Characters in Mahabharata are significant contributors to the entire plot and are the essence of the storyline of this epic tale of the Hindus. This famous Hindu epic tale consists of many characters, who play active role in defining the features of Mahabharata. This tale comprises numerous tales involving each and every character. They help in developing the plot of Mahabharata and enable it to progress gradually, till the conclusion.

Lord Krishna
Lord Krishna was the son of Devaki and her husband Vasudeva, who was the chief of the Yadavas of Devagiri.Therefore he was often referred to as Vaasudeva or Vasudeva Krishna. Lord Krishna played a significant role in this epic, as a political reformer and also as a philosopher. He was a savior to Draupadi, the only wife of the Pandavas and her faith in Krishna was beneficial to the success of her husbands innumerable times. Later, during the fierce battle between Pandavas and Kauravas, he was a major source of motivation to Arjuna, who was reluctant to fight the battle wherein he was compelled to fight against his own relations. His lessons to Arjuna have been compiled into the Bhagavad Gita.

Karna
. Karna was the ruler of the kingdom of Anga, which is the area between present day Bhagalpur and Munger District. He is considered one of the greatest warriors, who was admired by Lord Krishna and Bhishma (Bhishma - the eighth son of Shantanu and Ganga). Karna was the son born to Kunti, prior to her marriage with King Pandu. The solar deity, Lord Surya was the father of Karna. As per Mahabharata, Karna was the closest pal of Duryodhana who joined him in his combat against the Pandavas in the battle of Kurukshetra. It is said tat the city of Karnal has been founded by Karna, who is appreciated by several people for his bravery and generosity.

Pandavas of Mahabharata
In the Hindu Epic Mahabharata, the Pandavas of Mahabharata are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu. Starting from the eldest, the five sons are Yudhisthir, Arjuna, Bhima, Nakul and Sahadeva. Draupadi is the single wife of all these five Pandavas. These five sons belong to Kunti and Madri, the two wives of King Pandu, the ruler of Hastinapur. According to the story of Mahabharata, the Pandava brothers were epitomes of righteousness and moral virtues, who fought for `dharma` throughout their lives.

Kauravas of Mahabharata
The term `Kaurava` is derived from a Sanskrit word which implies the progenies of Kuru, who was a legendary king and the ancestor of numerous characters in Mahabharata. Kauravas were known to be descendants of King Dhritarashtra and his queen Gandhari, who were born by divine intervention after Rishi Vyas granted a boon to Queen Gandhari that she would give birth to a hundred sons who would be equally powerful as her husband. They opposed the Pandavas and as a consequence, had to fight against the Pandavas in a deadly combat in the famous battlefield of Kurukshetra.

Duryodhana, Dushasana, Shakuni, Jalagandha, Dussalan, Saman, Sahan, Vindhan, Anuvindhan, Durdharshan, Subaahu, Dushpradharshan, Durmarshanan, Durmukhan, Dushkarnan, Vikarnan, Saalan, Sathwan, Sulochanan, Chithran, Upachithran, Chithraakshan, Chaaruchithran ,Saraasanan, Durmadan, Durvigaahan, Vivilsu, Vikatinandan, Oornanaabhan, Sunaabhan, Nandan,Upanandan, Chithrabaanan, Chithravarman, Suvarman, Durvimochan, Ayobaahu, Mahaabaahu, Chithraamgan, Chithrakundalan, Bheemavegan, Bheemabalan, Vaalaky ,Belavardhanan, Ugraayudhan, Sushenan, Kundhaadharan, Mahodaran, Chithraayudhan ,Nishamgy, Paasy, Vrindaarakan, Dridhavarman, Dridhakshathran, Somakeerthy, Anthudaran, Dridhasandhan, Jaraasandhan, Sathyasandhan, Sadaasuvaak, Ugrasravas, Ugrasenan, Senaany, Dushparaajan, Aparaajithan, Kundhasaai, Visaalaakshan, Duraadharan, Dridhahasthan, Suhasthan, Vaathavegan ,Suvarchan, Aadithyakethu, Bahwaasy, Naagadathan, Ugrasaai, Kavachy, Kradhanan, Kundhy, Bheemavikran, Dhanurdharan, Veerabaahu, Alolupan, Abhayan, Dhridhakarmaavu, Dhridharathaasrayan, Anaadhrushyan, Kundhabhedy, Viraavy, Chithrakundhalan, Pramadhan, Amapramaadhy, Deerkharoman, Suveeryavaan, Dheerkhabaahu, Sujaathan, Kaanchanadhwajan, Kundhaasy, Virajass, Yuyutsu; and their only sister`s name was Dussala.

Other Characters in Mahabharata
Mahabharata comprises several other characters like Dronacharya, Abhimanyu, Hidimbi, Balarama, Chitrangada, Chitrasena, Eklavya, Ghatotkacha, Jarasandha, Janamejeya, Kichaka, King Puru, Kritavama, Nahusha, Radha, Revati, Satyaki, Shakuntala, Shantanu, Ulupli, Uttara, Vasudeva, Vichitravirya, Yayati and innumerable others which shaped the story of Mahabharata.

Characters in Mahabharata symbolize the moral virtues like honesty, integrity, determination and at the same time highlight the vices of man. Mahabharata has many individual stories, which provide a detailed explanation of each and every character.