In Hinduism, the Pandavas are the five acknowledged sons of Pandu. They are

• Yudhishtira
• Bhima
• Arjuna (sons of Pandu's first wife Kunti),

and the twins

• Nakula and
• Sahadeva (sons of his second wife Madri).

As Pandu is infertile or impotent due to a curse, and is unable to father children, the actual fatherhood of the children is traditionally attributed to various gods.

• Yudhishtira's fatherhood to Yama, the Lord of death, a deva.
• Bhima to Vayu, the Lord of Wind, a deva.
• Arjuna to Indra, the ruler of heaven.
• Nakula and Sahadeva to Ashwini stars.

Arjuna wins Draupadi in a famous Swayamvara. But on his mother's orders he shares his wife along with his other four brothers.

The Pandavas engage in the Mahabharata war with their one hundred cousins, the Kauravas. The Pandavas manage to win the battle with the help of Lord Krishna.