Pandava
Pandava
President of Russia
<catset>Category="Mahabharata epic"</catset>In the <a href="Mahabharata">Mahabharata</a>, the <b>Pandava</b>s are the five acknowledged sons of <a href="Pandu">Pandu</a>, by his two wives <a href="Kunti">Kunti</a> and <a href="Madri">Madri</a>. They are <ul> <li> <a href="Yudhisthira">Yudhishtira</a> <li> <a href="Bhima">Bhima</a> <li> <a href="Arjuna">Arjuna</a> (sons of Pandu's first wife <a href="Kunti">Kunti</a>), </ul><p>and the twins <ul> <li> <a href="Nakula">Nakula</a> and <li> <a href="Sahadeva">Sahadeva</a> (sons of his second wife <a href="Madri">Madri</a>). </ul><p>As Pandu is cursed with death if he ever has intercourse with his wives, the actual fatherhood of the children is traditionally attributed to various gods, by the boon that was given to <a href="Kunti">Kunti</a> by Durvasa. According to the story, Kunti was allowed to call on each of the <a href="Deva">devas</a> for a son, who would be immediately borne to her (see also the story of <a href="Karna">Karna</a>). She was also able to transfer the boon to Madri. The five brothers are <ul><li> <a href="Yudhisthira">Yudhishtira</a>'s fatherhood to <a href="Yama">Yama</a>, the Lord of death and justice <li> <a href="Bhima">Bhima</a> to <a href="Vayu">Vayu</a>, the Lord of Wind <li> <a href="Arjuna">Arjuna</a> to <a href="Indra">Indra</a>, the ruler of heaven. <li> <a href="Nakula">Nakula</a> and <a href="Sahadeva">Sahadeva</a> to the Ashwini twins. </ul><p>All five brothers are married to one woman, the princess <a href="Draupadi">Draupadi</a>. Arjuna however is the one who actually wins her in a <a href="Swayamvara">Swayamvara</a>.<p>The Pandavas engage in the <a href="Mahabharata">Mahabharata</a> war with their one hundred cousins, the <a href="Kaurava">Kauravas</a>.