Pandava

Within the Mahabharata narrative the Pandavas are the five sons of King Pandu by his two wives Kunti and Madri and—crucially—of different gods invoked by Kunti's boon from the sage Durvasa. Kunti, having been granted a mantra by Durvasa that allowed her to bear a son by any god she respected, used it to invoke Dharmadeva (father of Yudhishthira), Vayu (father of Bhima), and Indra (father of Arjuna); Madri invoked the Ashvins and bore the twins Nakula and Sahadeva. The patronymic Pāṇḍava literally marks them as 'sons/descendants of Pandu'. Their births occur against the background of Pandu's curse and the dynastic politics of the Kuru court; they are raised in Hastinapura under the guidance of elders and teachers such as Bhishma, Vidura, and Kripa.

Descriptions in the sources treat each brother individually and link physical features to moral or social qualities. Yudhishthira is slender, with a prominent nose, large eyes, and a complexion described as like 'pure gold'. Bhima is portrayed as tall and powerful—long-armed, plump, fair-golden (gaura) in complexion, and ferocious in expression. Arjuna is dark-complexioned (syama) and exceptionally handsome, famed as the greatest of archers. Nakula is praised for outstanding handsomeness (Draupadi calls him 'the most handsome person in the whole world'), and Sahadeva is noted for a heroic and wise bearing though his precise physical details receive less emphasis. These appearances are given in epic descriptive passages and are tied to each brother's character and social role.

The brothers are mortal princes whose exceptional qualities are attributed to their divine paternity and rigorous training. Yudhishthira, as son of Dharmadeva, embodies justice, ethical knowledge, and claims to rightful rule. Bhima, son of Vayu, is famed for prodigious physical strength and ferocity in battle. Arjuna, son of Indra, is the peerless archer and model of martial self-control and courage. The twins Nakula and Sahadeva, born of the Ashvins, are lauded for handsomeness, skill (Nakula as swordsman), wisdom, and counsel (Sahadeva for intelligence and eloquence). Behaviorally, they undergo royal education under Bhishma, Vidura, and Kripa; enter into the shared marriage with Draupadi; suffer exile after losing a game of dice (twelve years plus one year in hiding); and lead the Pandava cause in the climactic Kurukshetra War, aided politically and strategically by Krishna.