One day, a man approached the Pandavas while they were in exile in the forest.
“I need your help, Yudhishthira!” he said, addressing the oldest of the five brothers.
“I had hung some arani from a tree branch next to my ashram,” he continued. “Suddenly, a deer came and started scratching its back on the tree. In the process, it shook the arani, which fell from the branch and got stuck in its horns. Startled, the deer took off at a high speed. I ran behind the deer but couldn’t catch up with it. I can’t start my yagna without the wood. Please, will you help me?”
The Pandavas knew that they could easily get the arani wood back for the man. It was their duty to care for their subjects, so they agreed to help him. The five brothers began to look for the deer. Soon, they saw the animal from a distance and tried to surround it, but it sprinted away. They tried again and again to capture the deer, but it proved too fast for them. Tired, the brothers finally sat down under a tree.
Yudhishthira said to his younger brother Nakula, “Brother, will you fetch some water for all of us?”
Nakula nodded and climbed up a tree so he could locate the nearest water body. He saw one not too far away from them so he got down and told his brother, “There is a pond nearby. I will bring some water for all of you.”
When Nakula reached the pond, he was mesmerised at the fabulous sight in front of him – the crystal-clear water was surrounded by beautiful trees, creepers and flowers. Then he remembered his thirst and stepped into the pond. He wanted to drink a little water before taking it back to his brothers.
Just as he was about to take a sip, there was a loud voice from the skies above. “Don’t drink this water, Nakula.”
Nakula stopped, stood up straight and looked around.
There was nobody in sight.
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