Nakula

2021-09-21T16:01:30Z

2405:201:E00E:F089:C1E5:104C:D6D6:306F:

{{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]]|[[Karenumati]]}}<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-01-16|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: 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|[[Niramitra]] by Karenumati}}

| 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 two wives - [[Draupadi]], the common wife of the five brothers, and [[Karenumati]], daughter of Chedi king [[Shishupala]]. 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}}
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Nakula