This post is being written with a goal of providing evidence for Sakuni being a talented warrior. In multiple ways he proved to be more powerful than the overrated Hanuman, Parshuram, Karna etc [trio of losers]. Yes bhagvan shakuni was the avtaar of dwapara yuga [if "Dwapar" is a being/individual] but he is often perceived as a pushover or believed to be weak because most indians did not study any authentic text of Mahabharat.
Now of course sakuni did lose many times in his career, but in this post i will ignore a majority of his defeats and focus mostly on his victories or times where he was able to evenly match a enemy. Though Ashwathama's dialogue to Karna hints that Sakuni was present in the virat yudh chapter, it also does not make logical sense as he was not mentioned as a fighter that Arjuna encountered.
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BEGIN.
Victories of shree Sakuni.
He was responsible for destruction of all horses and cavalry in the pandav army;
[Quote]
"Slay the chariot division's of the Pandavas! All their horses have been vanquished by me! Yudhishthira is incapable of being conquered in battle unless one is prepared to lay down his life! When that car-force, protected by the son of Pandu, will have been destroyed, we shall then slay all those elephants and foot-soldiers and others!"
Note; though sakuni achieved this in tv serial's his immense contribution and accomplishments are not shown at all.
He swooned Nakula.
[Quote]
Thy brother-in-law excited with wrath & smiling the while, pierced Madri's son in the chest with a barbed arrow of keen point. Deeply pierced by that great bowman (shakuni) Nakula sat down on the terrace of his car and swooned away. Beholding his proud foe, that mortal enemy of his in that plight, Sakuni uttered a roar loud as that of the clouds at the end of summer. Recovering consciousness, Nakula, the son of Pandu, once more rushed against Suvala's son, like the Destroyer himself of wide-open mouth.
[End]
Note - it's true Nakula did make a fast recovery after this & countered Sakuni but Shakuni was able to do something that Karna failed in doing that is the point i am bringing up.
I will compare this to karna's performance.
Nakula severed 2 bows of Karna;
{passage}
"Nakula, taking up another formidable bow whose back was decked with gold, pierced Karna with twenty arrows & his driver with three. Then that slayer of hostile heroes Nakula, filled with rage, cut off Karna's bow with a razor-headed shaft of great keenness. Smiling the while, the heroic son of Pandu then struck the bowless Karna with three hundred arrows. Beholding Karna thus afflicted by the son of Pandu, all the chariot warrior's their with the gods (in the welkin), were filled with great wonder."
Even a child can tell the difference between Shakuni & Karna.
[Quote]
"Nakula piercing Karna with seven shafts, once more cut off one of the horns of Karna's bow. Then Karna, taking up in that battle a tougher bow, filled the welkin on every side of Nakula with his arrows. The mighty car-warrior, Nakula however suddenly shrouded with arrows from Karna's bow quickly cut off all those shafts with shafts of his own."
{End}
Nakula's roar frightened Karna:
"Sushena taking up an excellent bow pierced Nakula with five arrows in the arms & chest. Nakula then piercing his antagonist with twenty arrows uttered a loud roar and inspired Karna with fright. Sushena piercing Nakula with ten shafts, quickly cut off the latter's bow with a razor-headed arrow. Then Nakula, insensate with rage, took up another bow & resisted Sushena in that battle with nine shafts."
Logic - the state of karna was that of a rat afraid of a lions roar.
Sakuni's final battle with Nakul.
{begins}
"Shakuni, however, took up another bow & pierced Nakula with sixty arrows & then Bhimasena with seven. Uluka also desirous of rescuing his sire in that engagement, pierced Bhima with seven arrows & Sahadeva with seventy. Bhimasena in that encounter pierced Uluka with many keen arrows & Shakuni with sixty four and each of the other warriors who fought around them, with three arrows."
Nakul got injured by Shakuni and choose inaction, he did not retaliate, so the man who got a last laugh is Sakuni.
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CONCLUSION; Though karna did win against Nakula many times he still ended up getting on the receiving end twice, sakuni was only defeated once by Nakula (night 14). On the basis of who lost less clearly Sakuni was the better performer.
He was a dinosaur, nakul was a tiger, karna was a fox.
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Now i am going to discuss what he did on days 11 to 17 of the war, excluding his victory over nakul (on night 14) because that's already been discussed/elaborated upon in the post itself. And no need to give importance to karna when this's about sakuni's glory.
DAY 11:
[Quote]
"The battle that thereupon ensued made the hair stand on end. Sakuni, full of a hundred kinds of deceit, rushed towards Sahadeva, and pierced the latter's charioteer, and standard, and car, with many keen-pointed shafts. Sahadeva, however, without being much excited, cutting off Sauvala's standard & bow and charioteer & vehicle, with sharp arrows, pierced Sauvala himself with sixty shafts. Thereupon, Suvala's son, taking up mace, jumped down from his excellent car & with that mace, O king, he felled Sahadeva's driver from the latter's car. Then these two heroic & mighty warriors both deprived of chariot & both armed with mace, sported in battle like two crests of hills."
[Completed]
Logic - in close combat Sakuni was brave not Karna or Hanuman.
If you are confused then here Sauvala means Sakuni.
Who was the winner?
Answer - After the battle of sakuni & sahadeva (mace fight which was not elaborated upon) the character of sakuni remained absent (implying he lost) while the character of Sahadev was listed as being among the warriors that Drona shot arrows at in order to get in Yudisther's vicinity.
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DAY 12.
His position in the Garood Vyuha:
[Quote]
"In the back were the Kalingas, the Magadhas, the Paundras, the Madrakas, the Gandharas, the Sakunas."
Note; i think this's the only time where i came across a tribe named "Sakunas" but Gandaras clearly refers to people of Gandhar Pradesh.
SAKUNI VS ARJUNA;
"Sakuni conversant with a hundred different kinds of illusions created illusions for confounding the two Krishnas. Then clubs, iron balls, rocks, Sataghnis, darts, maces, spiked bludgeons, scimitars, lances, mallets, axes, Kampanas, swords, nails, short clubs, battle-axes, razors, arrows with sharp broad heads, Nalikas, calf-tooth headed shafts and arrows having bony heads, discs, snake-headed shafts and spears & diverse other kinds of weapons, fell upon Arjuna from all sides."
"And asses, and camels, and buffaloes, and tigers, and lions, and deer, and leopards, and bears, and wolves and vultures, and monkeys, and various reptiles, and diverse cannibals, and swarms of crows, all hungry, and excited with rage, ran towards Arjuna. Then Dhananjaya conversant with celestial weapons, shooting clouds of arrows, assailed them all."
"And assailed by that hero with those excellent and strong shafts, they uttered loud cries and fell down deprived of life. Then a thick darkness appeared and covered Arjuna's car, and from within that gloom harsh voices rebuked Arjuna. The latter, however, by means of the weapons called Jyotishka, dispelled that thick and awful darkness. When that darkness was dispelled frightful waves of water appeared. For drying up those waters, Arjuna applied the weapon called Aditya."
"And in consequence of that weapon, the waters were almost dried up. These diverse illusions, repeatedly created by Sauvala, Arjuna destroyed speedily by means of the force of his weapons, laughing the while. Upon all his illusions being destroyed, afflicted with Arjuna's shafts and unmanned by fear, Sakuni fled away, aided by his fleet, steeds, like a vulgar wretch."
Note - saku did lose again but he put up a better fight compared to karna during virat war, days 15 and 16, so its a decent showing for the man.
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DAY 13;
Of course Sakuni was nothing compared to abhimanyu, he was defeated each time by him but i will focus on his achievement instead of his loss for this day.
He gave good advice to Emperor Suyodhana.
[Passage of text]
Abhimanyu then slew five warriors named Satrunjaya, Chandraketu, Mahamegba, Suvarchas and Suryabhasa. He then pierced Suvala's son. The latter piercing Abhimanyu with three arrows, said unto Duryodhana "Let us all together grind this one, else, fighting singly with us he will slay us all. O king, think of the means of slaying this one, taking counsel with Drona & Kripa and others."
[Ending]
Note - after this moment karna begs Guru drona for help.
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DAY 14.
Quote;
"Sakuni with seven hundred Gandhara warriors armed with bows, darts and swords, resisted the son of Madri (Sahadeva)."
Note - though the bracket's/parenthesis clearly mentions the word "Sahadeva" but its a fact no bracket or parenthesis text is considered to be original as this's all translated only.
While the text in parenthesis/brackets is termed as the translators opinion only. So its possible the son of madri here was Nakul not Sahadev.
Was Beaten:
"The two sons of Madri fiercely ground with shafts the Gandhara prince Sakuni who had offended against them greatly. The carnage that set in was awful. Originated by thee, nurtured by Karna & kept up by thy sons, the fire of wrath (of the Pandavas) hath swollen now and is ready to consume the whole earth. Forced to turn his back on the field by the two sons of Pandu with their shafts, Sakuni unable to put forth his valour, knew not what to do. Beholding him turn back, those warrior's the two sons of Pandu, once more showered their arrows on him. Struck with countless straight shafts, the son of Suvala fled towards the division of Drona, borne by his swift steeds."
Logic - it was a unfair group attack so he fled, what did you expect Sakuni to do against 2 world conqueror's? The country of kishkinda/lanka both got annexed by Sahadev in Rajasuya while Mahishmati (ruled by Bahubali/Sahastrarjun) was annexed by Nakul.
So sakuni losing to them is not an embarrassment.
Tried a group attack yet failed:
[quoted text]
"Duhsasana pierced that bull among the Sinis with 16 arrows. And Sakuni pierced him with five and twenty arrows and Chitrasena with five. And that bull of Sini's race then pierced Duhsasana with twenty arrows."
"Thy brother-in-law (Sakuni) taking up another bow, pierced Satyaki with eight arrows and once more with five. And Duhsasana pierced him with three."
"Then Satyaki pierced each of those brave and mighty car-warriors vigorously contending in battle together with five shafts in return."
Nothing besides that which was relevant is done by shree Shakuni devta on day fourteen.
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NIGHT 14.
The fight between Sakuni and Arjuna;
{Start's.}
"Sakuni, meanwhile, O king, encompassing Arjuna on all sides with many thousands of cars and several thousands of elephants, and many thousands of steeds, began to fight desperately. Many of them hurled towards Arjuna celestial weapons of great power. Indeed, those Kshatriyas fought with Arjuna, incurring the certitude of death. Arjuna however checked those thousands of cars and elephants and steeds, and ultimately caused those foes to turn back. Then Suvala's son, with eyes red as copper with rage, deeply pierced Arjuna with 20 shafts."
"And shooting a hundred shafts, he checked the progress of Partha's great car. Arjuna pierced Sakuni with twenty arrows in that battle & he pierced each of the great bowmen with 3 arrows. Checking all of them with his arrows Dhananjaya slew those warriors of thy army with excellent shafts, endued with the force of thunder. Having achieved that fierce feat, and pierced Sakuni once more, struck Uluka with an arrow in that battle."
"Piercing Uluka thus in the sight of his sire Arjuna uttered a loud roar, filling the earth therewith. Then the son of Indra cut off Sakuni's bow and he despatched his four steeds to Yama's abode. Suvala's son jumping down from his car, quickly ascended the car of Uluka. Then those 2 warriors riding on the same car, showered their arrows on Partha. The son of Pandu then piercing both those warriors with keen shafts, afflicted and caused thy troops to fly away in hundreds and thousands."
{End.}
Note - this is valid evidence that shows he owned celestial weapon's that can put him above Hanuman as a fighter/warrior because anyone who uses a missile can defeat, capture or slay hanutati.
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A group attack on Satyaki.
"Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, excited with rage, quickly pierced Satyaki that bull amongst the Sinis, with ten arrows. And Karna pierced him with ten arrows & Vrishasena pierced him with 10 and Sakuni with 7. In that impervious wall of Kauravas around the grandson of Sini, these also stationed themselves, encompassing him. Beholding Drona slaughtering the Pandava army in that battle, the Somakas quickly pierced him from every side with showers of arrows."
Logic:
It is pathetic that shakuni resorted to cheating so many times.
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SHAKUNI THE DEBATING CHAMPION.
According to Sanjaya their were multiple off screen incident's where jayadratha, sakuni etc were involved in debates, discussion's and arguments against eachother on who Karna should use Indra's weapon against first.
Quote:
"Every night this formed the subject of deliberation with Duryodhana and Sakuni and myself and Duhsasana." "Duhsasana, Karna, Sakuni & Jayadratha, with Duryodhana at their head, had frequently debated on this subject."
[end]
The advice of Parshuram was neglected in favor of the words of Sakuni only.
[Quote]
"Always forbidden by Rama the son of Jamadagni & by the high-souled Vyasa also, the wicked-minded and sinful Duryodhana, with Dussasana, always following the counsels of Karna and Suvala's son, behaved maliciously towards the Pandavas."
Note; he proved his skill as a debater again when he defeated Parshurama.
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DAY 15.
Proving he has a bad habit of cheating by doing a group attack.
[quote]
"Duryodhana, Karna, and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, covered Arjuna with showers of shafts. Baffling the weapons of all those warriors, that foremost of all persons covered them (in return) with his shafts. Aiming at their weapons with his (and thus baffling them all), Arjuna, endued with great lightness of hand & possessing a complete control over his senses, pierced every one of those warriors with ten keen-pointed shafts."
Helps defend guru Drona:
"The Panchalas began to strike Drona from one side, and Arjuna from another. Duryodhana, Karna, and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and the uterine brothers of Duryodhana according to their precedence, began to protect Drona in battle."
Shakuni was held in high esteem as if he was in the league of Krishna, Drona, Arjuna etc.
Quote;
"During that great carnage of the Kshatriyas on earth, on that field of battle, enhancing the terrors of the timid and looking like a crematorium neither Karna, nor Drona, nor Arjuna, nor Yudhishthira, nor Bhimasena, nor Satyaki, nor Duryodhana nor Suvala's son, nor Kripa, nor others, nor my own self, nor the earth, nor points of the compass, could be seen, for all of them, mingled with the troops, were shrouded by clouds of dust."
Shakuni competes with Jesse Owens in a track team match:
"The ruler of the Gandharas Sakuni, beholding Drona of the golden car slain, fled with the car-warriors of his division, with speed that was much greater."
"Uluka beholding Drona slain, fled away with speed, afflicted with fear and accompanied by a large body of foot-soldiers."
Witnessed half of 1 lakh warriors in his unit get murdered:
"Satyaki, of unbaffled prowess, then slew three thousand mighty car-warriors of Vrishasena's division. And then he slew fifteen thousand elephants of Kripa's force and fifty thousand horses of Sakuni."
Logic - it's a pretty bad showing because he was a mute spectator to the massacre, all i can say is atleast kourava brothers and princes didn't get killed in sakuni's eye sight.
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16th day:
He was the eyes of the Makara Vyooh.
[quote]
"In the tip of the beak of that makara was stationed Karna himself. In the two eyes were the brave Shakuni and the mighty car-warrior Uluka."
[End]
Comment - logically since he was chosen for this position it means that Sakuni was a skilled spy or was good at gauging the power of opponents and potency of obstacles.
Quote;
"Sutasoma covered Shakuni with many thousands of arrows. Shakuni however that warrior of sure aim & conversant with all methods of warfare motivated (actuated) by desire of battle quickly cut off all those shafts with his own winged arrows. Having checked those shafts with his own arrows in battle Shakuni struck Sutasoma with 3 arrows. Then with arrows cut off into fragments the horses, flag & chariot of Sutasoma. The great bowman jumping down from his chariot was now on Earth wielding a bow. He fired a large number of arrows equipped with golden wings but Sakuni beholding this coming towards his vehicle crushed all those arrows with arrows of his own."
"Then Shakuni cut off the bow of Sutasoma as also all his quivers. Bowless & chariotless prince Sutasoma uplifted a scimitar of a blue lotus's hue (complexion) and uttered a loud shout. Armed with that scimitar Sutasoma began to career in circles displaying fourteen different maneuvers. He displayed in that battle all those motions such as wheeling about and whirling on high and making side-thrusts & jumping forward, leaping on high, running above, rushing forward and rushing upwards. The valiant Sakuni fired arrows at his foe but Sutasoma cut all off with that excellent scimitar of his. Filled with rage Sakuni once more fired at Sutasoma a number of shafts however aided by his might & skill prince Sutasoma cut even these with his scimitar."
"With a razor-headed arrow Shakuni cut off that bright scimitar of his enemy as the latter careered in circles before him. Thus cut off, (half of) that large scimitar suddenly fell down on the ground. While half of it remained in the grasp of Sutasoma. Seeing it cut off Sutasoma retreated 6 step's & then hurled that half (of the scimitar which he had in his grasp) at his foe. The fragment decked with gold & gem's cutting off the string and bow of Shakuni fell down on the Earth too. Sutasoma went to Srutakirti's (son of draupadi through arjuna)."
Logic - according to Sanjaya this king Sakuni was good with all modes of warfare. Yes i edited this quote but my intention is not of hampering with it's essence my desire was to shorten the quote and keep it simpler, still clearly Sakuni won against Sutasoma though sutasoma did perform well giving a good resistance at the end of the day he retreated, he was on foot without a vehicle due to the power of Sakuni and failed to destroy the chariot of Sakuni in return.
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Another accomplishment of Sakuni;
"Subala's son also, taking up another formidable & invincible bow, proceeded towards the Pandava army, slaying large numbers of foes (on the way). Beholding Sakuni moving fearlessly in battle, a loud uproar arose among the Pandavas in that part of the army. People witnessed those large and proud divisions bristling with arms, routed by the illustrious son of Subala. Even as the chief of the celestials crushed the Daitya army, the son of Subala destroyed that army of the Pandavas."
Note - here it's mentioned that divisions were routed by Sakuni, its not made clear just how big a division is, i doubt it is a aukshouni, but still this is a bigger contribution than Karna's that day as karna failed to do any mass destruction or beat a whole division of troops.
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17TH DAY.
First act;
Kripa, Kritavarma & Shakuni those heroes difficult of defeat in battle, accompanied by troops that were all cheerful, themselves filled with rage, and capable of smiting down thick ranks of cars, fought with the Koshalas, the Kasis, the Matsyas, the Karusas, the Kaikayas, and the Surasenas, all of whom were possessed of great courage.
Note; he started his day off with a bang. But sakuni had to fight against 6 tribes of aryavarth with only kripa/kritvarman to aid him.
Position in kourava vyooh.
Quote;
"Sharadvata's son Kripa & the Magadhas endued with great activity took up their position in the right wing. Shakuni, and the mighty car-warrior Uluka, standing on the right of these and accompanied by many fearless Gandhara horsemen and many mountaineers difficult to defeat grimlooking as Pishacas, protected the army."
Sakuni was braver than most warrior's of Hastinapur;
[Quote]
"Although Duryodhan cried at the top of his voice, his flying troops still refused to stop. Then one of the wings of the army and its further wing, and Shakuni, the son of Subala, and the Kauravas well-armed turned against Bhimasena in that battle."
Comment - the kourava soldiers were running away cause they saw bheem/satyaki both advance to face them after yudisther got embarrassed by karna. But Sakuni was the only person [apart from duryodhan himself] who did not run.
Sakuni sent a battalion to harass and check Bheem:
"Then 3,000 horsemen despatched by Shakuni rushed toward Bhima."
Sakuni boosted the morale of their army.
[quote]
"Beholding the son of Subala, and Kritavarma, and Drona's son, and Adhiratha's son, and Kripa, engaged with the Pandavas, the Kauravas rallied and came back to the fight."
Next move of the king of gandhar;
"Uluka, Shakuni & Duryodhana with his uterine brothers, beholding the army afflicted with the fear of Pandu's son, unable to stand together, like a vessel wrecked on the ocean, endeavoured to rescue it with great speed."
Logic - do compare this to the incident in Ramayana where once kumvakarna entered the field then hanuman, panasa & other namard vanaras choose to run away instead because they were scared. But here sakuni with his own son ulook bravely tried to rally & organize an army to make a counterplan cause his leader (karna-at-the-time) was not doing his job.
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Shakuni moved against a person who was too tough for him to win against.
[Quote]
"Satyaki proceeded against Shakuni, and the sons of Draupadi against the other Kauravas."
"Satyaki, having pierced Shakuni with twenty keen arrows, easily cut off the standard of Subala's son with a broad-headed arrow. The valiant son of Subala, filled with rage in that encounter, pierced Satyaki's armour and then cut off his golden standard. Then Satyaki pierced him in return with many keen arrows, and struck his driver with three arrows. With great speed then, he despatched with other shafts the steeds of Shakuni to Yama's abode. Speedily alighting then from his chariot Shakuni quickly ascended the vehicle of Uluka. Who then bore away with great speed his father from Sini's grandson, that warrior skilled in battle."
Bheem was able to defeat Duryodhan but not Shakuni.
"Then the whole Kuru army rushed at Bhimasena. Duhshasana and Subala's son, encompassing the son of Pandu with a large elephant force, began to strike him with small arrows. Then Bhima, causing the wrathful Duryodhana to turn his back on the field by means of hundreds of arrows, quickly rushed towards that elephant force."
[End]
{Quote.}
At that time Suyodhana, Duhshasana, Kripa, Ashvatthama, Kritavarman & Sakuni also of great might, slaughtered the Pandava warriors in hundreds and thousands. The two sons also of Karna, O monarch, those two brothers of prowess incapable of being baffled, filled with rage, slaughtered the Pandava army in several parts of the field.
{End.}
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Obeyed words of Karna.
{QUOTE}
Approaching then thy son & saluted respectfully by him, Karna said unto that prince as also unto those two mighty-armed warriors Kripa & Kritavarma, and the ruler of the Gandharvas with his son, and the preceptors and his own younger brothers, and all the foot-soldiers and horsemen and elephant-riders, these words, "Rush towards Acyuta and Arjuna and close up their path all around, and cause them to be tired with exertion, so that, ye lords of the earth, I may easily slay those two after ye all will have mangled them deeply." Saying, "So be it!" those foremost of heroes, desirous of slaying Arjuna, speedily proceeded against him. Those mighty car-warriors then, obeying the behest of Karna, began to strike Dhananjaya with innumerable arrows in that battle.
Note - again the translation of gandara to gandharva happened.
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He killed 2 male member's of royalty.
[I]
"The younger brother of that prince then, assailing Kripa's car with a number of lances made wholly of iron and all bright as the rays of the sun, uttered loud roars. The ruler of the Gandharvas, however, cut off the head of that warrior while still uttering those roars. Upon the fall of those Kulindas, those mighty car-warriors of thy army, filled with joy."
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[II]
"The prince of the Kulindas then, with that elephant of his which was capable of slaying the foremost of warriors with its tusks and body, rushed impetuously towards Shakuni for slaying him. The mountaineer succeeded in afflicting Shakuni greatly. Soon, however, the chief of the Gandharas cut off his head."
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Conclusion - in day 17 Sakuni did better than Karna, he lost less than karna did & sakuni was able to kill two relevant pandava warrior's but karna failed to kill any relevant pandava warrior.
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Other events of the 17th day.
Post Karna Vadh:
[Quote]
"The twin sons of Madri & the mighty car-warrior Satyaki cheerfully rushed against Shakuni with great speed from desire of slaying him. Having slain with keen shafts the numerous cavalry of Shakuni, those Pandava heroes quickly rushed against Shakuni himself, whereupon a fierce battle was fought there."
Logic - yeah sakuni failed to save his horses but why dont haters think of how great a fight he mustve put up against satyaki and the madreyas when it just became a one vs three warrior duel? It was described as "fierce".
Sanjaya mentioned this after.
[passage]
"The celebrated sons of Madri, with Satyaki engaged in the pursuit of the Gandhara king who was quick in the use of weapons, speedily appeared to our view."
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Unfair fight for Shakuni [after karna's death].
Quote:
"The two sons of Madri & Satyaki, filled with joy, rushed with speed against Shakuni & slaughtered the troops of Subala's son. Having slain with keen shafts his cavalry and elephants in that encounter, they rushed impetuously against Shakuni himself, upon which a great battle took place."
"The twins (Nakula & Sahadeva) of great fame, and Satyaki, having pursued with great speed the king of the Gandharvas who was possessed of lightness of hands in the use of weapons, re-appeared (amid the Pandava ranks)."
Logic - Sakuni should have told them what SATYA (J. D. Chakravarthi) told Manoj Bajpayee (Bhiku Matre) in that film in prison "DUM HAI TO AKELE LAR".
Group attack against Arjuna (Post-duhsasan vadh).
Quote - Duryodhana, the chief of the Bhojas, Subala's son, Kripa & Ashwathama these 5 warrior's assailed Dhananjaya & Keshava with shafts capable of producing great pain. Dhananjaya, however, with shafts, cut off at the same time the bows, the quivers, the steeds, the elephants, the cars with their drivers, of those warriors, and mangling every one of them with excellent shafts, pierced the Suta's son with a dozen arrows. Then a 100 chariot's, 100 elephants & a number of Saka, Tukhara & Yavana horsemen, accompanied by some of the foremost combatants among the Kambojas, quickly rushed against Arjuna.
Fight with Vrikodara Bhima.
"The valiant son of Subala, competent to wage dreadful battle, proceeded, surrounded by his brothers. Approaching in that battle Bhima of terrible prowess, the heroic Shakuni checked him like the continent resisting the ocean. Though resisted with keen shafts, Bhima, disregarding them all, proceeded against the sons of Subala. Then Shakuni sped a number of cloth-yard shafts equipped with wings of gold & whetted on stone, at the left side of Bhima's chest. Piercing through the armour of the high-souled son of Pandu, those fierce shafts equipped with feathers of Kankas and peacocks, sunk deep into his body. Deeply pierced in that battle, Bhima suddenly shot at Subala's son a shaft decked with gold. The mighty Shakuni however, that scorcher of foes endued with great lightness of hands, cut off into 7 fragments that terrible arrow as it coursed towards him. When his shaft fell down on the earth, Bhima became highly enraged, and cut off with a broad-headed arrow the bow of Subala's son with the greatest ease. The valiant son of Subala then, casting aside that broken bow, quickly took up another and six and ten broad-headed arrows. With 2 of those straight & broad-headed arrows he cut off Bhima's standard & umbrella. With the remaining 4 the son of Subala pierced the horses of his antagonist."
"Filled with rage at this, the valiant Bhima hurled a dart made of iron, with its staff adorned with gold. That dart, restless as the tongue of a snake, hurled from Bhima's arms, speedily fell upon the car of the high-souled son of Subala. The latter then, filled with wrath took up that same gold-decked dart & hurled it back at Bhimasena. Piercing through the left arm of the high-souled son of Pandu, it fell down on the earth like lightning flashed down from the sky. At this, the Dhartarashtras set up a loud roar all around. Bhima, however, could not bear that leonine roar of his foes endued with great activity. The mighty son of Pandu then, quickly taking up another stringed bow, in a moment covered with shafts the soldiers of Subala's son in that battle, who were fighting reckless of their very lives. Having slain his 4 steeds & then his driver Bhima of great prowess next cut off his antagonist's standard with a broad-headed arrow without losing a moment."
"Abandoning with speed that steedless car, Shakuni, that foremost of men, stood on the ground, with his bow ready drawn in his hands. He then struck Bhima from every side with innumerable arrows. The valiant Bhima, baffling those shafts, cut off Shakuni's bow in rage & pierced Shakuni himself, with many keen arrows. Deeply pierced by his powerful antagonist, that scorcher of foes fell down on the earth almost lifeless. Then thy son seeing him stupefied, bore him away from battle on his car in the very sight of Bhimasena. When that tiger among men, Shakuni was thus taken up on Duryodhana's car, the Dhartarashtra troops, turning their faces from battle, fled away on all sides inspired with fear on that occasion of great terror due to Bhimasena. Upon the defeat of Subala's son by that great bowman, Bhimasena, thy son Duryodhana, filled with great fright, retreated, borne away by his fleet steeds, from regard for his maternal uncle's life."
Logic - here by throwing it back Sakuni showed a glimpse of his physical strength, he was like a HULK. I bet in a wrestling match sakuni would trounce balaram. The dart actually cut right across the skin of bheem's arm, maybe getting through a bone too.
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BHISHMA PARVA.
Fought Prativindhya.
[quote]
"Sakuni, endued with great prowess, rushed, O king, against Prativindhya 1 of great prowess, like a lion against an infuriate elephant. Thereupon the son of Yudhishthira, in exceeding wrath, mangled Suvala's son in that combat, with sharp arrows, like Maghavat 2 (mangling) a Danava. And Sakuni also, in that fierce conflict, pierced Prativindhya in return and mangled that warrior of great intelligence with straight arrows."
Note; he was the oldest son of droupadi & gained education in dvaraka/panchal. He also end's up killing abisara's king Citra.
Was a bodyguard on the 2nd day of the war.
"The Gandharas, the Sindhusauviras and the Vasatis with all their combatants (followed) Bhishma and Sakuni, with all his troops protected the son of Bharadwaja."
Did a group attack:
"Bhishma struck Arjuna with 77 arrows and Kripa with fifty and Salya with 9 arrows, Vikarna with 3 arrows and Sakuni with five."
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Another day;
[Quote]
"Bhishma, Drona & Jayadratha, the ruler of the Sindhus and Purumitra, and Vikarna, and Sakuni the son of Suvala-these warriors invincible in battle and possessed of leonine prowess-staying in battle broke the ranks of the Pandavas."
Logic: though this's clearly an exaggeration (as Vikarna/Bhishma were defeated multiple times) it still can be used as a quote to prove that Sakuni was a top dog/elite-tier warrior among the Kuru rank's.
Who his opponent's are:
"Arjuna's son & Satyaki, both advanced against the forces of Suvala's son."
Logic - The son of arjuna here is assumed to be abhimanyu.
"Heroic Gandharvas along with Sakuni with a large force surrounded Satyaki & Abhimanyu. The brave warriors led by Suvala's son from anger, cut into pieces the excellent chariot of the Vrishni hero, with weapons of diverse kinds."
"And in course of that fierce conflict, Satyaki, abandoning that car of his, speedily mounted on Abhimanyu's car, O chastiser of foes. And those two, mounted on the same car, then began to speedily slaughter the army of Suvala's son with straight arrows of sharp points."
Note - satyaki hater's should not brag about this moment, because after this then during days 4 to 17 bhishma, karna, drona failed to break or destroy satyaki's chariot even once so it is not a anti feat, rather a lucky shot by soldier's of sakuni (from gandhar not gandharv lok). Satyaki was much more alert after the incident.
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CONTINUATION:
"Subhadra's son & Satyaki both stationed on the same car, began to slaughter the army of Suvala's son of battle."
Note - Shakuni failed to keep his army safe, not a shameful incident for the man cause he was up against 2 champion warriors (abhimanyu/satyaki are both a million times superior to hanuman & laxman the brother of Raam).
For some reason he (sakuni) was not given a important position in the vyuha of the next day (fifth day of kurukshetra).
He needed the aid of a big team including the Gopala unit;
"With many huge and fleet steeds of the Kamvoja breed & surrounded by many thousand of Gopas with a large Gopayana force and supported by the Gandharas accompanied by all the kings & supported by a large force of diverse races with Dussasana at their head, urged by thy son, surrounded the son of Suvala."
What Sakuni and bhagwan Satyaki were doing (after)?
"Sahadeva proceeded against those invincible warriors Sakuni & Uluka, those great bowmen, who were sire and son."
[End]
"And those invincible warriors Satyaki and Chekitana, and the mighty son of Subhadra, proceeded against Salya and the Kaikeyas."
Note - kaikeyas most likely means either soldier's of kekaya desh (a nation) or it meant the 2 princes of kekaya that fought for kauravas.
In Dhritrashtra's viewpoint Sakuni was a hero and should have been able to prevent the destruction of their army.
Narrative;
"It is also protected by Bhagadatta, Vikarna, Drona's son, Suvala's son & Valhika and by many other mighty and high-souled heroes of the world. That our army should yet be slaughtered in battle is due only to predestined fate."
"That so large an army, mustered according to science, and attached (to us) by wealth, should yet be slaughtered in battle, alas, what can it be but the result of Destiny?"
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Shakuni on day 6 of the war.
Quote;
Dhrishtadyumna the son of Prishata, forsaking Drona quickly proceeded to the spot where Suvala's son was stationed. That bull among men, baffling countless warriors of thy army, came upon the empty car of Bhimasena in that battle. And beholding in that conflict Visoka, the charioteer of Bhimasena, Dhrishtadyumna became exceedingly cheerless and almost deprived of his senses.
The body-guard everyone need's:
"Then the mighty Sakuni, devoted to the king, quickly coming to that spot, caused thy royal son to mount on his own car in the very sight of all. Then that slayer of foes, the son of Prishata, having vanquished the king, began to slaughter thy troops like the wielder of the thunder-bolt."
Note - dresthadyumn defeated suyodhana, bheem defeated kritvarman, satyaki defeated alamvoosh which led to the location of the kourava vyuha being unsafe for them so Sakuni took him away.
Bhishma's opinion of Sakuni;
[Quote]
"This thy maternal uncle Sakuni is equal to a single Ratha. Having caused the (present) hostilities (to break out) with the sons of Pandu, he will fight. There is no doubt in this. His troops are irresistible when rushing to battle. Armed with various kinds of weapons in abundance, in speed, they are equal to the very wind."
Note - bhishma did praise the soldier's of gandhar as being irresistible but his word/opinion is out of hatred and bias when he degraded sakuni to be a average RATHI.
Help's Kripacharya.
Passage;
"The brave Sakuni, thy brother-in-law, speedily caused Gautama, that foremost of car-warriors, to mount on his car."
Sakuni was brave:
"During the progress of that fierce battle fraught with the slaughter of great heroes, Sakuni the glorious son of Suvala, rushed against the Pandavas. And so also Hridika's son of the Satwata race, that slayer of hostile heroes, rushed in that battle against the Pandava ranks."
Note - he had the balls to actually fight his enemies (assuming here the pandavas meant the five brothers not the soldier's of the five brother's)
Though Sakuni's brothers died this day he himself did not do anything at all, he was not relevant so during the 8th day he was a lazy inactive athlete/sportsman.
Fast forward to day 9.
[quote]
"Bhurisravas, and Sala, and Suvala's son, began to check the twin sons of Madri with showers of bright and sharp arrows."
Where nakul/sahadev were later;
"Similarly, the Pandavas, clad in mail & with all their vigour, proceeded, for the sake of Phalguni, to the spot where Bhishma was."
Shakuni's next conflict:
Suvala's son Sakuni, with hundreds and thousands of horsemen having bright spears and swords and lances in hand, and who formed a proud, well-dressed, and strong body bearing standards, and who were mingled with excellent foot-soldiers that were all well-trained and skilled in battle began to cheek Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Yudhishthira the son of Pandu, surrounding those foremost of men on all sides. Then king Duryodhana despatched ten thousand (other) brave horsemen for resisting the Pandavas.
Sakuni guarded the back of the kourava vyooh during day ten;
"Behind Bhagadatta were Kripa and Kritavarman. Behind them were Sudakshina the mighty ruler of the Kamvojas, and Jayatsena, the king of the Magadhas, and Suvala's son and Vrihadvala. And similarly, many other kings, that were all great bowmen, protected the rear of thy host."
That's the END of the Bhishma Parva segment, at least Sakuni did not lose too many duels.
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Day 18 will be the part which includes everything except for his achievement against Nakul.
"The two sons of Madri, accompanied by their troops, proceeded against Shakuni and the great car-warrior Uluka at the head of their forces."
Logic - sakunis son ulook is believed to be a decent warrior.
"Shakuni the son of Subala & the mighty car-warrior Ashvatthama with smiles on his lips, and all thy sons protected Shalya by every means in that battle."
"Shakuni proceeded against the sons of Draupadi and Ashvatthama against the twins."
"The Pandavas inspired with desire of victory careered beautifully on all sides amongst thy divisions. Kripa, and Kritavarma, and the mighty son of Subala, placing the ruler of the Madras before them, fought with king Yudhishthira the just."
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Shakuni, the son of the Gandhara king, possessed of eloquence said unto Duryodhana these words, "How is this that we are standing here, while the Madraka host is being slaughtered before our eyes? When thou, O Bharata, art here, this does not look well! The understanding made was that all of us should fight unitedly! Why then, O king, dost thou tolerate our foes when they are thus slaying our troops?"
Note - Yet another tricky and annoying quote, because it indicates that Sakuni was a prince not a king.
{Quote}
Shakuni said "Brave warriors, when excited with rage in battle, do not obey the command of their leaders. It does not behove thee to be angry with those men. This is not the time to stand indifferently. We shall, therefore, all of us, united together with our cars and horses and elephants, proceed, for rescuing those great bowmen, the followers of the Madra king! With great care, O king, we shall protect one another." Thinking after the manner of Shakuni, all the Kauravas then proceeded to that place where the Madras were. Duryodhana also, thus addressed (by his maternal uncle) proceeded, encompassed by a large force, against the foe, uttering leonine shouts and causing the Earth to resound with that noise.
Note - Sakuni's deeds were similar to a freedom fighters or atleast a man loyal to his friends and partners in crime.
"Sahadeva checked Shakuni with all his forces. Nakula cast his glances on the ruler of the Madras from one of his flanks."
"The Pancala prince, Satyaki, and the two sons of Madri by Pandu, received Shakuni and the other Kuru heroes around."
He overpower's emperor yudisther.
Quote:
"The heroic Shakuni assailed Yudhishthira in that battle. The mighty son of Subala, having slain the four steeds of the king, uttered a loud roar, causing all the troops to tremble with fear. Meanwhile, the valiant Sahadeva bore away the heroic and vanquished king on his car from that battle. Then king Yudhishthira the just, riding upon another car (came back to battle), and having pierced Shakuni at first with nine arrows, once more pierced him with five. And that foremost of all bowmen then uttered a loud roar. That battle, O sire, awful as it was, became wonderful to behold."
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What yudisther's next move is?
[quotE]
Then king Yudhishthira, filled with great wrath pierced the son of Saradwat with three arrows winged with gold and whetted on stone, and next slew with four others the four steeds of Kritavarma. Then Ashvatthama bore away the celebrated son of Hridika.
Logic - this proves he lacked the courage needed to confront a brave warrior like Sakuni (the role model to all Pakistanis).
Shakuni was a cunning planner.
[Quote]
"Fight all of ye in front! I, however, will slay the Pandavas from behind."
Point - he had a actual plan to win unlike bhishma, duhsasana etc.
Sakuni alerted the oldest pandava brother.
Quote:
At that time the king of the Gandharas had full 10,000 horse-men capable of fighting with bright lances. During the progress of that great carnage, Shakuni, aided by that force, put forth his valour and assailed the Pandava army at the rear, slaughtering it with his keen shafts. The vast force of the Pandus then broke even as a mass of clouds is dispersed on all sides by a mighty wind. Then Yudhishthira, beholding from a near point his own army routed, coolly urged the mighty Sahadeva, saying "Yonder the son of Subala, afflicting our rear, stayeth, clad in mail! He slaughtereth our forces!"
"Subala's son, however, of great valour prevailing over the Pandavas and longing for victory, began to slay their forces from the rear."
Point - Attacking from behind (the rear) is perfectly fine when the odd's are against you in these special circumstances.
The blood-stained horsemen of the Pandava army then spoke "Having retreated, Shakuni is within his own division. The son of Subala will not again come to battle." Then the sons of Draupadi & those infuriate elephants proceeded to the place where the Pancala prince Dhrishtadyumna, that great car-warrior, was. After all those had gone away, Shakuni, the son of Subala, excited with wrath, once more fell upon Dhrishtadyumna's division and began to strike it.
Once more a dreadful battle took place, in which the combatants were all regardless of their lives, between thy soldiers and those of the foe, all of whom were desirous of slaying one another.
Comment - it reminds me alot of the battle of Chausa. Where sher shah suri tricked humayun.
The pandavas decided to conduct group attacks against the brave son of pakistani soil (gandhar's).
Quote:
"Subala's son once more approached the large host of the Pandavas, with the small remnant of his horse. At this, the Pandavas, inspired with desires of victory and endued with foot-soldiers and elephants and cavalry, all with uplifted weapons, desirous of reaching the end of the hostilities, the Pandavas, forming a wall, encompassed Shakuni on all sides, and began to strike him with diverse kinds of weapons. Beholding those troops of thine assailed from every side, the Kauravas, with horsemen, foot-soldiers, elephants, and cars, rushed towards the Pandavas."
Logic - but sakuni also is mentioned as having a army here (i assume a minor brigade of cavalry troops).
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According to Arjuna it was Sakuni not Karna who was the reason behind Yudisther testing positive for insomnia (the virus which prevents men from sleeping).
Quote;
" Filled with wrath in today's battle, I shall, by slaying the prince of Gandhara with my keen shafts, dispel that sleeplessness which the king has suffered from for a long time!"
Sakuni came for fight with the remnant of his horsemen numbering 7 hundred. Approaching his own soldiers & urging them to battle, he repeatedly said, "You chastisers of foes, fight cheerfully!" And he asked the Kshatriyas present there, saying, "Where is the king, that great car-warrior?" Hearing these words of Shakuni they answered saying "Yonder stayeth that great car-warrior, the Kuru king, there where that large umbrella of splendour equal to that of the full moon, is visible there where those car-warriors, clad in mail, are staying there where that loud noise, deep as the roar of clouds, is being heard! Proceed quickly thither, O king, and thou wilt then see the Kuru monarch!" Thus addressed by those brave warriors, Subala's son Shakuni proceeded to that spot where thy son was staying, surrounded on all sides by unretreating heroes. Beholding Duryodhana stationed in the midst of that car-force, Shakuni, gladdening all those car-warriors of thine.
"Beholding his own army destitute of prowess, thy son, the mighty Duryodhana proceeded to the place where Subala's son was. When the Kaurava cars were broken, 3,000 gigantic elephants encompassed those car-warriors, the five Pandavas. Encompassed by that elephant force the five brothers looked beautiful."
Note - ironic despite all his words of excitement and encouragement bhagwan Sakuni Ji refused to help the brave 3 thousand elephant's. Mysterious are the ways of the lord.
Duryodhan chose Sakuni over Aswathama:
[quote]
Ashvatthama and Kripa, and Kritavarma of the Satwata race, asked all the Kshatriyas there, saying ''Where has Duryodhana gone?" Not seeing the king in that carnage, those great car-warriors all thought thy son to have been slain. Hence, with sorrowful faces, they enquired after him. Some persons told them that after the fall of his driver, he had gone to Subala's son.
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FINAL BATTLE;
"The valiant Sahadeva, as Shakuni rushed quickly towards him, sped showers of swift arrows at that warrior."
"At that time, Uluka also encountered Bhima and pierced him with 10 arrows Shakuni having pierced Bhima with 3 arrows covered Sahadeva with 90."
"Bhima, filled with rage, and Sahadeva of great valour, both endued with great might, careered in that battle, making an immense carnage."
"The heroic and valiant son of Subala's son very forcibly struck Sahadeva on the head with a lance. In consequence of the blow, Sahadeva sat down on the terrace of his car. Beholding Sahadeva in that plight, the valiant Bhima, filled with rage held the whole Kuru army in check."
Note - here it was Uluka who knocked Sahadev out.
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Army Of Sakuni abandoned him he might've still had Uluka though for support.
[qUote]
With his cloth-yard shaft he pierced hundreds & thousands of hostile warriors, and having pierced them so, that chastier of foes uttered a leonine roar. Frightened at that roar, all the followers of Shakuni, with their steeds and elephants, precipitately fled away in fear.
They RETURN:
"Thus exhorted by the king, the followers of Subala's son once more advanced against the Pandavas, making death their goal. Awful was the noise made by those rushing warriors, resembling that of the agitated ocean."
"Beholding those followers of Subala's son thus advancing in battle, the victorious Pandavas proceeded against them. Comforted a little, the invincible Sahadeva pierced Shakuni with 10 arrows & his steeds with 3. He then cut off the bow of Subala's son with a number of other arrows."
Note - the text has been edited by me i order to make it easier to understand, less complex & more readable.
COUNTER ATTACK BY THE LEGEND SAKUNI.
Quote:
"Invincible in battle, Shakuni, took up another bow and pierced Nakula with sixty arrows and then Bhimasena with seven. Uluka also, O king, desirous of rescuing his sire in that engagement, pierced Bhima with seven arrows and Sahadeva with seventy."
Note; This incident of bheem hitting him with 64 arrows in return was already covered (CTRL + F 'final battle with nakul.') so i am excluding that line as this post needs to highlight sakuni's victory or impressive action's instead.
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Quote;
"Beholding his son slain Shakuni with voice choked with tears & drawing deep breaths recollected the words of Vidura. Having reflected for a moment with tearful eyes Shakuni breathing heavily approached Sahadeva & pierced him with 3 arrows. Baffling those arrows sped by Subala's son with showers of shafts, the valiant Sahadeva cut off his antagonist's bow in that battle. Seeing his bow cut off Shakuni, the son of Subala, took up a formidable scimitar & hurled it at Sahadeva."
"The latter however cut off in twain that terrible scimitar as it coursed toward him. Beholding his sword cut Shakuni took up a formidable mace & hurled it at Sahadeva. That mace also, unable to achieve its object, fell down on the Earth. After this, Subala's son, filled with rage, hurled at the son of Pandu an awful dart that resembled an impending death night. With the greatest ease Sahadeva, in that encounter, cut off, with gold-decked shafts, into three fragments, that dart as it coursed swiftly towards him. Cut off into fragments, that dart adorned with gold fell down on the earth."
Attempt to retreat;
"Beholding that dart baffled and Subala's son afflicted with fear, all thy troops fled away in fright. Subala's son himself joined them."
"Then Sahadeva came upon Subala's son as the latter who was still expectant of victory was flying away protected by the excellent cavalry of the Gandharas. Recollecting that Shakuni who had fallen to his share was alive Sahadeva pursued that warrior."
Logic: the reason i include this incident is only to show events which happened in the last moments of his life in a authentic manner and it kind of is a positive feat as it shows the wisdom of bhagvan Shakuni that he runs knowing when the time is correct (live-to-fight-another-day).
Sahadev spoke to Sakuni;
Stringing his formidable bow & drawing it with great force Sahadeva filled with rage, pursued the son of Subala and vigorously struck him with many shafts. Sahadeva having afflicted his foe thus, addressed him, as if for calling back to mind in these words "Adhering to the duties of a Kshatriya, fight & be a man! Thou hadst O fool, rejoiced greatly in the midst of the assembly while gambling with dice! Receive now O thou of wicked understanding the fruit of that act! All those wicked souled ones that had ridiculed us then have perished! Only that wretch of his race Duryodhana is alive & thyself his maternal uncle! Today I shall slay thee striking off thy head with a razor-headed arrow like a person plucking a fruit from a tree with a stick!" Saying these words Sahadeva rushed impetuously against Shakuni. Approaching his enemy the invincible Sahadeva forcibly drawing his bow pierced Shakuni with ten arrows & his steeds with 4.
ANTIM YUDH
"Subala's son was pierced with many arrows in all his vital limbs. Again the valiant Sahadeva sped at Shakuni a shower of arrows. Filled with rage Sakuni alone rushed with speed against Sahadev desirous of slaying him with a golden lance adorned with gold. The son of Madri unleashed a torrent of 3 arrows that cut off Sakuni's weapon & the 2 hand's which wielded it. Sahadeva then placed an arrow that had wings of gold to his bow ad fired it resulting in the decapitation of Sakuni."
"Beholding Shakuni lying headless on the ground and all his limbs drenched with gore, thy warriors, rendered powerless with fear, fled away on all sides with weapons in their hands.
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Sakuni was a wizard;
[quote]
"He used to assume hundreds and thousands of forms. All the illusions, however, of that individual possessed of great deceptive powers, have been burnt by the energy of the son of Pandu. An expert in guile, he had vanquished Yudhishthira in the assembly by his powers of deception and won from him his vast kingdom. The son of Pandu, however, hath now won Shakuni’s life-breaths. Behold, O Krishna, a large number of birds is now sitting around Shakuni. An expert in dice, alas, he had acquired that skill for the destruction of my sons."
[end]
Logic - the real maya pati was Sakuni not Vishnu. Sakuni knew different magic techniques.
Clearly sakuni deserves more respect than hanumana, parshuram and laxman.
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