Third Pandava; demigod son of Indra by Kuntī. Greatest archer of the epic; recipient of the Bhagavad Gītā discourse from Krishna at Kurukshetra (Bhīṣma Parva 23-40), which became the central philosophical text of Hindu religious tradition. Wins Draupadī at her svayamvara disguised as a brahmin. Wields the Gāṇḍīva bow (Agni's gift at Khāṇḍava). Receives the Pāśupatāstra from Shiva after the kirāta-combat austerities. Trained five years in Indra's heaven in celestial weapons. Father of Iravan (by Ulūpī), Babhruvāhana (by Citrāṅgadā), Abhimanyu (by Subhadrā). Kills Karṇa not knowing they are full brothers by Kuntī — the structural-tragic core of the epic. Falls in the great-departure march; karmic fault: pride in his archery.