The Riddle-Lake of Dharma
(Mahābhārata, Vana-parva, “Yaksha-Prashna”)
1 Where Are We in the Epic?
After losing kingdom and wealth in the fatal dice-match, the five Pāṇḍava brothers and their mother Kuntī must spend twelve years in forest exile. In their tenth year they wander through a scorched jungle called Kamyaka. One blazing afternoon they meet their strangest challenge yet—not swords or arrows, but questions.
2 The Thirsty Warriors
The brothers are exhausted. Nakula, the youngest, climbs a tree and spots a shimmering blue lake nearby.
“Let me fetch water,” he says and hurries off with a pot.
As he kneels to drink, a bodiless voice echoes from the sky:
“Stop! This lake belongs to me. Answer my questions before you sip, or you shall fall dead.”
Nakula, parched and impatient, ignores the warning—he drinks, and instantly collapses, lifeless on the grass.
One by one the same fate befalls Sahadeva, Bhīma, and Arjuna. Each brother rushes to find the others, hears the unseen voice, but drinks anyway. Four mighty heroes lie still by the water.
3 Yudhiṣṭhira Meets the Yaksha
Last comes Yudhiṣṭhira, eldest and calmest. He sees his brothers motionless and the crystal-clear lake untouched. The celestial voice speaks again, now gentler:
“I am a Yaksha (forest spirit). Answer my riddles, King, and you may both drink and revive your brothers.”
Yudhiṣṭhira folds his palms. “Ask, O Yaksha. I shall try with honesty.”
4 Four Famous Riddles (and Four Quick Answers)
| Yaksha’s Question | Yudhiṣṭhira’s Answer (Essence) |
|---|---|
| Q 1: “What is the greatest virtue?” | अहिंसा परमो धर्मः ahimsā paramo dharmaḥ “Non-hurt is the highest dharma.” |
| Q 2: “What is true happiness?” | संतोषः परमं सुखम् santoṣaḥ paramaṁ sukham “Contentment is the best happiness.” |
| Q 3: “What travels faster than wind?” | “Thought.” |
| Q 4: “Who is the friend that stays with us even after death?” | धर्मः – “Dharma (righteousness).” |
The Yaksha asks over fifty riddles; Yudhiṣṭhira answers each without pride or haste. At last the spirit exclaims:
“You are truly a knower of dharma. Choose one brother to live again.”
5 The King’s Impossible Choice
Yudhiṣṭhira reasons aloud:
Nakula and Sahadeva are sons of Mādrī (his step-mother).
He himself and the other two are sons of Kuntī.
“If only Kuntī’s children survive, Mādrī’s lineage ends. Therefore, Yaksha, revive Nakula.”
The spirit smiles. “Because you chose fairness over personal gain, I grant all four brothers life. Drink without fear!”
He then reveals his form: Dharma-devata, god of righteousness—Yudhiṣṭhira’s divine father—testing his own son.
6 What Kids Can Learn
Listen First – Four heroes fell because they rushed; the fifth paused to understand.
Wisdom Beats Muscle – Riddles, not weapons, solved the crisis.
Fairness Over Favouritism – Yudhiṣṭhira protected both sides of the family tree.
Dharma Is a Lifelong Friend – Good choices today can rescue us tomorrow.
7 Five Sanskrit Phrases to Memorise
| # | Devanāgarī | Transliteration | Simple Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | अहिंसा परमो धर्मः | ahimsā paramo dharmaḥ | “Non-violence is the greatest duty.” |
| 2 | संतोषः परमं सुखम् | santoṣaḥ paramaṁ sukham | “Contentment is the top happiness.” |
| 3 | धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः | dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ | “Dharma protects those who protect it.” |
| 4 | विद्या अमृतं अश्नुते | vidyā amṛtaṁ aśnute | “Knowledge grants a taste of immortality.” |
| 5 | सत्यं एव जयते | satyaṁ eva jayate | “Truth alone wins.” |
Recite one line each morning; let the Yaksha’s lake remind you that clear thinking and clear conscience make life’s water safe to drink.
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