Mahabharata Timeline

Full chronicle

1. Creation

   • CreationEvent

     The opening of cosmic order, Prajapati, Manu, and the lineages that frame the epic world.

2. Major Dynasties

   • Major DynastiesEvent

     The great houses, Suryavamsha, Candravamsha, Yadu, and Kuru, take shape.

3. Birth of Krishna

   • Birth of KrishnaBirth

     Krishna is born to Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura, then raised in Vraja.

4. Pandavas

   • Birth of the PandavasBirth

     Through divine mantras, Kunti and Madri bear the five Pandava brothers.

5. Kauravas

   • Birth of the KauravasBirth

     Gandhari bears the hundred Kauravas; Duryodhana rises as their chief.

6. Major Mahabharata Events

   • LakshagrihaPlot

     The lacquer house plot at Varanavata, the Pandavas escape the fire.

   • Draupadi SwayamvaraCeremony

     Arjuna wins Draupadi at the Pancala svayamvara; she becomes wife of the five.

   • Dice GameGame

     Shakuni's dice strip Yudhishthira of kingdom, brothers, and Draupadi.

   • ExileExile

     Twelve years in the forest and a year in disguise, the price of the dice.

   • Virata ParvaExile

     The thirteenth year in disguise at Virata's court in Matsya.

   • Krishna Peace MissionEmbassy

     Krishna goes to Hastinapura as envoy; peace fails and war is fixed.

   • Bhishma's FallBattle

     Bhishma falls to Arjuna's arrows, aided by Shikhandin's presence.

   • Abhimanyu's DeathDeath

     Young Abhimanyu enters the cakravyuha and is slain by many warriors.

   • Drona's DeathDeath

     Drona lays down arms after the false report of Ashvatthama's death.

   • Karna's DeathDeath

     Arjuna slays Karna when his chariot wheel sticks in the earth.

   • End of WarBattle

     Duryodhana falls; the Sauptika night and ashru close the eighteen days.

7. Bhagavad Gita

   • Bhagavad GitaDiscourse

     On the field of dharma, Krishna teaches Arjuna, the Gita unfolds.

8. Aftermath

   • AshwamedhaRite

     Yudhishthira's horse sacrifice reasserts dharma after the war.

   • AftermathEvent

     Grief, counsel, and the closing of the age after Kurukshetra.

19 events · 8 eras · Shared Knowledge Graph