Shakuni

Shakuni

“This thy maternal uncle Sakuni is, O king, 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.” – The Mahabharata, Book 5: Udyoga Parva: Uluka Dutagamana Parva: section CLXVIII
Shakuni was the prince of Gandhara Kingdom in present-day Gandhara, later to become the King after his father’s death. He is the main antagonist in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He was the brother of Gandhari and hence Duryodhana’s maternal uncle. Shakuni was killed by Sahadeva on the 18th day of the Kurukshetra War.
“Satyaki, having pierced Shakuni with twenty keen arrows, easily cut off the standard of Subala’s son with a broadheaded arrow. The valiant son of Subala, filled with rage, O king, 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, O monarch, with three arrows. With great speed then, he despatched with other shafts the steeds of Shakuni to Yama’s abode. Speedily alighting then, O bull among men, from his car, Shakuni, that mighty car-warrior, quickly ascended the car of Uluka. The latter then bore away with great speed his father from Sini’s grandson, that warrior skilled in battle. Then Satyaki, O king, rushed in that battle against thy army with great impetuosity, at which that army broke. Shrouded with the arrows of Sini’s grandson, thy army, O monarch, fled away on all sides with great speed, and fell down deprived of life.”- The Mahabharata, Book 8: Karna Parva: Section 61

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