By Sri Chiraan 2009/06/17
When there are benefics in the 2 ,3 4 or 11, then lost
articles are recovered.
As Pandavs were living peacefully in the forest after Karna and Duryodhan were rescued by Arjun from gandharva Chitrasen. A Bramhin one day
came by to the place where pandavs were dwelling.
Bramhin had his arani carried away by a deer. What is arani?
In olden days Bramhins resorted to Agnihotra everyday.
Agnihotra required the fire to be lit in the Homa Kunda. This fire was lit with
the help of sticks known as Arani. Two Arani sticks when rubbed caused fire to
be lit through kusha and samit.
As Arani was carried away by the deer stuck in its horns.
Bramhin came to Pandavs to get back the Arani from the deer which might be
wandering in the forest.
All the five brothers set out into the forest. They looked
into the direction where deer hoofs were found. They chased the deer deep into
the forest, and deer suddenly vanished.
All the five brothers were tired and thirsty due to
prolonged chase.
Nakul sad at the events and failure thus spoke to Yudhisthir, "Oh elder one, as far as I know our ancestors have never turned down the
request of the subjects. Neither did we ever fail in our daily oblations and
prayer towards the Lord. Nor do I remember a day when we have sinned or missed
a vow. Then what caused our failure to catch this deer".
Sahadev said "I did not make any mistakes in my life except
when Shakuni deceived in the dice, I should have killed him then and there, but I failed to do so, thus today because of that karma seeing this day of
exhaustion and failure".
Arjun too claimed "he should have slit the throat of Karna as
he uttered those words to Draupadi".
Bheema agreed with them, but Yudhisthir said, which karma we
are reaping now is in the hands of Yama [dharma], so we cannot exactly be
reaping instantaneous karma. Strange are the ways of destiny known only to
Dharma.
Yudhisthir then ordered Nakul to look for water nearby.
Nakul climbed the tree and saw a watery bushes and cranes flying. Thus He told
nearby a pond must be there. Yudhisthir ordered to bring water to quench the
thirst.
Nakul went to the Pond. Dharma disguised as baka bird warned "oh son answer my question and then drink, else you shall die".
Nakul without paying heed drank the water and lay still.
Sahadev went and similarly laid still.
Arjun went and listening to the voice looked in all
directions, took a arrow and hit the shabdavedhi arrow to cover entire pond
with arrows.
Yama said "why this much of effort just answer few questions
and drink".
Arjun did not pay heed.
Bheema to did not pay heed and laid still.
To answer the questions and take water would be akin to
using Vidya for self-sustenance. This is not allowed for kshatriyas. Thus
even if these knew the answers. They preferred death than foregoing Dharma.
Yudhisthir, however in order to revive his brothers thought
to answer the Yaksha.
Yaksha asked many questions. Yudhisthir answered them
successfully.
Happy with dharma’s son answers, Yama said he would revive
only one of the brothers.
Yudhisthir asked Nakul to be revived.
Yama said, "Yudhisthir, everyone knows Bheema is quiet dear
to you, he is the one who has brought kingdom to you, and he is the one you are
relying to gain back Kingdom from Duryodhan. Why did you then choose Nakul to
be revived".
Yudhisthir said, "oh noble one, you seem not to be ordinary
yaksha for none in this entire universe except celestials can put these to
slumber. Neither these brothers of mine have turned pale due to poison of pond.
It seems your maya has made them so, but I chose Nakul
because I am the surviving son of Kunti. My father’s other wife Madri, is also
equally a mother to me. It is for that her son should also be alive I asked Nakul".
Yaksha happy with Yudhisthir revived all the brothers. Revealing himself as Yama, as father of Yudhisthir. Yama said it was to test
him, he disguised as deer took the Arani of the Bramhin. Pleased he asked
Yudhisthir to seek a boon.
Yudhisthir asked "let this Bramhin never fail in his
agnihotra".
Yama happy asked Yudhisthir to seek another boon. Yudhisthir
said "12 years have completed in forest, 13th year is to commence, they have
to live incognito [in disguise]. Let no one recognise them in this year".
Yama replied "I give you all a boon to assume any form of
your choice, as long as you wish and resume at your will. No one will be able to
recognise you all by my boon, even if you all are in original forms".
Yudhisthir said "as they are all born to devatas, they have naturally very high radiance, far superior to ordinary men and kings. This would
definitely raise a suspicion in the minds of people and Duryodhans’ spies may
easily target them".
Yama by his maya reduced their lustre. Assured them they
would never be recognised.
Pleased with Yudhisthir, Yama asked to seek another boon, Yudhisthir
asked to ever remain in Dharma. Yama blessed it to be so, as to become very
nature of Yudhisthir.
Happily Pandavs returned the Arani to Bramhin. Went to
Virat for Agnyat Vasa.
Krishnarpana
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