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Yaksha Prashnam (Questions 103–124) 🕉️
| Q# | English Question | Sanskrit Equivalent | Answer & Story from Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | Which man should be regarded as learned (Pandit)? | Kaha panditah puman jneyah? | He who knows Dharma. Mere knowledge of rules does not make one learned; one must act on them. Story: When Krishna went to Hastinapura, he ate at Vidura's humble home rather than Bhishma's palace. He did this because Vidura was the only one who protested Draupadi's humiliation, while others remained silent on technicalities. |
| 104 | Who is said to be a nasthika (or atheist)? | Nasthikah kashcha uchyate? | A fool (Murkha). The one who denies the existence of God or the validity of the Vedas is considered ignorant. Story: Rama rejected the sage Jabali's atheistic arguments to ignore his father's command, asserting that truth and Dharma are supreme. |
| 105 | Who is a fool? | Kah cha murkhah? | An atheist (Nasthikah). The inverse of the previous question. Even the genius mathematician Ramanujan attributed his intellect to his faith, showing intelligence is linked to Astikya. |
| 106 | What is desire? | Kah kamah? | The cause of Samsara. Desire leads to the cycle of birth and death because one's thoughts at death determine the next birth. |
| 107 | What is envy? | Ko matsarah? | Heartburn (Hridgatsthapah). It is the internal burning sensation caused by jealousy toward others. |
| 108 | What is ego? | Ko ahankarah? | Great Ignorance (Maha-ajnanam). Ignorance of identifying the body as the soul. |
| 109 | What is hypocrisy/show-off? | Kah dambah? | Advertising one's Dharma. Performing charity or duties merely for publicity. |
| 110 | What is divine charity? | Kim daivam? | The fruit of one's charity. Seeing God in everyone and donating with a pure heart. |
| 111 | What is slander? | Kim paisunyam? | Speaking ill of others. Carrying tales and badmouthing others is a great sin. |
| 112 | How do these eternal antagonists (Dharma, Artha, Kama) co-exist? | Tesham nitya viruddhanam katham ekatra sangamah? | When a man has a virtuous wife. If the wife follows Dharma, wealth and desire will not conflict. Story: Sita encouraged Rama to give away his wealth without attachment. Rama gave all his cows to Trijata based on how far he could throw a staff. |
| 113 | By whom is ever-lasting hell attained? | Akshayo narakah kena jayate? | By three types of people: 1. One who promises alms to a poor Brahmin but gives nothing. 2. One who calls Vedas/Ancestors false. 3. One who has wealth but does not share. |
| 114 | By what does Brahminhood result? | Kim brahmanyam? | Conduct/Character alone (Vrittam). Not by birth or learning Vedas. Without good character, one is not a true Brahmin. |
| 115 | What does one gain who speaks pleasant words? | Priyavachana vadi kim labhate? | He becomes dear to all. Everyone loves a person who speaks kindly. |
| 116 | What does he gain that acts after due deliberation? | Vimrishya karya karoti kim...? | He attains success. Thinking before acting prevents regret. |
| 117 | What does he get that makes many friends? | Bahu mitra karah kim...? | He lives happily. Good friends ensure a happy life. |
| 118 | What does he attain who is devoted to Dharma? | Dharme ratah kim labhate? | He attains a good state/Moksha. Story: Vibhishana, though a Rakshasa, was devoted to Dharma. He surrendered to Rama and eventually attained Moksha. |
| 119 | Who is joyous? | Ko modate? | One who cooks at home, has no debt, and stays in their own land. This indicates self-sufficiency and simplicity. |
| 120 | What is the wonder? | Kim ashcharyam? | Acting as if one is immortal. Seeing death daily yet acting as if one will live forever is the greatest wonder. |
| 121 | What is the way? | Kah panthah? | The path followed by great people (Mahajanas). Logic and scriptures vary; the true path is that trodden by great souls. |
| 122 | What is the news? | Ka cha vartika? | Time (Kala) is cooking all beings. Time stirs the seasons in the vessel of earth and cooks all creatures. |
| 123 | Who is the person called Purusha? | Kah purushah? | One whose fame touches heaven and earth. A person known for good deeds in both realms. |
| 124 | Who is the person possessed of all wealth? | Kah sarva dhani narah? | One to whom happiness and sorrow are equal. Equanimity of mind is the greatest wealth. |
The Final Dialogue and Identity Reveal 🎭
Based on the conclusion of the Yaksha Prashnam episode, here is the account of the final dialogue and the boons granted.
After Yudhishthira successfully answered all the questions, he questioned the Yaksha's true identity, stating that a simple crane (Kokku) could not possibly possess the power to defeat his mighty brothers or ask such profound questions.
The Yaksha then revealed his true form as Dharma Devata (the Lord of Dharma) and identified himself as Yudhishthira's father. He explained that he was the one who had taken the form of a deer to steal the Brahmin's arani sticks (fire sticks) to test Yudhishthira. He also revealed that Vidura was an aspect (amsa) of himself.
The Boons Provided ✨
Pleased with Yudhishthira's wisdom and patience, the Yaksha offered several boons:
- Revival of One Brother: The Yaksha offered to restore the life of one of the four dead brothers. Yudhishthira chose Nakula.
- The Logic of Dharma ⚖️: When asked why he did not choose the mighty Bhima or the skilled Arjuna, Yudhishthira explained that his father had two wives, Kunti and Madri. Since Yudhishthira (Kunti's son) was alive, Kunti had a surviving lineage. To ensure justice and fairness (Dharma), he wanted Madri to also have a surviving son, so he chose Nakula.
- Return of the Arani Sticks: Yudhishthira requested the return of the Brahmin's arani sticks, as it was his duty to return them.
- Success in the Incognito Year (Agyatavasa): The Yaksha offered another boon ("Special Offer"). Yudhishthira asked that during their upcoming thirteenth year of exile, where they must live incognito, no one should be able to discover their identities. The Yaksha granted this, stating that whatever form they took, they would not be identified by others.
- Steadfastness in Dharma: Yudhishthira asked for a final boon: that his mind should always remain firm in following Dharma and that he should conquer greed and folly. The Yaksha granted this, saying "Tathastu" (So be it).
Phala Shruti (The Benefits) 📜
The sage Vyasa lists specific benefits (Phala Shruti) for those who read or listen to the Yaksha Prashnam:
- Fame for the Lineage: It increases the fame and glory of both the father and the son (Pitus putrasya kirti vardhanam).
- Control of Senses: The listener will become a Jitendriya, one who has conquered their senses.
- Family & Longevity: One will live happily with children and grandchildren for a full life span.
- Peaceful End: It grants the blessing of a healthy life and a peaceful death, avoiding prolonged suffering.
- General Well-being: It contributes to the happiness and welfare of all people (Sarve jana sukhino bhavantu).
Reference: Watch the Video Here 📹
📝 Acknowledgment & Disclaimer
These articles are based on discourses by Sri Dushyanth Sridhar, who renders discourses in English & Tamil on Rāmāyana, Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Vishnu Purāna, Bhagavad Gitā, Vishnu Sahasranāma, and Divya Prabanda in the upanyāsam, pravachanam, or kālakshepam style. Visit [https://desikadaya.org](https://desikadaya.org) for more information. These notes are presented solely for educational purposes to help viewers download and benefit from these teachings. Any incorrect interpretations or inaccuracies are mine and unintentional—please forgive me. For any feedback, please send an email.