Chitte , The Enchanted Pool

Chitralekha

1. Welcome

2. The Enchanted Pool - C . Rajagopalachari Part-1 POOL INCIDENT Chitralekha 1 st B.Ed. JSS. Institute of Education Sakleshpur

3. In Mahabharatha, the Pandavas lost everything in the game of dice to the Kauravas and had to live in the forest for tweleve years. During this period they had to constantly more from place to place for safety and to meet their daily needs. One day in the twelfth year, the Pandava brothers wandered deep into the forest in pursuit of a deer.

4. The Sun was hot over head and the five brothers grew more and more weary and thirsty. Yudhistira sank down under a tree to rest and said to Nakul, “Brother, climb that tree and see whether there is any pool or river nearby.” Nakula climbed the tree, look around and said, “At a little distance I see water plants and cranes. There must certainly be water there.”

5. Yudhistira sent him to fetch some water to drink. Nakula was glad when he got to the place and saw there was pool. He was very thirsty him self thought of quenching his thirst first before taking water quiver for his brothers: but no sooner did he dip his hand in the transparent water than he heard a voice said: “Stop! Nakula! Do not drink. This pool belongs to me. O Son of Madri, answer my questions and drink the water”

6. Nakula was surprised, but carried away by his intense thirst and heedless of the warning, he knelt down and began to drink water. At once he began to feel terrible drowsy and he fell down; to all appearance dead. When Nakula did not return for a long time, Yudhistira sent Sahadeva to see what the matter was. Sahadeva also ignored the warning. He drank the water and at once dropped down. When Sahadeva too failed to return, Yudhistira sent Arjuna to see whether the brothers had met with any danger.

7. Arjuna went swiftly. He saw his brothers lying dead near the pool. Heart-broken with grief, he wanted to avenge their deaths. However he too was overwhelmd by a monstrous thirst, which compelled him towards the fatal pool. Again the warming voice was heard, “Answer my questions before you drink the water. This pool is mine. If you disobey me, you’ll follow your brothers.” Arjuna became very angry. He cried,” who are you? Come and stand up to me and I will kill you.” He shot sharp arrows in the direction of the voice.