03.296
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
For misfortunes there is no limit, no cause, and no reason. But dharma here distinguishes between both merit and demerit. (03-296-1)
Bhima said.
Because of Praatikaami's desire, he brought Kṛṣṇā into the assembly like a servant at that time; since I did not kill him there, doubt then arose because of that. (03-296-2)
Arjuna said.
I have endured the very sharp, bone-penetrating words spoken by the son of Sūta; because of this, doubt has arisen in him. (03-296-3)
Sahadeva said.
O Bhārata, when Śakuni defeated you by dice-playing, since I did not kill him there, because of that we have now fallen into doubt. (03-296-4)
Vaiśampāyana said;
Then King Yudhiṣṭhira said to Nakula, "Climb the tree, O son of Madri, and look in all ten directions." (03-296-5)
See, near the water are trees and also trees that grow by water. These brothers of yours, father, are tired and thirsty. (03-296-6)
But Nakula, having said 'so', quickly climbed the tree and, looking all around, spoke to his eldest brother. (03-296-7)
O king, I see many trees near water and hear the cries of cranes; there is certainly water here. (03-296-8)
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī, who was steadfast in truth, spoke: "Go, gentle one, and quickly bring water very speedily." (03-296-9)
But Nakula, having thus spoken in obedience to his elder brother's command, ran quickly to where the water was and proceeded at once. (03-296-10)
Having seen the clear water surrounded by cranes and desiring to drink, he then heard a voice from the sky. (03-296-11)
Do not commit any rash act, O dear; I was the former possessor (of it). After asking the questions, O son of Mādrī, then drink and take it.
But Nakula, being very thirsty, disregarding that statement, drank the cool water and, having drunk it, indeed fell down. (03-296-13)
As Nakula was delaying, Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī, spoke to his valiant brother Sahadeva, the conqueror of foes. (03-296-14)
O dear Sahadeva, your elder brother is delayed. Bring him, your own brother, here; and you also bring water. (03-296-15)
Sahadeva, having thus spoken, proceeded in that direction; then he saw his brother Nakula lying slain on the ground. (03-296-16)
Afflicted with grief for his brother and greatly tormented by thirst, he rushed toward the water; then he spoke. (03-296-17)
O dear one, do not act rashly; you have my prior consent. After asking your questions, then drink and take as you wish. (03-296-18)
But disregarding that speech, Sahadeva, being thirsty, drank the cool water; and having drunk it, he immediately fell down. (03-296-19)
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Kuntī, said to Vijaya, "Your two brothers, Bibhatsu and the oppressor of foes, have been gone a long time. Please bring them, and also, bring some water for your good." (03-296-20)
Thus, when addressed, Guḍākeśa (Arjuna), having taken up his bow and arrow, with his sword girded on, the wise one took up that arrow. (03-296-21)
Śvetavāhana saw the two brothers, tigers among men, killed there, because they had gone to fetch water. (03-296-22)
Seeing those two as if asleep, the lion among men, exceedingly sorrowful, raised his bow and the son of Kunti surveyed that forest. (03-296-23)
He did not see any creature there in that great forest. Then Savyasachi, being tired, ran toward the water. (03-296-24)
As he was running, then he heard a voice from the sky: "What happened? Are you water? This cannot be achieved by force by you." (03-296-25)
O son of Kunti, if you can answer the questions I have asked, then you will be allowed to drink and take the water, O Bhārata. (3-296-26)
Warded off, Pārtha (Arjuna), while being seen, said: 'Hold back until you are completely pierced by arrows; then you will not speak like this again.' (03-296-27)
Having thus spoken, then Pārtha (Arjuna) showered that entire direction with arrows empowered by missile mantras, demonstrating the act of piercing by sound. (03-296-28)
O bull of the Bharatas, he released arrow-heads, reed-shafted arrows, and broad-headed arrows, and with many masses of arrows, he rained down upon the sky. (03-296-29)
The yakṣa said.
What is the obstacle for you, O Pārtha? Ask the questions first, then drink. But if you drink without asking the questions, you will not exist. (03-296-30)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, having released unfailing arrows, and greatly afflicted by thirst, without even understanding those questions, he drank and immediately fell down. (03-296-31)
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī, spoke to Bhīmasena. Nakula, Sahadeva, Bībhatsu and the undefeated (Arjuna) were also present. (03-296-32)
O Bhārata, those who have gone for water have not returned for a long time; kindly bring them, and you bring drinking water as well. (03-296-33)
Bhīmasena, saying 'so', went in the direction where his brothers—those tigers among men—had been slain. (03-296-34)
Seeing them, the sorrowful Bhima, tormented by thirst, considered the act to be that of the yakṣas and rākṣasas. Then the mighty-armed thought, "Surely, today I must fight." (03-296-35)
Pārtha, Vṛkodara, said, "I shall now drink water." Then the bull among men, thirsty, ran towards the water. (03-296-36)
Yakṣa said;
Do not, O dear son, act rashly out of my former acceptance; but, O son of Kunti, after asking questions, then drink and take. (03-296-37)
Vaiśampāyana said.
Thus, when addressed by the Yakṣa of immeasurable brilliance, Bhima, having drunk without understanding those questions, fell down. (03-296-38)
Then Kuntī’s son, the king, O bull among men, after pondering, rose up with a burning mind, the mighty-armed one. (03-296-39)
He entered the great forest, where the noise of people had vanished, and which was inhabited by deer, boars, and birds. (03-296-40)
O greatly renowned one, the place was adorned with trees of shining dark-blue colors and filled with the songs of bees and birds. (03-296-41)
As he was moving through that forest, the illustrious one saw that lake adorned with a network of gold, as if made by Viśvakarman. (03-296-42)
The lake, covered with clusters of lotuses, sindhuvāra flowers, canes, ketaka and oleander blossoms, and enveloped with pippala trees; when the weary one approached and saw it, he was amazed. (03-296-43)
