Who is Sahadeva in the Mahabharata?
Sahadeva was a formidable warrior and a wise astrologer, known for his exceptional skills in both swordsmanship and the Nitishastra. As the youngest of the Pandava brothers, he was blessed by the twin gods Ashvins alongside his twin brother, Nakula.
He was tasked with the subjugation of various southern kingdoms by the eldest Pandava, Yudhishthira, as part of the Rajasuya sacrifice following the crowning of Yudhishthira as Emperor of Indraprastha.
Sahadeva's exceptional swordsmanship made him the perfect choice for this mission. The Mahabharata records many kingdoms conquered by Sahadeva in the south, including the Surasenas, the Pandyan Dynasty, and the Kingdom of Lanka, among others.
During the epic Kurukshetra War, Sahadeva triumphed over numerous opponents, including the mighty Shakuni.
In addition to his martial achievements, Sahadeva was known for his honesty and integrity as an astrologer. Weeks before the Kurukshetra War, Prince Duryodhana approached Sahadeva, seeking the most propitious time to commence the conflict in order to ensure victory for the Kauravas. Duryodhana offered to spare Sahadeva and his twin brother after the war and make them kings in return, but Sahadeva declined the offer and, true to his profession, disclosed the chosen date to the Kauravas despite their enmity.
Krishna then planned to create an eclipse on the chosen day in order to delay the start of the war, but Sahadeva's astute observations allowed him to predict the eclipse and inform the Kauravas, leading to the eventual start of the conflict.