The Deer, The Hunter, and The Pandavas: A Tale of Karma and Consequences – 1
Once upon a time, the Pandavas, who were five brothers exiled from their kingdom, were living in the forest. One day, a deer came running towards them, being chased by a hunter. The deer begged the Pandavas to save his life, and they promised to protect him.
The hunter was a skilled archer and he chased the deer relentlessly. The Pandavas tried their best to stop the hunter, but he was determined to kill the deer. Finally, the hunter shot an arrow and killed the deer.
Suddenly, the deer transformed into a celestial being, and the Pandavas realized that it was a test from the gods. They had failed the test, as they had promised to protect the deer but were unable to do so.
The celestial being then revealed his true form and blessed the Pandavas, saying that they will be victorious in their upcoming battles. He also told them that they will be reunited with their kingdom after thirteen years of exile.
The Pandavas realized their mistake and repented for their failure. They continued to live in the forest and endured many hardships during their exile. But they remained true to their dharma (righteous duty) and continued to follow the path of virtue.
After thirteen years of exile, the Pandavas returned to their kingdom and waged a great war against their cousins, the Kauravas, to reclaim their rightful place on the throne. The war lasted for eighteen days and was a fierce battle between the two sides.
In the end, the Pandavas emerged victorious, but at a great cost. Many of their loved ones, including their teacher and guide, had died in the war. The Pandavas learned many lessons from their journey, including the importance of upholding dharma, staying true to their word, and the consequences of their actions.
This story teaches us that one should always be true to their word and never break a promise, as it can lead to severe consequences. It also reminds us of the importance of staying true to our dharma and never losing sight of our principles, even in the most challenging times.