*YAKSHA PRASHNA – 3*

*Prashnotthari (Continued)*

*Yaksha :*
What is the basis of dharma?
What is the basis of fame?
What leads a person to heaven?
What is the ground of happiness? (25)

*Yudhisthira :*
Generosity is the basis of dharma.
Charity (dàna, gifting) is the cause of fame.
Truthfulness leads to heaven.
Good conduct (Virtue) is the foundation of happiness. (26)

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*Yaksha :*
What is the soul of man?
Who is his God-gifted friend?
What is his means of livelihood?
What is his ultimate refuge? (27)

*Yudhisthira :*

Son is the soul (atma) of man.
Wife is the god-gifted friend.
Clouds(Rain) are the means of livelihood.
Charity (dana, gifting) is his ultimate refuge. (28)

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*Yaksha :*
What is the best of all goodness?
What is the best of all wealth?
What is the best of all gains?
What is the best of all happiness? (29)

*Yudhisthira :*
Munificence is the best of all goodness.
Learning is the best of all wealth.
Health is the best of all gains.
Contentment is the best of all happiness. (30)

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*Yaksha:*
What is the highest virtue?
Which duty always yields fruit?
What makes a man immune to sorrows? (31)

*Yudhisthira :*
Kindness is the best virtue.
Compliance with the Vedic prescriptions always yields fruit.
The controlled mind cannot be overwhelmed with sorrow.
Treaty with the good persons never wears out. (32)

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*Yaksha :*
What, if abandoned, makes a man popular?
What, if abandoned, makes a man invulnerable to grief?
What, if abandoned, makes a man wealthy?
What, if abandoned, makes a man happy? (33)

*Yudhisthira :*
Absence of pride makes a man well-liked.
Absence of wrath makes a man shielded against grief.
Absence of craving makes a man wealthy.
Greed, if renounced, makes a man happy.’
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*Yaksha :*
Why are gifts offered to Brahmins?
Why are gifts offered to actors and dancers?
Why are gifts offered to protégés?
Why are gifts offered to the kings? (35)

*Yudhisthira :*
Gifts are offered to Brahmins for the sake of dharma.
Gifts are offered to actors and dancers to earn fame.
Gifts are offered to the protégés to maintain them.
Gifts are offered to the kings to secure protection. (36)

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*Yaksha :*
What overshadows the sphere?
Why do men remain obscure?
Why do men shun friends?
Why do men fail to be in heaven? (37)

*Yudhisthira :*
Ignorance covers the sphere (the minds of men).
Tamas hinders a man’s blooming full.
Greed goads a man to shirk friends.
Evil company frustrates a man’s prospect to be in heaven. (38)

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*Yaksha :*
Why does a man live as if he is dead?
When is a kingdom called as being dead?
When are the last rites considered dead (incomplete)?
Why is a sacrificial rite considered dead (incomplete
even after its formal completion)? (39)

*Yudhisthira:*
A poor man lives like a dead person.
Anarchy spoils a kingdom i.e. a kingdom is called dead when anarchy prevails.
The last rites are considered dead (incomplete) in the absence of erudite priests.
A sacrificial rite is called dead (fruitless; incomplete) if gifts are not offered to
the Brahmins who preside. (40)

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*Yaksha :*
What is the way?
What is source of water?
What is source of food?
What is the proper time of the last rites?. (41)

*Yudhisthira:*
The way directed by the sages is the right path.
The sky is the source of water.
The cow is the source of food.
The time of the last rites comes when Brahmins
consenting to have meals are available. (42)

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*Yaksha:*
What is the sign of asceticism?
What is considered true restraint?
What constitutes forgiveness?
What is shameful? (43)

*Yudhisthira :*
Single-minded devotion to one’s own religion is the mark of asceticism.
Restraint of mind is considered true restraint.
Forgiveness consists in endurance of enmity.
Withdrawal from laudable acts is disgraceful. (44)

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*Yaksha:*
O King! What is said to be Knowledge?
What is said to be control of the senses?
What is said to be mercy?
What is said to be forbearance? (45)

*Yudhisthira :*
Awareness of Brahman is Knowledge.
Tranquillity of mind is the sign of control of senses.
Mercy consists in wishing happiness to all.
Forbearance (patience) means equanimity of mind. (46)

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*Yaksha :*
Which enemy is invincible?
Which disease is incurable?
Which men are honest?
Which men are dishonest? (47)

*Yudhisthira :*
Anger is the most invincible enemy.
Covetousness is an incurable disease.
A righteous man desires the well-being of all.
An unfair man is one who is not merciful. (48)

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*Yaksha :*
O King! What is ignorance?
What is pride?
What is considred as idleness?
What is said to be grief? (49)

*Yudhisthira :*
Ignorance means lack of awareness of obligatory duties.
Pride means that one is the doer of actions.
Abstention from performance of one’s duties is idleness.
Lack of knowledge (of truth) leads to grief. (50)

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*Yaksha :*
What has been called steadiness by the sages?
What has been called patience?
What is a real ablution?
What is charity? (51)

*Yudhisthira :*
Steadiness is reflected in the adherence to one’s own religion.
Patience consists in control of the senses.
Ablution means cleaning the mind of all impurities.
Charity consists in safeguarding all creatures. (52)

*To be continued………*