Prakriti (Mahabharata)

Chapter 36

Prakriti P.O.V

It was our last day of exile in forest, then Agyatvasa for one year will start. One clear morning, a distraught old brahmana arrived there. Breathless from having run through the forest, he cried to Brother Yudhishtira, "Help me, O king! You must help me or my worship will be ruined". Brother looked at him in calm manner as he continued his crying and sat down on the ground.

"What happened, Muni, to disturb your worship?" Elder Brother asked.

"A stag took my arani sticks with it as I kindle it for scared fire, it is same sticks my Grandfather and Father used, I can't start my worship without them, please help me" he cried joining his hands in pleading gesture, Elder Brother sat in front of him and put both of his hands on Brahman's hand lowering them "Me and my family will help you" he responded with a promise and turned towards us. I barely nodded my nod "Brahman, can you tell me in which direction the stag ran away?" I asked him, he quickly pointed at the direction. "Lets go" Elder Brother ordered to us, I joined them because I am well aware of the nature and animals, with my help we can find the stag fast. With our weapons, we ran in the direction Brahman pointed to us. We looked around for the stag but couldn't find it anywhere, there was no sign of it, it was almost two hours that we were searching for it.

Panting we sat under a fine pipal tree, everyone were exhausted except Brother Bheem who looked frustrated and it was ordinary because we were unable to find Stag yet and it is a dharma to help needy specially, a rishi. "Why are we cursed like this?" Nakula started saying in distraught. I frowned turning my gaze at him "What do you mean Nakula?" I asked him, if we are unable to find Stag now doesn't means we can't find it, we will start our search again. "In times of misfortune, troubles never come singly. It is to be a trial that they come and we hardly know why: whether for any fault of ours or not. All we can do is bear them resolutely" Brother Yudhisthira responded, Brother Bheem quickly intervened in the conversation. "Suffering is always punishment for past sins. And I know what my sin is: I should have never left Dusasana and Duryodhana alive after what they did to Panchali!" he gritted his teeth, his anger rising. Arya nodded his head "I should have never spared Karna after what he said to her that day. But I let him live and I am paying for my sin" his fist was clenched in anger, I sighed and looked at them "Anger is not the solution of the problem, everything happens for a reason and we just have to wait for the right time because Dharm path is always correct" I said trying to let them understand that mulling over the past won't be any good for us, we have to move towards future.

Elder Brother smiled "Prakriti is right, we can't dwell on the past, thirst churns our mind thats why we are getting irritated and frustrated. Nakula, my brother, climb this tree and see if there is any water nearby" he said and sighed, Nakula nodded his head and climbed up the tall tree looking for any water source. 

"I see a lake through the trees, not far from here" he called down.

Everybody sighed in relief, we all were parched right now, in need of water. Nakula climbed down from the tree and looked at us "I will fetch some water quickly" he said and ran through the forest where he saw the lake. Until then we waited for him to come back. We waited for almost one hour but there was no sign of him "He should have been back by now" I said aloud in worry. Elder Brother nodded "The lake was not so far that he should be this long. Go and see what has happened to him" Brother sent Sahadeva in the same direction Nakula went. Another half-hour went by, then Arya said, "I fear they are in some trouble. Shall I go and find them?" he asked in concern, Elder Brother gave permission to leave. I felt troubled with their disappearance.

Something is not right there!

"I can't wait anymore, I have to go" Brother Bheem said and stood up from the ground looking at us. "I will come with you" I said standing up as well, he shook his head "Don't worry, I will be back real quick" he responded and went away, I turned my gaze towards Elder Brother who looked parched and bothered. We waited for half an hour more for everyone to return but there was no sign of them. I huffed and stand up "Give me permission to go, Elder Brother" I said, he shook his head and slowly stood up "I can't let you go until I am here, it is my duty to protect you and my brothers" he said, his voice coming out weak due to thirst. I shook my head "Remember Elder Brother, you are our Jyesth if there is some trouble let me handle it before it reach to you" I responded, I have to see and check it out myself. He sighed but slowly nodded his head "Very well, come back soon with them" he said in concern, with a quick nod I walked towards the direction where other Pandavas went. As I walked further, I had a eerie feeling of entering in a charmed place. The trees were all unfamiliar and the birds sang songs which I never heard.