Editing Nakula

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{{Short description|4th Pandava in the epic Mahabharata}}
{{about|the Pandava brother|other uses|Nakul (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2016}}
{{Infobox character
| info-hdr = Personal Information
| image = Nakula Pandava.jpg
| caption = An 18th century painting depicting Nakula
| weapon = [[Sword]]
| affiliation = [[Pandava]]
| spouse = {{hlist|[[Draupadi]]|[[Karenumati]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-01-16|title=The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCV|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|access-date=2020-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-date=16 January 2010}}</ref>}}
| family = 
 {{bulleted list|[[Ashvins|Ashvina]] Nasatya (father)|[[Madri]] (mother)|[[Pandu]] (adoptive father)|[[Kunti]] (step-mother)|[[Sahadeva]] (twin-brother)|{{hlist|[[Karna]]|[[Yudhishthira]]|[[Bhima]]|[[Arjuna]] (step-brothers)}}}}
| children = '''Sons''' {{bulleted list|[[Upapandavas#Shatanika|Shatanika]] by Draupadi|[[Niramitra]] by Karenumati}}
<!-- PLEASE DO NOT ADD PRINTHA HERE. SHE IS A FICTIONAL CHARACTER FROM FOLK TALES -->| relatives = {{bulleted list|[[Shalya]] (maternal uncle)|[[Dhritarashtra]] and [[Vidura]] (paternal uncles)|[[Kauravas]] (paternal cousins)}}
}}

'''Nakula''' ({{Langx|sa|नकुल}}) was the fourth of the five [[Pandava]] brothers in the ancient Indian epic, the ''[[Mahabharata]]''. He and his twin brother [[Sahadeva]] were the sons of [[Madri]], one of the wives of the Pandava patriarch [[Pandu]], and [[Ashvins|Ashvini Kumaras]], the divine twin physicians of the gods, whom she invoked to beget her sons due to Pandu's inability to progenate. Nakula is described as the most handsome man of his lineage, and was renowned for his beauty, skill in swordsmanship and horse keeping.

He shared the common wife, [[Draupadi]], with his four brothers. He was also married to Karenumati of [[Chedi Kingdom]]. He had two sons Shatanika and Niramitra from his two wives respectively. During the [[Rajasuya]] of his eldest brother Yudhishthira, he conquered the kings of the Sivis, the Rohitakas and other dynasties. After Yudhishthira lost all his possessions to his cousin [[Duryodhana]] in a dice game, the Pandavas and Draupadi were exiled for thirteen years. During the Pandavas' year of incognito exile, he disguised as a horse trainer named Granthika, and worked in the kingdom of [[Virata]]. Nakula was a skilled warrior who fought in the [[Kurukshetra War]] between the Pandavas and their cousins [[Kauravas]]. After the war, Yudhishthira appointed Nakula as the king of northern [[Madra]]. At the end of the epic, during the Pandavas' journey to the Himalayas to enter heaven, Nakula was the third to fall, following Draupadi and Sahadeva, due to his excessive pride in his beauty.

==Etymology and other names==
In Sanskrit, the word ''nakula'' means "mongoose" or "mongoose-colored."<ref>{{cite book|title=A Sanskrit-English dictionary|year=1899|page=[https://sanskritlibrary.org/cologne/apidev/servepdf.php?dict=MW&page=523 523]|author=Sir Monier Monier-Williams}}</ref>

Nakula and his brother Sahadeva are both also referred to in the epic as Āśvineya, Aśvinīsuta and Aśvisuta because they are the sons of the [[Aśvins|Ashvins]] and as Mādravatīputra, Mādravatīsuta, Mādreya, Mādrinandana, Mādrinandanaka, Mādrīputra, Mādrīsuta, Mādrītanūja because they are the sons of Mādrī.<ref>{{cite book|author=Søren Sørensen|title=Index to the Names in the Mahābhārata|year=1904–1925|page=[https://sanskritlibrary.org/cologne/apidev/servepdf.php?dict=INM&page=497-1 1.497]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|last=Gopal|first=Madan|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/73 73]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref>

==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]], who invoked the [[Ashwini Kumaras|Ashvini Kumaras]] to beget Nakula and [[Sahadeva]], as twins. Madri committed self immolation, called [[Sati (practice)|Sati]] when her husband died   and entrusted her children's care to Kunti. Despite different divine paternal parentage these five children, first three of Kunti – [[Yudhisthira]], [[Bhima]] and [[Arjuna]]-  and latter two of Madri – Nakula and Sahadeva, were called [[Pandavas]], or sons of Pandu.<ref name=Pandu>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=77BoAgAAQBAJ&dq=Sahadeva++escapades+in+Virata+Kingdom&pg=PR18|title=The Difficulty of Being Good|page=xxvi|last=Das|first=Gurcharan|date=2 September 2010|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn= 9780199781478|accessdate=10 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The five Pandavas and the story of their birth|url=http://aumamen.com/topic/the-five-pandavas-and-the-story-of-their-birth|access-date=2020-08-31|website=aumamen.com}}</ref> Nakula was known to be the most handsome person in the [[Kuru Kingdom|Kuru]] lineage.

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. Later, Pandu lost his life when he attempted to make love with his wife, Madri. She committed suicide. Thus, Nakula along with his brothers moved to [[Hastinapura]] where he was brought up by [[Kunti]]. Kunti loved him as much as her own sons.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fang|first=Liaw Yock|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yIv3AwAAQBAJ&q=madri+suicide&pg=PA76|title=A History of Classical Malay Literature|date=2013|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian|isbn=978-981-4459-88-4|language=en}}</ref>

Nakula greatly improved his archery and swordplay skills under the tutelage of [[Drona]]. Nakula turned out to be an accomplished wielder of the sword. Along with the other Pandava brothers, Nakula was trained in religion, science, administration, and military arts by the Kuru preceptors [[Kripacharya]] and [[Dronacharya]]. He was particularly skilled at horse-riding.

==Skills==
* ''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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahabharata Text |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m04/m04012.htm}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Lochan |first=Kanjiv |title=Medicines of early India : with appendix on a rare ancient text |year=2003 |publisher=Chaukhambha Sanskrit Bhawan |location=Varanasi |isbn=9788186937662 |edition=Ed. 1st.}}</ref>
* ''Ayurveda'': Being a son of the physicians, [[Ashwini Kumaras|Ashvini Kumaras]], Nakula was also believed to be an expert in [[Ayurveda]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Charak |first=K.S. |title=Surya, the Sun god |year=1999 |publisher=Uma Publications |location=Delhi |isbn=9788190100823 |edition=1st}}</ref>
* ''Swordsman'': Nakula was a brilliant swordsman and he showed his skills of a sword while killing the sons of [[Karna]] on the 18th day of [[Kurukshetra war]].

==Marriage and Children==
When the Pandavas and their mother, Kunti were in hiding after the event of [[Lakshagriha]], Arjuna won [[Draupadi|Draupadi's]] hand in marriage. Nakula married her along with his [[Pandava|brothers]] and had a son, [[Upapandavas#Shatanika|Shatanika]] who was killed by [[Ashwatthama]] in the [[Kurukshetra War]].

He also married [[Karenumati]], the daughter of [[Shishupala]], who bore him one son, [[Niramitra]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100116130453/http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m01/m01096.htm|archive-date = 16 January 2010|title = The Mahabharata, Book 1: Adi Parva: Sambhava Parva: Section XCV}}</ref>

==Rajasuya conquests==
[[File:PathRajasuyaNakulaDigvijaya.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Nakula's military expedition to the western kingdoms, as per epic [[Mahabharata]]. He seemed to have followed the [[Uttarapatha]] route.]]
Nakula was sent west by [[Yudhisthira]] to subjugate kingdoms for the [[Rajasuya]] sacrifice, after crowning as the Emperor of [[Indraprastha]]. Nakula set forth to the kingdom once dominated by [[Vasudeva]] with a huge army. He first attacked the prosperous mountainous country of [[Rohtak|Rohitaka]]. He defeated the Mattamyurakas of the land in a fierce encounter. In another battle with the sage Akrosha, Nakula subjugated the regions of [[Sirsa|Sairishaka]] and [[Mahottari District|Mahetta]]. He also defeated many tribes and small dynasties, including the [[Dasarna Kingdom|Dasarnas]], the [[Sivi Kingdom|Sivis]], the [[Trigarta Kingdom|Trigartas]], the Amvashtas, the [[Malwa|Malavas]], the five tribes of the [[Karnata Kingdom|Karnatas]], the [[Karnata Kingdom#Nakula's Military Campaign to the West of India|Madhyamakeyas]], the [[Karnata Kingdom#Nakula's Military Campaign to the West of India|Vattadhanas]] and the Utsava-sanketas.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mahabharata. Digvijaya Parva|url=https://www.tititudorancea.com/z/mahabharata_digvijaya_parva.htm|access-date=2020-09-01|website=www.tititudorancea.com}}</ref>

==Exile==
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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Parmeshwaranand|first=Swami|title=Encyclopaedic dictionary of Purāṇas|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_6F0ZIBIL2ZAC|year=2001|publisher=Sarup & Sons|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788176252263|pages=900|edition=1st}}</ref> In the 13th year, Nakula disguised himself as an [[Hostler|ostler]] and assumed the name of ''Granthika'' (between themselves, the Pandavas called him ''Jayasena'') at the [[Virata Kingdom|Kingdom of Virata]]. He worked as a horse-trainer who looked after horses in the royal stable.<ref>{{cite book|editor=Kapoor, Subodh|title=The Indian encyclopaedia : biographical, historical, religious, administrative, ethnological, commercial and scientific |year=2002 |publisher=Cosmo Publications|location=New Delhi|isbn=9788177552713|pages=4462|edition=1st}}</ref>

==Role in the Kurukshetra War==
[[File:Nakula.jpg|thumb|250px|Nakula in Javanese [[Wayang]]]]

Nakula desired [[Drupada]] to be the general of the Pandava army, but [[Yudhishthira]] and [[Arjuna]] opted for [[Dhristadyumna]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Menon|first=[translated by] Ramesh|title=The Mahabharata : a modern rendering|year=2006|publisher=iUniverse, Inc.|location=New York|isbn=9780595401888|pages=88}}</ref>

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 a golden back.<ref>{{cite web|title=Mahabharata Text|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/dutt/maha09.htm}}</ref> His conch, which was blown among others at the start of the war, was named Sughosha.

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 chariot.

On the 13th day, his advance into [[Dronacharya]]'s formation was repulsed by [[Jayadratha]].

On the night of the 14th day, he vanquished [[Shakuni]].

On the 15th day, he defeated [[Duryodhana]] in a one-on-one duel. Duryodhana ran away in his chariot after being defeated. Nakula taunted him to stay on and fight

On the 16th day, he was defeated and spared by [[Karna]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sacred-texts.com/hin/m08/m08048.htm|title=The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 48|website=sacred-texts.com|access-date=2018-01-27}}</ref>
On the 18th day, he killed Karna's sons Chitrasena, Satyasena and Sushena.

==Later life and death==
After [[Kurukshetra War|the war]], [[Yudhishthira]] appointed Nakula as the King of Northern [[Madra]] and [[Sahadeva]] as King of southern Madra.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vyasaonline.com/encyclopedia/shalya/|title=Shalya – Vyasa Mahabharata}}</ref>

Upon the onset of [[Kali Yuga]] and the departure of [[Krishna]], the [[Pandavas]] retired. Giving up all their belongings and ties, the [[Pandavas]] and [[Draupadi]], along with a dog, made their final journey of pilgrimage to the [[Himalayas]].

Except Yudhishthira, all of the Pandavas grew weak and died before reaching heaven. Nakula was the third one to fall after Draupadi and [[Sahadeva]]. When [[Bhima]] asked Yudhishthira why Nakula fell, Yudhishthira replied that Nakula took pride in his beauty and believed that there was nobody equal to him in looks.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m17/m17002.htm|title = The Mahabharata, Book 17: Mahaprasthanika Parva: Section 2}}</ref> Nakula is seen among the [[Ashvins]], alongside Sahadeva, when Yudhisthira ascended to [[Svarga]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sacred-texts.com/hin/m18/m18004.htm|title = The Mahabharata, Book 18: Svargarohanika Parva: Section IV}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Sources==
* {{Cite book|last=Vyāsa|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4BFhucEZbsMC&q=who+was+the+most+handsome+man+in+mahabharata&pg=PT506|title=Mahabharata: The great hall. Book two|date=November 2006|publisher=NYU Press|isbn=978-0-8147-9406-7|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last=Chakravarti|first=Bishnupada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ivQ6CwAAQBAJ&q=Nakula+handsome&pg=PT105|title=Penguin Companion to the Mahabharata|date=2007-11-13|publisher=Penguin UK|isbn=978-93-5214-170-8|language=en}}
* {{Cite book|last=Mani|first=Vettam|url=https://archive.org/details/puranicencyclopa00maniuoft|title=Puranic encyclopaedia : a comprehensive dictionary with special reference to the epic and Puranic literature|date=1975|publisher=Delhi : Motilal Banarsidass|others=Robarts – University of Toronto|isbn=9780842608220 }}
{{Mahabharata}}

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[[Category:Characters in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Pandavas]]
[[Category:Heroes in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:People of the Kurukshetra War]]
[[Category:Demigods]]
[[Category:People related to Krishna]]