion of other deities
• Vishnu sahasranama - Quotes about Vishnu Sahasranama
• Vishnu sahasranama - Benefits of chanting Vishnu Sahasranama
• Vishnu sahasranama - Books

Read more here: » Vishnu sahasranama: Encyclopedia - Vishnu sahasranama

Dronacharya's legend as a great teacher and warrior exceeds Hindu mythology by strongly influencing Indian social traditions. Drona inspires great debates about morality and dharma in the Mahabharata epic. Drona - The ball and the ring. Drona set out towards Hastinapura, hoping to open a school of military arts for young princes with the help of the king Dhritarashtra. Approaching a well in a forest, he saw numerous young boys, the Kauravas and Pandavas gathered around it. He asked them what the matter was, and Yudhisthira, the eldest replied that their ball had fallen inside and ...

See also:

Drona, Drona - Birth and Early Life, Drona - Drona and Drupada, Drona - Guru Parasurama, Drona - Dronacharya, Drona - The ball and the ring, Drona - Arjuna, Drona - Ekalavya and Karna, Drona - Revenge upon Drupada, Drona - Drona in the war, Drona - Abhimanyu's killing, Drona - Yudhisthira's capture and Drona's death, Drona - Modern assessment

Read more here: » Drona: Encyclopedia II - Drona - Dronacharya

At a point when Drona, as the Kuru commander is killing vast numbers of Pandava troops, Krishna advises Yudhisthira to adopt a plan to kill the preceptor now. As it is known that as long as Drona has raised his weapons he is invincible to all other warriors, Krishna advises that it be proclaimed that Drona's son, Ashwathama has just died in the battle. It is known that out of the grief of such an eventuality, ...

See also:

Dhristadyumna, Dhristadyumna - Birth, Dhristadyumna - In the War, Dhristadyumna - Killing Drona, Dhristadyumna - Death

Read more here: » Dhristadyumna: Encyclopedia II - Dhristadyumna - Killing Drona

In the war, Yudhisthira is targeted by Kuru commander Drona to be captured, but the latter fails to accomplish this. The Kuru commander and preceptor is however killing hundreds of thousands of Pandava warriors and thus advancing Duryodhana's cause. Krishna asks Yudhisthira to proclaim that Drona's son Ashwathama has died, so that the invincible and destructive Kuru commander would give up his arms and thus could be killed. Bhima proceeds to kill an elephan ...

See also:

Drona, Drona - Birth and Early Life, Drona - Drona and Drupada, Drona - Guru Parasurama, Drona - Dronacharya, Drona - The ball and the ring, Drona - Arjuna, Drona - Ekalavya and Karna, Drona - Revenge upon Drupada, Drona - Drona in the war, Drona - Abhimanyu's killing, Drona - Yudhisthira's capture and Drona's death, Drona - Modern assessment

Read more here: » Drona: Encyclopedia II - Drona - Yudhisthira's capture and Drona's death

The chief priest Dhaumya predicts to king Yudhisthira after Parikshita's birth that he will be a great devotee of the Supreme Lord Vishnu, and since he was saved by the Lord Krishna, he will be known as Vishnurata (One who is always protected by the Lord). Dhaumya Rishi predicts that Parikshita would be ever-devoted to virtue, religious principles and the truth and would be a wise monarch, exactly as Ikshvaku and Rama of Ayodhya. He would be as exemplary a warrior as Arjuna, his own grandf ...

See also:

Parikshita, Parikshita - Birth, Parikshita - Prophecy of Life, Parikshita - King of Hastinapura

Read more here: » Parikshita: Encyclopedia II - Parikshita - Prophecy of Life

Drona is criticized by several modern scholars for his alleged racism and caste discrimination, over the rejection of Ekalavya and Karna. Lord Krishna criticizes Drona for not speaking against or stopping the humiliation of Draupadi by Dushasana and Duryodhana. He is also criticized for being to proud and conceited, and for siding with evil despite the obvious righteousness of the Pandava cause. It may also be concluded that he was responsible for the devious murder of Abhimanyu, as it was he who suggested simultaneously attack ...

See also:

Drona, Drona - Birth and Early Life, Drona - Drona and Drupada, Drona - Guru Parasurama, Drona - Dronacharya, Drona - The ball and the ring, Drona - Arjuna, Drona - Ekalavya and Karna, Drona - Revenge upon Drupada, Drona - Drona in the war, Drona - Abhimanyu's killing, Drona - Yudhisthira's capture and Drona's death, Drona - Modern assessment

Read more here: » Drona: Encyclopedia II - Drona - Modern assessment

Drona strongly condemns the wicked prince Duryodhana and his brothers for their abusive treatment of the Pandavas, and for usurping their kingdom by sending them into exile. But being a servant of Hastinapura, Drona is bound by duty to fight for the Kauravas, and thus against his favorite Pandavas. Drona is one of the most powerful and destructive warriors in the Kurukshetra War. He is an invincible warrior, whom no person on earth can defeat, and he single-handedly slays hundreds of thousands of Pandava soldiers with his powerful armory of weapons and incredible skill. After the fall of Bhishma, he bec ...

See also:

Drona, Drona - Birth and Early Life, Drona - Drona and Drupada, Drona - Guru Parasurama, Drona - Dronacharya, Drona - The ball and the ring, Drona - Arjuna, Drona - Ekalavya and Karna, Drona - Revenge upon Drupada, Drona - Drona in the war, Drona - Abhimanyu's killing, Drona - Yudhisthira's capture and Drona's death, Drona - Modern assessment

Read more here: » Drona: Encyclopedia II - Drona - Drona in the war

Drona was born a brahmin, son of sage Bharadwaja. He spent his youth in poverty, but studied religion and military arts together with the then prince of Panchala, Drupada. Drupada and Drona became close friends and Drupada,in his childish playfullness, promised to give Drona half his kingdom on ascending the throne of Panchala. Drona - Drona and Drupada. Drona married Kripi, the sister of Kripa, the royal teacher of the princes of Hastinapura. Kripi and Drona had Ashwathama as as son. For the sake of his w ...

See also:

Drona, Drona - Birth and Early Life, Drona - Drona and Drupada, Drona - Guru Parasurama, Drona - Dronacharya, Drona - The ball and the ring, Drona - Arjuna, Drona - Ekalavya and Karna, Drona - Revenge upon Drupada, Drona - Drona in the war, Drona - Abhimanyu's killing, Drona - Yudhisthira's capture and Drona's death, Drona - Modern assessment

Read more here: » Drona: Encyclopedia II - Drona - Birth and Early Life

When Yudhisthira, the eldest of the five Pandava brothers is given the kingdom of Khandavaprastha, a region northwest to the city of Hastinapura, a land cursed with barren and arid soils, diseased and dangerous forests and famine. However Lord Krishna summons Indra, the king of the Devas to help Yudhisthira, who in turn summons the Deva architect Vishwakarman. Performing sacred ceremonies to bless the land, Vishwakarman builds a glorious new city, which becomes the capital. Millions of people flock to this new city, and soon prosperity and health spread across Khandavaprastha, thanks to the perfectly ...

See also:

Indraprastha, Indraprastha - Foundation, Indraprastha - In history, Indraprastha - Declining importance, Indraprastha - Lineage of Delhi

Read more here: » Indraprastha: Encyclopedia II - Indraprastha - Foundation

When the princes come of age, Yudhisthira is given half the kingdom and made king of Indraprastha, so as to avoid a clash with the Kaurava princes over the whole Kuru kingdom. Duryodhana becomes the prince regent of Hastinapura, and owing to the age and blindness of his father, he accumulates much control and influence, managing the state affairs himself with a coterie of his advisors that include his ...

See also:

Duryodhana, Duryodhana - Birth, Duryodhana - Omens, Duryodhana - Development, Duryodhana - Karna, Duryodhana - Evil tendencies and schemes, Duryodhana - Usurping the kingdom, Duryodhana - The dice plot and Draupadi's humiliation, Duryodhana - World emperor, Duryodhana - The Kurukshetra War, Duryodhana - Gandhari's blessing and the fight with Bhima, Duryodhana - Death and Heaven, Duryodhana - Modern assessment, Duryodhana - In media

Read more here: » Duryodhana: Encyclopedia II - Duryodhana - Usurping the kingdom

When his sister is bethroted to a young brahmin of five, who wins the martial contest at her swayamvara, Dhristadyumna secretly follows the five brahmins and his sister, only to discover that they are in fact the five Pandavas: Yudhisthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva. Taking the advice of Lord Krishna and Arjuna, Dhristadyumna is installed as the Commander in Chief of the Pandava Army. ...

See also:

Dhristadyumna, Dhristadyumna - Birth, Dhristadyumna - In the War, Dhristadyumna - Killing Drona, Dhristadyumna - Death

Read more here: » Dhristadyumna: Encyclopedia II - Dhristadyumna - In the War