Yudhishthir

Family: Pandavs · Role: eldest son of Pandu · First appears: Book I (The Tournament) · Introduction

In Book I (The Tournament) · Introduction, Dutt notes that after Pandu died, Dhrita-rashtra became king and brought up Pandu’s sons with his own. Yudhishthir, eldest son of Pandu and Pritha, was also the son of Dharma; his brothers were Bhima, Arjun, Nakula and Sahadeva, and Duryodhan was their cousin. Recognised as heir-apparent in Book II (The Bride's Choice) · Introduction, Yudhishthir went with his family to Varanavata, escaped the burning house through a subterranean passage, and lived disguised as a Brahman in the forests. In Book II (The Bride's Choice) · VIII. Krishna to the Rescue, Krishna recognised him among the sons of Pandu.

In Book III (The Imperial Sacrifice) · Introduction, Draupadi became the common wife of the five brothers, and Drupad their powerful ally. The family received the western portion of the Kuru kingdom, cleared its forest and built Indra-prastha. Yudhishthir performed a great sacrifice there, honoured Krishna with the arghya, and was consecrated emperor. In Book IV (The Fatal Dice) · Introduction, he accepted Sakuni’s challenge, lost his wealth and kingdom, and staked his brothers, himself and Draupadi. Dhrita-rashtra released them from actual slavery, but Yudhishthir and his brothers went into exile. During the exile he kept his pledged word despite Draupadi and Bhima urging him to reclaim the kingdom; Vyasa visited him, while Krishna came to console Draupadi and advise the brothers. After twelve years in the wilderness, Yudhishthir and his family spent a year concealed in Virata’s service.

When the banishment ended, Yudhishthir demanded the restoration of Indra-prastha, but negotiations failed and war followed. Bhishma inflicted heavy losses on his army, and Drona sought to capture him; in Book IX (Fall of Drona) · V. Fall of Drona, Yudhishthir said that the elephant named Aswa-thaman was dead, and Drona believed his son had died. In Book X (Fall of Karna) · II. Fall of Karna · Part 1, Karna wounded him and destroyed his chariot, forcing him to flee; Yudhishthir then quarrelled with Arjun, but apologised for his hasty words. He killed Salya with a fatal dart. After Pritha revealed that Karna was their eldest brother, Yudhishthir mourned him and made a water oblation.

Crowned king of the Kurus in Book XII (Sacrifice of the Horse) · Introduction, Yudhishthir released the sacrificial horse, with Arjun accompanying it. He commenced the horse sacrifice, gave his realm to Vyasa, and received the Kuru-land back when Vyasa returned the gift. On hearing of Krishna’s death in Conclusion, Yudhishthir and his brothers placed Parikshit on the throne and retired to the Himalayas.