Sahadeva

2022-06-27T19:56:14Z

2402:8100:3861:9210:C8A9:FEFF:FEFA:F7D6:

{{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]]|[[Vijaya (Mahabharat)|Vijaya]]}}<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]] (De facto father)|[[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|[[Characters in the Mahabharata#Suhotra|Suhotra]] by Vijaya}}
| relatives = {{bulleted list|[[Kauravas]] (Paternal Cousins)|[[Vijaya (Mahabharat)|Vijaya]] (Maternal Cousin, later second wife)}}
}}
'''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]]

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Sahadeva