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Yudhamanyu and Uttamauja

Yudhamanyu and Uttamauja are valiant and loyal warriors from the Panchala kingdom, who serve as bodyguards to the protagonist Arjuna. Their primary duty is to guard Arjuna’s chariot wheels, ensuring his safety as he fights some of the most intense battles. This position is one of honor, as Arjuna is the Pandavas' greatest warrior and the key figure in many of the war’s significant encounters. While they are relatively minor characters in the Mahabharata, they are consistently dedicated to protecting and supporting the Pandavas in their quest for justice and the establishment of dharma.

On the thirteenth day of the Kurukshetra War, Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas are assigned to help Abhimanyu (Arjuna's son) penetrate the Chakravyuha, a complex military formation created by Dronacharya, the Kauravas' chief strategist. However, due to their inability to keep up with Abhimanyu, they fail to protect him when he is surrounded and ultimately killed by the Kaurava warriors. This tragic incident is a critical turning point in the war, leading to heightened tension and vengeance within the Pandava camp.

Yudhamanyu fights valiantly until the very end of the war. On the final day of battle, he is killed by Ashwatthama, Dronacharya’s son, who attacks the Pandava camp at night. Yudhamanyu, Uttamaujas, and other notable figures from these verses are killed while sleeping, in violation of the rules of dharma and warfare.

Subhadra

Subhadra is the sister of Krishna and one of the wives of Arjuna. Her son Abhimanyu is a young and valiant Pandava warrior who single-handedly takes on the Kaurava army on the thirteenth day of battle. Several Kaurava warriors break the code of conduct and simultaneously attack him, leading to his tragic death at the age of sixteen. Abhimanyu's son Parikshit (grandson of Subhadra), who was born after his death, is the only surviving member of the Kuru lineage after succeeding the Pandava leader Yudhishthira to the throne.

Draupadi

Draupadi is the main female protagonist of the Mahabharata, who is well-known for her polyandrous marriage to the five Pandava brothers. As the daughter of Drupada, born out of a yajna (fire sacrifice), she was betrothed to Arjuna after his victory in her father's archery challenge. Upon Arjuna's return to the home he shared with his mother and four brothers, he tells his mother that he has brought something home with him - his mother instinctively replies, without looking, to "share it with your brothers". Owing to the stricture that a parent's command must be carried out by their children, Draupadi is married to all five of the Pandava brothers, and has one child with each of them.

These five children are known as the Upapandavas (literally "junior Pandavas") - Prativindhya (son of Yudhishthira), Sutasoma (son of Bhima), Shrutakarma (son of Arjuna), Shatanika (son of Nakula) and Shrutasena (son of Sahadeva). On the final night of the war, after the Kaurava's defeat, Drona's son Ashwatthama attacks the Pandava camp at night and kills all five of Draupadi's son.