Monday, May 11, 2020

Sahdev - Mahabharat

In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Sahadeva was the youngest of the five Pandava brothers.
Nakula and Sahadev were twins born to Madri who had invoked the Ashwini Kumaras.
Sahadeva had two wives Draupadi and VijayaDraupadi was common wife of Pandavas. Vijaya was beloved wife of Sahadeva. 

Sahadeva meaning is thousands of God. Sahadeva and his brother Nakula, are both called as "Ashvineya" as they were born from Ashvins. 


Sahadeva's core skill lay in the wielding of the sword. He mastered his skills in fencing and axe fighting. He also acquired the Nitishastra from Brihaspati, Guru of the Devas.

Sahadeva 's son with Vijaya was Suhotra. Vijaya chose Sahadeva in her swayamavar, hence the marriage. Vijaya was sahadeva's maternal cousin, later lover and both were married in swayamavar.

He has two sons, Shrutsena from draupadi and Suhotra from vijaya. 

Yudhishthira's loss in the game of dice meant that all Pandavas had to live in exile for 13 years. 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.

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 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. 

As a warrior, Sahadeva slew prominent war-heroes on 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. During the gambling loss, he had taken an oath of slaying Shakuni. He accomplished this task successfully on the 18th day of battle. Among other prominent war-heroes killed by Sahadeva were Shakuni's Son on the 18th day and also Shalya's son on the same day and Trigata Prince Niramitra on the 14th day.

⤠After the war, Yudhishthira appointed Nakula as king of Northern and Sahadeva as the Kings of southern Madra. 

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 Yudhishthira, all of the Pandavas grew weak and died before reaching heaven. Sahadeva was the second one to fall after Draupadi. When Bhima asks Yudhishthira why Sahadeva isn't permitted the same, the reason given is his pride in his wisdom. 


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