Yaksha Prasnam

 

Krishna spoke Mahabharatha though Veda Vyasa. There are 4 significant parts to this. The Mahabharatha story itself, second Yaksha Prasnam, Third Bhagavath Geetha and Fourth is Vishnu Sahastra Naamam meaning 1008 names of Vishnu. This is the biggest gift to Hinduism.

Yaksha Prasnam or Questions

Pandavas finished 12 years in exile. It is time to start Agnatha Vasam meaning disguise and not to be identified by Kauruvas. If they do, pandavas should go for exile for another 14 years exile. This way Kauruvas can keep ruling Hastinapur. During that time a sage tells pandavas that a deer took away his pair of woods, with which he can start fire. Now he don’t have it, so can’t start yanga or yaagam. 

Pandavas went in search of the deer. On the way Dharmaraj became thirsty and asked Nakula to fetch water. Nakula saw lake with no activity and there is only a crane standing on one leg and meditating. His name is Yaksha. When Nakula about to drink winter, Yaksha said he can’t drink and take this water without answering his questions, otherwise it will become poison. Nakula ignored and drank the water. He became unconscious. One by one pandavas drank the water ignoring the warning. Worried Yudhistr came in search of their brothers and saw them unconscious. Craned revealed why they were lying there.

Finally Dharmaraja agreed to answer Yaksha Prasnam. He asked 125 questions of various topics like, what is the fastest in the world? A thought. What is heavier than earth? Worries. Who is taller than the earth? Father taller than heavens. It went on asking. He answered all questions cleverly. Some fo the answers may not be relevant today.

The final question Yaksha said. I can revive your brothers born to a mother. Look at your brothers. Tell me whom you want to revive? Dharma Raj said, please bring back my brothers born to my step mother Madri. Yaksha was curious asked why He chose to do that? Dharmaraj said, if I ask for Bhima and Arjuna, then the world will things that I don’t love my brothers born to my step mother.

Yaksha was very happy with his answers and revealed himself and allowed them to drink water.

Vyasa want to convey through this topic that Dharma is crucial for salvation. Dharma Raj is an example in this epic.

Best compilation. 

1. What is heavier than the earth?

A mother because she is the one who was bearing you for 9 months. She should be heavy enough to carry a child in tummy.

2. What is higher than the heavens?

Father. A father feels proud when a child earns laurels. So if you make him happy it is higher than heavens. Heavens are very very high. It can’t be reached.

3. What travels faster than the wind?

A person’s thoughts. It travels faster than light in this universe.

4. what is more than grass on this earth?

Numerous thoughts of a person, especially the worrying and bad ones. 

5. What is that which do not close its eyes while asleep?

A fish. 

6. What is that which do not move after birth? 

An egg. Brahmmandam. 

7. What is that without heart?

A rock. We say a man with a stone heart.

8. what is that which swells with its own flow?

A river. As it travels , it swells and picks up speed.

9. Who is the friend of the exile?

A distant land where he fled to.

10. Who is the friend of the householder?

Beloved spouse.

11. Who is the best friend for a sick person?

A doctor. We keep all our trust in that person.

12. And who is the best friend of one about to die?

Charity. This is what will come with you to heavens. 

13. What is the highest refuge of virtue?

Liberty. This is what we fight for all the time.

14. What is best gift?

Fame. When you are famous and good people follow you.

15. What is better than heaven?

Truth. If you are able to tell the truth all the time, you are equal to god.

16. what is happiness?

Good Behavior. This is debatable what is good means?

17. What is the best of all laudable things?

Skill. If you have this you will survive any where.

18. What is the most valuable of all his possessions?

Knowledge. This leads you to vishnu.

19. What is the best of all gains?

Health. If you are healthy it is heaven.

20. what is the best of all kinds of happiness?

Contentment. If you have this, you are automatically happy.

21. What is that which if controlled no regret?

Mind. If you can control mind, senses will be under control. 

22. who are they with whom an alliance cannot break?

God or Vishnu. Even if you try, you cannot break it. You are attached to him.

22. What is that which renounced, make one agreeable?

Pride. If you renounce this, all agree it is a good thing.

23. What is that if renounced, lead to no regret?

Wrath. This is the most dangerous thing.

24. What is that if renounced, make one wealthy?

Desire. If you control your desire and content with what you have.

25. what is that if renounced, make one happy?

Avarice. You should spend as needed. No need to save sacrificing the needs.

26. What constitutes forgiveness?

Enduring the enmity. This takes lot of patience.

27. what is shame?

Withdrawing from all unworthy acts. 

28. What is the knowledge?

Divinity. Which is the root for enlightenment.

29. What, tranquillity?

True tranquillity is that of the heart.

30. What constitutes mercy?

Mercy consists in wishing happiness to all.

31. what has been called simplicity?

simplicity is equanimity of heart.

32. What enemy is invincible?

Anger is an invincible enemy.

33. What constitutes an incurable disease for man?

Covetousness constitutes an incurable disease.

34. What sort of a man is called honest?

desires the wellness of all creatures.

35. what is dishonest?

unmerciful.

36. what is wickedness?

speaking ill of others.

37. Who is truly happy?

No debt. Content. Vishnu dasa.