There can be debate about whether or not Mahabharata is real, but even if it is a story, then it is probably the most complex one out there. There are literally hundreds of characters in Mahabharata, and as a newbie to Sanatan Dharma aka Hinduism, you might think that the war of Mahabharata was all about male characters. But No! Female characters played one of the biggest roles in the whole story.
And if you are already feeling intrigued by that statement and searching for the Mahabharata female characters names list, we’ll advise you to stick a little longer because we are about to share the list of the 10 best female characters in Mahabharata. We’ll see who they were, what was the significance of these females in Mahabharata, and why they are the ones to be included in this list. So yeah, let’s get down to it without further ado.
Mahabharata Female Characters Names List
1. Ganga
First on the list is, of course, Ganga, the biological mother of Bhishma. And as you may already know how significant of character Bhisma was in Mahabharata. Ganga had eight offspring with King Shantanu, but because of a curse, seven children drowned, and only Bhishma survived. In Hinduism, Ganga is seen as a symbol of purity and simplicity. But her character in Mahabharata is rather a complex one, and she has a direct impact on the unfolding of the major or main events of Mahabharata. So that is why we had to include Ganga on this list, and for these reasons, she is one of the best female characters in Mahabharata.
2. Satyavati
Next up is Satyavati, who you probably know as Vyasa’s mother. Yep, the same Vyasa who penned down the Mahabharata and the Vedas. She was King Shantanu’s wife and gave birth to two sons, Chitrangada and Vichitravirya. When her sons passed away, it was her quick thinking that led Vyasa to father kids with their widows. This gave us Dhritarashtra and Pandu, yep, the fathers of the Kauravas and Pandavas. And let’s not forget that her choices left a lasting imprint on the Mahabharata. But she’s not all roses; she’s been known to be ruthless to get what she wants.
3. Damyanti
Now let’s talk about Damayanti, who’s like the poster child for true love in the Mahabharata. She and Nala fell head over heels for each other, thanks to a divine swan playing Cupid. She picks Nala over literal gods at her marriage ceremony. If that’s not love, then explain what is. But life isn’t a fairy tale. Nala loses his kingdom in a dice game and leaves her. Despite all the challenges, Damayanti stands by her man and eventually gets her happy ending. She’s not some love-struck teen; she’s a strong, layered character who knows how to weather life’s storms.
4. Draupadi
Alright, onto Draupadi. She’s basically the star of the show in the Mahabharata. Born from a special ceremony her dad, King Drupada, arranged, she’s got a story that could fill a novel on its own. Remember that infamous dice game? The one where she got dragged into a room and almost got humiliated? Divine help saved her. And boy, she wanted justice, so much so that it lit the fuse for the entire Kurukshetra War. She loses so much like her dad, brothers, and children, but stays strong throughout. Draupadi is not just a symbol of strength; she’s got multiple layers, from a loving wife to a queen seeking justice.
5. Kunti
Next meet Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, and, surprise, Karna too! She got this incredible mantra from Sage Durvasa, allowing her to have kids with gods. So when her husband Pandu got cursed, she used the mantra to have the Pandavas. She even shared it with Madri, Pandu’s other wife, who then had Nakula and Sahadeva. But Kunti’s life isn’t a cakewalk. She makes tough calls, like giving up Karna to avoid scandal. Her choices aren’t just personal; they shape the destiny of the entire Mahabharata, including that epic war.
6. Gandhari
Gandhari is the princess from what we now call Kandahar. She’s the one who marries Dhritarashtra, the blind king, remember? Mother of a whopping hundred sons, with the eldest being the notorious Duryodhana. Gandhari is a symbol of virtues and religiousness, no doubt. When she finds out her husband can’t see, she blindfolds herself. Now, you could say that’s love and loyalty, but some folks think it’s more like a protest. Her choices and what her kids do, especially in that disastrous Kurukshetra War, really shape the epic.
7. Amba, Ambika and Ambalika
Amba is the beauty queen and was head over heels in love with King Salva. But Bhishma abducts her and then she goes through a whole transformation to come back as Shikhandi. Then there’s Ambika, who ties the knot with Vichitravirya and becomes Dhritarashtra’s mom. Ambalika also gets hitched to Vichitravirya and gives birth to Pandu. These sisters were pretty much taken by Bhishma to make royal matches, and their life choices stirred the Mahabharata pot big time. Without them, no Kuru lineage as we know it.
8. Hidimbi
Hidimbi is a demoness, sister to demon king Hidimba. And she falls for Bhima! She becomes the mom of Ghatotkacha, who ends up being a key player in the Mahabharata War. So she chooses love over family loyalty and changes the game for the Pandavas.
9. Ulupi
This Naga princess adds a magical twist. She spots Arjuna while he’s in exile, abducts him while he’s taking a dip in the Ganga, and eventually, they get married. They have a son named Iravan, but Ulupi’s influence doesn’t stop there. She plays mom to another of Arjuna’s kids and even brings Arjuna back to life after a cursed battle.
10. Subhadra
Then there is Subhadra, the divine princess from the Yadava clan and sister to Krishna and Balarama. She catches Arjuna’s eye during his travels and, with a little nudge from Krishna, they run off together. She becomes the mother of Abhimanyu, a critical warrior in the Mahabharata War.
Conclusion
There you have it. This was the best and well put-together list of female characters in Mahabharata. There are certainly many other female characters in Mahabharata, but these are the ones who have the most significance in the whole story.
Santosh Kumar is an editor at unfoldstuffs.com and a professional content writer. With years of experience he is passionate for creating engaging, informative and impactful topics.
