YUDISHTHIRAS’S WISDOM

LITERAL COMPREHENSION: 

These experts have been taken from the MAHABHARAT. One of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India. Recounting events that allegedly took place some 2.800 years ago. The writing of this epic took place centuries later, possibly spanning from the vedic period (about 2500 years ago) to the early Gupta period (about 1700 years ago) According to the Hindu tradition, the author is YAKSHA.
While Hunting for deer in forest, the five Pandava brothers grow thirsty. Exhausted Yudhisthira, the eldest sends one brother to search for water. When this brother fails to return, Yudhisthira sends his other brother one at a time , but the too fail to return. Then Ydhisthira goes to search for his brother He finds a beautiful pool but alas, hear it he finds his four brothers prostarate on the ground either dead or unconscious. Unknown to Yudhisthara, they have all ignored a Yaksha’s admonition not to drink water before answering his question. Despite his overwhelming thirst, Yudhisrthira obeys the Yaksha. Moreover, he correctly answers the Yaksha’s philosophical queries. Pleased with Yudhisthira wisdom, the Yaksha agree to revive one  of the brother, leaving Yudhisthira bases his choice entirely on moral considerations, not on his own selfish need and predilections. The Yaksha reveals himself as a Yama (The god of justice and righteousness) , tells Yudhistra how pleased he is with his uprights, restores to him for bother promises him protection from future hardships, and gives him some useful advice on where to go next.

Interpretation: 

The story may be trying to tell us something about the importance of patience, obedience to gods, wisdom and right conduit. Without these characteristics, the PANDAVA brothers would have been lost. 

The Philosophical portion of course of great interest, with reflections on such concepts as desire and courage. 

Critical Thinking: 

For the critical thinker, this story is a variable good mine. Here are a few examples of what skeptics might say about this charming tale. Are there gods out there. If so, what is the evidence for their existence? Can we truly say that patience and right conduct are rewarded on this earth? 

Assimilation: 

This story brought for me many associations. It led me for instance , to ask again, which view is right the one which extols desire, or the one which holds it to be the source of much sufferings and evil? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Write the story Of "Yudhishthira's wisdom" from the point of View of the yaksha.

 

 

  Ans: - I am Yama, the heavenly father of Yudhisthira, the pandav of Mahabharata. It is the story related to the time when the pandavas were in exile. I had to test the wisdom of my son. If in any way it had been eroded due to problems of life. I turned myself a Yaksha and wanted for the chance, in the forest where they, the pandava were is exile, in hiding.
It was a very hot day, and the pandavas were chasing a deer. They all become very thirsty and sat under the shade of a tree to reset. The youngest Pandav, sahadev, was gone to look for water. After searching for sometime, he came near the pond which I had impanted. I kept watch there, in a vanished condition. When he wanted to drink water from there, I stopped him and asked him to first answer my questions. He did not see me, he only heard my voice. So he thought that the sound was perhaps mistake of his ears. He ignored my warning and tried to drink water. I made him unconscious.
For very long, when Sahadeva did not return, Nakula was sent. He also came near my pond, and had to face the same result. In this same way Arjuna and Bhima also had the same consequence. Finally Yudhisthira himself came, but he chose to answer the questions first before drinking water. He was also sad seeing his four younger brothers lying in that condition. I started asking him question like, "what made the sun shine: what is man's surest weapon against danger etc. He answered the questions difficult question, to test his wisdom. I Offered him in the life of one of his brothers back, for the wise answers he had given, I thought he might demand bhima or Arjuna back, who were very strong fighters, and who would help him in future fight of Mahabharata(Kurukshetra). But to my surprise, he demanded the life of Nakula or Sahadeva. I was surprised, and asked the reason for it .His answer was full with wisdom. He said that righteousness and truth was the only weapon with a man. Other things are of no use without them. Since him, a son of Kunti was alive, so it was only justified that a son of his step-mother, Madri, should also be alive (Nakula & Sahadeva were Madri's son).
I was very impressed by his wisdom. So, firstly, I exposed myself and then restored the consciousness of all the four pandavas. After that i gave them the boom of victory and success, in future, and came back to my heavily abode, satisfied.