Partha (Sanskrit: पार्थ) is a masculine given name of Sanskrit origin, meaning "son of Pritha". In Hindu mythology, this is another name for the three elder Pandavas—Yudhishthira, Bhima, and Arjuna—who were the sons of Pritha (another name for Kunti) and Pandu.
The name Partha is primarily used in Bengali and other Indian communities, reflecting its deep connection to the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. In this epic, Partha is most famously associated with Arjuna, the third Pandava, who is often addressed as Partha by Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. The term serves as a patronymic, emphasizing the hero's lineage through his mother Pritha.
The root name Pandu, meaning "pale, whitish, yellowish" in Sanskrit, is the name of the father of the Pandavas. The chain of derivation shows how Partha (son of Pritha) contrasts with Pandava (descendant of Pandu), though in practice both may refer to the same characters in the epic.
The name Partha is also related to the Marathi variant Parth, which is common in Maharashtra and other parts of western India.
- Meaning: "son of Pritha"
- Origin: Sanskrit
- Type: Given name (patronymic)
- Usage regions: Bengal (India, Bangladesh), Hindu communities
- Associated Mythology: Mahabharata (alternate name for the three elder Pandavas)