The Pandavas, Their Lineage, and Upapandavas: Complete Family Tree of Mahabharata's Heroes

The Mahabharata, one of the two great Hindu epics, not only tells the story of the Kurukshetra War but also intricately weaves the legacies of two primary dynasties – the Suryavanshi (Solar Dynasty) and the Chandravanshi (Lunar Dynasty). These two dynasties, whose roots trace back to Lord Vishnu and his son, Lord Brahma, play a crucial role in Hindu mythology. Among the most prominent figures in these lineages are the Pandavas, whose lineage and descendants (Upapandavas) shaped the course of history in the Mahabharata.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Pandavas and Upapandavas
2. King Santanu’s Lineage: A Gateway to the Pandavas
3. The Birth of the Pandavas
4. The Sons of Dhritarashtra: Duryodhana and His Siblings
5. The Pandavas: Their Wives and Sons (Upapandavas)
6. The Royal Lineage of Parikshit and His Descendants
7. The Upapandavas: Their Contribution to the Mahabharata
8. The Enduring Legacy of the Pandavas

Introduction to the Pandavas and Upapandavas

The Pandavas are the five sons of King Pandu, who hailed from the illustrious Kuru dynasty, a part of the larger Chandravanshi (Lunar Dynasty). Their story is foundational to the Mahabharata and revolves around their upbringing, exile, and eventual participation in the epic Kurukshetra War. The Upapandavas are their children, born to various consorts, including Draupadi, the renowned queen of the Pandavas. Their descendants continued to influence the destiny of the Kuru dynasty long after the Mahabharata war.

King Santanu’s Lineage: A Gateway to the Pandavas

The story of the Pandavas begins with King Santanu, the ruler of the Kuru dynasty. Santanu is the son of King Pratipa and Queen Sunanda. He had two brothers, Devapi and Bahlika, both of whom had significant roles in the broader context of Hindu mythology. Santanu’s marriage to Ganga Devi, the river goddess, produced eight sons, the most famous of whom is Bhishma. Later, Santanu marries Satyavati, a fisherwoman, with whom he has two sons: Chitrangada and Vichitravirya.

The Birth of the Pandavas

The birth of the Pandavas is linked to their grandfather, Vichitravirya, the son of Santanu and Satyavati. Vichitravirya had two wives, Ambika and Ambalika. However, he died young, leaving his wives without children. To ensure the continuation of the royal line, Satyavati called upon her son Vyasa, who through the Niyoga tradition, fathered two sons with Ambika and Ambalika. Dhritarashtra, born to Ambika, was blind from birth, while Pandu, born to Ambalika, was the next king.
Pandu married Kunti and Madri, and through them, he had five sons, the Pandavas: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. Yudhishthira was an incarnation of Lord Dharma (Yama), Bhima represented Lord Vayu, and Arjuna was the avatar of Lord Indra.

The Sons of Dhritarashtra: Duryodhana and His Siblings

Dhritarashtra, despite being blind, fathered 100 sons with his wife, Gandhari, the most notable being Duryodhana. These 100 sons, collectively known as the Kauravas, were the central antagonists in the Mahabharata. Duryodhana’s wife, Bhanumati, a princess of Kalinga, bore him several children, including Lakshmana Kumara, Kalaketu, and Lakshmi. Dushasana, another prominent Kaurava, married Jyotsyana, also called Charumati, and their son was Dhrumasena. These characters played key roles in the buildup to the Kurukshetra war.

The Pandavas: Their Wives and Sons (Upapandavas)

The Pandavas were all married to the extraordinary Draupadi. Together, they had several children known as the Upapandavas. Yudhishthira and Draupadi’s son was Prativindhya, while Bhima and Draupadi’s child was Sutasoma. Arjuna and Draupadi’s son, Shrutakarma, and Nakula and Draupadi’s son, Shatanika, were also born. Sahadeva and Draupadi’s son was named Shrutasena. In addition to Draupadi, Yudhishthira married Devika, with whom he had a son named Yaudheya. Bhima, through multiple marriages, had sons such as Ghatotkacha (with Hidimba) and Sarvaga (with Valandhara).Arjuna married several other women, including Ulupi (a serpent woman), Chitrangada, and Subhadra. Ulupi bore him a son, Iravan, while Chitrangada gave birth to Babruvahana. Subhadra, the sister of Lord Krishna, became the mother of Parikshit, a future king of the Kuru dynasty.

The Royal Lineage of Parikshit and His Descendants

Parikshit, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, was destined to be one of the last monarchs of the Kuru dynasty. Parikshit’s marriage to Madravati produced several sons, including Janamejaya, who would later conduct the famous Nagayagna (serpent sacrifice). Janamejaya’s sons, Śatáníka and Sankukarna, followed in his royal footsteps, and their progeny, including Ashwameghadutta, also contributed to the family’s legacy.

The Upapandavas: Their Contribution to the Mahabharata

The Upapandavas were not just passive heirs; many of them contributed significantly to the Mahabharata’s storyline. For instance, Ghatotkacha, Bhima’s son with Hidimba, played a pivotal role in the battle, using his immense strength to cause great devastation on the battlefield. Babruvahana, Arjuna’s son with Chitrangada, also had a notable presence in the war and was an incarnation of Jayanta, Lord Indra’s son.
Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra, was a key figure in the Kurukshetra War, particularly for his valiant but tragic entry into the Chakravyuha formation. Abhimanyu’s marriage to Vatsala and Uttarā further solidified the Kuru dynasty’s bloodline, and his son, Parikshit, would be a crucial figure in the aftermath of the war.

The Enduring Legacy of the Pandavas

The Pandavas, their wives, and their children continue to be revered figures in Hindu mythology. Their story, marked by valor, wisdom, and sacrifice, is a symbol of dharma (righteousness) in the face of adversity. The descendants of the Pandavas and Kauravas played a significant role in shaping the future of the Kuru dynasty, especially with Parikshit at the helm. Moreover, the teachings and wisdom imparted by Lord Krishna to the Pandavas during the Mahabharata remain timeless, as does the legacy of the Upapandavas, whose actions ensured the continuity of their lineage.
The family tree of the Pandavas, with its many layers of relationships, births, and conflicts, illustrates the complexity of dharma in action and serves as a source of inspiration for generations in understanding family, duty, and justice.