28 Facts About Sahadeva

Kunti, Sahadeva's step-mother, loved him the most despite his birth to Madri.

Sahadeva is renowned for his wisdom, knowledge of astrology, and skill in swordsmanship.

Sahadeva shared the common wife, Draupadi, with his four brothers.

Sahadeva had two sons, Shrutasena and Suhotra, from his two wives respectively.

Sahadeva played a crucial role during the Rajasuya of Yudhishthira, where he conquered the kings of the South.

Sahadeva was a skilled warrior who fought in the Kurukshetra War between the Pandavas and their cousins, the Kauravas.

Sahadeva was known for his secretive nature; although he accurately understood a situation, he never revealed anything about it.

The story of Sahadeva is told in the Mahabharata, one of the Sanskrit epics from the Indian subcontinent.

Sahadeva was one of the five brothers born to Pandu, a member of the illustrious Lunar dynasty lineage and the heir of the throne of Kuru.

Consequently, Sahadeva and his brothers were born through a sacred mantra bestowed upon Pandu's first wife Kunti by the revered sage Durvasa during her maidenhood.

Sahadeva was the fourth in line as Arjuna had broken the treaty, resulting in latter's exile.

Sahadeva later married Vijaya, the daughter of his maternal uncle Dyutimata of Madra, in a self-choice ceremony organised in Madra.

Later in the Ashramvasika Parva, the character Sanjaya mentions another wife of Sahadeva, described as the daughter of king Jarasandha of Magadha.

The brothers including Sahadeva went for out in four directions for subjugating other kingdoms and rulers and collected huge bounties which enriched the treasury of Indraprastha kingdom immensely.

Sahadeva was sent to south direction, specifically chosen for the southern campaign because of his expertise with the sword, and because Bhishma opined that Southerners are skilled with sword-fighting in general.

Sahadeva served as Yudhishthira's minister in the ceremony, and helped in conducting various rituals.

Sahadeva boldly declared his support for Krishna's worship and challenged anyone who disagrees to respond.

Sahadeva's action was met with silence from the other kings, signifying their acceptance or reluctance to oppose him.

Later, after the completion of the Yajna, Sahadeva escorted Drona and his son Ashwatthama back to their palaces.

Sahadeva had then smeared his face with mud thinking "none should recognise me in this hour of calamity".

Sahadeva somehow extricated himself from the clutches of Jatasura and attacked him with his sword, and at the same time calling out to Bhima for help.

Sahadeva had then thrown his axe at him but Jatasura rose up and struck Sahadeva and threw him to the ground; Yudhisthira, Nakula and Draupadi were distressed and told Jatasura that his death was near.

Sahadeva arrived at one cow posture in the region of Virata's palace.

Sahadeva asked Sahadeva, "To whom dost though belong" and whence though come; What work dost though seek: I have never seen thee before.

Sahadeva told the king the means by which kine population could be multiplied in a short time, and that he liked the work of taming, milking and breeding cattle.

Virata, with the help of the four Pandavas in his employment, Yudhisthira, Bhima, Nakula and Sahadeva defeated Susharma and freed King Virata.

Sahadeva sounded his conch, named Manipushpaka, to signal the war's commencement, and wielded a bow called Ashwina throughout the battle.

When Bhima asked Yudhishthira why Sahadeva fell, Yudhishthira replied that Sahadeva took much pride in his wisdom.