Yudhisthira's Wisdom

CHARACTERS:

1)KUNTI                                 2)MADRI                    

-Yudhisthira                            -Nakula

-Bhima                                    -Sahadeva

-Arjuna

3) YAKSHA (Yama, the god of justice and righteousness) 

LITERAL COMPREHENSION:

This story is taken from the Mahabharata, one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. While hunting for deer in forest, the five Pandava brothers grew thirsty. Exhausted (very tired) Yudhisthira, the eldest brother sends Sahadeva to search for water.  He came across a beautiful pond and was ready to drink water hurriedly. But, all at the sudden some voice stopped him from drinking until he could answer all the questions asked by anonymous voice. Thinking it might be an illusion, he drank water. He sooner got fainted. Similarly, Nakula, Bhima and Arjuna got the same fate and did not return. Then Ydhisthira goes to search for his brothers. He finds a beautiful enchanted pool but unfortunately, he finds his four brothers prostrate (bow down/flat) on the ground either dead or unconscious. Unknown to Yudhisthara, they have all ignored Yaksha’s warning not to drink water before answering his questions. Despite his overwhelming thirst, Yudhisrthira obeys the Yaksha. Moreover, he correctly answers Yaksha’s philosophical queries:

1 What makes the sun shine?

-Power of God

2 What is man's surest weapon against danger?

-Courage

3 What gives more to man even the earth does?

-A mother

4 When does a man become loved by his fellows?

-When he gives up pride.

5 What is that which makes a man happy when he has lost it?

-Anger

6 What can a man give up and immediately become rich?

-Desire 

He gave the answers of all questions asked by Yaksha until Yaksha became pleased. He promised to restore one of the brothers. For that Yudhisthira preferred Nakula with much pleasing reason. The Yaksha reveals himself as a Yama, tells Yudhistra how pleased he is with his uprights.  So Yaksha being happy restore all his brothers and gave blessing for easy and comfortable life of remaining exiled period and gave him some useful advice.

Interpretation:

In this mythological story the writer may be trying to show the importance of wisdom, obedience to God and patience. The story tells us to give up pride, anger and desire to live happy life. It also shows the importance of the fairness and justice. These things are always rewarded. The due respect and love to the brother becomes another important meaning of this story.

Critical thinking:

Although this story teaches us some very important lessons, some ideas of the writer are not agreeable. At present, there is a question over the existence of God. Some disagreeing points can be given asking question like: Are there Gods? If so, what is the existence of them? Can such complicated questions have so simple answers? Does the sun really shine by the power of the God? Is courage the surest weapon against danger? Is patience or wisdom really rewarded? Can we find such ideal brother like Yudhisthira in this selfish world?  Etc. Still we can learn many more philosophy from this story.  So I don't agree with the writer wholly.

Assimilation:

After reading this text I learnt a great moral lesson. This story gave me new awareness. To be true human, we must have wisdom and righteousness. This story also changed the mode of my life.  I have learnt to change myself changing my thinking as well.