Character from Indian epic Mahabharata; 5th Pandava
Sahadeva () was the youngest of the five Pandava brothers in the ancient Indian epic, the "Mahabharata". He and his twin brother Nakula were the sons of Madri, one of the wives of the Pandava patriarch Pandu, and Ashvini Kumaras, the divine twin physicians of the gods, whom she invoked to beget her sons due to Pandu's inability to progenate. 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. He was also married to Vijaya of Madra kingdom. He 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. After Yudhishthira lost all of his possessions to Duryodhana in the game of dice, Sahadeva vowed to slay Shakuni, Duryodhana's maternal uncle, who had used loaded dice to unfairly win the game. Afterwards, the Pandavas and Draupadi were exiled for thirteen years, with the last year being a period of hiding called as Agyaata Vaasa. During the hiding, Sahadeva disguised himself as a Vaishya named Tantripala and worked as a cowherd in the kingdom of Virata. Sahadeva was a skilled warrior who fought in the Kurukshetra War between the Pandavas and their cousins, the Kauravas. On the 18th day of the war, he slayed Shakuni. At the end of the epic, during the Pandavas' journey in the Himalayas to enter svarga (heaven), Sahadeva was the second to fall, following Draupadi, due to his excessive pride in his wisdom.
Etymology.
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 the gods"’ or ‘"protected by the gods"’. In southern India, he is regarded as a very accomplished astrologer, a face reader, and a master of all other forms of intuitive perception. He was known for his secretive nature; although he accurately understood a situation, he never revealed anything about it. Hence, presently, people who have a similar nature are called a Sahadeva.
In the epic, various epithets for Sahadeva has been used. Prominent ones are the patronymics—"Āśvineya, Aśvinīsuta"—and matronymics—"Mādrīputra, Mādreya". Other important other names are "Bharataśārdūla, Bharatasattama, Kauravya, Kurunandana, Nakulānuja, Pāṇḍava and Pāṇḍunandana".
Literary background.
The story of Sahadeva is told in the "Mahabharata", one of the Sanskrit epics from the Indian subcontinent. The work is written in Classical Sanskrit and is a composite work of revisions, editing and interpolations over many centuries. The oldest parts in the surviving version of the text may date to near 400 BCE.
The "Mahabharata" manuscripts exist in numerous versions, wherein the specifics and details of major characters and episodes vary, often significantly. Except for the sections containing the "Bhagavad Gita" which is remarkably consistent between the numerous manuscripts, the rest of the epic exists in many versions. The differences between the Northern and Southern recensions are particularly significant, with the Southern manuscripts more profuse and longer. Scholars have attempted to construct a critical edition, relying mostly on a study of the "Bombay" edition, the "Poona" edition, the "Calcutta" edition and the "south Indian" editions of the manuscripts. The most accepted version is one prepared by scholars led by Vishnu Sukthankar at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, preserved at Kyoto University, Cambridge University and various Indian universities.
Sahadeva also appears in later Hindu scriptures like the "Harivamsa"—which is regarded as "khila" (supplement or appendix) of the "Mahabharata"—and "Puranas" like the "Bhagavata Purana".
Biography.
Birth and early years.
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. The collective name “Pandavas” originates from their father. However, Pandu was afflicted by a curse that would lead to his demise if he engaged in sexual relations with a woman. 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. Both of Pandu’s wives—Madri and Kunti—invoked different deities and were blessed with children.
According to the "Adi Parva" ('First Book') of the "Mahabharata", upon Pandu's behest, Kunti had used her boon three times to invoke celestial gods and gave birth to her three children—Yudhishthira, Bhima and Arjuna. Upon hearing about Madri's desire to give birth to a son, Pandu requested Kunti to shared her boon to her. Madri, upon seeking divine assistance, invoked the twin celestial deities of health, the Asvins, and bore two sons—Nakula and Sahadeva—who were extolled to be unparalleled in earthly beauty. An ethereal voice proclaimed that these twins would surpass even the Asvins themselves in energy and allure. Despite invoking the gods only once, Madri obtained two remarkable sons. However, her co-wife, Kunti, fearing that Madri might surpass her in offspring, beseeched the king not to command her further, accepting this as her granted boon. Sahadeva, along with his brothers, spent his childhood in the company of sages at Shatashriga mountain. However he was orphaned after Pandu, who had a curse inflicted upon him by Kindama, attempted to engage in love making with Madri, resulting in his demise. Following this, Madri entrusted her children to Kunti, and followed him to his death by performing the ancient practice of sati, immolating herself on her husband’s funeral pyre. Kunti raised the twins alongside her own sons in Hastinapura, the capital of Kuru which was being ruled under Pandu's elder brother Dhritarashtra. Despite Sahadeva not being her biological offspring, Kunti held a special affection for him, making him her favorite among the Pandavas. The Pandava brothers were brought up with their paternal cousins, the Kauravas, and the education of all these boys was supervised by Bhishma.
Sahadeva and Nakula, along with the other princes, were instructed in the gurukula for by Kripa and Drona in warfare and use of weapons such as bow and arrows and martial art. He also mastered his skills in fencing and axe fighting. At the end, Sahadeva alone also acquired the knowledge of Neeti Sastra (Essence of Statesmanship), astronomy and astrology, economics, and civil administration from Brihaspati, guru of the Devas during a two years travel through southern India. After completing their training, the Pandavas defeated Drupada, King of Panchala, as a gurudakshina for Drona. Notably, Sahadeva along with Nakula protected the wheels of Arjuna's chariot during this endeavor. Later, Duryodhana—the eldest son of Dhritarashtra and leader of hundred Kaurava brothers—plotted to burn the Pandavas alive by constructing Lakshagriha, a lac palace, in Varanavata. Fortunately, with the aid of their wise uncle Vidura, the Pandavas escaped through a secret tunnel.
Marriages and children.
In the "Mahabharata", Sahadeva had two wives—Draupadi, the princess of Panchala who was also married to his four brothers as well, and Vijaya, the princess of Madra. Details of their marriage is provided in the "Adi Parva".
Following the events at Lakshagriha, Sahadeva, accompanied by his mother and brothers, made the decision to conceal themselves from Hastinapura. During this period, Arjuna received information that Drupada, the ruler of Panchala, was organizing an archery tournament to determine the suitor for his daughter's hand in marriage and disguised as a Brahmin, emerged victorious in the tournament. The Pandavas hastened home to share the news of his achievement with his mother. In his excitement, he exclaimed, "Look what we have found!" Kunti, his mother, insisted that this newfound fortune be shared with his brothers, as they had always collectively faced life's challenges in the past. This misunderstanding, coupled with the protocol that the eldest brother, Yudhishthira, should marry first, led to a unique arrangement: all five brothers would wed Draupadi. This instance stands as a rare example of polyandry within Sanskrit literature . The brothers collectively agreed that Draupadi would become the wife of each Pandava for one year and none would intrude upon Draupadi's privacy when she was alone with any of them. The penalty for violating this pact was a year of exile during which the offender must maintain celibacy. Sahadeva was the fourth in line as Arjuna had broken the treaty, resulting in latter's exile. Shrutasena was born to Sahadeva and Draupadi.
Sahadeva later also married Vijaya, the daughter of his maternal uncle Dyutimata of Madra, in a self-choice ceremony organised in Madra. She who bore him one son, Suhotra.
The "Harivamsa", the appendix of the "Mahabharata", adds Bhanumati, the granddaughter of the avatar Krishna, as another wife of Sahadeva. According to the story narrated in the "Vishnu Parva" of the text, she was the daughter of the Yadava leader Bhanu, son of Krishna and Satyabhama. The Yadavas held a festival when Krishna traveled to the sacred palace known as Pindaraka with his entourage of Yadavas. Bhanumati was taken away by a demon known as Nikumbha at the event. This resulted from a curse placed on Bhanumati by Durvasa, whom Bhanumati had formerly disregarded during their meeting in Raivata's garden. After the curse, Durvasa had comforted her by telling her that she will be rescued. It is true that Bhanumati was rescued by the combined effort of Krishna, Arjuna and Pradyumna and wed Sahadeva on the suggestion of the divine-sage Narada.
Conquest and Rajasuya Yajna.
Sahadeva played an active role in the establishment of his eldest brother—Yudhishthira—as a sovereign emperor. The "Adi Parva" narrates that after the "Svayamvara" ceremony of Draupadi, news of the Pandavas' survival and alliance with Drupada of Panchala reached Hastinapura. It led to mixed reactions among the Kuru elders and princes. King Dhritarashtra, influenced by the wise counsel of Vidura, Bhishma, and Drona, acknowledged the Pandavas’ right to the throne and decided to share the kingdom to avoid conflict. The Pandavas, Kunti and Draupadi were invited back to Hastinapura and were warmly received by the citizens. However, to prevent further discord, Dhritarashtra suggested that the Pandavas establish their domain in Khandavaprastha, a barren land. The Pandavas accepted the proposal and transformed Khandavaprastha into the magnificent city of Indraprastha, which became a thriving center of culture and commerce. 
"Sabha Parva" ('Book of the Assembly Hall), the second book of the Mahabharata, describes the Pandavas' life at the Indraprastha court and Yudhishthira’s Rajasuya Yajna, which leads to the expansion of the Pandava brothers’ empire. Rajasuya was a grand Vedic ritual performed by ancient Indian kings to assert their sovereignty and demonstrate their supremacy. The epic states that Yudhishthira desired to perform the Rajasuya sacrifice not for personal power but to establish dharma (morals, virtues and righteousness) and defend it across the world. 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.
The "Mahabharata" mentions several kingdoms to the south of Indraprastha which were conquered by Sahadeva. Some of them are as under:
The "Sabha Parva" further narrates that after the brothers successfully returned from their campaign, the venue and other aspects related to the conduct of the Rajasuya was elaborately done under the stewardship of Bhishma. Sahadeva served as Yudhishthira's minister in the ceremony, and helped in conducting various rituals. When Bhishma ordained that Krishna deserved the honour of the first sacred arghya of the Yajna due to his divine attributes and contributions in establishing dharma, King Shishupala of Chedi opposed this. Sahadeva boldly declared his support for Krishna’s worship and challenged anyone who disagrees to respond. His 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.
Exile.
Following Yudhishthira's loss in the game of dice meant that all Pandavas including Draupadi had to live in exile for 13 years with last year in Agnatavas (incognito). p. 214
As the Pandavas departed Hastinapura, the entire populace of the city had lined along the streets in grief. Sahadeva had then smeared his face with mud thinking "none should recognise me in this hour of calamity". Nakula covered himself with ashes. Arjuna scattered sands to symbolize the countless arrows he would let loose in battle,