आरणेय पर्व — नकुल आदि का देहान्त

Yudhishthira said : There is no limit to misfortunes and neither their effects nor their causes can be ascertained. It is Dharma who distributes the fruits of both virtue and sin.

Bhima said: We have met with this disaster, because I did not slay Pratikami when he dragge Krishna into the assembly hall like a slave.

Arjuna said: As I did not present those very sharp and biting words, piercing the very bones, uttered by the son of Suta, so we have met with this calamity.

Sahadeva said : This calamity, O Bharata, has overtaken us because I did not kill Shakuni when he defeated you at the game of dice.

Vaishampayana said : Then, king Yudhishthira said to Nakula "O son of Madri, climbing this tree look around the ten points.

O affectionate one, as these your brothers are fatigued and thirsty, so see whether any water or trees growing by water-side, are near.”

Nakula too saying “be it so" soon ascended a tree. And casting his looks around said to his eldest brother thus,

"O king, I see numerous trees growing near water and also hear the cries of the Sarasas. Therefore, surely water must be somewhere here."

Thereupon, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, firm in truth, said "O beautiful one, do go (there) and soon bring water in the quivers."

Saying “be it so" Nakula, at the command of his eldest brother, quickly, proceeded towards the spot where the water was and soon reached it.

And seeing the transparent water surrounded by cranes, as he was desirous of drinking of it, he heard these words from the firmament.

The Yaksha said: O child, do not venture to do this. I have got possession of it before. O son of Madri, first answer my questions and then drink of it and carry it away.

Nakula, (however), who was very thirsty, disregarding these words, drank the cool water. But as (soon) as he drank it he fell dead.

Seeing Nakula's delay, Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, said to his heroic brother Sahadeva, the tormentor of his foes,

“O Sahadeva, our brother (Nakula) who was born (just) before you, has been long out. Go and bring him and also water.

Saying “be it so,” Sahadeva proceeded towards that direction and he then beheld his brother Nakula lying dead on the ground.

Sorely afflicted at the death of his brother and oppressed with thirst, as he made for the water he heard these words.

"O child, do not venture this. It has been before obtained possession by me. First answer my questions and then drink water and carry it away.”

Sahadeva, as he was thirsty, despising those words drank the cool water and as he drank he fell dead.

Then Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, said to Vijaya (Arjuna) “O Vivatsu, O tormentor of foes, your brothers (Nakula and Sahadeva) have been long out.

May you be in peace. Go and bring them and also water. O affectionate one, you are the refuge of all of us when in distress."

Thus spoken to, the intellectual Gudakesha taking up his bow together with arrows and his naked sword soon proceeded towards that lake.

(Having arrived at that lake), Shvetavahana beheld his two brothers, those most valiant of men, who came to fetch water, lying dead.

And that lion amongst men, beholding them as if buried in slumber, became very afflicted, And then the son of Kunti upraising his bow looked around that forest.

But he beheld no creature in that great forest. And oppressed with fatigue, Savyasachi made for the water.

And as he rushed (towards the water) he heard these words from the firmament “Why are you coming towards the water You will not। be able to drink of it forcibly.

O son of Kunti, O Bharata, if you can answer the questions put by me, then you may drink of the water and take it away.”

Thus forbidden, Partha said "come to my presence and then prevent me. You will not speak again in this strain when I will rive you with darts."

Saying this, Partha displaying his skill in hitting at an invisible object by sound alone, entirely covered all the sides by discharges of arrows inspired with the mantras,

O best of the Bharatas, oppressed with thirst, he began to hurl barbed darts, javelins, Narachas and numerous infallible arrows.

And he discharged at the firmament innumerable darts.

The Yaksha said: Partha, your exertions are to no purpose, (First) answer my questions and then drink

If however you drink before answering my questions, you will die as soon as you will drink. Thus addressed, the son of Pritha, Dhananjaya who could draw his bow by his left hand. Disregarding those words, as he drank, fell dead.

Then, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti spoke to Bhimsena, “O tormentor of foes, O Bhimasena Nakula, Sahadeva and Vivatsu have been long out to fetch water and they have not come as yet. You are to bring them as well as water.

May you be blessed.” Saying “be it so" Bhimasena proceeded towards that place, where his brothers, those most valiant of men, lay dead. Afflicted at seeing them (dead) and oppressed with thirst.

That mighty-armed one considered (within himself). “This act must have been done by some Yaksha or Rakshasa." And he thought (further) “I will have surely to fight today.

Let me therefore, (first) drink water.” Then, Vrikodara, the son of Pritha and the best of the Bharatas, desirous of drinking, rushed towards the water.

The Yaksha said: O child, do not attempt it. It has already been in my possession, (first) answer my questions and then drink water and carry it away (for your brother).

Thus addressed by that Yaksha of unrivalled energy, soon as Bhima without answering his questions, drank of it, he fell down dead.

Then that best of men, the royal son of Kunti of mighty arms, whose heart was burning in grief, after much deliberation rose up and entered that mighty forest where no sound of human voice could be heard. It was inhabited by rurus, boars and birds.

Adorned with trees of blue and bright colours and ringing with the hum of bees and warbling of birds. And that highly renowned.

And illustrious one, entering into the forest saw that lake beautified with gold-coloured filaments, looking as if it had been made by the Architect of the universe.

Adorned with rows of lotuses, Sindhuvara flowers together with cane trees and covered all over with Ketakas, Karaviras and Pippalas. Oppressed with fatigue, he approached that lake and was wonder-struck at what he saw.