yakshaprasnam

Eternal Questions & Everlasting Answers

J K. SIVAN

Yaksha Prasna is a very beautiful episode in the form of Questions and Answers between the Dharma Devata, in the guise of Yaksha and Yudhishtra, the eldest of Pandavas.

Mahabharata is a greatest gift to mankind by the sage Veda Vyasa. It contains a portion which is quite interesting, educative and thought provoking, presented by the sage uniquely in the form of questions and answers. These exchanges take place between a Yaksha (benevolent spirit) and Yudhishtra, in a forest during their 12 years of stay there. These exchanges are quite meaningful, ever useful and beneficial to everyone.

Known as ‘Yaksha Prasna’ (the Questions of the Yaksha) it is well known and much sought after. Let me briefly outline the background for a better understanding.

The Pandavas lost the game of dice played between Yudhishtra and Dhuryodhana at Hastinapur. Sakuni, the evil uncle of Dhuryodhana, represented Dhuryodhana in the game, and Yudhishtra lost everything he staked in the game, cheated by Sakuni. As a result, the Pandavas, stripped of everything they possessed, were ordered out to the forest for 12 years, followed by one more year of existence incognito. There was a condition attached according to which, if they were found and identified at any time during the said 13th year, the Pandavas were to again continue to remain in the forest for a further period of 12 years followed by 1 year of living ‘unknown’’ to anyone, as said before.

During their sojourn in the vanavas thus, one day, Pandavas were hunting a deer, which escaped from them. The Pandavas chased it for long. In fact, the deer was but a demon.

The Pandavas lost the deer and felt very tired, exhausted and rested under a tree. Both hunger and thirst made them look for some water to wash and drink.

Yudhishtra summoned his youngest brother Sahadeva to fetch some water from some nearby river source in the forest.

Searching for water, Sahadeva came across a pond and entered it. He washed his hands and face and was about to drink a handful of water when a voice stopped him not to drink.

He looked up and saw a stork seated on the branch of a tree on the bank of the pond. It warned him “don’t drink this poisonous water. If you will answer some questions put by me, I will turn this water potable and you can then drink.”

Sahadeva laughed at the huge bird, ignored its warning and drank a mouthful and fell dead immediately. As Sahadeva disappeared and did not return for long, Nakula was sent in search of Sahadeva to find him and bring water as well.

Nakula traced the pond and was shocked to find his brother lying dead. He first wanted to refresh himself and then think of reviving Sahadeva to life. So, he too entered the pond and was about to drink water but once again the big bird warned him also not to drink until he answered its questions.

Nakula too did not care for the warning of the bird and fell dead after drinking the poisonous water. Next, both Arjuna and Bheema too followed suit and lost their lives like the other two who were already dead. Yudhishtra was surprised and confused because of the absence of his valiant brothers who did not return for long. He got up and traced the pond. He was shocked to find all his four brothers lying dead. He first wanted to quench his thirst before attending to them and entered the pond. Yudhishtra was also promptly warned by the stork. He listened to its warning and did not drink the water, which he was about to.

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