Reading Week 6: Mahabharata Part A

Manuscript illustration of the Battle of Kurukshetra. Source: wiki

Shantanu - the king who rules from the city of Hastinapura. Falls in love with a woman and marries her on the condition he never question her actions

Ganga - The personification of the river Ganges. She drowns her newborn children in the river in order to return them to heaven. She does this because they are being punished for stealing Vashishtha's cow. After Shanatnu stops her killing the eighth child, she returns into the river.

Devavrata/Bhishma - The eighth child of Shantanu and Ganga. Regent for Vichitravirya.

Satyavati - Woman Shantanu falls in love with. Her father denies him because he already has an heir. Has two sons with Shantanu.

Chitrangada - Shantanu and Satyayati's son. Dies soon after becoming king.

Vichitravirya - Becomes king after Chitrangada's death. 

Amba - Taken by Bhishma to maryy V. She is already promised to the king of Shalwa, but he denies her because she was in another mans house. She plans to enact her revenge on Bhishma.

Ambika - Marries V, but has no children with him. Has son with Vyasa who is born blind  because she closed her eyes.

Ambalika - Marries V but has no children with him. Has son with Vyasa but is born pale because she was pale with fright. She convinces her maid to sleep with Vvasa, who has a normal child.  

Dhritarashtra - child of Vyasa andAmbika. Born blind

Pandu - child of Vyasa and Ambalika. Born pale. Cursed after killing a deer who was a celestial being. He was cursed to die while making love.

Vidura - Child of Vyasa and the maid who is born normal