Nakula

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Nakula

Nakula

Information

Family Pandu, Ashwini Kumaras (fathers)

Madri (mother)

Karna, Yudhishthira, Bhima, Arjuna& Sahadeva (brothers)

Spouse(s) Draupadi, Karenumati

Children Satanika, Niramitra

In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, Nakula was fourth of the five Pandava brothers. Nakula and Sahadeva were twinsborn
to Madri, who had invoked the Ashwini Kumaras using Kunti's boon.
 Other Names For Nakul(a)

Its Sanskrit etymology is "he who is most handsome in the lineage". [1] The name Nakula generally means full of love and the
male characteristics implied by the name are: Intelligence, Focus, Hard-Work, Handsomeness, Health, Attractiveness,
Success, Popularity, Respect, and unconditional Love.

Nakul(a) and his brother Sahadev(a), are both called as Ashvineya(), as they were born from Ashvins.[2] He is also
called Madri Nandan.

Contents
[hide]

1Birth & Early Years

2Life at Hastinapur
o 2.1Marriage
o 2.2Shalya's attempt to make Nakula and Sahadeva his heirs
3Exile
4Role In The Kurukshetra War
5After the War
6Death
7Special Skills
8In the Media
9Citations

Birth & 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 world.
In his childhood, Nakula mastered his skills in fencing and knife throwing under his father Pandu and a hermit named Suka
at the Satasringa ashram.[citation needed]Later, Pandu lost his life when he desired his wife's Madri company. The latter also
immolated herself in her husband's pyre after giving responsibility of her sons toKunti.

Life at Hastinapur[edit]
Marriage[edit]
Following Pandu's death, Kunti and the five Pandavas moved to Hastinapura upon Dhritarashtra's invitation. Nakula greatly
improved his archery and swordplay skills under the tutelage of Dronacharya, proving excellent in fencing and horse-riding.
Along with the other Pandavas and the Kaurava, Nakula was trained in religion, science, administration, and military arts by
the Kuru preceptors Kripacharya and Dronacharya.
Nakula married Draupadi during this period and had a son, Satanika.
Nakula's military expedition to the western kingdoms, as per epic Mahabharata. He seemed to have followed the Uttarapatharoute

During his brother's Rajasuya, Nakula was tasked with bringing to heel several kingdoms. One of these was the Chedi
Kingdom. To cement an alliance, Nakula married Karenumati, daughter of Dhristaketu who was the son of Sishupala; she
bore him one son, Niramitra.

Shalya's attempt to make Nakula and Sahadeva his heirs[edit]

Years after Madri had killed herself, King Shalya, her brother, as well as the ruler of the kingdom of Madra, would each year,
for a spell, bring his nephews Nakula and Sahadeva to Madra. On their fifteenth birthday[citation needed], Shalya revealed his
intention of making the twins his heirs. Shalya argued that Nakula could be a king one day, instead of fourth-in-line to the
throne of Hastinapura... provided that Yudhishthira was named their heir in the first place. The wise Nakula pointed out that
Shalya only wanted Nakula and Sahadeva as his heirs, because both were children of god-in fact, Shalya was eschewing
his own children with this gambit. Nakula claimed that while he and Sahadeva staying with the Pandavas would give them
no power, his brothers and Kunti genuinely loved him, and would never try and make Nakula and Sahadeva their pawns.
Nakula laments that by becoming Shalya's heir, he would then become Shalya's pawn. Through some deliberation, Nakula
is convinced that Shalya is being genuine. He and Sahadeva become the heirs to the throne, but Sahadeva told his uncle on
one condition: they will always stay with the Pandavas. [3]

Exile[edit]
Yudhishthira'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 Yudhishthira. Bhima rescued them
eventually and in the fight that ensued, Nakula killed Kshemankara, Mahamaha, and Suratha.[4]
In the 13th year, Nakula disguised himself as an ostler and assumed the name of Granthika(in other versions, Jayasena) at
the Kingdom of Matsya. He worked as a horse-trainer who looked after horses in the royal stable. [5]

Role In The Kurukshetra War[edit]

Nakula in Javanese Wayang

Nakula desired Drupada to be the general of the Pandava army, but Yudhishthira and Arjuna opted for Dhristadyumna.[6]
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.[7] Nakula was the leader of one of the seven Akshahuni.
On the 1st day of the war, Nakula defeated Dussasana, sparing his life so that Bhima could fulfill his oath.
On the 11th day, Nakula defeated Shalya, destroying his uncle's chariot.
On the 13th day, his advance into Drona's formation was repulsed by Jayadratha.
On the 14th day, he along with Sahadeva defeated Shakuni and Ulook.
On the 15th day, he was defeated by Duryodhana, being rescued by Chekitana.
On the 16th day, he was badly defeated but spared by Karna.
On the 17th day, he killed Ulook(Son of Shakuni).

After the War[edit]

After the war, Yudhishthira appointed Nakula and Sahadeva as the Kings of Madra kingdom.[8] He is noted for taking care
of Dhritarashtra and Gandhari like how he takes care of Kunti.

Death[edit]
 Upon the onset of Kali Yuga and the departure of Krishna, the Pandavas retired. Giving up all their belongings and ties,
Pandavas, accompanied by a dog, made their final journey of pilgrimage to the Himalayas.
Excepting Yudhishthira, all of the Pandavas grew weak and died before reaching heaven. Nakula was third one to fall
after Draupadi and Sahadeva. When Bhima asks Yudhishthira why Nakula fell, the reason given is his pride on his beauty
and his belief that there was nobody that equalled him in looks. [9]

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. He was also a highly skilled charioteer. [10][11]
Ayurveda: Being a son of the physicians, Ashwini Kumaras, Nakula was also believed to be an expert in Ayurveda.[12]
Sword Fighting: Nakula and his brother, Sahadeva were skilled sword fighters. Nakula was said to ride his horse in the
rain and used his sword to deflect every drop. He would emerge completely dry. [citation needed]
Diplomacy: Nakula was very handsome and charming man. He was a skilled diplomat. [citation needed]

In the Media[edit]
This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable
sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2017) (Learn how and when to remove
this template message)

In the Mahabharat (1988 TV series), Sameer played the role of Nakul.

In the Mahabharat (2013 TV series), Vin Rana acted as Nakul.

Citations[edit]
1. Jump up^ Parmeshwaranand, Swami (2001). Encyclopaedic dictionary of Puras (1st ed.). New Delhi: Sarup & Sons.
p. 900. ISBN 9788176252263.
2. Jump up^ Gopal, Madan (1990). K.S. Gautam, ed. India through the ages. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting, Government of India. p. 73.
3. Jump up^ Rajagopalachari, C. (. (1970). Mahabharata (10 th ed.). Bombay : Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
4. Jump up^ Parmeshwaranand, Swami (2001). Encyclopaedic dictionary of Puras (1st ed.). New Delhi: Sarup & Sons.
p. 900. ISBN 9788176252263.
5. Jump up^ Kapoor, edited by Subodh (2002). The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative,
ethnological, commercial and scientific (1st ed.). New Delhi: Cosmo Publications. p. 4462. ISBN 9788177552713.
6. Jump up^ Menon, [translated by] Ramesh (2006). The Mahabharata : a modern rendering. New York: iUniverse, Inc.
p. 88. ISBN 9780595401888.
7. Jump up^ "Mahabharata Text".
8. Jump up^ "Mahabharata Text".
9. Jump up^ http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m17/m17002.htm
10. Jump up^ "Mahabharata Text".
11. Jump up^ Lochan, Kanjiv (2003). Medicines of early India : with appendix on a rare ancient text (Ed. 1st. ed.). Varanasi:
Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan.ISBN 9788186937662.
12. Jump up^ Charak, K.S. (1999). Surya, the Sun god (1st ed.). Delhi: Uma Publications.ISBN 9788190100823.

[hide]

Mahabharata
 Adi

Sabha

Vana

Virata

Udyoga

Bhishma

Drona

Karna

Shalya
Books (parvas)
Sauptika

Stri

Shanti

Anushasana

Ashvamedhika

Ashramavasika

Mausala

Mahaprasthanika

Svargarohana

Harivamsa

Shantanu

Ganga

Bhishma

Satyavati

Chitrngada

Vichitravirya

Ambika
Kuru Kingdom
Ambalika

Vidura

Dhritarashtra

Gandhari

Pandu

Kunti

Madri

Pandavas
 Yudhisthira

Bhima

Arjuna

Nakula

Sahadeva

Draupadi

Kauravas

Duryodhana

Dushasana

Vikarna

Yuyutsu

Dushala

Hidimbi

Ghatotkacha

Ahilawati

Subhadra

Uttar

Ulupi

Chitrngad

Abhimanyu

Iravan

Babruvahana

Barbarika

Upapandavas

Parikshit

Janamejaya

Amba

Ashwatthama
Other characters
Balarama

Bhagadatta

Brihannala
 Chitrasena

Dhrishtadyumna

Drona

Drupada

Durvasa

Ekalavya

Hidimba

Jarasandha

Jayadratha

Karna

Kichaka

Kindama

Kripa

Krishna

Kritavarma

Mayasura

Sanjaya

Satyaki

Shakuni

Shalya

Shikhandi

Shishupala

Bahlika

Sudeshna

Uttara Kumara

Virata

Vrishasena

Vyasa

Avatars

Hastinapur

Related articles
Indraprastha

Kingdoms

Kurukshetra War

Bhagavad Gita
 Vedic-Puranic chronology

Category

Categories:

Characters in the Mahabharata

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Shalya's attempt to make Nakula and Sahadeva his heirs[edit]
Years after Madri had killed herself, King Shalya, her brother, as well as the ruler of the kingdom of Madra, would each year,
for a spell, bring his nephews Nakula and Sahadeva to Madra. On their fifteenth birthday[citation needed], Shalya revealed his
 intention of making the twins his heirs. Shalya argued that Nakula could be a king one day, instead of fourth-in-line to the
throne of Hastinapura... provided that Yudhishthira was named their heir in the first place. The wise Nakula pointed out that
Shalya only wanted Nakula and Sahadeva as his heirs, because both were children of god-in fact, Shalya was eschewing
his own children with this gambit. Nakula claimed that while he and Sahadeva staying with the Pandavas would give them
no power, his brothers and Kunti genuinely loved him, and would never try and make Nakula and Sahadeva their pawns.
Nakula laments that by becoming Shalya's heir, he would then become Shalya's pawn. Through some deliberation, Nakula
is convinced that Shalya is being genuine. He and Sahadeva become the heirs to the throne, but Sahadeva told his uncle on
one condition: they will always stay with the Pand Its Sanskrit etymology is "he who is most handsome in the lineage". [1] The
name Nakula generally means full of love and the male characteristics implied by the name are: Intelligence, Focus, Hard-
Work, Handsomeness, Health, Attractiveness, Success, Popularity, Respect, and unconditional Love.

Nakul(a) and his brother Sahadev(a), are both called as Ashvineya(), as they were born from Ashvins.[2] He is also
called Madri Nandan.

Contents
[hide]

1Birth & Early Years

2Life at Hastinapur
o 2.1Marriage
o 2.2Shalya's attempt to make Nakula and Sahadeva his heirs
3Exile
4Role In The Kurukshetra War
5After the War
6Death
7Special Skills
8In the Media
9Citations
avas