Dharma Prashna: Questions of a Yaksha

Yaksha tests Yudhishthira

Near the end of their forest exile, the Pandavas encounter a mysterious crisis. A brahmin's fire sticks are carried away by a deer, and he asks the Pandavas to retrieve them. While pursuing the deer, the brothers become exhausted and thirsty. Nakula goes to find water and discovers a beautiful lake - but before he can drink, a voice warns him to answer questions first or die. Nakula ignores the warning and falls dead. One by one, Sahadeva, Arjuna, and even mighty Bhima meet the same fate. When Yudhishthira finally reaches the lake, he finds his four brothers lifeless. The voice reveals itself as a Yaksha who guards the waters. Only by answering the Yaksha's questions can Yudhishthira save anyone.

Dharma Prashna: Questions of a Yaksha

As the twelfth year of exile drew to a close, the Pandavas faced one final test - one that would prove whether Yudhishthira truly deserved his title as Dharmaraja, the king of righteousness.

The Brahmin's Request

The day began simply enough. A brahmin came to the Pandava camp in great distress. His arani - the fire sticks used to kindle the sacred fire - had been mysteriously carried away by a deer that had wandered through the clearing.

"Without my fire sticks, I cannot perform my rituals," the brahmin said. "Please help me recover them."

The Pandavas immediately set out to track the deer. This was their dharma as Kshatriyas - to help brahmins in need. The deer's trail led deep into an unfamiliar part of the forest.

The Elusive Deer

The deer proved impossible to catch. Each time the brothers came close, it bounded away. They chased it for hours through dense undergrowth and across rocky terrain. By afternoon, they were far from any familiar landmark, exhausted and desperately thirsty.

"This is no ordinary deer," Yudhishthira said finally. "I suspect we are being tested. But we cannot abandon our promise to the brahmin."

"We need water," Bhima said. "None of us can continue much longer in this state."

Yudhishthira agreed. "Nakula, climb that tall tree and see if you can spot water nearby."

Nakula climbed and scanned the horizon. "There!" he called down. "I see a lake surrounded by trees. And I hear cranes calling - there must be water."

"Go quickly," Yudhishthira said. "Drink and bring water back for the rest of us."

The First Death

Nakula hurried toward the lake. When he reached it, he found a body of crystal-clear water surrounded by flowering trees. Birds sang in the branches. It seemed like paradise.

His throat burning with thirst, Nakula knelt to drink. Just as his hand touched the water, a voice boomed from nowhere: