Madri used the dynamic power of a magical mantra to summon the Ashvins, two divine horsemen. The Ashvins were sons of the goddess of clouds, Saranyu. Each of the brothers blessed Madri and her husband King Pandu with a son, so she bore two twins. These twin brothers were named Nakula and Sahadeva, and they were the two physicians of the gods, born into majesty. Sahadeva was known as the wisest of all five Pandava brothers, and was a master in medicine, horsemanship, but exceptionally skilled with a sword. Nakula was a professionally skilled equestrian specializing in horse breeding and training.

***

A messenger had arrived to bring Nakula and Sahadeva the bad news. The Greeks had formed a powerful army that was getting stronger by the day, and they were set to invade India to overtake their land. Their tensions immediately rose, and they knew they had to draw on some weapons that would change the game.

So on this day, they were preparing for one of the greatest wars with the Greeks, for the twin Greek heroes, Castor and Pollux, were arriving in India prior to war and they had to find ample weapons. The question was if there was going to be battle solely for land or power, animals, and health as well. Neither knew for sure. Based on the history of encounters with the Greeks, the pair had an intense feeling that for this war they would need the greatest weapons to defend their kingdom. Those weapons included horses, and only the most advanced of horses could lead them into battle. Which side had the greatest of the great horses?

"Sahadeva, where should we begin? There are so many wonderful horses from India."

Sahadeva turned and looked at Nakula confused and then shouted, "Uchchaihshravas!"

Flashes of Uchchaihshravas, dignified, athletic, magnificent, began to fly through Nakula's mind.

"Sahadeva, wasn't he born straight from the Churning of the Ocean?"

"Yes, Nakula."

***

They both began to discuss the great existence of Uchchaihshravas. The Samudra manthan, "the churning of the milk ocean," brought him into the world. Mount Mandara was the churning rod, and Vasuki, king of serpents, the churning rope. The opposing sides of gods and demon caused the churning to rapidly increase as both opposing sides pulled the snake faster and faster. Thousands of immaculate things came of this churn, but the greatest of them all was the greatest horse of them all, Uchchaihshravas.

Out he rose pure as gold and white as cotton. Not only did he spring through with intense strength, but he had seven heads hinting at great intelligence as well. He was one of a kind, and no horse would ever be able to touch the greatness.

***

While they were in deep conversation about the need for Uchchaihshravas, Sahadeva suddenly screamed "Nakula, look, there's Uchchaihshravas!"

Lo and behold, the most majestic horse pranced up to the pair, wings flapping in stride. Their hearts melted and neither of them could speak a word. The Ashwins had close contact with Uchchaihshravas and shared incredible things with the twins, but they'd never actually met Uchchaihshravas in person.

"Asvineya, I have heard so many incredible things about you two. I need you both to take a journey with me. I'm in a crisis right now, and I don't quite know what to do," Uchchaihshravas spoke.

Sahadeva immediately fell to the ground, unconscious, at the appearance of a horse with wings and Uchchaihshravas's ability to communicate with humans. Nakula was overjoyed, trying to force out some kind of sentence.

He pulled the fallen Sahadeva up from the ground and shouted, "I don't care about the war with Greece anymore. We're leaving with Uchchaihshravas, for that is so much more important!"

Sahadeva struggled to awaken and gain consciousness, but agreed without question to helping Uchchaihshravas along the way.

Uchchaihshravas walked right between the two, lowered his head, and urged them to jump astride on his back.

The two jumped on without question of what said crisis was. Uchchaihshravas bolted across the land only making it a few hundred feet, when two strangers halted him in his tracks.

Nakula and Sahadeva gasped in disbelief, for they recognized these two strangers. Both men stood at attention, bulky and stern. They raised their swords as a welcoming, and walked towards the pair on Uchchaihshravas in unison.

"Nakula," one shouted.

"Sahadeva," the other shouted.

Tensions were too high for words at this point...

Image One: Samudra Manthan Wikimedia Commons