Once the Pandavasm the sons of King Pandum had to spend twelve years in the forest. They were five in number-Yudhishthiram Bhimam Arjunam Nakula and Sahdeva.
One day they chased a deer in the forest. The deer got away, and the Pandavas sat tired and worn under a banyan tree. Yudhishthira said to Sahdeva, "My dear brother, I am feeling very thirsty. find out some pool and bring for me water in your quiver ( arrow-case ) ."
Sahdeva went in search of a pool. He upon one. He was burning with thirst himself. So he furst duooed gus gabds ub tge ckear abd cool water. "STOP!" came voice. "I am the master of this pool. You must answer my questions before you have a drink." Sahdeva saw no one about. He dcooped up some water and drank it. He fell down at the edge of the pool and laid as if died.
Yudhishthira waited a long while for Sahdeva. Then he sent Nakula to see what had happened.
Nakula soon found the pool and his brother lying on its edge. But a great thirst was upon him. He sat down and put his hands in the water.
"STOP!" that voice came again.
"Answer my questions before you drink or you will die."
Without paying any attention to this threat, Nakula drank the water, fell down and lay stretched beside Nakula.
Yudhishthira sent out Arjuna and Bhima one after the other. They met with the same fate as Sahdeva and Nakula.
At last, Yudhishthira himself went to the magic pool. He saw his brothers lying on the edge of the pool. He bent down to satisfy his thirst.
"STOP!" came that voice. I am the master of this pool.
"Anwer my questions first or you will die like your brothers."
"Ask your questionsn," said Yudhishthira.
The voice asked. "What makes the sun ride every day and shine on the world ?"
Yudhishthira replied, "The power of Creator."
"What comes to the help of a man in danger ?" asked the voice.
"His own courage," reploed Yudhishthira.
"What comes to the help of a man in danger ?" asked the voice.
"His own courage," reploed Yudhishthira.
"What teaches wisdom to a man ?" the voice asked. "The company of the wise." Yudhishthira replied. After that the voice asked many questions and Yudhisthira replied to them. Then Yama, the God of Death, appeared before Yudhisthira.He said , "That voice was mine, Yudhisthira, and I am satisfied with your wise anwers. Ask any one of your brothers to wake up and ge shall wake up." Yudhishthira woke up Sahdeva. And then Yama asked Nakula, Arjuna and Bhima to arise. They arose.

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