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Yudhishthira (Sanskrit: युधिष्ठिर,
Yudhishthira was the son of Kunti, the first wife of King Pandu, fathered by the god Yama due to Pandu's inability to have children. Yudhishthira held a strong belief in dharma (morals and virtues) and was chosen as the crown prince of Kuru. But after the Lakshagriha incident, he was presumed dead and his cousin Duryodhana was appointed as the new heir. The kingdom was split in half due to a succession dispute between Yudhishthira and Duryodhana. Yudhishthira received the barren half, which he later transformed into the magnificent city of Indraprastha.
Yudhishthira and his brothers had a polyandrous marriage with Draupadi, the princess of Panchala, who became the empress of Indraprastha. After Yudhishthira performed the Rajasuya, he was invited to play Pachisi by his jealous cousin, Duryodhana and his uncle, Shakuni. Shakuni, a master at the game, represented Duryodhana against Yudhishthira and manipulated him into gambling his kingdom, wealth, the freedom of his brothers, Draupadi, and even himself. After the game, the Pandavas and Draupadi were sent into exile for thirteen years, with the last year requiring them to live incognito. During his exile, Yudhisthira was tested by his divine father Yama. For the last year of the exile known as Agyaata Vaasa, Yudhishthira disguised himself as Kanka and served the Virata.
Yudhishthira was the leader of the successful Pandava faction in the Kurukshetra War and defeated many venerable warriors such as Shalya. He then ruled the Kuru Kingdom for 36 years until announcing his retirement. At the end of the epic, he was the only one among his brothers to ascend to heaven while retaining his mortal body.
According to Buddhist sources, by the late and post-Vedic periods, Kuru had become a minor state ruled by a chieftain called Koravya and belonging to the () gotra.
Kunti, Pandu's first wife, had received a boon from the sage in the form of powerful mantras, which allowed her to summon any god to grant her a son. As Gandhari, Dhritarashtra’s wife, neared the birth of her own children, Pandu grew anxious and requested Kunti to apply her boon and suggested to call Dharma to get a truthful, knowledgeable and justice knowing son who can rule Hastinapur (capital of Kuru). Meditating on Dharma, she recited one of the mantras, and a son was born to her through this divine intervention. The child arrived at midday on the eighth day of the month of Jyeshtha, on the fifth lunar day (Panchami), during the auspicious Abhijit hour. At his birth, a celestial voice declared, "This boy will grow to be a highly righteous and courageous king, the finest among the virtuous. He will be known as Yudhishthira." Following this divine proclamation, the child was named Yudhishthira.
Following Yudhishthira’s birth, Pandu’s desire for more sons grew. He urged Kunti to invoke her boon again, leading to Bhima’s birth from Vayu and Arjuna’s from Indra. With her three invocations used, Kunti shared the boon with Madri, who called upon the Ashvins and bore Nakula and Sahadeva. Thus, the five Pandavas were born, fulfilling Pandu’s wish for a strong lineage. After Pandu had five sons through divine means, he took his family to the Shatashringa forest, under the care of the resident sages.
In Hastinapura, the Pandavas trained under Kripa and later Drona, their preceptor, with Yudhishthira excelling in chariot warfare. As gurudakshina (a traditional offering to the teacher), Yudhishthira initially volunteered to capture King Drupada and present him bound before Drona. However, Arjuna intervened and took on the task himself.
Dhritarashtra named Yudhishthira heir-apparent after his warfare training, impressed by his righteousness and skill. His popularity among the citizens eclipsed Pandu’s, enraging Duryodhana, who feared the Pandavas’ rise. With Dhritarashtra’s hesitant approval, Duryodhana plotted their demise, sending them to Varanavata in a flammable Lakshagriha built by Purochana. Despite Dhritarashtra’s doubts, the plan proceeded. Yudhishthira, warned by his uncle Vidura’s coded message, deterred followers but prepared an escape. Spotting the palace’s weakness, he and Bhima planned a tunnel with Vidura’s sapper. After a year, Bhima torched the house during a feast, leaving a Nishadas family inside as decoys. The Pandavas fled via the tunnel, while Dhritarashtra, believing them dead, ordered their funeral rites in Hastinapura.
After the lac palace in Varanavata burned to ashes, the Mahabharata recounts that the Pandavas were presumed dead, and decided to go on hiding to avoid further such incidents. Vidura secretly informed Bhishma of their survival. While in hiding in the forests, Yudhishthira permitted Bhima to marry Hidimbi, a Rakshasa they encountered . Later, when Arjuna defeated the gandharva Chitraratha in combat, Yudhishthira counseled Arjuna to release him. Following this Yudhishthira appointed Dhaumya as his family priest. They then resided at a village called Ekachakra.
During their exile, as recounted in the Adi Parva, the Pandavas grew restless in Ekachakra. Kunti suggested they move to Panchala. On their journey, they met the sage Vyasa, who narrated how the Panchala princess, Draupadi, born from a fire ritual and not a womb, was fated to have five husbands due to a past-life boon from Shiva. Disguised as brahmins, they then joined a caravan and lodged with a potter, begging for food. King Drupada had organized a svayamvara for Draupadi, setting a challenge: string a formidable bow and hit a target. Many barons, including Duryodhana, failed, but Arjuna, rising from the brahmins, succeeded, winning Draupadi’s garland. Yudhishthira and the twins left early, though all five brothers loved her. Returning to Kunti, they playfully called Draupadi their "alms," prompting her unintended command to share her. Horrified but resolute, Kunti stood firm. Yudhishthira offered Draupadi to Arjuna, but Arjuna deferred to the eldest. Mindful of Vyasa’s tale and their shared affection, Yudhishthira agreed to Kunti’s proposal. With Vyasa's persuasion, the Pandavas wed Draupadi, after gaining permission from Drupada, who was hesitant to allow.
Yudhishthira’s other wife, Devika, is mentioned briefly in the Mahabharata ( Adi Parva, Chapter 90, Verse 83). She was the daughter of king Govasana of the Sivi Kingdom. In a conventional svayamvara, Devika chose Yudhishthira as her husband, and they had a son named Yaudheya. Unlike the widely narrated and polyandrous marriage to Draupadi, this union is a more traditional and individual arrangement, with scant details provided in the epic.
Crowned king of Indraprastha, Yudhishthira began his reign. The divine sage Narada visited and, addressing the shared marriage to Draupadi, advised that she spend one year with each brother in turn, a rule Yudhishthira implemented to ensure harmony. Later, Draupadi bore him a son, Prativindhya, among her five sons with the Pandavas.
Arjuna and Krishna burned the Khandava Forest to expand Indraprastha, sparing the Asura architect Mayasura. At Krishna’s suggestion, Maya constructed a magnificent mayasabha (assembly hall) for the Pandavas, which he presented to Yudhishthira, narrated in the Sabha Parva. When Krishna departed for Dvaraka, Yudhishthira drove his chariot, replacing Krishna’s charioteer Daruka.
Vyasa arrived to oversee the sacrifice, assembling priests and sanctifying the opulent sacrificial site, built to reflect Yudhishthira’s sovereignty. Yudhishthira instructed Sahadeva to summon kings and Brahmins, dispatching messengers across the realms subdued in the Digvijaya. Nakula invited their Hastinapura kinsmen, the Kauravas, who accepted and attended. Yudhishthira was inaugurated as the sacrificer, and arriving guests—kings, princes, and Brahmins—were housed and feasted lavishly in Indraprastha’s quarters. The assembled kings offered great gifts. Yudhishthira, unsure of the primary honor ( agra-puja), accepted Bhishma’s proposal of Krishna, sparking dissent from Shishupala of Chedi kingdom. Shishupala’s challenge escalated into a confrontation, ending with Krishna beheading him. Yudhishthira was consecrated samraj, achieving temporal supremacy. However, the hall’s magnificence stirred envy in Duryodhana.
Duryodhana, fueled by envy of Indraprastha’s splendor, persuaded Dhritarashtra to recall Yudhishthira for a second, decisive game. The stake was set: thirteen years of exile, including one in hiding, with Draupadi included. Yudhishthira lost again to Shakuni, and this time, Draupadi accepted the outcome without protest . The Pandavas, stripped of their kingdom, departed for exile, marking the downfall of Yudhishthira’s samraj status.
Yudhishthira’s decision to play puzzled observers. He later explained to Vidura that duty compelled him, yet he admitted to Bhima a desire to claim Duryodhana’s half of the kingdom, driven by overconfidence ( Sabha Parva, 3.35.1–5). When Shakuni’s skill became evident, anger spurred him to continue rather than withdraw. Some scholars link the dice game to Vedic Rajasuya traditions, though the Mahabharata does not explicitly connect them. Yudhishthira's staking of Draupadi, after losing himself, drew Shakuni’s rebuke—“Self-loss is wicked when a stake remains”—highlighting a lapse in responsibility.
Nahusha posed questions on spirituality to Yudhishthira and was satisfied with his answers. In turn, he also clarified Yudhishthira's doubts on some spiritual topics. Nahusha then narrated his story to Yudhishthira, on how he used to rule Svarga in the days of yore, how he became intoxicated with hubris, and how he turned into a snake due to the curse of the sages, Bhrigu and Agastya. Nahusha used his own story to warn Yudhishthira about the consequences of being arrogant.
Agastya and Bhrigu had prophesized that Yudhishthira would rescue Nahusha from his curse. After conversing with Yudhishthira, Nahusha regained his original form and returned to Svarga.
The Yaksha asked for any other wish as he was impressed and told him he could ask for wealth, strength, power, anything he wished. Yudhishthira said he already got the strength, wealth and power when all his four brothers were revived and said he could not ask for any other wish. Yudhishthira replied, "It is enough that I have beheld thee with my senses, eternal God of gods as thou art! O father, whatever boon thou wilt confer on me I shall surely accept gladly! May I, O lord, always conquer covetousness and folly and anger, and may my mind be ever devoted to charity, truth, and ascetic austerities!"
This story is often cited as an example of Yudhishthira's upright principles. The Yaksha later identified himself as Yudhishthira's father, Dharma, and pointed them to the kingdom of Matsya Kingdom to spend their last year of exile in anoymity.
Following the death of Kichaka by Bhima, Matsya was invaded by King Susharma of Trigarta, in retaliation to the raidings his kingdom had suffered by Kichaka, and in cooperation with Duryodhana of Hastinapur. When Susharma's army closed the kingdom, Kanka volunteered to follow King Virata to face the invader, and took along his three brothers, Vallabha (Bhima), Granthika (Nakula), and Tantripala (Sahadeva), with him and while disguised. On the battlefield, the brothers proved valiance, defending King Virata before finally defeating King Susharma.
While Yudhishthira and King Virata were away battling Susharma, the city was marched upon by the host from Hastinapur. Prince Uttar and Brihannala (Arjuna), who were left in defense of the city, rallied to defend the kingdom, where Arjuna revealed his identity and fended off the invasion. When King Virata returned from his battle, the identities of all Pandavas were revealed, and Yudhishthira congratulated the marriage between Princess Uttarā and Abhimanyu, as Arjuna has suggested.
The flag of Yudhishthira's chariot bore the image of a golden moon with planets around it. Two large and beautiful kettle-drums, called Nanda and Upananda, were tied to it. Before the war started, Yudhishthira stepped down from his chariot to take blessings from his grandsire Bhishma, teachers Drona and Kripa and uncle Shalya, who all were in his opposite side in the war showing his respect towards his elders. He also asked the willing Kauravas to join his side. On his request one of Dhritarashtra sons, Yuyutsu joined the war on the side of Pandavas.
Yudhishthira was described to be an excellent javelin-fighter and to have surpassed everyone as a car-warrior. Yudhishthira defeated many warriors in the war, like Duryodhana. Yudhishthira’s javelin originally belonged to Ishana which he would use to kill Shalya during the war. Yudhishthira also wielded a bow called Mahendra.
On the 14th day of the war, while Arjuna was busy searching for Jayadratha, Drona attempted to capture Yudhishthira but Arjuna would foil Drona's plans. Yudhishthira and Drona engaged in a fierce duel where Yudhishthira was ultimately defeated by Drona. Yudhishthira would later assist his nephew Ghatotkacha in slaying the asura Alambusha.
Yudhishthira would later defeat Duryodhana twice and the latter had to be rescued by Drona. Drona and Yudhishthira would engage in an archery duel which would end up as a stalemate. Yudhishthira would later be defeated by Kritavarma.
On the 15th day, Yudhishthira was approached by Drona, in the latter' inquiry on the death of his son Ashwatthama whom he heard to have died at Bhima's hand. Torn between his duty to cripple Drona and upholding his morals, Yudhishthira opted to half truth where he confirmed the death of Ashwatthama the elephant, but omitted the contextual part that it was an elephant and not his son. This was effective in the former purpose of crippling Drona, but also caused his own chariot to finally fall down to the ground, instead of slightly levitating as it had been before this incident. Yudhishthira was one of 5 individuals who witnessed Drona's spirit leaving his body.
On the 17th day, he injured Duryodhana badly and was about to kill him but decided to spare him on Bhima's advice who reminded him of his vow to kill Duryodhana. Yudhishthira would be defeated by both Karna and Ashwatthama. Worried for Yudhishthira's safety, Arjuna retreats from the battlefield to search for him, only to find him taking refuge in camp. Furious at Arjuna for not killing Karna yet, Yudhishthira insults him by suggesting Arjuna should hand over the Gandiva to another warrior if he does not think he is able to slay Karna. Arjuna, enraged from Yudhishthira's insult, attempted to kill him with his sword but was stopped from doing so due to Krishna's intervention. Filled with regret, Arjuna attempted to commit suicide but was dissuaded from doing so by Krishna. The brothers would reconcile their differences and embrace each other.
On the last day of the war, Yudhishthira was highly energetic for the day, and engaged in a fierce duel against the Kauravas' final supreme commander, Shalya. With Bhima's assistance, Yudhishthira managed to slay his uncle.
With the battlefield cleared of the Kauravas but no sight of Duryodhana, Yudhishthira received a report that his nemesis went into hiding in a nearby swamp. The Pandavas brothers and Krishna thus went to the swamp, and taunted Duryodhana off his refuge. Yudhishthira proposed a final challenge to Duryodhana, to a battle against any of the Pandavas under any weapon of Duryodhana's desire. Yudhishthira also promised Duryodhana that should he win, he would reign as the next King of Hastinapura.
With Duryodhana choosing Bhima, the other Pandavas brothers, Krishna and Balarama witnessed the mace duel between the mace fighters. When Bhima finally defeated Duryodhana and started insulting his nemesis, Yudhishthira became sufficiently displeased with his brother's disrespect and ordered Bhima off the battleground. Ultimately, Yudhishthira heard out Duryodhana's final conversation and lamentation, before leaving the fallen Kauravas' overlord on his deathbed.
Fifty days after the war, Yudhishthira and the royal families visited Bhishma, who had been lying on the bed of arrows since his defeat. Bhishma bestowed the new king with Anushasana, teaching the new king in series of dharma and royal conducts, before the elder guardian surrendered his life by his own will. Yudhishthira then cremated the former protector of Hastinapur in a great ceremony.
Later, he performed the Ashwamedha on Krishna and Vyasa's insistence. In this sacrifice, a horse was released to wander for a year, and Yudhishthira's brother Arjuna led the Pandava army, following the horse. The kings of all the countries where the horse wandered were asked to submit to Yudhishthira's rule or face war. All paid tribute, once again establishing Yudhishthira as the undisputed Emperor of Bharatavarsha.
During his reign, Yudhisthira duly consulted with and reported to Dhritarashtra on governances. After 15 years, the former king, his consort Gandhari, Queen Mother Kunti, and Prime Minister Vidura decided to retire to the forest, where they pass away years later. These events greatly saddened Yudhishthira and the Pandavas brothers.
On reaching the top, Indra congratulates him and promises Yudhishthira immortality and godhood upon his ascent to Heaven. However, Indra asks him to abandon the dog before entering Heaven. But Yudhishthira refused to do so, citing the dog's unflinching devotion as a reason. Indra retorts that he has abandoned his brothers and wife to reach the top of the Himalayas, but Yudhishthira said he could not prevent their deaths, but to abandon a poor creature was a great sin. It turns out that the dog was his father Yama in disguise. Yama congratulates his son and commends him on his unwavering principles. Yudhishthira proceeds to Heaven upon a celestial vehicle with Narada as his guide, who informs him that he is the first mortal to enter Heaven in a physical form.
Upon his arrival, Yudhishthira finds Duryodhana and his Kaurava cousins in heaven but not his brothers and Draupadi. Furious, Yudhishthira demands that Narada take him to where he might find his family. Narada brings Yudhishthira to Hell where he encounters Karna, his brothers, Draupadi, Dhrishtadyumna, and the Upapandavas. Yudhishthira, enraged, decides that he would rather live in Hell with his family than in Heaven with his cousins. Indra then appears and lifts the illusion, informing Yudhishthira of his deception. Indra reveals that Yudhishthira has been shown a glimpse of Hell due to deceiving Drona with his white lie. Yama congratulates his son on passing his third and final test, the first being the Yaksha Prashna, and the second being his refusal to abandon the dog. Yudhishthira would then bathe in the Heavenly Ganga, casting off his mortal form and was reunited with his family in Svarga.
Yudhishthira could burn down anyone into ashes when he sees someone with his wrath and anger. That's why he used to be calm and composed most of the time. He closed his eyes and came out of the gambling hall even when he lost everything. Otherwise the entire Kuru court and all the one who were present would be burnt into ashes.
Dhritarashtra said to Sanjaya "The son of Kunti and Pandu, Yudhishthira, is virtuous and brave and eschews deeds that bring on shame. Endued with great energy, he hath been wronged by Duryodhana. If he were not high-minded, they would in wrath burn the Dhritarashtras. I do not so much dread Arjuna or Bhima or Krishna or the twin brothers as I dread the wrath of the king, O Suta, when his wrath is excited. His austerities are great; he is devoted to Brahmacharya practices. His heart's wishes will certainly be fulfilled. When I think of his wrath, O Sanjaya, and consider how just it is, I am filled with alarm."
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