Dharmaraja the wiseman

Dharmaraja or Yudhisthira, the eldest of the Pandava brothers, was considered the very personification of Dharma, i.e. adherence to righteous conduct. There are many incidents in the Maha-bharata to bring this out. But, one episode, i.e. his meeting the Dharmadevata. Lord Yama himself in peculiar circumstances, stands foremost.

Once, while they were roaming in the forest, the Pandavas felt very thirsty. Sahadeva, the youngest, climbed a tree and saw a pool at a distance. He asked his brothers to wait there and he rushed in the direction of what he saw. When he found the pool, he wanted to first drink water to quench his own thirst and then, take water in his pitcher. But, when he was about to get into the pool, he heard a voice.

“Stop, I am a Yaksha guarding the pool. Unless you answer my questions, you cannot drink the water.” Sahadeva ignored this commanding voice and drank a few gulps of water. Immediately, he felt drowsy and fell dead on the bank.

After a while, Nakula came searching for his brother and met with the same fate. Likewise, Arjuna and Bhima, too, fell dead.

Finally, Yudhishthira reached the pond. He was aghast to see his four brothers lying dead. He slowly approached the water, when he heard the Yaksha’s voice. Dharmaraja stopped and stood ready to answer the question. The Yaksha put many questions.

Some of the questions and answers given by Dharmaraja are :

1. What rescues a man in danger?
   A: Courage.
2. By the study of which science does a man become wise?
   A: By the study of science or Shastras, man does not gain wisdom. Through association with a wise man, a man gains wisdom.
3. What is more noble and more sustaining than the earth?
   A: The mother, who brings up the children, is nobler and more sustaining than the earth.
4. What is fleeter than the wind?
   A: The mind.
5. Which is the best friend of a traveller?
   A: His learning.
6. What is happiness?
   A: Happiness is the result of good conduct.
7. When is a man loved by all?.
   A: When he abandons his pride.
8. What is the loss that yields no grief but gives joy?
   A: Anger.
9. By giving up what does a man become rich?
   A: Desire.
10. What is the greatest wonder on Earth?
    A: Everyday, man sees creatures die out, yet those remaining seek to live forever. The man, who is to die, is mourning the dead. This is the greatest wonder on Earth.

The Yaksha was highly pleased with these answers and granted a boon. He asked Dharmaraja to choose one of his dead brothers to be restored to life.

Yudhishthira chose Nakula. Explaining why he chose Nakula, he said, “My father has two wives. Kunti has at least the satisfaction that one of her sons, i.e., me, is alive. But, both of Madri’s sons are dead. To make the scales of justice even, I chose Nakula.

The Yaksha immediately transformed into Lord Yama, the Lord of Justice. He praised Dharmaraja’s wisdom and noble character. He restored the life of all the Pandavas and blessed them with success and happiness.

Narration: Ms. Sai Sruthi S.V.
[Sri Sathya Sai Balvikas Alumna]

Questions :

1. Why did the four Pandavas fall dead near the pond?
2. How did Dharmaraja show his wisdom?
3. Why did he choose to have life restored to Nakula?