In the Mahabharata epic, Madri(Sanskrit: माद्री Mādrī) was a princess of the Madra kingdom and the second wife of King Pandu.

Etymology[edit]

The word Mādrī means 'she who is the princess of Madra Kingdom'.

Marriage To Pandu[edit]

Having just ascended the throne, Pandu went to war, conquering or allying with many kingdoms in the name of Hastinapur. When he approached Madra, he found a huge army waiting him. During the war, he found King Shalya's charioteer driving the chariot fast. Shalya revealed that the charioteer was none other than his own sister, Madri. He proposed that the two kingdoms avoided war via marriage. Thus, Pandu married Madri.

Retreat To The Forest[edit]

Pandu Shoots the Ascetic Kindama

Birth of Children[edit]

Nakula Pandava - son of Madri

As Kunti and Madri had sister type relations between them; Kunti whole heartedly agreed to share the mantras with Madri. Thus, Madri bore the twins Nakula and Sahadeva of the Ashwini Kumaras. At their birth, an incorporeal voice from the Heavens declared that the children would surpass their fathers in energy and beauty.

Death Of Pandu & Self Immolation[edit]

Once Pandu desired his wife's company, forgetting the rishi' curse and becoming intimate with Madri caused his death. Madri, filled with remorse, went sati on Pandu's funeral pyre.

References[edit]

External Links[edit]

• KMG Mahabharata

Mahabharata Books (parvas) Adi Sabha Vana Virata Udyoga Bhishma Drona Karna Shalya Sauptika Stri Shanti Anushasana Ashvamedhika Ashramavasika Mausala Mahaprasthanika Svargarohana Harivamsa Kuru Kingdom Shantanu Ganga Bhishma Satyavati Chekitana Chitrāngada Vichitravirya Ambika Ambalika Vidura Dhritarashtra Gandhari Shakuni Pandu Kunti Madri Pandavas Yudhisthira Bhima Arjuna Nakula Sahadeva Draupadi Kauravas Duryodhana Dushasana Vikarna Yuyutsu Dushala Hidimbi Ghatotkacha Ahilawati Subhadra Uttarā Ulupi Chitrāngadā Abhimanyu Iravan Babruvahana Barbarika Upapandavas Parikshit Janamejaya Other characters Amba Ashwatthama Balarama Bhagadatta Brihannala Chitrasena Dhrishtadyumna Drona Drupada Durvasa Ekalavya Hidimba Jarasandha Jayadratha Karna Kichaka Kindama Kripa Krishna Kritavarma Mayasura Sanjaya Satyaki Shalya Shikhandi Shishupala Bahlika Sudeshna Uttara Kumara Virata Vyasa Related articles Avatars Hastinapur Indraprastha Kingdoms Kurukshetra War Bhagavad Gita Category

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