Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Babruvahana

2022-12-10T20:22:05Z

2402:3A80:1651:B7DD:0:33:EAA8:1801:

{{short description|One of the four sons of Arjuna, a character of the Mahabharata}}
{{about|the Mahabharata character|the films|Babruvahana (1964 film)|and|Babruvahana (1977 film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Information
| image = File:Third son of Arjuna Babruvahana.jpg
| alt = Babruvahana
| caption = A painting of Babruvahana
| family = [[Arjuna]] (father)<br>[[Chitrāngadā]] (mother)
| gender = Male
| home = Manipura
| color = #FFC569
| spouse = [[Kimveka]]
| children =
}}

In the [[Hindu]] epic ''[[Mahabharata]]'', '''Babruvahana''' ({{lang-sa|बब्रुवाहन}}) was the son of [[Arjuna]], a Pandava prince, and [[Chitrāngadā|Chitrangada]], the princess of [[Manipura (Mahabharata)|Manipur]]. Babruvahana was adopted as the heir of Manipur by his maternal grandfather and later reigned at the kingdom.

==Legend==
[[File: Arjuna is killed by his son Babhnu Vahana in battle.jpg|thumb|left|Arjuna is killed by his son Babru Vahana in battle]]
As per ''[[Mahabharata]]'', Manipura was a kingdom in India. It was ruled by a king named Chitravahana. He had a daughter named Chitrangada, whom he named after the Madhulika flower. For multiple generations, the dynasty did not have more than one heir. Since Chitrasena did not have any other heir, he trained Chitrangada in warfare and rule. Chitrangada was well-versed in warfare and acquired the skills to protect the people of her land. The account is described in [[Rabindranath Tagore]]'s play ''Chitra'',<ref>{{cite book|title=The 100 Most Influential Writers of All Time|page=242|editor1=J. E. Luebering|publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group, Inc|isbn=9781615300051}}</ref> where Tagore depicts Chitrangada as a warrior dressed in male clothes.<ref>{{cite book|title=Chitra - A Play in One Act|page=1|first=Rabindranath|last= Tagore|publisher=Read Books Ltd|year=2015|isbn=9781473374263}}</ref> Arjuna fell in love with her on account of her honesty and courage. They had a son named Babruvahana, whom Chitra reared up after Arjuna left them.<ref name=B>{{cite book|title=Myths and Legends from India - Great Women|last=Bhanu|first=Sharada|publisher=Macmillan India Limited|year=1997|location=Chennai|isbn=0-333-93076-2|pages=7–10}}</ref>

Mahabharata loses mention of Chitra and her kingdom for several chapters. On the other side, the [[Pandavas]] went through various ordeals and finally winning the war against the [[Kauravas]]. [[Yudhishthira]] became the king of Hastinapura. His mind was restless since he always felt bad about killing his own kith and kin during the war. On the advice of sages, he conducted [[Ashvamedha]] yagna, where a decorated horse would be sent across the kingdom and wherever it goes unopposed, the land would be acquired by the king who sent it. Arjuna was tasked to take care of the horse. When Arjuna went to Manipura with the wandering sacrificial horse of the [[Aswamedha]], Babruvahana captured the horse, which, by tradition, meant war against the Pandavas. Arjuna tried to persuade Babruvahana to leave the horse as there was no enmity between Manipura and Hastinapura. Babruvanahana agreed with Arjuna but informed him that he wished to kill Arjuna for his Guru Dakshina.<ref name=B/>

[[File:Arjuna hugs Babruvahana.jpg|thumb|[[Arjuna]] hugs Babruvahana, Ulupi and Chitrāngadā watch them.]]
Arjuna, reluctant to fight a young boy, left and informed a small troop of his army to convince Babruvahana to give the horseback. Babruvahana defeated the army. He also defeated [[Bhima]] and killed Vrishaketu. Knowing this, Arjuna got enraged as Vrishaketu was very dear to him, more than Abhimanyu, as he was his elder brother Karnaś son and took an oath to kill Babruvahana or immolate himself if he gets defeated. [[Arjuna]] fought with Babruvahana and went on the upper hand. Babruvahana defeated Arjuna and killed him. To kill Arjuna Babruvahana used the divine weapon. This divine weapon would kill any person-even monstrous demons. Soon Arjuna got killed because of a curse given to Arjuna by Ganga- Bhishma's mother. Repenting his deed after knowing Arjuna's identity, he was determined to kill himself, but he obtained from his stepmother, the Naga princess [[Uloopi]], a gem called Nagamani which restored Arjuna to life with the help of Krishna. Arjuna, however, repented that he wouldn't be able to live with the remorse due to Vrishketuś death, as he was the one who had ordered Vrishtaketu to engage in battle. Krishna, however, promised that he would restore [[Vrishaketu]] life. After Vrishketu was revived by Krishna, Babruvahana asked Vrishtaketu to forgive him (which he did). Vrishaketu admired Babruvahana's skill in war. Then, the Pandavas, Uloopi, Chitrangada, Babruvahana, Iravan and the armies returned to [[Hastinapura]].<ref name=B/>

==Film adaptation==
The story of Babruvahana has been made into films in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] in 1942 and 1964 and in [[Kannada]] in 1977. The 1964 Telugu film was written and directed by [[Samudrala Raghavacharya]] and starred [[N. T. Rama Rao]], [[S. Varalakshmi]] and [[Chalam (actor)|Chalam]].{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

It was made into two Hindi movies in consecutive years, Veer Babruvahan in 1951 by [[Nanabhai Bhatt]] starring [[Shashi Kapoor]], [[S. N. Tripathi]] and Veer Arjun in 1952 starring [[Mahipal]], [[Nirupa Roy]], & [[Trilok Kapoor]].

The Kannada language film, [[Babruvahana (film)|Babruvahana]] was written and directed by [[Hunsur Krishnamurthy]] and starred [[Rajkumar (actor)|Rajkumar]] as [[Arjuna]] and Babruvahana in a dual role, [[B. Saroja Devi]] as [[Chitrāngadā]], [[Kanchana (actress)|Kanchana]] as [[Uloopi]] and [[Jayamala]] as [[Subhadra]].{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

==Bibliography==

* {{cite book
|title=Who is Who in the Mahabharata
|last=Mazumdar |first=Subash |year=1988
|publisher=Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
|page=32
|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=omspAAAAYAAJ}}
* Laura Gibbs, PhD. Modern Languages MLLL-4993. Indian Epics.
* Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.mythfolklore.net/india/encyclopedia/babhruvahana.htm Babhruvahana in ''Encyclopedia for Epics of Ancient India'']

{{Mahabharata}}
{{HinduMythology}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Nakula

2022-12-10T20:14:21Z

2402:3A80:1651:B7DD:0:33:EAA8:1801:

{{Short description|4th Pandava in the epic Mahabharata}}
{{redirect|Nakul|the Indian actor|Nakul (actor)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox character
| color = #FFC569
| info-hdr = Personal Information
| image = Nakula Pandava.jpg
| caption = An 18th century painting depicting Nakula.
| weapon = [[Sword]]
| affiliation = [[Pandava]] and Ashvineya
| spouse = {{hlist|[[Draupadi] Sambhava Parva: Section XCV|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|access-date=2020-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-date=16 January 2010}}</ref>
| family = '''Parents''' {{bulleted list|[[Ashvins]] (Spiritual Father)|[[Madri]] (Mother)|[[Pandu]] (Father)|[[Kunti]] (Step-Mother)}} '''Brother''' (Madri) {{bulleted list|[[Sahadeva]] by [[Ashvins]] (Twin Brother)}} '''Step-Brothers''' (Kunti) {{bulleted list|[[Karna]] by [[Surya]]|[[Yudhishthira]] by [[Yama (Hinduism)|Dharmaraja]]|[[Bhima]] by [[Vayu]]|[[Arjuna]] by [[Indra]]}}
| children = '''Sons''' {{bulleted list|[[Upapandavas#Shatanika|Satanika]] by Draupadi|]]

| relatives = {{bulleted list|[[Kauravas]] (Paternal cousins)}}
}}

In the [[Hindu]] epic [[Mahabharata]], '''''Nakula''''' was fourth of the five [[Pandava]] brothers. Nakula and [[Sahadeva]] were [[twin]]s blessed to [[Madri]], by [[Ashwini Kumaras]], the divine physicians.<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/73 73]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> Their parents {{Mdash}} [[Pandu]] and Madri died early, so the twins were adopted by their step mother, [[Kunti]] and were trained by [[Drona]] in [[Hastinapur]].

Skilled in ''[[Ayurveda]]'', sword fighting and horse keeping, Nakula is regarded as the most handsome man in the Mahabharata.{{sfn|Chakravarti|2007}} He had one wife - [[Draupadi]], the common wife of the five brothers]] . For Yudhishthira's [[Rajasuya]], he conquered the Sivis, the Rohitakas and other dynasties. After the game of dice, the Pandavas and Draupadi were sent into exile for 13 years with the last year being incognito. During the incognito, Nakula disguised himself as a horse trainer named Granthika. In the Kurukshetra War, Nakula killed many warriors including [[Uluka]], [[Shakuni|Shakuni's]] son.

==Etymology and other names==
In Sanskrit, the word ''nakula'' means "mongoose" or "mongoose-colored."<ref>{{cite book|title=A Sanskrit-English dictionary|year=1899|page=[https://sanskritlibrary.org/cologne/apidev/servepdf.php?dict=MW&page=523 523]|author=Sir Monier Monier-Williams}}</ref>

Nakula and his brother Sahadeva are both also referred to in the epic as Āśvineya, Aśvinīsuta and Aśvisuta because they are the sons of the [[Aśvins|Ashvins]] and as Mādravatīputra, Mādravatīsuta, Mādreya, Mādrinandana, Mādrinandanaka, Mādrīputra, Mādrīsuta, Mādrītanūja because they are the sons of Mādrī.
<ref>{{cite book|author=Søren Sørensen|title=Index to the Names in the Mahābhārata|year=1904–1925|page=[https://sanskritlibrary.org/cologne/apidev/servepdf.php?dict=INM&page=497-1 1.497]}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/73 73]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref>

==Birth and early years==
Due to [[Pandu]]'s inability to bear children (because of the curse of Rishi [[Kindama]]), [[Kunti]] had to use the boon given by Sage [[Durvasa]] to give birth to her three children. She shared the boon with [[Pandu]]'s second wife, [[Madri]], who invoked the [[Ashwini Kumaras]] to beget Nakula and [[Sahadeva]]. Nakula was known to be the most handsome person in the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] lineage.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The five Pandavas and the story of their birth|url=http://aumamen.com/topic/the-five-pandavas-and-the-story-of-their-birth|access-date=2020-08-31|website=aumamen.com}}</ref>

In his childhood, Nakula mastered his skills in fencing and knife throwing under his father [[Pandu]] and a hermit named Suka at the Satasringa ashram. Later, [[Pandu]] lost his life when he attempted to make love with his wife, [[Madri]]. The latter also immolated herself in her husband's pyre ([[sati (practice)|sati]]). Thus, Nakula along with his [[Pandava|brothers]] moved to [[Hastinapura]] where he was brought up by [[Kunti]]. Kunti loved him as much as her own sons.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fang|first=Liaw Yock|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yIv3AwAAQBAJ&q=madri+suicide&pg=PA76|title=A History of Classical Malay Literature|date=2013|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian|isbn=978-981-4459-88-4|language=en}}</ref>

Nakula greatly improved his archery and swordplay skills under the tutelage of [[Drona]]. Nakula turned out to be an accomplished wielder of the sword. Along with the other [[Pandava]] brothers, Nakula was trained in religion, science, administration, and military arts by the [[Kuru dynasty|Kuru]] preceptors [[Kripacharya]] and [[Dronacharya]]. He was particularly skilled at horse-riding.

==Skills==
* ''Horse-keeping'': Nakula's deep understanding of [[horse breeding]] and training is documented in the Mahabharata after the death of [[Narakasura]] by Krishna. In a conversation with Virata, Nakula claimed to know the art of treating all illnesses of horses. He was also a highly skilled charioteer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahabharata Text |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04012.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lochan |first=Kanjiv |title=Medicines of early India : with appendix on a rare ancient text |year=2003 |publisher=Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan |location=Varanasi |isbn=9788186937662 |edition=Ed. 1st.}}</ref>
* ''Ayurveda'': Being a son of the physicians, [[Ashwini Kumaras]], Nakula was also believed to be an expert in [[Ayurveda]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Charak |first=K.S. |title=Surya, the Sun god |year=1999 |publisher=Uma Publications |location=Delhi |isbn=9788190100823 |edition=1st}}</ref>
* ''Swordsman'': Nakula was a brilliant swordsman and he showed his skills of a sword while killing the sons of [[Karna]] on the 18th day of [[Kurukshetra war]].

==Marriage and Children==
When the Pandavas and their mother, Kunti were in hiding after the event of [[Lakshagriha]], Arjuna won [[Draupadi|Draupadi's]] hand in marriage. Nakula married her along with his [[Pandava|brothers]] and had a son, [[Upapandavas#Shatanika|Shatanika]] who was killed by [[Ashwatthama]] in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

He also married [[Karenumati]], the daughter of [[Shishupala]], who bore him one son, [[Niramitra]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-date = 16 January 2010|title = The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCV}}</ref> Niramitra became the king of Northern Madra Kingdom after his father Nakula.

==Conquest for Rajasuya==
[[File:PathRajasuyaNakulaDigvijaya.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Nakula's military expedition to the western kingdoms, as per epic [[Mahabharata]].He seemed to have followed the [[Uttarapatha]] route.]]
Nakula was sent west by [[Yudhisthira]] to subjugate kingdoms for the [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice, after crowning as the Emperor of [[Indraprastha]]. Nakula set forth to the kingdom once dominated by [[Vasudeva]] with a huge army. He first attacked the prosperous mountainous country of [[Rohtak|Rohitaka]]. He defeated the Mattamyurakas of the land in a fierce encounter. In another battle with the sage Akrosha, Nakula subjugated the regions of [[Sirsa|Sairishaka]] and [[Mahottari District|Mahetta]]. He also defeated many tribes and small dynasties, including the [[Dasarna Kingdom|Dasarnas]], the [[Sivi Kingdom|Sivis]], the [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigartas]], the Amvashtas, the [[Malwa|Malavas]], the five tribes of the [[Karnata Kingdom|Karnatas]], the [[Karnata Kingdom#Nakula's Military Campaign to the West of India|Madhyamakeyas]], the [[Karnata Kingdom#Nakula's Military Campaign to the West of India|Vattadhanas]] and the Utsava-sanketas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata. Digvijaya Parva|url=https://www.tititudorancea.com/z/mahabharata_digvijaya_parva.htm|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.tititudorancea.com}}</ref>

==Exile==
Yudhishthira's loss in the game of dice meant that all [[Pandavas]] had to live in exile for 13 years. Once in exile, [[Jatasura]], disguised as a [[Brahmin]], kidnapped Nakula along with [[Draupadi]], [[Sahadeva]] and [[Yudhishthira]]. [[Bhima]] rescued them eventually and in the fight that ensued, Nakula killed Kshemankara, Mahamaha, and Suratha.<ref>{{cite book|last=Parmeshwaranand|first=Swami|title=Encyclopaedic dictionary of Purāṇas|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_6F0ZIBIL2ZAC|year=2001|publisher=Sarup & Sons|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788176252263|pages=900|edition=1st}}</ref> In the 13th year, Nakula disguised himself as an [[Hostler|ostler]] and assumed the name of ''Granthika'' (between themselves, the [[Pandavas]] called him ''Jayasena'') at the [[Virata Kingdom|Kingdom of Virata]]. He worked as a horse-trainer who looked after horses in the royal stable.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Kapoor, Subodh|title=The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific |year=2002 |publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552713|pages=4462|edition=1st}}</ref>

==Role in the Kurukshetra War==
[[File:Nakula.jpg|thumb|250px|Nakula in Javanese [[Wayang]]]]

Nakula desired [[Drupada]] to be the general of the Pandava army, but [[Yudhishthira]] and [[Arjuna]] opted for [[Dhristadyumna]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Menon|first=[translated by] Ramesh|title=The Mahabharata : a modern rendering|year=2006|publisher=iUniverse, Inc.|location=New York|isbn=9780595401888|pages=88}}</ref>

As a warrior, Nakula slew prominent war-heroes on the enemy side. The flag of Nakula's chariot bore the image of a [[red deer]] with a golden back.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/dutt/maha09.htm}}</ref> Nakula was the leader of one of the seven Akshahuni.

On the 1st day of the war, Nakula defeated [[Dussasana]], sparing his life so that [[Bhima]] could fulfill his oath.

On the 11th day, Nakula defeated [[Shalya]], destroying his chariot.

On the 13th day, his advance into [[Dronacharya]]'s formation was repulsed by [[Jayadratha]].

On the 14th day, he defeated [[Shakuni]].

On the 15th day, he was defeated by [[Duryodhana]] but was rescued by [[Chekitana]].

On the 16th day, he was defeated and spared by [[Karna]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08048.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 48|website=sacred-texts.com|access-date=2018-01-27}}</ref>

On the 17th day, he killed [[Shakuni]]'s son [[Characters in the Mahabharata#Vrikaasura|Vrikaasura]] and fulfilled his oath taken on the day of deciding the rules of war.

On the 18th day of the war, he killed three sons of [[Karna]], Sushena, Chitrasena and Satyasena.

==Later life and death==
After [[Kurukshetra War|the war]], [[Yudhishthira]] appointed Nakula as the King of Northern [[Madra]] and [[Sahadeva]] as King of southern [[Madra]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vyasaonline.com/encyclopedia/shalya/|title=Shalya – Vyasa Mahabharata}}</ref>

Upon the onset of [[Kali Yuga]] and the departure of [[Krishna]], the [[Pandavas]] retired. Giving up all their belongings and ties, the [[Pandavas]] and
[[Draupadi]], along with a dog, made their final journey of pilgrimage to the [[Himalayas]].

Except [[Yudhishthira]], all of the [[Pandavas]] grew weak and died before reaching heaven. Nakula was the third one to fall after [[Draupadi]] and [[Sahadeva]]. When [[Bhima]] asked [[Yudhishthira]] why Nakula fell, [[Yudhishthira]] replied that Nakula took pride in his beauty and believed that there was nobody equal to him in looks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m17/m17002.htm|title = The Mahabharata, Book 17: Mahaprasthanika Parva: Section 2}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
* {{Cite book|last=Vyāsa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4BFhucEZbsMC&q=who+was+the+most+handsome+man+in+mahabharata&pg=PT506|title=Mahabharata: The great hall. Book two|date=November 2006|publisher=NYU Press|isbn=978-0-8147-9406-7|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last=Chakravarti|first=Bishnupada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivQ6CwAAQBAJ&q=Nakula+handsome&pg=PT105|title=Penguin Companion to the Mahabharata|date=2007-11-13|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-93-5214-170-8|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last=Mani|first=Vettam|url=http://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft|title=Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature|date=1975|publisher=Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass|others=Robarts - University of Toronto}}
{{Mahabharata}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category: Characters in the Mahabharata]]

Sahadeva

2022-12-10T20:07:27Z

2402:3A80:1651:B7DD:0:33:EAA8:1801:

{{short description|Character from Indian epic Mahabharata; 5th Pandava}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox character
| color = #FFC569
| info-hdr = Personal Information
| image = Sahadeva.jpg
| caption = Artistic depiction of Sahadeva in Mayasabha
| weapon = [[Sword]]
| affiliation = [[Pandavas]] and Ashvineya
| spouse = {{hlist|[[Draupadi]](Mahabharat)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm |title=Archived copy |website=www.sacred-texts.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm |archive-date=16 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| family = '''Parents''' {{bulleted list|[[Ashvins]] (spiritual father)|[[Draft:Vaishnavivati (goddess)|Vaishnavivati]] (spiritual mother)|[[Madri]] (Mother)|[[Pandu]] (De jure father)|[[Kunti]] (Step-Mother)}} '''Brother''' (Madri) {{bulleted list|[[Nakula]] by [[Ashvins]] (Twin Brother)}}
'''Step-Brothers''' (Kunti) {{bulleted list|[[Karna]] by [[Surya]]|[[Yudhishthira]] by [[Yama (Hinduism)|Dharmaraja]]|[[Bhima]] by [[Vayu]]|[[Arjuna]] by [[Indra]]}}
| children = '''Sons''' {{bulleted list|[[Upapandavas#Shrutakarma|Shrutakarma]] by Draupadi
| relatives = {{bulleted list|[[Kauravas]] (Paternal cousins(Mahabharat)
'''Sahadeva''' ([[Sanskrit]]: सहदेव) was the youngest of the [[Pandava]] brothers, the five principal protagonists of the epic ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He and his twin brother, [[Nakula]], were blessed to King [[Pandu]] and Queen [[Madri]] by invoking the twin gods [[Ashvins]]. Sahadeva is described to be skilled in swordsmanship and astrology. During the [[Kurukshetra War]], he slew many warriors including [[Shakuni]].

== Etymology ==
The word sahadeva is derived from two Sanskrit words ''saha'' (सह) and ''deva'' (देव). ''Saha'' means ''with'' and ''deva'' is a [[Hindu]] term used for ''deity''. So literally, Sahadeva means ''with Gods''. Another meaning is ''thousand Gods''. Sahadeva and his brother [[Nakula]], are both called as ''Ashvineya'' (आश्विनेय), as they were born from [[Ashvins]].<ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/73 73]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref>

==Birth and early years==
Due to [[Pandu]]'s inability to bear children (because of the curse of Rishi [[Kindama]]), [[Madri]] had to use the boon given to [[Kunti]] Devi by Sage [[Durvasa]] to give birth, who invoked the [[Ashwini Kumaras]] to beget Nakula and Sahadeva.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The five Pandavas and the story of their birth|url=http://aumamen.com/topic/the-five-pandavas-and-the-story-of-their-birth|access-date=2020-08-31|website=aumamen.com}}</ref>

Later, Pandu died due to his Kindama's curse when he attempted to make love with his wife. Madri handled her children to Kunti and committed sati. Kunti raised him along with his brothers in Hastinapura with love and care. It is believed that Sahadeva was Kunti's favourite son in spite of not being her biological son.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fang|first=Liaw Yock|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yIv3AwAAQBAJ&q=madri+suicide&pg=PA76|title=A History of Classical Malay Literature|date=2013|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian|isbn=978-981-4459-88-4|language=en}}</ref> It is also believed that Sahadeva was an incarnation of [[Shukra]], the [[guru]] of asuras.

Sahadeva and his brothers went to Hastinapura where they were instructed by Drona and Kripa in weapons. He mastered his skills in fencing and axe fighting. He also acquired the Nitishastra from Brihaspati, Guru of the Devas.

==Marriage and children==
Later [[Kunti]] and the five Pandavas moved to [[Hastinapura]]. Sahadeva's core skill was the wielding of the sword.<ref>{{cite book|last=A. van Nooten|first=Barend|title=The Mahābhārata; attributed to Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa Volume 131 of Twayne's world authors series: India}}</ref> Sahadeva is said to be mild-mannered, bashful, patient, and virtuous in every aspect except he was arrogant about his wisdom and his spiritual knowledge .<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04019.htm}}</ref>

Sahadeva had two wives Draupadi, the common wife of the Pandavas, and Vijaya, whom he married. Sahadev's son with Draupadi was Shrutasena and his son with his other wife Vijaya was Suhotra. Vijaya chose Sahadeva in her swarmavara, hence the marriage. Vijaya was Sahadeva's maternal cousin.

Suhotra was [[Vijaya (Mahabharat)|Queen Vijaya]] and Sahadeva's son. They were lives in Madra after Mahabharata.

==Conquest for Rajasuya==
[[Image:PathRajasuyaSahadevaDigvijaya.jpg|right|thumb|Sahadeva's military expedition to the southern kingdoms, as per epic [[Mahabharata]].]]
Sahadeva was sent south by the eldest Pandava [[Yudhishthira]] to subjugate kingdoms for the [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice, after crowning as the Emperor of [[Indraprastha]]. He was specifically chosen for the south because of his expertise with the sword, and because [[Bhishma]] opined that Southerners are skilled with sword-fighting in general. he Mahabharata mentions several kingdoms to the south of Indraprastha which were conquered by Sahadeva. Some of them are as under:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m02/m02030.htm|title=Mahabharata Text}}</ref>
*[[Surasena Kingdom|Surasenas]]
*[[Pandyan Dynasty]]
*[[Matsya Kingdom|Matsya]], the king [[Dantavakra]], kings Sukumara, Sumitra, other Matsyas and Patacharas.
*Kings of Lanka who claimed to be descendants of [[Vibhishana]], the king of [[Lanka]] and brother of [[Ravana]]. He offered him diverse kinds of jewels and gems, sandalwood, celestial ornaments, costly apparel and valuable pearls.
*At [[Kishkindha]], the monkey-kings Mainda and Dwivida were defeated in a 7-day war.
*City of [[Mahishmati]], which was ruled by King Nila. Since the kingdom had the blessings of [[Agni]], a huge fire obstructed the army when Sahadeva tried to invade; later prayer to Agni enabled Sahadeva to complete the conquest.
* King [[Rukmi]] of [[Vidarbha]] and territories of [[Bhojakata]]
*[[the Nishada Kingdom|Nishadas]], the hill of Gosringa and King Sreenimath.
* Navarashtra, under King [[Kunti-Bhoja]]
* King Jamvaka, on the banks of the river [[Charmanwati]].
* Territories lying on the banks of the Venwa.
* Kingdoms that lay on the banks of the [[Narmada]].
* [[Avanti Kingdom (Mahabharata)|Avanti]], kings called Vinda and Anuvinda, a town of [[Bhojakata]]
* King of [[Kosala]]
* King of [[Tripura]]
* King of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]]
* [[Surparaka Kingdom|Surparaka kingdom]], Talakatas and [[Dandaka]]s
* [[Mlechchha]] tribe living on the sea coast, Nishadas, the cannibals, Karnapravarnas, and the Kalamukhas (a cross between human beings and Rakshasas) and the whole area of the Cole mountains.
* Surabhipatna and the island called the Copper island, and a mountain called Ramaka.
* The town of Timingila and a wild tribe is known by the name of the Kerakas who were men with one leg.
* The town of Sanjayanti, countries of the Pashandas, Karahatakas, Paundrayas, Dravidas, Udrakeralas, Andhras, Talavanas, Kalingas and Ushtrakarnikas, Sekas and Yavanas
* [[Pauravas|Paurava kingdom]]

==Exile==
[[File:Arishtanemi-Sahadeva.jpg|thumb|Sahadeva works as a cowherd in exile.]]
Yudhishthira's loss in the game of dice meant that all Pandavas had to live in exile for 13 years. Once in exile, [[Jatasura]], disguised as a Brahmin, kidnapped Nakula along with [[Draupadi]], Sahadeva and [[Yudhishthira]]; [[Bhima]] rescued them eventually.

In the 13th year, Sahadeva disguised himself as a [[Vaishya]] and assumed the name of ''Tantripal'' (within themselves Pandavas called him ''Jayadbala'') at the Kingdom of [[Virata]].<ref>{{cite book|editor= Subodh Kapoor|title=The Indian encyclopedia: biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552713|page=4462|edition=1st}}</ref> He worked as a cowherd who supervised the maintenance and upkeep of all cows in Virata's kingdom.

== Role in the Kurukshetra War ==
Sahadeva was very good in Astrology. Weeks before the war, Prince Duryodhana, on the advice of Shakuni approached Sahadeva in order to seek the right time (muhurta) to start the Mahabharata war so that the Kauravas will be victorious. Duryodhana offered to spare Sahadeva and his twin after the war and make them kings in exchange. Sahadeva declined his offer but disclosed the date for the Kauravas in spite of knowing that Kauravas were their enemy, as Sahadeva was known to be very honest in his profession. Then, Krishna planned to create an eclipse much before the beginning of the war. In the meantime, both Sun and Moon got shocked by Krishna's thoughts and appeared before Krishna stating that this will create a huge imbalance in the entire Universe. Then, Krishna declared that as Earth, Moon and Sun are together in one place, this in itself was an eclipse. Even before the great war, Duryodhana would always ask Sahadeva about his future and Sahadeva would tell his future. He was the most favourite Pandava of Duryodhana.

Sahadeva desired [[Virata]] to be the general of the Pandava army, but [[Yudhishthira]] and [[Arjuna]] opted for [[Dhristadyumna]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Menon|first=[translated by] Ramesh|title=The Mahabharata : a modern rendering|year=2006|publisher=iUniverse, Inc.|location=New York|isbn=9780595401888|page=88}}</ref> His conch was called Manipushpaka.

As a warrior, Sahadeva slew prominent warriors of the enemy side. The flag of Sahadeva's chariot bore the image of a silver [[swan]]. He defeated 40 brothers of Duryodhana while fighting them simultaneously. On the 13th day, his advance into the Chakravyuha was stopped and repelled by Jayadratha. On the night of the 14th day, he was defeated by Karna but his life was spared as Karna had made a promise to Kunti that he would only kill Arjuna. <ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/dutt/maha09.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|editor=Subodh Kapoor|title=The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific|year=2002|publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552713|page=4462|edition=1st}}</ref> During the gambling loss, he took an oath of slaying [[Shakuni]]. He accomplished this task successfully on the 18th day of battle. Among other prominent warriors killed by Sahadeva were [[Uluka|Shakuni's Son]] on the 18th day and also Shalya's son on the same day and Trigata Prince [[Niramitra]] on the 14th day.

== Later life and death ==
After the war, Yudhishthira appointed [[Nakula]] as king of Northern and Sahadeva as the Kings of southern [[Madra]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a041.htm}}</ref>

Upon the onset of the [[Kali Yuga]] and the departure of [[Krishna]], the [[Pandavas]] retired. Giving up all their belongings and ties, the Pandavas, accompanied by a dog, made their final journey of pilgrimage to the [[Himalayas]].

Except for Yudhishthira, all of the Pandavas grew weak and died before reaching heaven. Sahadeva was the second one to fall after [[Draupadi]]. When Bhima asked Yudhishthira why Sahadeva fell, Yudhishthira replied that Sahadeva took much pride in his wisdom.<ref>[http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m17/m17002.htm Mahabharata Text]</ref>

== Special Skills ==

*'''Wisdom''': Sahadeva had the most knowledge among his brothers; of the past, present, and the future. In fact, Yudhisthir refers to him as being intelligent as [[Brihaspati]]-the divine teacher of gods. He was also a master in medicine, equestrian skills, bovine veterinary, politics and humanities. He was King Yudhishthira's private counsellor.
*'''Astrology''': It is said that he was a great astrologer and he even knew about everything including the Mahabharata battle beforehand. But he was cursed that if he disclosed the events to anyone then his head would split into pieces.
*'''Swordsmanship''': Sahadeva was one of the greatest swordsmen of Mahabharat like his brother, Nakula, but he was also very good at the axe.

==In the media==
*In [[Mahabharat (1988 TV series)]], Sanjeev acted as Sahadeva.
* In [[Mahabharat (2013 TV series)|2013 version of the Mahabharata]], Sahadeva was portrayed by [[Lavanya Bhardwaj]].
*In the TV show [[Suryaputra Karn]], Suchit Vikram Singh acted as Sahadeva.
*In [[RadhaKrishn|Radhakrishn]] (2018-) tv show, Sahadeva was portrayed by Vikas Singh.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Mahabharata}}

[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]