Sahadeva

Sahadeva
Sahadeva as seen in the Javanese shadow puppet play (wayang)
Information
Family	Pandu, Ashwini Kumaras (fathers) Madri (mother) Karna, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula (brothers) .
Spouse(s)	Draupadi, Vijaya
Children	Shrutasena

In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, 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 using Kunti's boon.

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.

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 (the princess of Madra), who invoked the Ashwini Kumaras to beget Nakula and Sahadeva.

Later, Pandu died due to his Kindama's curse when he attempted an 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. 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. Sahadeva also acquired the Nitishastra from Brihaspati, Guru of the Devas.

Later Kunti and the five Pandavas moved to Hastinapura. Sahadeva's core skill lay in the wielding of the sword. Sahadeva is said to be mild-mannered, bashful, patient, and virtuous.