Yudhishthira and the Questions of the Yaksha
The story of yaksha prashna
During their exile in the forest, the Pandavas faced numerous challenges and trials, but one of the most profound and enlightening was Yudhishthira’s encounter with the **Yaksha** and the series of questions that tested his wisdom, patience, and adherence to dharma.
The Pandavas’ Search for Water
The Pandavas were wandering in the forest, tired and thirsty after a long journey. They reached a point where their thirst became unbearable, and they desperately needed water. Yudhishthira, the eldest, sent **Nakula**, the youngest brother, to search for a water source.
Nakula eventually came across a beautiful lake with clear water. However, as he was about to drink, he heard a mysterious voice warning him, “This lake is protected by me, a Yaksha. Answer my questions before drinking this water, or you will face death.” Ignoring the warning in his thirst, Nakula drank the water and immediately fell lifeless by the lake.
When Nakula did not return, Yudhishthira sent **Sahadeva** to check on him. Sahadeva, too, found the lake, and despite the Yaksha’s warning, drank the water in his haste and fell dead. One by one, **Arjuna** and **Bhima** were sent, but each fell victim to the same fate as they ignored the Yaksha’s warning.
Yudhishthira’s Arrival at the Lake
With all his brothers missing, Yudhishthira became deeply concerned and set off to find them. When he reached the lake, he was horrified to see his four brothers lying lifeless by the water. Grieved but composed, he was about to drink from the lake when he heard the Yaksha’s voice.
The Yaksha warned Yudhishthira not to drink the water until he answered a series of questions. Respectful and aware of the divine nature of the Yaksha, Yudhishthira agreed to answer the questions, understanding that this was a test of his wisdom and character.
The Yaksha’s Questions and Yudhishthira’s Answers
The Yaksha began asking Yudhishthira a series of profound questions about life, dharma, knowledge, and the nature of existence. Each question was designed to test Yudhishthira’s understanding of morality, spirituality, and the duties of a righteous person.
Here are some of the Yaksha’s questions and Yudhishthira’s answers:
1. **Yaksha:** “What is more powerful than the Earth?”
**Yudhishthira:** “A mother, because she bears and nurtures all living beings.”
2. **Yaksha:** “What is faster than the wind?”
**Yudhishthira:** “The mind, as it travels boundlessly and without limits.”
3. **Yaksha:** “What is more numerous than grass?”
**Yudhishthira:** “Thoughts and desires, which spring up endlessly in the minds of people.”
4. **Yaksha:** “Who is truly happy?”
**Yudhishthira:** “A person who has no debts, whether they be financial or moral, is truly happy.”
5. **Yaksha:** “What is the greatest wonder?”
**Yudhishthira:** “Every day, people see others around them dying, yet each one believes they are immortal. This is the greatest wonder.”
6. **Yaksha:** “What is the path?”
**Yudhishthira:** “Following the path of the righteous and the wise who came before us is the way to understand dharma.”
7. **Yaksha:** “What is the most valuable possession for a human?”
**Yudhishthira:** “Wisdom is the most valuable possession, for it guides one through life’s challenges and helps uphold dharma.”
8. **Yaksha:** “What is the greatest duty?”
**Yudhishthira:** “To do good to others and follow dharma without expecting anything in return.”
The Yaksha continued with many more questions, each one as deep and complex as the last. Yudhishthira answered each question with clarity, insight, and humility, demonstrating his understanding of dharma and his unwavering commitment to righteousness.
The Revelation of the Yaksha
Pleased with Yudhishthira’s wisdom and sincerity, the Yaksha finally revealed his true identity. The Yaksha was none other than **Yama**, the god of dharma and death, who was also Yudhishthira’s divine father. Yama had taken this form to test his son’s devotion to dharma, wisdom, and patience. By answering each question thoughtfully and truthfully, Yudhishthira had proved himself worthy of the title **Dharmaraja**—the King of Righteousness.
As a reward for his wisdom, Yama offered to revive one of his brothers. Yudhishthira, always just and fair-minded, asked Yama to revive **Nakula**, the son of his stepmother Madri, to ensure that both his mother Kunti and Madri would have at least one surviving son.
Yama was impressed by Yudhishthira’s sense of fairness and selflessness. Recognizing his impartiality and adherence to dharma, Yama granted life to all four of his brothers, bringing them back to consciousness by the lake.
The Legacy of Yudhishthira’s Wisdom
The encounter with the Yaksha and the profound questions posed by Yama taught Yudhishthira and the Pandavas important lessons about life, duty, and the pursuit of righteousness. This episode underscored Yudhishthira’s qualities of wisdom, humility, and commitment to dharma, which guided him through many challenges in life.
The questions and answers exchanged between Yudhishthira and the Yaksha remain timeless teachings, imparting wisdom on values such as humility, contentment, fairness, and the importance of understanding the impermanence of life. This story also reflects the unwavering dedication of Yudhishthira to dharma, a quality that would ultimately guide the Pandavas to victory and restore righteousness in Bharatavarsha.
Thus, the encounter between Yudhishthira and the Yaksha remains one of the most enlightening and morally rich episodes in the *Mahabharata*, showcasing the power of wisdom, humility, and the steadfast pursuit of dharma.
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