Reading the MahABhArat: DharmaRAj and Yaksha Prashna
Many amongst you would remember the story of DharmaRaj and the “Yaksha Prashna” (Questions of the “Yaksha*”). I stumbled on these questions a few weeks ago on a Dr Srinivasan’s website . Dr Srinivasan has used the “Yaksha Prashna” as an anchor to write a primer aimed at inculcating moral and ethical values amongst the young and the children. I had almost forgotten this story until I re-read it a few weeks ago. It is a story worth telling. Some excerpts from “Yaksha Prashna” by Dr A Srinivasan
This episode is found in the Aranya Parva of the epic, the Mahabharata. The sons of Paandu (the Paandavaas) along with their wife Draupadi are nearing the end of their twelve-year exile in forests. They are due to begin the thirteenth and final year, which they are required to spend undiscovered.
In ancient days, it was the practice of certain brahmins to do homaas and havanaas as a part of their daily rituals and worship. One of the most essential tools needed in this practice is, of course, the device that can generate fire. This consists of two wooden pieces, a rod and a bow, the latter producing a churning action of the rod supported on a firm base of stone or wood. The churning action results in friction and heat at the support and any fibrous material at the base of the support catches fire, ready for use in a ritual.
Continued below…
Image Courtesy: Wikipedia (A stone carving of Yudhisthir at Vishnu Temple, Deogar)
One day one such brahmin, an agnihotri, came rushing to the Pandavas and begged for help. He had, it seems, hung the fire- drilling sticks in a tree. A passing stag happened to stop and rub his body on the trunk of this tree and, in the process, the sticks got entangled in the articulated horns of the animal. The stag fled, struggling in vain to rid himself of this unwanted burden; and the more he shook his head, the more firmly did the fire-sticks get wedged in his antlers. The poor brahmin now wanted the Pandavas to pursue the fleeing animal and recover the sticks.
The Pandavas believed that it was the duty of kshatriyas (3) to provide any and all help and protection to those who practiced their dharma. Therefore they proceeded forthwith fully armed in pursuit of the stag. While they soon caught sight of the stag, their attempts to stop the animal failed and more running and more huffing and puffing ended in the tiring of the party.
Not only had the quest failed, they ended up hungry, thirsty, tired, angry and frustrated. The brothers sat down finally to rest under the cool shade of a large tree…(Being thirsty and tired) Yudhishthira instructed Nakula to climb a tree nearby to locate any sources of water in the vicinity so that they could quench their thirst. Nakula did so and informed Yudhishthira that there was indeed a cluster of trees not too far off and that he could hear the cries of water cranes.
Yudhishthira suggested that Nakula go to the pond and fetch some water in a quiver. Nakula, after walking a short distance, located a beautiful spot, a crystal clear lake, surrounded by trees, flowers and birds. Nakula was overjoyed. His first instinct was to enjoy a cool drink himself, as long as he was already there. So he descended to the water’s edge and prepared to scoop up some refreshing water. As he was about to do so, he heard a strong and clear voice of warning:
“Maa taata saahasam karsheermama poorva parigrahah prashnaanuktva tu madreya pibasva ca harasva ca”
“Do not dare to touch that water, my dear child. You must first answer my questions. . .”
Nakula thought that he must be hearing things due to sheer fatigue and so he ignored the warning, drank the water and immediately fell dead.
When Nakula did not return within a reasonable time, Yudhishthira suggested that Sahadeva go and take a look at what was delaying him. Sahadeva arrived on the scene and was shocked to see Nakula lying as though asleep…(as he proceeded to get some water) He heard the same warning, ignored it and, upon attempting to drink, also fell dead.
Now it was Arjuna’s turn to determine what had happened. He proceeded with his Gandiva bow in his hand, suspecting some trouble. Upon arriving at the lake he was stunned to see his brothers lying as though dead…(Arjun) heard the same warning…but (instead of ignoring it), he challenged the being to show itself and shot several arrows in the direction from which the voice came. He only received further and more stern warning.
Arjuna challenged the voice by saying, “Stop me if you can,” proceeded to drink the water and fell down dead. Some short time later, Bhima arrived and had the same fate.
Now Yudhishthira was clearly worried. Wondering about the possibilities of harm befalling his dear and powerful brothers, he decided to go in search of them. When he arrived at the lake, he could not believe the dreadful sight before him. All four brothers dead on the ground! Yudhishthira sat beside them and lamented. All his hopes were shattered now. How would he ever be able to recover his lost kingdom without the help of his able, powerful brothers? He grieved for a while and then began to look around to determine the reason for these deaths. He said to himself,
“Naishaam shastra praharosti paadam nehasti kasyacit bhutam mahadidam manye bhrataro yena me hatah”
There are no signs of violence on their bodies, no footprints anywhere. The killer must be a supernatural being.
He wondered if Duryodhana had had the pool poisoned. He ruled it out because the faces of the dead brothers looked calm and serene. Convincing himself that it must have been some supernatural being, he approached the water’s edge to fetch some water to begin the last rites for his brothers.
Then he heard a sudden voice:
“Tavaanujah mayaa preta vasham nita. .Na chet prashnaan prcchato vyakaroshi tvam pancamo bhavita. . .”
I am the cause of your brothers’ death, You shall be the fifth victim if you do not answer my questions. . .
Yudhishthira asked, “Who are you? Are you a rudra, vasu, or marut (5)? You must be strong to be able to put to death these powerful brothers of mine. Your feat is remarkable because neither gods, antigods, gandharvaas nor rakshasaas (6) could stand up to my brothers. But why? What do you want? Noble one! Why are you here? Who are you?”
The voice replied: “I am a Yaksha (7), Yudhishthira. May you prosper.”
As he heard these words, Yudhishthira saw before his eyes a form developing; a massive tall body with grotesque eyes, burning like the fire of the sun, and a voice like thunder: “I warned your brothers. But they would not listen to me. So now they are dead. This pool belongs to me and unless you answer my questions you shall not even touch this water.” Yudhishthira replied:
“Na caham karnaye yaksha tava poorva parigraham, Yathaa prajnam tu te prashnaan prati vakshyami prccha maam
I have no desire to take what is yours, Ask me and I will answer as best as I can
Thus begins Dharmaraja’s attempt to answer the Yaksha’s questions. I have never read anything so beautiful, so subtle, so deep with layers of significance as these questions and answers. Through Yudhishthira, Bhagawan Vyaasa has distilled the entire philosophy of the Hindus into an enquiry comprising some one hundred questions. The questions cover a lot of ground and a wide range, jumping from one topic to another. ..These questions and their answers are as important, as relevant and as significant today as they were when Yudhishthira stood with palms folded, by the side of his dead brothers, and attempted to do his best in meeting the Yaksha’s challenge.
These answers have guided the lives of Hindus for a thousand and more years. Let us study them. Let each of us become a Yudhishthira and face the questions exercising the best in us. Let these questions and the answers to these questions be the torchlight that lead us from darkness, give us peace and comfort at times of stress. Let these questions and answers be talked about, meditated and debated until each of us has had our fill, has satisfied our thirst for this ancient, eternal philosophy of the Hindus…
Below a small sample of the questions posed by the Yaksha…
What is weightier than earth? Â Â Â Mother
What is taller than the sky? Â Â Â Father
What is faster than the wind? Â Â Â Mind
What is more numerous than grass? Â Â Â Thoughts…
What treasure is the best? Â Â Â Skill
What wealth is the best? Â Â Â Education
What is the greatest gain? Â Â Â Health
And the greatest happiness? Â Â Â Contentment
Related Posts:
Of Niti, Nyaya, Bhagavad-Gita and Misrepresentations
* “Yaksha” can loosely be translated as a benign spirit, demi-god or “Deva-swarup” who frequently appears in Hinduism’s sacred stories as a protector of natural treasures and wealth.
Beautiful.
My favorite question was when the Yaksha asked Yuddhishtira what was the most wondrous thing in the world.
Yuddhishtra says that people who see thousands of others die every day themselves think they will live forever. This is the greatest wonder.
Shantanu,
Thx for a refresher. This kind of stimulating discussion makes one contemplate on the bigger picture than the ones we look at on a daily basis. The ancient scripts of the Sanathan Dharma are indeed wondrous in their abilities to create discussion than hand down commandments.
Very interesting discussion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ-JCt24nFE&feature=related
Please see all the 16 parts
Our Dharma has got many gems like this
which are to be brought to the notice of
our tech savy younger genration.
In this regard I extend my heartfelt appreciation
for your yeoman service.
Thanks for the reminder Shantanu,
Here are a couple of points:
1. There still are nearly 100+ agnihotris in India, mainly in very sacred places. It is said that when their number in bhaaratavarshaa becomes 0, then is the time for end of the yuga/kalpa. When you go to these places, don’t search for them over there. They are absent because of their inconspicuous presence!!
2. What is striking is: paaNDavaas were set to chase a deer, much like Lord Rama.
In raama’s case, it is well known because of sItA’s kaama (desire) for the golden-hue of the deer, which Rama could not, but oblige. (Wasn’t she His saha-dharmachaariNi!!) The result was delusion and pain: loss of his priya-sakhi, though it did not last too long. In the end the main means of raavaNa-vadha was done, establishing the divinity of raama.
In paaNDavaa’s case, it is dharma which made them to chase the deer: the kshaatra dharma by which they should protect the agni kaarya’s of brahmins. The end though difficult indeed, resulting in very brief difficulties: “loss” of his brothers. The latter of course again was the daiva-liila (play of the gods), resulting in more tests and tests, eventually helping them in the long run: reach divinity!
Summarizing: It is Lila that the purushhottama-raama “gets deluded” by the mAya of a raaxasaa seemingly because of kaama. It is daiva-liila (play of the gods) that dharma makes Pandavas take more and more tests, because of their abidance to dharma. Ah the beauty of sanaatana-dharma symbolism!
3. Many people are stumped by the question: Who is the equivalent of Rama (of Ramayana) in Mahabharata? They reply as Krishna. The answer of course is: Yudhishtira. He played by the rules, never moved away from it because it was His duty to do so. He was a shreshhTa, as in 3rd chapter of Gita.
Ramakrishna
The four brothers were unconscious post drinking the water and not dead
@ Anupam: Thanks…but credit must go to Dr Srinivasan for the effort and the translation…
@ Bhagwad: “Yuddhishtra says that people who see thousands of others die every day themselves think they will live forever. This is the greatest wonder.” So true. Well said.
@ DD: The ancient scripts of the Sanathan Dharma are indeed wondrous in their abilities to create discussion than hand down commandments. That is right. I believe that is one of the reasons why the texts have survived so long and are still treasured.
@Raj: If you are going to suggest a link or articles for readers, it would help greatly if you take an extra monite or two to search for the appropriate link and put it there rather than adding it to just any thread. That way it will really help the discussion instead of derailing it.
Pl use the “Search” boxes to find the appropriate thread/post. Your link would have been mroe appropriate here (as an example): https://satyameva-jayate.org/2009/05/15/islam-hindutva-zakir-naik-part-2/
@Gopalkrishnan: Thanks must go to Dr Srinivasan and others…
@ Ramakrishna: Thanks for a great comment..very thought-provoking..
@ Rohit: You may be right…This is what I recall from my childhood too…The post above is simply an extract from Dr Srinivasan’s translation but I will ask him. Thanks.
@Rohit
I think you are right, I remember they being Murchhit.
Anupam
How less I know about my dharma. Why education system do not want to share ancient knowledge of Bharat varsha with us?
Sorry that shouldn’t be my remarks here but I’m frustrated and irritated with the kind of thugs and crooks deciding fate of this nation.
Thanks to Shri Srinivasan and you too for bringing such gems to public.
Jai Bharat!
Indeed Sandeep a very sorry state of affairs in education in India. Slowly they have minimised the value of character development in children. Sadly, the morality to children in India is taught by the demon called Television, whom most of the Indians worship daily atleast 2 hours a day. This is more that the time they spend in front of their Deity Altar reciting prayers and hymns.
With songs like “choli ke piche kya hai…” and “Tu cheez badi hai mast mast…” what morality can we expect from our generation and the generations ahead.
Lets use the Power of Propoganda to drive away this demon from the homes of Indians to bring them closer to sanity.