Nakula
In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Nakula (lit. 'most handsome in the lineage'[1]) was one of the five Pandava brothers. Nakula and Sahadeva were twins born to Madri, who had invoked the Ashwini Kumaras using Kunti's boon.
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Birth and early years [edit]
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. The dark-complexioned Nakula was known to be the most handsome person in the Kuru lineage.
In his childhood, along with the other Pandava brothers, Nakula mastered his skills in archery under his father Pandu and a hermit named Suka at the Satasringa ashram. Especially, Nakula turned out to be an accomplished wielder of the sword.
Later, Pandu lost his life when he attempted intercourse with his wife, Madri. The latter also immolated herself in her husband's pyre, so Nakula and Sahadeva lost both their parents at an early age.
Marriage [edit]
Later Kunti and the five Pandavas moved to Hastinapura. Nakula greatly improved his archery and swordplay skills under the tutelage of Drona. His expertise and mastery earned him the title of an Athirathi.
Nakula married Draupadi during this period and had a son, Satanika. Nakula also married Karenumati, the daughter of the Chedi Kingdom, who bore him a son, Niramitra.[2]
Conquest for Rajasuya [edit]
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 Rohitaka. He defeated the Mattamyurakas of the land in a fierce encounter. In another battle with the sage Akrosa, Nakula subjugated the regions of Sairishaka and Mahetta. He also defeated many tribes and small dynasties, including the Dasarnas, the Sivis, the Trigartas, the Amvashtas, the Malavas, the five tribes of the Karnatas, the Madhyamakeyas, the Vattadhanas and the Utsava-sanketas.[3]
It is said that Nakula needed ten-thousand camels to bring the entire wealth back to Indraprastha.[4]
Exile [edit]
Yudhisthira'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 Yudhisthira. Bhima rescued them eventually, and in the fight that ensued, Nakula killed Kshemankara, Mahamaha and Suratha.[5]
In the 13th year, Nakula disguised himself as an ostler and assumed the name of Granthika (within themselves Pandavas called him Jayasena) at the Kingdom of Virata. He worked as a horse-trainer who looked after horses in the royal stable.[6]
Role in the Kurukshetra War [edit]
Nakula desired Drupada to be the general of the Pandava army, but Yudhisthira and Arjuna opted for Dhristadyumna.[7]
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 golden back.[8] Nakula slew Chitrasena, Sushena and Satyasena, the sons of Karna.[9]
After the war, Yudhisthira appointed Nakula as a supervisor of the army.[10]
Special Skills [edit]
- 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.[11][12]
- Astrology: Nakula was a great astrologer, but he could say something about the future just once, after which he used to forget what he had said. Before the epic Mahabharta War started, Duryodhana approached Nakula asking him who would win the war. Nakula replied that the army of the one could can hoist his flag on the stone of a mountain would win the war. As soon as he said this to Duryodhana, he forgot what he had said, but Bheema heard it. Duryodhana sent his army and men to hoist a flag at a particular mountain. Bheema ran alone. Duryodhana's men were able to reach the mountain before Bheema could. Bheema fought them and put a few of them down, but he had forgotten to carry the flag of his side. He was clad only in his underclothes ('Gerua'), which he hoisted as his side's flag.[citation needed]
- Ayurveda: Being a son of the physicians, Ashwini Kumaras, Nakula was also believed to be an expert in Ayurveda.[13]
Citations [edit]
- ^ Parmeshwaranand, Swami (2001). Encyclopaedic dictionary of Purāṇas (1st ed. ed.). New Delhi: Sarup & Sons. p. 900. ISBN 9788176252263.
- ^ Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa. Teddington, Middlesex: Echo Library. 2008. p. 72. ISBN 9781406870442.
- ^ Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa. Teddington, Middlesex: Echo Library. 2008. p. 72. ISBN 9781406870442.
- ^ Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa. Teddington, Middlesex: Echo Library. 2008. p. 72. ISBN 9781406870442.
- ^ Parmeshwaranand, Swami (2001). Encyclopaedic dictionary of Purāṇas (1st ed. ed.). New Delhi: Sarup & Sons. p. 900. ISBN 9788176252263.
- ^ Kapoor, edited by Subodh (2002). The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific (1st ed. ed.). New Delhi: Cosmo Publications. p. 4462. ISBN 9788177552713.
- ^ Menon, [translated by] Ramesh (2006). The Mahabharata : a modern rendering. New York: iUniverse, Inc. p. 88. ISBN 9780595401888.
- ^ "Mahabharata Text".
- ^ The Mahabharata. Forgotten Books. ISBN 9781451015799.
- ^ "Mahabharata Text".
- ^ "Mahabharata Text".
- ^ Lochan, Kanjiv (2003). Medicines of early India : with appendix on a rare ancient text (Ed. 1st. ed.). Varanasi: Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan. ISBN 9788186937662.
- ^ Charak, K.S. (1999). Surya, the Sun god (1st ed. ed.). Delhi: Uma Publications. ISBN 9788190100823.
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