Significance of Nakul and Sahdev in ‘Mahabharata'

Nakula and Sahadeva are referred as Asvineya, as the two physicicans of gods. Both the brothers were incarnations of Ashwini Kumaras, and possessed special set of skills.

Nakula
The dark-complexioned Nakula was known to be the most handsome person in the Kuru lineage. He had some special skills which are as follows-

• 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.
• Ayurveda: Being a son of the physicians, Ashwini Kumaras, Nakula was also believed to be an expert in Ayurveda.
• Sword Fighting: Nakula and his brother, Sahadeva were skilled sword fighters. Nakula was said to ride his horse in the rain and used his sword to deflect every drop. He would emerge completely dry.
• Diplomacy: Nakula was very handsome and charming man. He was a skilled diplomat.
• Nakula was a master of unusual weapons.
• Prophecy: Like his brother, Sahadeva, Nakula could see the future and issue prophecies. However, soon after telling the prophecy, Nakula would completely forget all the visions and predictions, just like a dream.

In the war, he along with Bhima led the Pandavas in the first day of the battle. He defeated Duhshasana on the first day. He even checked the attacks of warriors like Bhishma, Drona, Karna, Duryodhana, Kritavarma, and Ashwatthama. He kills 180 great warriors when he, Yudhishthira, and Sahadeva attacked Bhishma on the ninth day of the war. In the killing of Bhishma, he along with a few others breach Bhishma's inner ring, allowing Arjuna and Shikhandi to bring Bhishma down. He also wounds and defeats his uncle Shalya in battle. He killed three of Karna's sons: Chitrasena, Satyasena, and Sushena on the final day of battle. He fights with valour against Karna on the fifteenth day. He breaks Karna's bow 4 times and wounds him very badly; Nakula manages to prolong the battle for an hour. Being a legendary archer, Karna manages to overcome Nakula, but spares him due to the promise he had made to Kunti.

The above information and more about Nakula can be found here- Nakula

Sahadeva
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 Gods'. The another meaning is 'thousand Gods'. His skills were as follows-

• Wisdom: Sahadeva was the most intelligent among his brothers. In fact, Yudhisthir refers to him as being intelligent as Brihaspati-the divine teacher of gods. He was also a master in medicine, equastrian skills, bovine veterinary, politics and humanities. He was King Yudhishthira's private counsellor.

• Astrology: It is said that he was a great astrologer as his brother Nakula, and he even knew about everything including the Mahabharata battle beforehand. But he was cursed that if he disclosed the events to anyone then his head would split into pieces.

• Swordsmanship: Sahadeva was a master swordsman like his brother, Nakula.

Sahadeva was very good in Astrology. Duryodhana, on the advice of Shakuni approached Sahadeva in order to seek the right time (muhurta) to start the Mahabharata war so that the Kauravas will be victorious. Sahadeva disclosed the same for the Kauravas in spite of knowing that Kauravas were their enemy, as Sahadeva was known to be very honest. During the gambling loss, he had taken an oath of slaying Shakuni. He accomplished this task successfully on the 18th day of battle. Among other prominent war-heroes killed by Sahadeva were Shakuni's son Uluka and Trigata Prince Niramitra.