So the Rajah of Sindhu had to prostrate himself before Yudhishthira as a humble menial. Thereafter he departed in his shame and went unto his own country. When the twelfth year of exile was nigh to an end, the Pandava brethren bethought them to leave the forest. But ere they went a strange and dread adventure threatened them with dire disaster. It chanced that a stag carried away upon its antlers the twigs with which a Brahman was wont to kindle his holy fire. The Brahman appealed to Yudhishthira to pursue the animal, and the Pandavas endeavoured in vain to kill it or recover the sacred twigs. Weary with the chase, they at length sat down to rest. They were all athirst, and one of them climbed a banyan tree to look for signs of water, for birds ever flutter over pools. When it was discovered that a pond was nigh, Yudhishthira sent Nakula towards it. The young man approached the water, and ere he stooped he heard a Voice which said: “Answer thou what I shall ask of thee ere thou dost drink or draw water.” But Nakula's thirst was greater than his fear, and he drank of the waters; then he fell dead. Sahadeva followed him, wondering why his brother tarried. He too gazed greedily upon the pool, and he too heard the Voice, but heeded not and drank; and he fell dead also. Arjuna next went towards the water. The Voice spake to him, and he answered with anger: “Who art thou that wouldst hinder me thus? Reveal thyself, and mine arrows will speak to thee.” Then he drew his bow, and his shafts flew thick and fast as raindrops. But his valour was as naught, for when he drank he also fell dead like the others. Bhima followed him, and stooped and drank, unheeding the Voice, and he was stricken down like to Arjuna and Nakula and Sahadeva. At length wise Yudhishthira approached the pond. He beheld his brethren lying dead, and sorrowed over them. Then, as he drew nigh to the water, the Voice spake once again, and he answered it, saying: “Who art thou?” The Voice said: “I am a Yaksha. I warned thy brethren not to drink of this water until they had answered what I should ask of them, but they disregarded my warning and I laid them in death. If thou wilt answer my questions thou canst, however, drink here nor be afraid.” Said Yudhishthira: “Speak and I will answer thee.” The Voice said: “Who maketh the sun to rise? Who keepeth him company? Who maketh the sun to go down? In whom is the sun established?” Said Yudhishthira: “Brahma maketh the sun to rise; the gods accompany him; Dharma maketh the sun to set; in truth is the sun established.” The Voice said: “What sleepeth with open eyes? What moveth not after birth? What is that which hath no heart? What is that which swelleth of itself?” Said Yudhishthira: “A fish doth sleep with open eyes; an egg moveth not after birth; a stone hath no heart; a river swelleth of itself.” The Voice said: “What maketh The Way? What is called Water? What is called Food? What is called Poison?”