10 Most Powerful Warriors in Mahabharata

10. Duryodana

Duryodana is the eldest among the Kaurava brothers. He is the Overlord of the Kaurava army and the major reason for the inception greatest battle in the history of mankind. He is a great commander and warlord. From the game of dice with the Pandavas to his attempt to arrest Krishna when he was on a peace mission, Duryodana is remarked as the cruellest ruler of the Bharata Varsha. His death in the hands of Bheema in a mace combat on the 18th day marked the end of Kurukshetra.

9. Ghatotkacha

Ghatotkacha is the son of Bheema and Hidimbhi. On the fourteenth day of the Kurukshetra, the battle continued past sunset. When the bright moon rose, Ghatotkach, son of Bhima slaughtered numerous warriors, attacking while flying in the air. Karna stood against him and both fought fiercely until Karna released the Shakti, a divine weapon given to him by Indra. Ghatotkach increased his size and fell dead on the Kaurav army killing thousands of them.

8. Bheema

 Bheema is the second of the Pandava brothers. He was known for his macho personality and great power. He killed all the Kaurava brothers including Duryodana. On the 18th day of the battle, when Duryodana ran away from the battlefield and was later found by the Pandavas, he went into a duel with Duryodana and killed him, marking the end of the great battle of Kurukshetra.

 

7. Drishtadyumna

Drishtadyumna is the Commnaner-in-Chief of the Pandava army for all the 18 days of war. He killed Drona and many others in the Kaurava army. After the war is over, Ashwatthama, Kripacharya, and Kritavarma met Duryodhana at his deathbed and promised to avenge the actions of Bhima. They attacked the Pandavas' camp later that night and killed all the Pandavas' remaining army including their children. He was slaughtered in that attack.

 

6. Drona

Dronacharya is the teacher of both Kauravas and Pandavas. He taught archery to both Arjuna & Karna and mace fight to both Bheema and Duryodana. After King Drupada and King Virata were slain by Drona, Bhima, and Dhristadyumna fought him on the fifteenth day. Because Drona was very powerful and inconquerable having the irresistible brahmadanda, Krishna hinted to Yudhisthira that Drona would give up his arms if his son Ashwathama was dead. Bhima proceeded to kill an elephant named Ashwathama, and loudly proclaimed that Ashwathama was dead. Drona approached Yudhisthira to seek the truth of his son's death. Yudhisthira proclaimed Ashwathama Hatahath, naro va Kunjaro va, implying Ashwathama had died but he was nor sure whether it was a Drona's son or an elephant, The latter part of his proclamation (Naro va Kunjaro va) were drowned out by sound of the conch blown by Krishna. Drona was disheartened, and laid down his weapons. He was then killed by Dhristadyumna to avenge his father's death and satisfy his vow.

5. Abhimanyu

Abhimanyu was the son of Arjuna. He heard about the strategies to enter into the Chakra Vyuha when he was in his mother's womb. On the battlefield when the four Pandavas and their allies were finding it impossible to break Dronacharya's "Chakra Vyuh" formation as Arjuna was busy fighting on the other side of the battlefield, he could not be summoned to break the Chakra vyuha formation, which could only be broken by entering and exiting the formation. Yudhisthira instructed, Abhimanyu, one of Arjuna's sons to break the Chakra vyuha formation. Abhimanyu knew the secret of entering the Chakra vyuh formation, but did not know how to exit it. Abhimanyu slew tens of thousands of warriors. He also killed Dhuryodhana's son and Durmashana who was Dushasana's son. Duryodana ordered his men to attack Abhimanyu all at once. Abhimanyu fought but was surrounded and killed by many warriors in a combined attack.

4. Bhishma

Bhishma is the grandfather of both the Pandavas and the Kauravas. He is the most powerful warrior on the Kauravas side along with Karna. He has been the Commander-in-Chief of the Kaurava army for first 10 days of war. On the tenth day, the Pandavas, unable to withstand Bhishma's prowess, decided to put Shikhandi, who had been a woman in a prior life in front of Bhishma, as Bhishma has taken a vow not to attack a woman. Shikhandi's arrows fell on Bhishma without hindrance. Arjuna positioned himself behind Shikhandi, protecting himself from Bhishma's attack, and aimed his arrows at the weak points in Bhishma's armour. Soon, with arrows sticking from every part of his body, the great warrior fell from his chariot. His body did not touch the ground as it was held aloft by the arrows protruding from his body.

3. Arjuna

Arjuna is the third one of the Pandava brothers. The greatest warrior on the Pandavas' side. He is said to have the greatest sight, fiercest moves and perfect aim in archery. When Krishna told Arjuna and Duryodhana that he would give the Narayani Sena, to one side, and himself as a non-combatant to the other. When given the choice of either Krishna's army or Krishna Himself on their side, Arjuna on behalf of the Pandavas chose Krishna, unarmed on his own, relieving Duryodhana, who thought Arjuna to be the greatest fool. Later Arjuna requested Krishna to be his charioteer, and Krishna, being an intimate friend of Arjuna, agreed wholeheartedly, and hence received the name Parthasarthy, or 'charioteer of the son of Pritha'. Arjuna killed numerous soldiers of the Kaurava army including the greatest warriors on the Kaurava side, Bhishma and Karna.   

2. Karna

Karna was the first son of Kunti. But out of friendship he decided to fight alongside Duryodana in the battle. He promised Bhishma not to enter the battlefield till he was there  fighting because the presence of both of them will be the end of the Pandava army. He entered Kurukshetra after Bhishma fell onto the bed of arrows. Karna defeated the Pandava brothers Nakul, Bhima, Sahadeva and Yudhisthira in battle but spared their lives as he swore not to kill his brothers except Arjuna. Later, Karna resumed duelling with Arjuna. During their duel, Karna's chariot wheel got stuck in the mud and Karna asked for a pause. Krishna reminded Arjuna about Karna's ruthlessness unto Abhimanyu while he was similarly left without chariot and weapons. Hearing his son's fate, Arjuna shot his arrow and decapitated Karna. Before the day's battle, Karna's sacred armour ('Kavacha') and earrings ('Kundala') were taken as alms by Lord Indra when asked for, which resulted in his death by Arjuna's arrows.

1. Krishna

Lord Krishna is considered as the eighth incarnation of Vishnu. Even though he promised not to fight in the battle, yet he is the greatest and he most powerful warrior in the whole tale of Mahabharata. If he had entered the war, then it would have ended in the blink of an eye. He acted as Arjuna's charioteer and strategist. On the ninth day Krishna, overwhelmed by anger at the apparent inability of Arjuna to defeat Bhishma, rushed towards the Kaurava commander, with the wheel of a fallen chariot in his hands. Bhishma lays down his arms and is ready to die at the hands of the Lord, but Arjuna stops Him, reminding of His promise not to wield a weapon.