The Mahābhārata (महाभारत) is a major epic story written in Sanskrit. Mahābhārata means “the great tale of the Bhārata dynasty”. The story starts when King Shantanu (शंतनु) asks for the hand of Satyavati (सत्यवती), from her father.

Her father agrees, on condition that his previous sons from a former wife will not be king. When the King dies, Satyavati’s grandson Pandu (पाण्‍डु) becomes king. Pandu marries twice. With his wife Kunti (कुंती) he has three sons named Yudhisthira (युधिष्ठिर), Bhima (भीम), and Arjuna (अर्जुन). With his second wife Madri (माद्री) he has two twin sons named Nakula (नकुल), and Sahadeva (सहदेव). The five sons are called the Pāndava (पाण्‍डव) brothers.

Satyavati’s other grandson Dhritarashtra (धृतराष्ट्र), has a hundred sons with his wife Gāndhārī (गांधारी). The sons of this family are called the Kaurava (कौरव) brothers. The rival families, Pāndava and Kaurava fight for the throne in the Kurukshetra (कुरुक्षेत्र) war, and that’s where all the actions begins.