Yaksha Prashnam – Sri Mahabharath
Chapter – 5 – The conversation between
Yaksha and Yudhishtira 52 – 67
Q – 14) Yaksha speaks “Oh, Rajan, what’s
the definition of ‘Athman’? Who is the eternal companion to Jeeva? Who is the companion given to Jeeva on the Earth?
What is the basis of human life on Earth? Who is the safest asylum of humans?
Yudhishtira answers “Oh! Yaksha, the
eternal companion of a Jeeva is its ‘soul’/Athman, which represents a son. The
companion on Earth of the Jeeva is his/her wife or husband. Human life depends on adequate rain
clouds. The righteous deeds and the
performance of an abundance of charities provide shelter to Jeeva.”
Q – 15)Yaksha speaks “Oh! Rajan, what are
the superior qualities of the good and noble people? Which is the most superior
wealth? Which is the most superior gain? Which is the most superior comfort of
a Jeeva?”
Yudhishtira answers “Oh! Yaksha, the most
superior qualities of a noble soul is benevolence and kindness. The most
superior wealth of humans is knowledge and wisdom. The most superior gain of
the Jeeva is ‘Health’. The most superior comfort of the Jeeva is contentment
and satisfaction.”
Q -16) Yaksha speaks “Oh! Rajan, which is
the superior Dharma and which could provide an abundance of meritorious
rewards? Which could put a complete halt on the sorrows of the human? Which is
the most fruitful companionship of a Jeeva?”
Yudhishtira answers “Oh! Yaksha, the
superior most Dharma is Ahimsa/non-violence, the Dharma that could provide
fruitfulness to the Jeeva is Thrayidharma, the performance of religious and
spiritual rites prescribed in the Shastras. The perfect control over the mind
and endless desires would keep a Jeeva away from miseries and sorrows. The
association with the ascetics, pious, saintly people is the fruitful companion
of the Jeeva.”
Q -17) Yaksha speaks “Oh! Rajan, which is
the most undesirable nature, should be abandoned? Which should be abandoned
that causes miseries and sorrows in Jeeva? Which should be abandoned to become
wealthy? Which should be abandoned to remain happy?”
Yudhishtira answers “Oh! Yaksha, the
Jeeva who abandoned the ‘Pride’ remains most favorable to all. The ‘Krodha/anger’
that heave the Jeeva into sorrows and miseries, so abandoning Krodha keeps the
Jeeva free from miseries and grief. The abandonment of ‘Kama/desire’ would keep
the Jeeva wealthiest. The abandonment of ‘Lobha’/perplexity, anxiety, covetousness,
cupidity, would keep the Jeeva free from troubles.”
Q – 18) Yaksha speaks “Oh! Rajan, why
should we offer charity to Bhramin? Why should we offer contributions to
entertainers? Why should we offer charity to servants? Why should we offer
contributions to King?”
Yudhishtira answers “Oh! Yaksha, the
performance of charity to twice-born is considered as highly auspicious; it
would reinstate the Dharmic rites, performance of the religious and spiritual rite
for the welfare of the Universe and its living beings. The contributions offered to
the artisans and the entertainers for earning fame, and charity to the servant is
performed for ensuring the protection, and the contributions are given to a King
with the fear.”
Q – 19) Yaksha speaks “Oh! Rajan, what is
that shielded in the whole Universe? Why things remain invisible, keeps always under
the wrap? What does compel the Jeeva to abandon its relatives? Why did not the Jeeva achieve heavenly pleasure?”
Yudhishtira answers “Oh! Yaksha, the
whole Universe is under the influence of ‘Maya’/illusion. The darkness keeps
the things invisible/the darkness of ignorance keeps the Jeeva ignorant. The
Lobha/ perplexity, anxiety, covetousness, cupidity, causes the Jeeva to abandon
its relatives. The wrong companion of the Jeeva pushes them not to achieve
heavenly pleasures.”
Q – 20 ) Yaksha speaks “Oh! Rajan, when did
a person declare as dead? When the Kingdom did declare as destroyed? When did the
Shraddha declares as unyielding? When did Yajja declare as unfruitful?”
Yudhishtira answers “ Oh! Yaksha, the
sufferings of poverty declares a person as dead. The Kingdom without a King to
rule, declared as destroyed. The Shraddha performed without devotion or
dedication is considered as unfruitful. The Yajja/fire sacrifices performed
without offering Dhakshina/charity to the priest is considered as dead.”
Q – 21) Yaksha speaks “Oh! Rajan, which
is the auspicious direction? What’s the source of Jalam/water and ‘food’? What
is considered as poison? Which is the suitable time for the performance of
Shraddha? After answering all these questions, you can either drink the water
or take away with you.”
Yudhishtira speaks “ Oh! Yaksha, the associations
with the saintly, ascetic, noble-souls are the auspicious direction to a Jeeva.
The sky is the source of water and the cow is the source of food to Jeeva. The money earned without working or the money earned begging
is considered as poison. The Bhramin/twice-born is the auspicious ‘time’ for
the performance of Shraddha. Oh!
Yaksha, what is your opinion about all these?”
Yaksha Uvacha –
Kimsvidhathma Manushasya
Kimsvidhaivakritha: Sakha | Upajeevanam Kimsvidhdhasya Kimsvidhasya
Parayanam ||
Yudhishtira Uvacha –
Puthra Athma Manushasya
Bharya Dhaivakritha: Sakha |
Upajeevanam Cha Parjjanyo Dhanamasya Parayanam ||
Yaksha Uvacha –
Dhanyanam Uththamam Kimsvidh Dhananam
Syath Kimuththamam | Labhanam Uththamam Kimsyath Sukhanam Syathkimuththamam ||
Yudhishtira Uvacha –
Dhanyanam Uththamam Dhakshyam Dhananam
Uththamam Shrutham | Labhanam Shreya Arogyam Sukhanam Thushtiruththama ||
Yaksha Uvacha –
Kashcha Dharma: Paro Loke Kashcha Dharma : Sadha Phala: | Kim Niyamya
Na Shochanthi Kaishcha Sandhir Na
Jeeryathe ||
Yudhishtira Uvacha –
Anrushamsyam Paro Dharma Sthrayi Dharma:
Sadha Phala: | Mano Yamya Na Shochanthi Sandhi: Sadhbhirna Jeeryathe ||
Yaksha Uvacha –
Kim Nu Hithva Priyo Bhavathi Kim Nu
Hithva Na Shochathi | Kim Nu
Hithvarththavan Bhavathi Kim Nu
Hithva Sukhi Bhaveth ||
Yudhishtira Uvacha –
Manam Hithva Priyo Bhavathi Krodham
Hithva Na Shochathi | Kamam
Hithvarththavan Bhavathi Lobham Hithva
Sukhi Bhaveth ||
Yaksha Uvacha –
Kimarththam Bhramane Dhanam Kimarththam Natanarththake |
Kimarththam Chaiva Bhrithyeshu Kimarththam Chaiva Rajasu ||
Yudhishtira Uvacha –
Dharmarththam Bhramanena Dhanam Yasho
Arththam Natananarththake | Bhrithyeshu Bharanarththam Vai Bhayarththam Chaiva
Rajasu ||
Yaksha Uvacha
Kena Svidhavritho Loka: Kenasvinna
Prakashathe | Kena Thyajathi Mithrani Kena Swargam Na Gacchathi ||
Yudhishtira Uvacha –
Ajjyananevritho Loka Samastha Na Prakashathe | Lobhaththyajathi Mithrani
Sangath Swargam Na Gacchathi ||
Yaksha Uvacha –
Mritha: Katham Syath Purusha: Katham Rashtram Mritham Bhaveth
| Shradhdham Mritham Kadham Va Syath
Katham Yajjyo Mritho Bhaveth ||
Yudhishtira Uvacha –
Mritho Dharidhra: Purusho Mritham
Rashtramarajakam | Mrithamashrothriyam Shradhdham Mritho Yajjasthvadhakshina:
||
Yaksha Uvacha –
Ka Dhikimudham Proktham Kimannam Kimcha
Vai Visham | Shradhdhasya Kalamakhyahi Thatha: Piba Harasva Cha ||
Yudhishtira Uvacha –
Santho Dhig Jalamakasham Gaurannam
Prarththana Visham | Shradhdhasya
Bhramana: Kala: Kadham Va Yaksha
Manyase ||
