Sahadeva

Sahadeva (Sanskrit: सहदेव) was the youngest of the five Pandava brothers. Nakula and Sahadeva were twins born to Madri who had invoked the Ashwini Kumaras. Sahadeva had two wives: Draupadi and Vijaya. Draupadi was common wife of Pandavas. Vijaya was his maternal cousin and she chose him as her husband in a Swayamvara. Sahadeva's son with Draupadi was Shrutasena and Suhotra was his son with Vijaya. Sahadeva is also supposed to have fathered a daughter called Sumitra with Draupadi.

When Pandu was cursed by Rishi Kindama that he will die if he joins his wives in sexual intercourse, Kunti, with his permission, invokes, through the boon bestowed to her by Rishi Durvasa before marriage, the Gods Yama, Vayu and Indra to beget Yudhishthira, Bhimasena and Arjuna, respectively. Seeing this, Madri is sorrowed that she is without any child. At the suggestion of Pandu, Kunti then gives the mantra to Madri, who invokes Ashwini Kumars - the divine twins - from whom she begets the twins - Nakula and Sahadeva. Sahadeva is considered to be an Amsha of the Ashwini Kumars [The birth and childhood of Kauravas and the Pandavas].

During the Rajasuya sacrifice, Sahadeva conquered the kings of the South [Pandava Digvijaya - Conquering the four quarters]. During the Agnatavasa, Sahadeva disguised himself as a Vaishya and assumed the name of Tantripala at the kingdom of Virata. He worked as a cowherd who supervised the maintenance and upkeep of all cows in Virata's kingdom. He had a secret name Jayadbala among his brothers and Draupadi during this period.

Sahadeva suggested Virata to be the general of the Pandava army, but Yudhishthira and Arjuna opted for Dhristadyumna. His conch was called Manipushpaka.

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 Uluka on the 18th day and also Shalya's son on the same day and Trigarta Prince Niramitra on the 14th day.

During the Mahaprasthan, after the war, Sahadeva was the second one to fall after Draupadi. When Bhima asked Yudhishthira why Sahadeva fell, Yudhishthira tells him that his pride in his wisdom was the cause of his fall.

Kunti considered Sahadeva as her most beloved son, although he was born to Madri. Sahadeva was known for his wisdom, knowledge of astrology and swordsmanship.

Steeds, fleet as the wind, and of variegated hue, bore Sahadeva with upraised weapons to that fierce battle. The bow called Ashwina was held by Sahadeva.