Sahadeva

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.

Etymology and other names

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'. The another meaning is 'thousand Gods'. Sahadeva and his brother Nakula, are both called as Ashvineya (आश्विनेय), as they were born from Ashvins.

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 (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 demons.