*YAKSHA PRASHNA – 5*

*Prashnotthari concludes*

Yudhisthira answers brilliantly all the questions posed by the Yaksha who brings back to life all the four Pandavas. This was not just an ordinary prashnotthari but an opportunity for us to learn valuable life lessons.

*Yaksha :*
O repressor of foes! You have answered all my questions satisfactorily. Now
tell me who is an ideal man and who owns all kinds of wealth. (75)

*Yudhisthira :*
The fame of a virtuous man spreads over heaven and earth.
As long as the fame lasts, he is a worthy man. (76)

A person who rates both the pleasant and the unpleasant,
joy and sorrow, the past and the future as equal is immensely rich. (77)

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*Yaksha :*
O King! you have correctly explained who is an ideal man and who is really rich.
Now, let one of your brothers, in accordance with your choice, get back life. (78)

*Yudhisthira :*
O Yaksha! Let Nakula whose complexion is dark, whose eyes are red, who is tall like a Sala (shorea robusta) tree, who is broad-chested and mighty-armed get up alive. (79)

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*Yaksha :*

Bhimasena is dear to you, and Arjuna also is one upon whom
all of you depend. Why, then, O King, do you, wish a step-brother
to get back his life! (80)

Why do you wish Nakula to be alive in preference to
Bhima who is mightier than ten thousand elephants? (81)

People said that Bhimasena was dear to you. What is the purpose,
then, of getting your step-brother Nakula alive? (82)

Why do you wish Nakula to be alive renouncing Arjuna
whose muscle is admired by all the Pandavas? (83)

*Yudhisthira :*

Virtue (Dharma) if defiled ruins a man while if is abided by it
protects a man. I, therefore, am not willing to forsake dharma
as I do not want to be destroyed by it being spoilt by me. (84)

Kind-heartedness is the highest virtue. It is, in my opinion,
higher than the highest attainment. As I adore that virtue,
O Yaksha, let Nakula be alive. (85)

Let men know that the king is always virtuous. I will never abstain from my duty.
Let Nakula, therefore, be revived! (86)

My father had two wives – Kunti and Madri. It is my
view that they both should live with their sons.
(So, I desire Nakula, son of Madri to be alive.) (87)

I do not discriminate between Kunti and Madri. To me,
they are equal. So, O Yaksha, revive Nakula. (88)

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*Yaksha :*

O King of Bharata! Since you value kindness above wealth and pleasure, let all of your brothers be alive.

*Here ends Yaksha-prashna (Yaksha-Yudhisthira conversation) in Aranya Parva in Chapter 113 of the Mahabharata.*