YAKSHA PRASHNA (Q & A) - Part-1

Epic Mahabharatha written by Lord and Sage Sri Vedavyaasa is not just a sacred script; rather it is a culmination of Brahmasutras, Upanishads, Puranas, Bhagawagita, Vishnu Sahasranama etc. Bhagawadgita which is a part of Mahabharatha is called the essence of Upanishads. That’s why it is called Panchama Veda. Vishnu Sahasranama Stothram and Bhagawadgita are the two gems carved out from the epic Mahabharatha.  What is not told in Mahabharatha is not found in any other Saastraas.  It is also a Dharma Saasthra; book of ethics to the mankind illustrating morals to be followed.

One such very popular episode of ethics we come across in Mahabharatha Aranya Parva as a dialogue (Q & A) between Yudhishtira (Dharmaraja) the elder Pandava and Lord Yama (in the form of Yaksha) during Vanavaasa of the Pandavas. This session (Q&A) answered by Yudhishtira is highly philosophical; spiritually enriching and full of wisdom. It is a teaching tool to impart in an individual the fundamental Hindu principles. There are more than 100 Q & A.

Yaksha Prashna - (Q & A)

Q:     Who makes the Sun rise?

A:     Brahman (ParaBrahma) makes the Sun rise.

Q:     Who keeps company/travels along with Sun?

A:     Devathas (Gods) travel along with Sun.

Q:     Who causes the Sun to set?

A:     Dharma causes the Sun to set.

Q:     Where does the Sun establishes himself?

A:     Sun is established in the Truth.

Q:     How does one become a learned person (Srothriya)?

A:     By study of Vedas.

Q:     How does one acquires greatness/becomes a celebrity?

A:     By performing penance (Thapas) & practicing austerities.

Q:     By what does one obtain help/companion?

A:     From his own courage and intelligence.

Q:     How does one become intelligent?

A:     By serving the elderly (men of wisdom).

Q:     What quality establishes the divinity in a Brahmana?

A:     Study of Vedas.

Q:     What is the dharma/piety a Brahman should follow?

A:     Practice of penance (Tapass)/austerities.

Q:     What is the human like trait in a Brahmin?

A:     Death!

Q:     What is the impious action of a Brahmin?

A:     Denigrating/slandering others…

Q:     What gives divinity to a Kshatriya?

A:     Bow & Arrows (weapons)!

Q:     What dharma makes a Kshatriya pious?

A:     Performing sacrificial rites (Yagna).

Q:     What is the human like trait in a Kshatriya?

A:     Fear!

Q:     What is the impious action of a Kshatriya?

A:     Abandoning/refusing to protect others who take refuge!

Q:     What is Sama in a sacrifice?

A:     Praana is Sama in a sacrifice.

Q:     What is Yajus in a sacrifice?

A:     Mind

Q:     What does the sacrifice invoke?

A:     It is the ‘Rik’ which sacrifice invokes.

Q:     What is that it (sacrifice) does not transgress?

A:     Without the ‘Rik’ a sacrifice cannot be performed.

Q:     What is most valuable for the tiller (cultivator) of a soil?

A:     Rain

Q:     What is most valuable for those who sow?

A:     Seed

Q:     What is the wealth for a stable/prosperous living?

A:     It is the Cow.

Q:     What is the most valuable for those who produce?

A:     Progeny (son/descendant)

Q:     Who is he? Who enjoys all sense objects; he is liked by the world;  breaths like a normal human being; still does not live.

A:     One who does not offer nourishment (food) to these five viz. Gods; Guests; Servants; Pithrus (ancestors) and self (own) is as good as dead though he is alive (breathing).

Q:     What is weightier than earth?

A:     Mother

Q:     What is taller than sky?

A:     Father

Q:     Which is faster than the wind?

A:     Mind

Q:     What is more copious (abundant) than grass?

A:     Thoughts/Worries

Q:     What is that which does not close its eyes while sleeping?

A:     Fish

Q:     What is that which does not move even after birth?

A:     Egg

Q:     What is that which does not have a heart?

A:     Stone

Q:     What is that which grows (swells) very quickly with speed?

A:     River

Q:     Who is the friend for the one who is away (travelling) from home?

A:     Companion (co-traveler) is the friend

Q:     Who is the friend for a householder at home?

A:     Wife

Q:     Who is the friend for the one who is sick?

A:     Physician (Doctor)

Q:     Who is the friend of a person about to die?

A:     Charity

Q:     Who is the guest of all creatures (beings)?

A:     Agni (fire)

Q:     What is the eternal (dharma) duty?

A:     Homa (sacrifice)

Q:     What is Amrutha (nector)?

A:     Cow’s milk

Q:     What is the entire universe composed of?

A:     Vaayu (Air)

Q:     What is that which travels alone?

A:     Sun

Q:     What is that which is reborn after its birth?

A:     Moon

Q:     What is the remedy against cold?

A:     Fire

Q:     Which is the largest field?

A:     Earth

Q:     What is the highest refuge of virtue?

A:     Liberality/generosity/kindness/Daya

Q:     What is the highest refuge of fame?

A:     Daana (charity)

Q:     What is the highest refuge of heaven?

A:     Truth

Q:     What is the highest refuge of happiness?

A:     Good conduct (behavior)

Q:     What is the soul of Man?

A:     Son (Puthra)

Q:     Who is the God given friend to a man?

A:     Wife (Pathni)

Q:     What is the chief support of a man?

A:     Clouds/Rain

Q:     What is the chief refuge of a man?

A:     Charity (Daana)

Q:     What is the best laudable thing in the world?

A:     Skill

Q:     What is the most valuable of all possessions?

A:     Knowledge

Q:     What is the best of all gains?

A:     Health…

Q:     What is the best of all kinds of happiness?

A:     Contentment…

Q:     What is the highest duty in the world?

A:     Refrain from injury...

Q:     What is that virtue (duty) which always bears fruit? 

A:     Rites ordained (prescribed) in the three Vedas…

Q:     What is that, if controlled (restrained) never causes regret?

A:     Mind…

Q:     Who are they with whom an alliance cannot break?

A:     Alliance with good (noble)

Q:     What is that which if renounced maketh one affable?

A:     Pride…

      

Q:     What is that which if renounced causes no regret?

A:     Wrath (anger)

Q:     What is that which if renounced makes one wealthy?

A:     Desire (longing)

Q:     What is that which if renounced makes one happy?

A:     Avarice (greed)

Q:     For what virtue one must donate to Brahmanas?

A:     For religious merits;

Q:     For what, one must donate to mimes and dancers?

A:     For fame…

Q:     For what, one must donate to servants?

A:     For their sustenance and support

Q:     For what, one must donate to a King?

A:     For getting relief from fear

to be continued......

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu