In Sanskrit, the word 'Nakula' means he who is most handsome in the lineage. The name Nakula generally means full of love and the male characteristics implied by the name are: Intelligence, Focus, Hard-Work, Handsomeness, Health, Attractiveness, Success, Popularity, Respect, and unconditional Love. Nakula and his brother Sahadeva, are both called as Ashvineya, as they were born from Ashvins.
Birth and early years
Due to Pandu's inability to bear children, 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 to beget Nakula and Sahadeva. The dark-complexioned Nakula was known to be the most handsome person in the 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 have intercourse with his wife, Madri. The latter also immolated herself in her husband's pyre. Thus, Nakula along with his brothers moved to Hastinapura where he was brought up by Kunti. 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.
Special 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.
Ayurveda: Being a son of the physicians, Ashwini Kumaras, Nakula was also believed to be an expert in Ayurveda.
Swordsman: Nakula was a brilliant swordsman and he showed his skills of sword while killing the sons of Karna on the 18th day of Kurukshetra war.
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 Rohitaka. He defeated the Mattamyurakas of the land in a fierce encounter. In another battle with the sage Akrosha, Nakula subjugated the regions of Sairishaka and Mahetta. He also defeated many tribes and small dynasties, including the Dasarnas, the Sivis, the Trigartas, the Amvashtas, the Malavas, the five tribes of the Karnatas, the Madhyamakeyas, the Vattadhanas and the Utsava-sanketas. It is said that Nakula needed ten-thousand camels to bring the entire wealth back to Indraprastha.
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. In the 13th year, Nakula disguised himself as an ostler and assumed the name of Granthika at the Kingdom of Virata. He worked as a horse-trainer who looked after horses in the royal stable.
Role in the Kurukshetra War
Nakula desired Drupada to be the general of the Pandava army, but Yudhishthira and Arjuna opted for Dhristadyumna. 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 golden back. Nakula was the leader of one of the seven Akshahuni. 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 14th day, he defeated Shakuni. On the 15th day, he was defeated by Duryodhana but was rescued by Chekitana. On the 16th day, he was defeated and spared by Karna On the 17th day he killed Shakuni's son Vrikaasura and fulfilled his oath taken on the day of deciding the rules of war. On the 18th day of the war he killed three sons of Karna, Sushena, Chitrasena and Satyasena.
After the war, Yudhishthira appointed Nakula as the King of Northern Madra and Sahadeva as King of southern Madra.
Death
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 third one to fall after Draupadi and Sahadeva. When Bhima asked Yudhishthira why Nakula fell, Yudhishthira replied that Nakula took pride on his beauty and believed that there was nobody equal to him in looks.
