The Enchanted Pool
by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari
Making Connections
Quick Answers
1. Complete the following sentences with reference to the story.
a. In ancient times, fire was kindled by mechanical friction because matches were unknown.
b. Nakula drank the water from the pool in spite of the yaksha's warning because he was intensely thirsty.
c. Yudhishthira was left alone and thirsty because all his brothers died after drinking the water of the pool disobeying the voice of the yaksha.
d. Yudhishthira believed one must give up anger because giving it up, we will no longer be subject to sorrow.
e. The yaksha brought Yudhishthira's brother back to life because he was pleased with Yudhishthira's wisdom.
f. Yama had taken the form of the deer and the yaksha because he wanted to test Yudhishthira's wisdom.
Reference to context
2. "The Pandavas pursued the animal but it was a magic deer which sped in great leaps, decoying the Pandavas far into the forest and then disappeared."
a. When and where did this incident happen?
= The Pandavas had been exiled for twelve years. The stipulated period of twelve years was drawing to a close. The incident took place at that time in the forest where they were living.
b. Why did the Pandavas pursue the animal?
= The Pandavas pursued the animal to rescue the fire-kindler of the sage.
c. How did the Pandavas feel when the animal disappeared?
= The Pandavas felt very much dejected as they could not render even the trifling service to the sage. They realised with sorrow that they had lost their cheerfulness and courage.
3. "There was surely some magic about it."
a. Describe the scene before Yudhishthira's eyes. What comparison does the narrator use to describe it?
= All his brothers were lying dead there beside the pool.
The narrator compared the brothers of Yudhishthira like sacred flagpoles thrown here and there in a chaotic way after a festival.
b. What was his first reaction on witnessing the scene?
= On witnessing the scene, Yudhishthira could not restrain his grief, he wept.
c. Why did Yudhishthira come to the conclusion that there was something magical or supernatural about the event?
= Yudhishthira came to the conclusion that there was something magical or supernatural about the event because the world held no warriors who could overcome his brothers; besides, there were no wounds on their bodies which could have let out life and their faces were faces of men who slept in peace and not of those who died in anger. Moreover there was no trace of the footprints of an enemy.
4. "What is the loss which yields joy not sorrow?"
a. Who asks this question and to whom?
= The yaksha asks this question to Yudhishthira.
b. What is the reply given to this question?
= Anger us the reply given to this question.
c. To what extent do you agree with the reply? Support your answer with a reason.
= I totally agree with the reply.
Anger wastes our calm of mind and snatches our mental stability. We can not decide what is right or what is wrong while being angry. We generally take wrong decisions being angry. And wrong decisions lead us to loose everything we possess.
Read, reflect and write
5. How did Yudhishthira's response to the voice differ from that of his brothers?
= Yudhishthira was a wise man. He knew that the voice could be none other than the words of a yaksha and guessed what had happened to his brothers. He took no time to understand the whole situation.
He also saw a possible way of redeeming the situation. So, he kept his calm and listened to the voice of yaksha. On the other hand, his brothers were impatient and were driven by thirst. They could not take control over their thirst and suffered the wrath of yaksha.
6. Illustrate how happiness is a result of good conduct.
= In reply to yaksha's question, Yudhishthira said that happiness is the result of good conduct. Happiness is the peace and calmness of mind. If we conduct good then it gives us peace and satisfaction. It leaves us no regret. It leads us to the happiness to explore.
On the other hand, evil conduct snatches our peace of mind and we feel anxiety and fear all the time. It can give us pleasure but not peace and happiness. We conduct evil one after the other to cover up the previous evil deed. This leads us to our doom.
7. What blessing did Yama bestow upon Yudhishthira?
= Yama blessed Yudhishthira that only few days remained to complete the stipulated period of their exile in the forest. The thirteen year would also pass by. None of their enemies will be able to discover them. They will successfully fulfil their undertaking.
8. What did the Pandavas gain from their exile?
= The Pandavas had, no doubt, to pass through all sorts of troubles during their exile, but the gains too were not inconsiderable. It was a period of hard discipline and searching probation through which they emerged stronger and nobler men.
9. What is an alternate title you could give this story? Justify your choice with a reason.
= An alternate title I could give this story is 'The Trial of Yudhishthira.'
It was Yama, the Lord of Death, who had taken the form of the deer and the yaksha so that he could test Yudhishthira. He wanted to test the wisdom of Yudhishthira. The whole circle of incidents took place to conduct the test of Yudhishthira. So, I think the another apt title could be 'The Trial of Yudhishthira.'
10. Extended writing : With detailed reference to the story, show what Yudhishthira's answers reveal about his character.
= The first question was what made the sun shine every day. Then Yudhishthira replied that the power of the Supreme made it possible. This reveals that he had immense devotion to the almighty.
The second question was what rescued man in danger. In reply Yudhishthira said courage. Here we can see that he is brave and have courage to face danger.
The next question was what made a man wise. Association with great was his answer. This means that Yudhishthira liked the company of good men.
Then the yaksha asked what was greater than earth. Then Yudhishthira replied that mother is greater than earth. In reply to the question that what was higher than the sky, he replied that father was higher than the sky. Here we can know that he was very good filial relation with his mother.
Then Yudhishthira replied that mind was fleeter than the wind, a sorrow-stricken mind was more blighted than withered straw, learning befriends a travellers and Dharma accompanies a man in death.
Then he said that the Earth is the biggest vessel as it contains all within itself.
All these answers showed the depth of Yudhishthira's wisdom. He was a wise man with lots of knowledge.
Then comes those answers which reveals his moral knowledge. He answered that happiness is the result of good conduct. Abandoning pride, man will be loved by all. Giving up anger, we will no longer be subject to sorrow. Getting rid of desire, man becomes wealthy. These are the very truth of life and of the earth. He was very much intellectual.
The last question and the answer to it is very tricky and the ultimate truth of this world. The yaksha asked that what was the greatest wonder in the world. Then Yudhishthira answered that people seek to live in this world forever in spite of knowing that we all have to depart to Yama's abode someday. This is the truth of life and death. This answer not only pleased yaksha but also opened the other eye of the readers.
About the Author :
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari (1878-1972) was part of the independence struggle, a politician and a writer. He was the last Governor General of India. Educated from Presidency College, Madras, he wrote in both Tamil and English, and received a Sahitya Akademi award for his writing in Tamil. Popular works by the author include a retelling of The Mahabharata and The Ramayana in English.