This is the character sketch of 'Mahabharata.' Some of this is from my memory and some of it is from what I've found out on the net, so it may NOT be 100% reliable, so if there is any mistake in it, please feel free to correct or add to something I may have forgotten.
Lord Krishna: Incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is worshipped by many hindus and followers. Friend and Charioteer of Arjun, Chief Counselor for Pandavas in the war. He had a sister Subadhra. He plays an integral part in the Kurukshetra war, possibily the one responsible for changing the course of the war. He is usually shown with blue skin. There is so much about him that it is hard to cover in a mere few words, so for more details, you've got to read about him.
Sandipani: Teacher of Sudama and Krishna.
Pratip: King of Hastinapur. Father of Devapi, Bahlika and Shatanu.
Devapi: suffered from leprosy and abdicated his inheritance to become a hermit.
Bahlika: He was the middle of King Pratip. He devoted his life to conquer the old Aryan territories near Balkh.
Shantanu: He is the youngest son of King Pratip. He falls in love with Ganga and asks her to marry him. She puts forth a strange condition. No matter what she did, no matter how sinful her actions, Shantanu would not question or stop her. If he did, she would immediately leave him foreever. Shantanu way too deeply in love with her, without thinking agreed. The two got married and she was pregnant. As soon as the child was born , Ganga took him to the river and drowned him. Shantanu was aghast and helpless. She did this six more times, drowning her six newborn boys. But when it was about to happen the eighth time, Shantanu stopped her. In his previous life he was King Mahabhisha who had added to Ganga's humiliation by staring at her when he thin garment had flown up when everyone else had closed their eyes. He was reborn so that Ganga could avenge the humiliation. (There are different versions of this). Shantanu also married Satyavati and had two sons from her.
Ganga: Married King Shantanu, drowned seven of her sons because the Vasus had asked her to be their mother and kill them as soon as they were born because they were cursed by the Sage Vashishtha for stealing a prized possession. Her eighth son however, Bhishma was kept alive. Her river is holy and many people go there to bathe or immerse ashes into the Ganga river.
Satyavati: Daughter of fisherman (Dasraj). When she was young, she met the wandering Rishi Parashara by whom she had a son, Vyasa. His birth took place in secret. Later, she married King Shantanu, of Hastinapur. Her father allowed her to marry him on the condition that her children would inherit the throne. Their children were Vichitravirya and Chitrangadha. After Shantanu's death, she and her sons ruled the kingdom. She arranged for her first son Vyasa, to father the children of Vichitravirya's wifes, Amba and Ambalika.
Bhrihaspati: Spiritual Head, Father of Kach.
Bhishma Pitamah: He was Ganga and King Shantanu's son, then named Devarata. He was the eight Vasu, who Ganga had insisted live instead of being killed soon after his birth like the previous seven Vasus. To honor his step mother Satyavati, he remained celibate throughout his life. He pledged to serve the Kingdom of Hastinapur and served even after the thrones changed. He was someone who was well aware of everything around him and could somehow foresee what was about to happen. He never did anything to become King of Hastinapur. He was loyal to the throne yet seemed to like the Pandavas more than the Kauravas. He died with Arjun's arrows all over him. He lay on the bed of arrows till the end of the battle and chose to die, when he knew the Pandavas had won and that Hastinapur was in safe hands.
Vyasa: Is sometimes called Ved Vyas. He is also considered to be one of the immortal/chiranjeeven. He is Satyavati's and a Parashara's son. He was born on an island in the river Yamuna. He is known to have compiled the epic and yet a character in it as well. He was grandfather to both sides in the Kurukshetra war. Since legally, Pandu and Dhirirashtra aren't his sons, his heir is Shuka born from his wife Vatika. He is considered a true spiritual heir.
Chitrangadha: The son of Satyavati was killed in battle.
Vichitravirya: He is the younger son of Queen Satyavati and King Shantanu. He was still a child when he became king, hence Bhishma ruled the kingdom for him. Since he was too young to win the hearts of the princesses in the Swayamvar, Bhishma himself went and brought the three princesses, Amba, Ambika and Ambalika. Since Amba loved another, he married the other two only. He died of some disease, shortly after his marriage, thus heirless.
Ambalika & Ambika: Both are daughters of King Kashiraj, are sisters of Amba and wives of King Vichitravirya.
Dhritarashtra: was the son born to Vichitravirya's first wife Ambika. This king of Hastinapur and his wife Gandhari had a hundred sons and one daughter. These children came to be known as the Kauravas. Duryodhan and Dushassan were the first two sons. He was born blind because his mother, Ambika dared not to open her eyes when she saw Vyasa, who had come to grant them a son with his powers. His brother Pandu, ruled the kingdom for him due to his blindness. After Pandu's death, he became king of Hastinapur.
Gandhari: Wife of Dhritashtra, who blind-folded herself out of respect for her husband. She is mother of the Kauravas and sister of Shakuni. She was the daughter of Subala, the King of Gandhar. She only removed her blindfold once, to render Duryodhan with her powerful eyes to protect him (saving one area). Gandhari was close to Kunti, who respected her like an elder sister.
Duryodhan: He was one of the eldest sons of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. By nature, he was proud, ambitious and had a hunger for power. Some say his body is made out of thunder and that when he was born ill omens surrounded him. He is also very powerful. He befriends Karna and makes him King of Anga, so he could be equals with Arjun. In the war, Duryodhan chooses to fight with Bheem, who kills him by attacking his thigh, the only part of his body not protected by Gandhari's blessing. Some say it was unfair for Bheem to kill him that way in which it goes against the rules of mace-fighting, yet Duryodhan's bad deeds have said for him to deserve it.
Dushassan: Another elder son of Dhritarashtra and son of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari. He is devoted to his older brother Duryodhan and plays an active role in all his schemes. He is the one who drags Draupadi by the hair on his brother's bidding when the Pandavas lose the game of dice. In the war, Dushassan is killed by Bheem who tears his arm out of his body and drinks his blood. It is said his name from the Sanskrit meaning, means 'hard to control.'
Shakuni Mama: Don't go by his name, he was one of the most cunning and negative character in Mahabharat. He played a big hand in the Kauravas winning the game of dice against the Pandavs, as he had specially prepared a dice that would follow his command. He is a brother of Gandhari's. He is known to poison Duryodhan's mind more and scheme the Pandava's defeat. He had two sons, Ulook and Vikaasur. He was killed by Sahdev during the Kurukshetra battle.
Dushala: Daughter of Gandhari and Dhritirashtra. The only sister of the 100 Kauravas.
Yuyutsu: Son of Dhritarashtra from maid, who fought for Pandavas in Mahabharat war. He was made king of Indraprastha by Yudhisthir.
Pandu: Is the son of Vichitravirya and his second wife Ambalika from Vyasa. He is known as the father of the Pandavas. He was a good archer, became commander of King Dhirirashtra's army and also ruled the Kingdom for him. Pandu got married to Kunti and Madri. While hunting in a forest, Pandu shot a Rishi, who was with his wife, and in turn the Rishi cursed him, that when he approaches his wife with love, he will die. Upset, Pandu renounced his Kingdom and lived like a hermit with his wives. He tried to touch Madri and died. Madri then burned herself on her husband's funeral pyre.
Kunti :Mother to the Pandavas and Karna who was born by Surya. She was the sister of Vasudev, father of Krishna and was named 'Pritha'.She was given to adoption to the childless King Kuntibhoja, from who she got her name 'Kunti.' When she was young, Durvasa, told her a mantra through which she could call any Deva and have a child by him. She didn't believe it, so she tried to use it. Surya appeared but could not go without completing his task. Kunti put the child (Karna) in a basket in a river and abandoned it. She married Pandu, Prince of Hastinapur. He could not father children. Kunti then used her mantra, receiving her second son Yudhisthir from the God Dharma, then came Bheem from the God Vayu, then came Arjun from the God Indr. Kunti revealed the mantra to Pandu's second wife Madri, who bore twin sons, Nakul and Sahdev from the twin Gods Asvins. The five together are known as Pandavas.
Adhirath: He found Karna in the river and brought up Karna and named him Radhey.
Karna: He was the eldest of Kunti yet none were aware of this fact besides Bheeshma. Karna was good friends with Duryodhan who made him King of Anga. Karna was one of the best archers in that era and grew up with a lot of troubles. For example, he was found in the Ganga river.
Yudhisthir: The eldest of the Pandavs was known for never uttering a lie, except for the one in the war. His adherence to truth and righteousness seem to have been inherited from Dharma. His fatal flaw was his habit of gambling and unable to stop when started. He lost away his brothers, his wife and his Kingdom in the famous game of dice against Dushassan, Duryodhan and Shakuni Mama. He was also a husband to Draupadi.
Bheem: He was a son of Kunti by Vayu but acknowledged son of Pandu. His main qualities were his strength. He was extremely skilled with mace and had the most skill in riding elephants. Bheem fought Hidimba and killed him and had a son with his sister, Hidimbi, who was Ghatotkacha. He was also a husband to Draupadi. He made the famous oath to kill Dushassan and drink his blood. That's exactly what he did, killed Dushasan, ripped out his heart and touched his lips to his blood. Bheem also killed Duryodhan. He was a pivotal figure in the battle of Kurukshetra.
Arjun: He was one of the best archers and warriors. He won on Draupadi in a swayamvar and thus married her. Arjun was the best friend and disciple of Sri Krishna. Whilst, In exile, Arjun also married Subhadra, sister of Sri Krishna. She was originally supposed to wed Duryodhan but since Sri Krishna didn't approve of it, he asked Arjun to take Subhadra away and marry her. Arjun and Subhadra also had a son, Abhimanyu.
Sahdev: Another brother of the Pandavs. It is said both him and Nakul had the ability to talk to animals. He was also husband to Draupadi. He is responsbile for killing Shakuni on the second last day of the war. He is one of the wisest of the brothers. He was a great astrologer and was blessed by Sri Krishna with divine vision and so he knew the events of the Mahabharat beforehand but was forbidden to speak of it. He was also married to Mahadhana King, Jasarandha's daughter.
Nakul: One of the brothers among the five Pandavs. Nakul was really intelligent and full of compassion. During the thirteen year exile, he smeared himself with dust, to conceal his handsome looks. He was known for his horse riding skills and according to some he could ride through rain without water touching his body. He was also a good swordsman and was also married to Draupadi. He also married, Jarasandh's daughter. On the 17th day of the battle, he slew the Gandhar Prince, Ulooka, Shakuni's son.
Draupadi: Draupadi was brave and beautiful. She had put a condition to her marriage, that she would wed only that who would pierce the eye of the rotating wooden fish by looking at its reflection. She eventually became the wife of the five Pandavs because of their mother, Kunti who thinking her sons brought a gift, asked them to divide it amongst themselves.
Ghatotkacha: He was Bheem's son. He had many magical powers that made him an integral part of the Kurukshetra war. His head was shaped like a pot. Like his father he primarily fought with mace. Karna is the one who killed him.
Abhimanyu: Subhadra and Arjun's son. He was married to King Virat's daughter, Princess Uttara. His father had arranged this marriage to seal an alliance between the Pandavas and the royal family of Virat in lieu of the forthcoming war. He was endowed with a special gift to penetrate any format of enemy line. He also plays an important role in the war of kurukshetra. He died in the battle of Kurukshetra.
Vidura: Was half brother to Dhritarashtra and Pandu. He was a son of a of maid-servant, who was born because Amba and Ambalika, sent her in place of themselves to Vyasa. He was half-brothers to Dhirirashtra and Pandu. He served his brothers as a minister as he had no royal blood. He has warned the Pandavas many times of Duryodhan's plots. He is a devotee of Sri Krishna. In protest against the war, he resigned as minister.
Amba: Was the eldest daughter of King Kashi. Along with her sisters, Ambika and Ambalika, she was taken by force by Bhishma from their Swayamwara. He presented them to Satyavati for marriage to Vichitravirya, who was King of Hastinapur at that time. He married her sisters and rejected Amba because she loved another.He beloved rejected her as well and so she demanded Bhishma marry her but he declined since he had taken a vow of bachelorhood. She swore to kill and died. She was reborn as Shikhandi, the son of Draupad, who was instrumental in Bishma's death in the battle of Kurukshetra.
Dronacharya: He was a great teacher in military arts and his favorite student was Arjun. He married Kripi and their son was Ashwathama, who he loved very much and who was his only weakness.
Ashwathama: He is Dronacharya's beloved son.After the war is over, he attacks the Pandava camp at night and kills Dhristadyumna and the sons of Draupadi for his father's death and the defeat of the Kauravas.
Kripacharya: Teacher of Pandavas and Kauravas and ended up fighting on the Kauravas side.
Balarama: He taught both Duryodhan and Bhima the art of fighting with a mace. He is described as being very strong and his weapons are the plough and the mace.
Salya: In the battle of Kurukshetra, he was a charioteer to Karna after Duryodhan pleaded to him. He was an excellent warrior and thus Duryodhan convinced him to become the commander in chief of the Kauravas side. Yudhisthir slayed Salya with a powerful javeliin. He was also Madri (Pandu's wife's) brother.
Draupad: He used to be friends with Dronacharya when he was a child, later when he became King, he refused to accept Dronacharya's friendship citing them to be of not the same status. This had angered Dronacharya, so later on he sent the five Pandavs to capture Draupad. Dronacharya takes half of Draupad's Kingdom and forgives Draupad for his misdeeds. However, angered and burning in revenge, Draupad had a yagna to have a son who would slay Drona and a daughter who would marry Arjun. Thus, Draupadi, wife of the five Pandvas and Dhristadyumna was born.
Dhristadyumna: Son of King Draupad and brother of Draupadi and Shikhandi. He is the one who kills Dronacharya after Yudhisthir tells the lie that his son, Ashwathama is dead. He was also the commander in chief in the Pandava army.
King Virat: He was a King in whose court the Pandavas spent a year during their exile. He was wedded to Queen Sudeshna and was father of Prince Uttara, Shveta, Shankha and Princess Uttara. He finally gets killed by Drona during the war of Kurekshetra along with his sons Uttara, Shveta and Shankha.
Princess Uttara: She was King Virat's daughter and married Abhimanyu. She gave birth to Parikshita.
Aniruddha: Grandson of Rukhmani and Krishna. Son of Pradyuman and Rukhmavati.
Bhaghiratha: King of Solar Dynasty who brought sacred river Ganga on earth.
Devyani: Sukracharya's daughter, who married King Yayati.
Eklavya: An archer on par with Arjun. He was a student of Drona and learned archery without direct teaching and instead made a clay statue of Drona and learnt it, since Drona refused to teach him. Drona was worried that his promise to Arjun of noone being as good an archer as he is woud fail with Eklavya there, so he asked for Eklavya's thumb as gurudakshina, without thinking twice, Eklavya cut off his thumb, knowing very well, how it would hampen his archery skills.
Jayadhrata: Son-in-law of Dhritarashthra. He was king of Sindhu Kingdom. He was married to Dushala, only sister of the Kauravas.
Kach: Son of Brihaspati, who went to Sukracharya's place to learn the art of immortality.
Kapil: Sage whose wrath killed sixty thousand sons of Sagar.
Vasishta: He was one of the great sages of Rishi and the Rajguru of the Suryavamsha or Solar Dynasty. He was manasputra of Brahma. He had in his posession the divine cow, Kamadhenu and her child, Nandini, who could grant anything to their owners. He was married to Arundhati. The star Mizar of the stellar constellation Ursa Major is thought of as Vasishta and the small one beside it, Alcor as Arundhati.
Vasus: (this information is purely based on information on the net):
The vasus are the attendant deities of Indra and later Vishnu. They are eight elemental Gods representing aspects of nature. The name Vasu means 'dweller' or 'dwelliing.' The Mahabharat relates how the Vasus were enjoying and stole a precious posession (a very good cow) who was owned by the sage Vasishta, who immediately cursed them to be born on earth as mortals. With the pleading of the Vasus, Vasishta, promised them that seven of them would be free of earthly life within a year but Dyaus would pay the full penalty. They then requested the river Goddess Ganga to be their mother.
Other Info:
Kshatriya: is one of the four social orders in Hinduism. Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira all belonged to this social order. Initially, it was determined an individual would be in this class based on conduct, nature and aptitude later, it became inheritance.
Mahabharat's eighteen chapters/books: (Swargarohan site)
03. Aranyak Parva or Van Parva (?????? ????)
06. Bhishma Parva (????? ????)
10. Sauptika Parva (??????? ????)
12. Shanti Parva (?????? ????)
13. Anushashana Parva (??????? ????)
14. Ashvameghadik Parva ( ???????? 25; ????)
15. Ashramvasik Parva ( ???????? 67;? ????)
17. Mahaprasthanika Parva ( ???????? 41;???? ????)
18. Swargarohan Parva ( ???????? 79;?? ????)
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