The scriptures (Puranas, Mahabharat, Ramayana, Upanishads, commentaries and other treatises) are one’s solace in times of difficulty and one must seek refuge in their wisdom. It is imperative for one to adopt the tenets of the scriptures in a practical manner to make life blissful.
The prelude to the ‘Yaksha Prasna’ reveals the approach of each of the Pandavas to a warning/advice rendered by an unknown unseen entity when he went to drink the water of the lake. What must be taken into account is that the Pandavas were tired and thirsty after chasing a deer that had run off with a Brahman’s aranī and mathānī/manthankāṣṭha that got entangled in its horns. They managed to locate a water source to quench their thirst before resuming their search for the deer when they faced an unexpected circumstance at the lake.
Nakula was sent first to the lake to bring back water in the quivers by Dharmaraja Yudhishtira. He was tormented by thirst and disregarded the warning of the Yaksha to answer his questions before drinking the water, drank the water and fell dead immediately.
Sahadeva who followed him saw his brother dead on the ground. His heart was deeply troubled but his thirst overtook him and therefore, he ran towards the water. He also did not heed to the words of the Yaksha, drank the cold water and lost his life.
Arjuna was sent in search of his two brothers to the lake. When he saw both his dear brothers dead on the ground, he was overcome with sorrow. He took his bow and looked around carefully but did not find any violent animals.
He ran towards the lake to drink the water. When the warning was given not to drink the water till its questions were answered, Arjuna boldly said, “Please show himself. You will be cut into pieces and will never be able to speak like this again.”
Arjuna introduced himself and his skills. He released divine arrows everywhere. The Yaksha then asked him why he was hurting innocent animals with his arrows. Arjuna ignored his words and drank the water only to fall dead immediately.
Bheemasena who came next became sad on seeing his brothers on the ground. However, he was very thirsty and mentally decided that this was the work of yakshas-rakshasas and a fierce fight lay ahead of him. He ran towards the water, ignored the warning, drank the water and died.
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira, distressed and thirsty was shocked on seeing his brothers lying dead on the ground. He took long breaths and started crying out of grief. He thought deeply and mourned for a long time forgetting his thirst in his anguish.
He wondered how the divine sayings about his brother Bheema could become false. It is common for ordinary people and their vows to be untrue but divine sayings?
He saw Arjuna dead with his bow and arrows scattered around. Nakula and Sahadeva were also lifeless.
As he saw his beloved brothers lying motionless, tears of grief filled his eyes and began falling down. He remembered Bheemasena’s vow that he would break Duryodhana’s thighs with his gada in the war. But seeing him dead on the ground, the declaration now appeared to be worthless.
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira remembered what the Devathas had said about Arjuna when he was born, “He will be equal to Indra in every way and will restore your wealth. No one can defeat him in battle and he will not rest till he has defeated his enemy.”
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira felt his heart was made of stone as it had not broken even after seeing Nakula and Sahadeva dead.
He said to himself, “Arjuna bravely carried our burden becoming our protector. Arjuna who could not be injured or defeated or killed in battle by any weapon, who fought in an exemplary manner and always defeated his enemies was suddenly defeated by someone?
That gallant warrior who was not subservient to death now lies lifeless. All the hopes pinned on him are destroyed.
O brothers! You are well-versed in the art of warfare, understand the dharma of time and land, are tapasvis and valorous. How did you lose your life without displaying your prowess?
There is no injury mark on your body. You have not even touched your bow and arrow and you cannot be defeated by anyone. Then, how can you lie on the ground like this.”
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira began to contemplate the reason for his brothers’ demise. Though he was knowledgeable, he was unable to arrive at a conclusion.
He began to think about the possible causes for his brothers’ death. He calmed himself down, steadied his mind and after grieving for some time began to resolve the dilemma, “Who could have killed these brave men? There are no marks of any weapon on their bodies and there are no other footprints.
I think it must definitely be the work of a ghoul/ghost who killed my brothers. I need to gather myself, focus and think again about this matter; else, I will drink some water and attempt to uncover this secret.
It is possible that Duryodhana has quietly hatched a plot. Or perhaps, it is the work of Shakuni, who is forever devious. But who can believe the sinful Shakuni for whom duty and shirking duty is one and the same?
Maybe, the evil-minded Duryodhana has used violent means taking the help of persons who have hidden themselves.”
In this manner, the supremely intelligent Dharmaraja Yudhishtira after exhausting all the possibilities came to the conclusion that the water of the lake was not poisoned because there was no deformity on the bodies of his brothers and the radiance was still visible.
Dharmaraja Yudhishtira became lost in thought again. “All my resplendent brothers have profound fathomless sea of strength flowing in their bodies. After one’s lifespan comes to an end, who other than Yamaraja can do this?”
An individual faces several challenging situations on a day to day basis. It is indeed difficult for one to think calmly under pressure and arrive at a logical decision or way forward on either how to handle a crisis or how to deal with certain information that is bound to cause distress.
Though the wisest approach is to use common sense, the factor of Time plays a vital role in one’s reaction and approach to a situation. It is therefore only proper for one to use our Itihāsa as a guide/guiding light to improve one’s understanding of the problem on hand, capacity to comprehend the information provided and arrive at a positive result.
sandeepa.in 
Leave a comment