Sahadeva of Magadha

Sahadeva of Magadha was the king of Magadha and the son of Jarāsandha. He took the Magadha throne after his father died in the duel at Girivraja. He fought on the Kaurava side in the Kurukṣetra war and was killed by Droṇācārya with the Brahmāstra. He is not the same as Sahadeva, the youngest of the five Pāṇḍava brothers.

Identity

Sahadeva of Magadha was the son and successor of Jarāsandha, the great king of Magadha. Bhīmasena killed Jarāsandha, and Kṛṣṇa arranged this before the Kurukṣetra war. The Magadha throne then passed to Sahadeva. Although the Pāṇḍavas had defeated his father, Sahadeva took the side of Duryodhana and brought the Magadha forces to Kurukṣetra.

Death

Droṇācārya killed Sahadeva of Magadha with the Brahmāstra, one of the greatest divine weapons. This happened in the battles of the Droṇa Parva. His death removed the Magadha contingent from the Kaurava army.

His son Meghasandhi

Sahadeva’s son Meghasandhi took the Magadha throne after him.

Years later, the Aśvamedha horse of Yudhiṣṭhira came to Rājagṛha under the guard of Arjuna. Meghasandhi was firm in kṣatriya-dharma (the duty of a warrior), but his judgment was not yet mature. He said that Arjuna was leading the horse about “like a woman” and moved to seize it. Arjuna defeated him in the field. Yudhiṣṭhira had ordered that no king be killed, so Arjuna spared his life and invited him to the coming Aśvamedha.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Droṇa Parva
• Mahābhārata, Aśvamedhika Parva, Chapter 82