Śrutasena

Śrutasena was the youngest of the five sons born to Draupadī, one from each of her Pāṇḍava husbands. He was the son of Sahadeva. He was one of the upapāṇḍavas (the younger Pāṇḍavas, the sons of the Pāṇḍavas). Arjuna trained him in astra-śāstra (the science of divine weapons) together with his brothers and with Abhimanyu. Aśvatthāmā killed him in the night attack after the Kurukshetra war.

Birth and name

Draupadī bore Śrutasena from her union with Sahadeva. He was born under the Kṛttikā nakshatra (lunar star), the nakshatra of fire.

His name has two parts: śruta (heard, celebrated) and sena (army). It marks a warrior whose strength would be celebrated.

The upapāṇḍavas

Śrutasena, with Prativindhya, Sutasoma, Śrutakarma and Śatānīka, formed the group known as the upapāṇḍavas. Arjuna trained all five in dhanurveda (the science of archery), together with Abhimanyu.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Ādi Parva, Chapter 221