The Main Protagonists of the Bhagavad Gita: Spiritual & Historical Figures
The opening chapter of the Bhagavad Gita introduces us to a dramatic gathering of kings, sages, and warriors positioned on the historic battlefield of Kurukshetra. While this setting lists a complex lineage of characters, the narrative functions on a much deeper symbolic level. Rather than describing a physical conflict, the epic illustrates the psychological and spiritual war taking place inside every human heart—the eternal struggle between righteousness and ignorance.
With commentary by Pedro Nonell, an acclaimed Spanish expert on the Bhagavad Gita, Vedanta, , and Swami Vivekananda, we can easily identify these key figures and understand how their choices mirror our own search for absolute truth and connection with God.
A Summary of the Key Characters in the Kurukshetra Battlefield
Below we show a small summary of the main protagonists of the Bhagavad Gita that can be useful to seekers and students of the Gita Institute when they immerse themselves in the profound wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita.
The Bhagavad Gita, the central part of the great epic of the Mahabharata, begins in a setting of war between two family clans (Yoga Arjuna’s Despondency), the Kauravas (representing the forces of evil) and the Pandavas (good), in a dialogue between Sri Krishna (the incarnation of the Lord) and Arjuna, the Pandava prince and warrior.
The main protagonists of the Bhagavad Gita are:
- Sri Krishna: incarnation of Vishnu, cousin and charioteer of Arjuna
- Arjuna: prince and archer of the Pandavas
- Pandu: stepfather of the Pandava brothers
- Draupadi: wife of the Pandava brothers: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva
- Bhishma: chief of the Kaurava army
- Dhritarashtra: blind king of the Kauravas
- Duryodhana: evil firstborn of Dhritarashtra and a Kaurava prince
- Sanjaya: Kaurava minister, who recounted the cruel battle to Dhritarashtra
- Drona: highest advisor of Pandavas and Kauravas
- Bhima: weapon master of Pandavas and Kauravas
- Vyasa: compiler of the Bhagavad Gita and the Mahabharata
Protagonistas Bhagavad Gita 
Protagonistas Bhagavad-Gita.
Protagonists of the Bhagavad Gita
In the West it is usually a common mistake to understand the Bhagavad Gita as a war story. In the words of Sri Swami Sivananda:
Pandavas.
They represent the forces of good. Arjuna was their prince, and Sri Krishna was the charioteer
Sri Krishna.
He is the incarnation of Vishnu, the god of goodness, preserver of the universe. He represents perfection—true knowledge personified.
Listen to the video of Pedro Nonell with English subtitles
Arjuna is the prince of the Pandavas, cousin and friend of Sri Krishna; He is upright, loyal and sensitive and an exceptional warrior. He had to fight against his relatives, but he neither wanted nor could kill them. He seeks wisdom from Sri Krishna.
Listen to the video of Pedro Nonell with English subtitles
Pandu.
Stepfather of the five Pandava brothers.
Draupadi.
Daughter of King Drupada, consort of the five Pandava brothers: Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva.
“The brave Yudhamanyu, the brave Uttamaujas, son of Subhadra and the sons of Draupadi, all of them Maharathas.” Bhagavad Gita 1.6
Kauravas.
They represent the forces of evil
Bhishma
Supreme commander of the Kauravas forces.
Dhritarashtra.
He is the blind king of the Kuru kingdom. His children were the Kauravas
Sanjaya.
He is the minister of the Kauravas. He was blessed by the great Viasa (the compiler of the Bhagavad Gita) to discern the past, present and future. He knew that they could not defeat the Pandavas. He tells the king what happened in the battle.
Sanjaya: “Thus spoke Arjuna on the battlefield, and dropping his bow and arrows, he collapsed on the seat of his chariot, overcome with anguish” Bhagavad Gita 1.47.
Duryodhana.
He is Dhritarashtra's eldest son and crown prince of the Kuru kingdom. He is cruel and bloodthirsty.
Bhima.
Master of both Pandavas and Kauravas.
Sanjaya: “There are brave archers, equal in fighting to Bhima and Arjuna: Yuyudhana and Virata, and the great Maharatha Drupada.” Bhagavad Gita 1.4.
Drona.
He was a royal advisor to both the Kauravas and the Pandavas.
Vyasa.
The compiler of the Bhagavad Gita.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What do the Pandavas and Kauravas represent in the Bhagavad Gita?
A1: The Pandavas represent the qualities of goodness and righteousness, while the Kauravas represent negative tendencies and ignorance. Together, they symbolize the spiritual struggle inside the human heart.
Q2: Who compiled the Bhagavad Gita?
A2: The great sage Veda Vyasa compiled the Bhagavad Gita as a central part of the expansive epic, the Mahabharata.
Q3: How does Pedro Nonell describe the relationship between Krishna and Arjuna?
A3: Pedro Nonell explains that Arjuna represents the searching human soul, while Sri Krishna represents absolute knowledge personified, guiding the soul back to God.
Conclusion
In summary, studying the diverse roles of the characters in the Bhagavad Gita reveals that each figure represents a specific aspect of human nature and cosmic order.
From the profound surrender of Arjuna to the infinite, all-knowing guidance of Sri Krishna, these interactions form a practical map for spiritual seekers. The interpretive frameworks championed by Sri Ramakrishna and brought to light globally by Swami Vivekananda teach us to look past historical accounts.
By recognizing that these external figures represent internal mental states, we can systematically eliminate negative qualities and actively rely on the wisdom of God to achieve final liberation.
Training: Bhagavad Gita Course - Karma Yoga Course - Master in Bhagavad Gita
Paths of Yoga, Karma Yoga (Vivekananda), Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga, Renunciation of action, Gita and business
Advanced courses:
Buy the Book: The Yoga of Wisdom (Spanish) by
(c) Gita Institute & Pedro Nonell
