Nakula (Sanskrit: नकुल, naküla) was one of the five Pandava brothers according to the epic Mahābhārata. He was one of the twin sons of Madri, who invoked Ashvins using a mantra shared by Kunti for a son. His twin brother was named Sahadeva. As soon as Nakula and Sahadeva were born, an incorporeal voice said, ‘In energy and beauty these twins shall transcend even the twin Aswins themselves.’
According to record, the twins have special abilities of caring for horses and cows. Nakula is described as extremely attractive. He is also quite observant and keeps a watchful eye on his elder brother Bhima's mischievous and often dangerous pranks.
Nakula was chosen by Yudhishtira as the one brother to be brought back to life during the exile in forest, when all the other four brothers had died after drinking water from a lake. This was because he was the son of Madri, and Yudhishtara, being the son of Kunti, wanted to be fair to both mothers.
Marriage Alliances
All the five Pandava brothers were wed concurrently to Draupadi, and each had a son by her. Nakula's son begotten upon Draupati was named Satanika, named after a royal sage of that name.(Ref: Mbh 1. 223). Nakula also married Karenumati, the princess of Chedi, and begat upon her a son named Niramitra (MBh.1.95).
Nakula's Battles
During their incognito in the Matsya kingdom of king Virata, Nakula was responsible for the horse-shed. The science of horses was an expertise of western kingdoms, of which Madra was ruled by Shalya, Nakula's maternal uncle. Nakula was one of the Pandava-generals in Kurukshetra War, under the generalissimo Dhristadyumna. Nakula, exterminated many prominent war-heroes in the enemy side, during the Kurukshetra War.
Like his brother Sahadeva, Nakula became an expert swordsman under the guidance of Kuru preceptor Drona. A chapter (Mbh 12.165) in Mahabharata is dedicated to Nakula's conversation with his grandfather Bhishma on the subject of sword, its history and use. His expertise in the use of sword, along with his ability to use that weapon, riding a horse, could be the reason, why his elder brother, Yudhisthira the king, chose him as the general for the military expedition to western kingdoms. Western kingdoms were generally considered as having expertise in warfare involving horses and using the swords as their main weapon. In Mahabharata a chapter (Mbh 2:31) is devoted to Nakula's expedition to the western kingdoms, to collect tributes from the kings, for king Yudhisthira's Rajasuya sacrifice. Nakula had followed the Uttarapatha route or some route parallel to it, that leads to the western countries. He was mentioned as battling with Yavanas (Indo-Greeks) in his journey to the west. He also seemed to have followed the route leading to Dwaraka from the western countries. He also encountered the Sudras and Abhiras dwelling in the Saraswati river basin.
Nakula also had the (relatively less known) talent of dodging rain. Mythologically he could ride a horse in rain but still not get wet. Refer to the science link here: http://www.ias.ac.in/resonance/Jan1997/pdf/Jan1997p44-52.pdf
References
- Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend (ISBN 0-500-51088-1) by Anna Dhallapiccola
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