THE STORY OF SAHADEVA

Myth tells us very little about Sahadeva - the twin brother of Nakula the youngest of the Pandavas. A study of the past events in the life of Sahadeva is however very interesting. His eventual dénouement into “The enlightened one” in the most unexpected circumstances is infact a story teller’s delight. I am drawing upon my own readings to narrate

that story today with an amazing twist in the tale.

Sahadeva is known to be one of the most knowledgeable of his times who studied many scriptures and mastered astrology. On reading his own stars he stumbled upon the surprising fact that even when he was supposed to earn the fame of being “the wise one”, he would also earn the dubious distinction of being the avenger of one the most infamous characters in history.

How could that possibly be? Scholarly and so unlike his warrior brothers, he had also no clue as to how he would even accomplish that impossible feat and who would he be killing? He had absolutely no idea.

It was his beloved brother Bhima who suggested that he learn sword fighting to prepare himself for any eventuality. Bhima’s inspiration and his own diligence and perseverance paid off. He became an ace sword fighter in no time revealing a secret potency that destiny had bestowed upon him. Even a great warrior as Arjun could not help but admire him. When he dazzled his sharp rapier and swished it through the air, it was a matter of both awe and wonder for all.

During the war of Mahabharat it became amply clear that Sahadeva had been prepared by providence to slay Shakuni. To the Pandavas he (Shakuni) was the most devious, disgraceful, cunning and conniving person - a scourge whose conspiracy had dragged the whole clan into the battle field. If anyone needed to be eliminated without any mercy - it was he.

It was on the eighteenth day of the war that Sahadeva’s sword finally pierced through the chest of Shakuni, fatally wounding him; it was a moment of great relief and happiness for the Pandavas. It was above all a matter of great honour for Sahadeva. He had finally avenged the undue indignity and prolonged hardship of the Pandavas, suffered due to the deceit of one wily man. A kindly nod from Lord Krishna was an additional reassurance that Sahadeva had lived up to his Dharma as well.

As pride swelled his chest and Sahadeva turned to give one last disdainful look at his injured victim something dramatic happened – Shakuni, not quite dead, staggered to speak his last words - justifying his actions.

What ensued was not only a shocking glimpse into the psyche of this man whose crystal clear logic, sharper than Sahadeva’s sword, slashed through his heart, but also gifted him his deepest wisdom. This humbling experience banished all momentary elation of a victorious warrior and turned Sahadeva into an enlightened being…fulfilling his ultimate destiny.

Shakuni revealed the deepest mystery of life. He said how he had been plagued by the dismal destiny of his sister (who not only gave up on a dream but renounced the kingdom that should have rightfully belonged to her and her progeny, weakly submitting to the decree of a cruel fate). How as her protector he had not only lived up to his Dharma of a loving brother but sacrificed everything for this cause. How his wiliness was actually astute state craftsmanship that every king is expected to study.

Life can be cruel, mysterious and puzzling all at once, Sahdeva realised. The reality of one man could be far removed from another but that did not reduce the truth felt and perceived by an individual in anyway.

Truth in this context was like a many sided prism. One of the deepest insights lay not in the knowledge but in the acceptance of the fact that one man’s villain could be another man’s hero.

Sahadeva’s wisdom and eventual enlightenment came from his own moment of tragic revelation. Gloating from being a victor he was suddenly reduced to being the vanquished. He was humbled in the realisation of how deceptive the truth itself was.

Self –realization