Which Pandava was the second eldest?

Bhima was the second eldest of the five Pandava brothers. The usual age order is Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva.

Bhima was born to Kunti through the invocation of Vayu, the wind god, while Yudhishthira was born earlier through Dharmaraja. Although the Pandavas had different divine fathers, they were all regarded as sons of Pandu and members of the same royal family.

His position as the second brother shaped his role in the epic. Bhima was immensely strong, fiercely protective of his family and especially devoted to defending Draupadi. He became the leading Pandava specialist in mace combat and was trained alongside the Kaurava princes under Drona. He also received important mace instruction from Balarama in later traditions.

Bhima is sometimes confused with Arjuna because both are major warriors, but Arjuna is the third-born Pandava. Nakula and Sahadeva were younger twins born to Madri, while Bhima was Kunti’s second son. His strength and determination were crucial during the exile, the Kurukshetra War and the eventual defeat of Duryodhana.