Keep the duo happy for a healthy body!
They are the youngest two of the five and were born of Pandu’s second wife Madri. It is said that mythological Ashwini Kumaras fathered the two. Nakul was a tall, dark and handsome man and Sahadeva simple and charming. The former was more known for his expertise as a physician (Ayurveda vid) and swordsmanship in the battlefield. Nakul was a great horse-trainer. Sahadeva, the youngest of the lot, too was a great swordsman and physician, but he was more known for his astrological skills. Even the Kauravas sought his help before the battle to know the favourable time to start the battle. He, being a simple man at heart, told them the auspicious time. But, later Krishna intervened and upset the Kauravas’ plans in the battle despite their having started it at the time told by Sahadev.
This is history. Nakul in Sanskrit means the one who has no particular family ( nasti kulo yasya yo nakulah). That also means all inclusive. What could probably be that all inclusive element—which has the traits of all? It is water. If you heat it, it acquires the traits of the fire and air and then space. If you cool it, it acquires the traits of the earth. Water always twins up with the earth—which is represented by Sahadeva (Daiven sah yo vartati sah sahdevah ). Water and earth have symbiotic relationship. Water always fills up where the earth is depressed. The earth gets all the vegetation (aushadhis) with the help of water. Water is also called somah (the moon element or the nourishing element). Therefore, Nakul and Sahadeva, the Mahabharata twins, exhibit water and earth properties together . Like Yudhisthira shows space properties, Bheem fire properties, Arjuna air properties, Nakul and Sahadeva show water and earth properties.
Nakul in our system represents the entire body complex, which is sustained essentially by the water element. If you closely study the presence of water in our body, you will find that all the vital fluids, blood and excretory systems are sustained by water alone. Krishna suggests in chapter 15 of the Gita, ‘I charge the earth with the power of water (somo bhootwa rasatmakah) and assign curative power to the herbs growing there on’. That is why Nakul is referred to as a great physician and has the cutting edge like the water. The water element alone gives a healthy charm to our body and helps us fight diseases. Only a healthy body can have a healthy sensory system. Now Sahadeva means the basic bricks of the genetic model which build up the entire body as per the time and space coordinates. What is the basic genetic model? The one which gives the basic structure to the human body—two eyes, two ears, mouth, brain, hands, feet and the corresponding nervous, muscular and arterial systems etc. This is the ever-fresh model which has no hereditary corruption ( vikaar )—-that is why Nakul and Sahadeva are shown as twins. Maharishi Vedvyas aptly calls them Madrisutau pushpfale samriddhey. That means the two sons of Madri are healthy flowers and fruits of the healthy brain system (Dharmamayo drumah ). Flower and fruits aptly represent the twins. Flower is charming and represents the entire body, like Nakul. Fruit, which carries seeds, represents Sahadeva. Flowering and seed formation are consequential . Flowering represents good health and youthful maturity, like Nakul (skilled physician). A seed only sprouts at the favourable time and place. Therefore, Sahadeva has been shown as a great astrologer—the person who has a perfect sense of timing. Geometry, time and coordinates only exist due to the existence of the earth. Remove the earth and all the east-west-south-north calculations will go haywire. Astrology is the science of predicting a situation (dasha —coordinates) and indicating a solution to avoid or adopt it. Sahadeva represents the skill of right assessment.
Example: There are many girls who are worried about not having a fair skin or having acnes on the face. If they increase water intake and exercise, they will see a marked improvement in their body too. Since water and earth are twins, water intake and practising geometrical postures will surely help.
Takeaway: For a healthy will power and mind, we must have a healthy body. We should honour the water and the earth elements if we want to have a great immune system and a healthy society. These two elements are much abused in the present time. The abuse of water is spreading diseases and weakening human constitution and that of the earth, is upsetting the time and space cycle. So, respect Nakul and Sahadeva to have a healthy body, society and the world.
Next: Who is Karna?
Vivek Sharma