Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.1178

c8.1178

Nakula was then sent to the kingdoms of the west for regional conquest, by Dharmaputra. The wealth of the kingdoms he had conquered, was carried on ten thousand camels to the capital Hastināpura. (M.B. Sabhā Parva, Chapter 32). After the Rājasūya (imperial consecration) of Yudhiṣṭhira, Nakula went to Gāndhāra to escort Subala and his sons. After the defeat of Yudhiṣṭhira in the game of dice, the Pāṇḍavas went to live in the forest. At that time Nakula put soil all over his body and sat on the ground because of his profound grief. In the forest, once Jaṭāsura carried away Nakula. (See under Jaṭāsura). Nakula killed Kṣemaṅkara, Mahāmaha and Suratha in the forest. At Dvaitavana (a forest) Nakula went to a lake to fetch water and was killed by Dharmadeva who appeared in the form of a crane. At the request of Dharmaputra, who came afterwards, all the Pāṇḍavas including Nakula were brought to life again, by Dharma. During the pseudonymity of the Pāṇḍavas at the city of Virāṭa, Nakula assumed the name Granthika. When the period of pseudonymity expired, Nakula fought with the Trigartas on behalf of the King Virāṭa. On the return of the Pāṇḍavas after the expiry of their forest-life and pseudonymity, when Duryodhana announced that he would give not even a single dot of land to them, Nakula was very eager to decide the matter by a battle. He proposed that the King Drupada should be made the chief captain of the army.
3) Nakula in the Bhārata-battle. The following is the part played by Nakula in the battle of Kurukṣetra.
(i) There was a combat between Nakula and Duśśāsana on the first day of the battle. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 45, Stanza 23).
(ii) Nakula fought with Śalya and was wounded. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 83).
(iii) He fought with Śakuni. (M.B. Bhīṣma Parva, Chapter 105, Stanza 11).