The youngest of the Pandava brothers, Sahadeva is known for his wisdom and his exceptional devotion to Krishna though he maintains a low profile. Krishna is keen to elicit Sahadeva’s opinion about His mission to Hastinapura that He has undertaken with the hope of averting a war if possible, pointed out Nagai Sri Mukundan in a discourse.
As a Pandava warrior, Sahadeva, smarting under the humiliations they have faced, is all out for war even if his brothers seek peace. He tells Krishna that He should talk in Dhritarashtra’s court in such a way that war and only war should be the result. But the jnani in him surfaces when he says that regardless of what any of them may think or want, it is what He ordains that will come to pass.
Whether Krishna goes as a messenger, whether the kingdom may or may not be given to the Pandavas, or whether it is going to be war or compromise, no one can divine what is in store for all. The entire world is maintained by His Sankalpa. People may think that they are the ones who control their lives and also make an impact and influence on others. But the truth is that even the down-to-earth activity of breathing is not under one’s control and is sustained by His will.
In the Ramayana, the auspicious time and date for Rama’s coronation is decided by none other than the Kula Guru Vasishta and with Dasaratha’s blessings. But it did not happen then and took place only when Rama had planned it to happen. Sahadeva indicates that if Krishna has decided to carry out the war and fulfill the purpose of His avatar, namely to reduce the burden on earth, His own peace mission will not be able to stop it. The future of the Pandavas is in His hands and they are happy it is so.