Pandavapatnis

Most of us know that Draupadi was the wife of Pandavas. But Pandavas had many more wives besides Draupadi. These women were not married to all the Pandavas.

Yudhisthir had one wife who was known as Devika. She was the child of King Govasena of Sivi kingdom and chose Yudhisthir in her swayamwar. She never came to Hastinapur like the other wives of Arjun who came to live in Hastinapur once the war between Pandavas and Kauravas had been completed. Yudhisthir had one son from Devika. He was known as Yaudheya. He did not go to Hastinapur like his mother. He inherited the kingdom of his grandfather. He was the ruler of Sivi kingdom and did not take part in the war. Devika, the wife of King Yudhisthir is mentioned in only one verse in Mahabharata.

Draupadi was the princess of Panchal who was wife of all five Pandavas. She was the manifestation of Goddess Shachi, queen of heaven. Puranas say that Draupadi was the manifestation of five goddesses. These were Shyamala(wife of Dharma), Bharati (wife of Vayudev), Shachi(King Indra's wife) and Usha(wife of Ashvins). Draupadi was beloved wife of Pandava princes who lived and supported her husbands in their hardships, laughed in their moments of happiness and was loyal to them despite of them not helping her in Kurusabha when the most evil persons the Kauravas humiliated her. Only Lord Krishna rescued from those Kauravas and was close to her. Draupadi was truly special for Krishna and the Pandavas.

Subhadra was wife of Arjun and sibling of Lord Krishna. She is known as manifestation of Yogmaayadevi. She was close to Draupadi and friendly with her. Subhadra was also special to Krishna like Draupadi. The son of Arjun and Subhadra was Abhimanyu who perished in the war due to deceitful slaughter through Kauravas. When Draupadi and the Pandavas went for the final wall towards Himalayas, Subhadra lived and had taken care of her grandson. She was dear to Arjun and also Draupadi and the other women of Kuru clan.

Karenumati was the wife of Nakul child of the king of Chedi named Shishupal. Nakul had one son from her who was named Niramitra.

Hidimba was the first wife of Vrikodara and Ghatotkacha's mother. She was one demoness but was beautiful and kind. She is worshipped among the local villagers of the place where she used to live in the peaks of  Himalayas.

Vijayaa was Sahadeva's wife and his cousin. She gave him one son called Suhotra who ruled Madra kingdom after the war which was her father's kingdom prior to the war.

Arjun also married Ulupi the Naga princess who one day, led him to the water and asked him to live with her for one night and marry her. Arjun was reluctant but finally married her due to her wish and next day, went towards his pilgrimage to Tirth Kshetras. Ulupi mothered one son Iravan who later perished in the war between the Kauravas and Pandavas. After the war, Arjun brought Ulupi in the royal mansion of Hastinapur where she used to live with the other wives of Arjun quite pleasantly and without any hustle. She was beautiful and kind.

Arjun also loved and married Chitrangada, princess of Manipur when he was about to complete his pilgrimage and go to Dwarka. He lived with her for three years until they had one son Babruvahan who later ruled Manipura. Chitrangada also came to live with Arjun once the war was completed. Chitrangada was said to be one warrior princess. She was beautiful and quite confident as one lady.

These were the wives of the five Pandavas who are worth of respect from us.