Reading Notes: Mahabharata, Part C
Life in the Forest
Riddles at the Lake
Before departing the forest after living twelve years in exile, the Pandava faced quite a disaster.
An animal carried away twigs used to kindle a holy fire. The Pandava desired to kill this animal or at least retrieve the twigs. They grew weary after chasing the animal so they stopped to rest. Yudhishthira told Nakula to fetch water from a pond they discovered nearby.
Nakula was very thirsty and when he stooped low to take a sip from the pond, he heard a Voice, instructing to answer. But Nakula ignored this, since he was so thirsty. He immediately fell dead. Sahadeva did the same and did not listen to the Voice so when he drank the water, he also fell dead. The same happened for Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. Arjuna even tried to threaten the Voice with drawing his arrows. But his arrows did nothing and he did not heed the Voice.
The mighty Yudhishthira listened to the Voice and inquired who was speaking. The Voice revealed himself as a yaksha.* The yaksha recited various riddles, to which Yudishthira answered wisely, with no urgency to drink the pond's water.
After Yudhisthira answered all of the riddles, the yaksha revealed that he was a form of Dharma, which is the god of wisdom, and most importantly, he was Yudhisthira's sire.
Yudhisthira requested for the others to be brought back to life and this was not only granted but they were to have power restored and unrecognizable by anyone for one year.
More information about yakshas here.
They are known to be spirit natures who may be benevolent or mischievous.
More information about Yudhisthira here.
Yudhisthira is the oldest of King Pandu and Queen Kunti. His name means "steady in war," which is interesting because he is the leader of the successful Pandava side in the war.
Pandavas go into exile in the deep forest. Yudhisthira sobbed with sorrow as he prayed to brahmins about losing the kingdom. He prayed to the sun god, glorifying all the roles he plays. The sun god, Surya, responded by appearing with a copper pot full of food. During their time in the forest, the Pandavas and their wife Draupadi experienced beautiful sunshine and also, powerful heavy rains.
Riddles at the Lake
Before departing the forest after living twelve years in exile, the Pandava faced quite a disaster.
An animal carried away twigs used to kindle a holy fire. The Pandava desired to kill this animal or at least retrieve the twigs. They grew weary after chasing the animal so they stopped to rest. Yudhishthira told Nakula to fetch water from a pond they discovered nearby.
Nakula was very thirsty and when he stooped low to take a sip from the pond, he heard a Voice, instructing to answer. But Nakula ignored this, since he was so thirsty. He immediately fell dead. Sahadeva did the same and did not listen to the Voice so when he drank the water, he also fell dead. The same happened for Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva. Arjuna even tried to threaten the Voice with drawing his arrows. But his arrows did nothing and he did not heed the Voice.
The mighty Yudhishthira listened to the Voice and inquired who was speaking. The Voice revealed himself as a yaksha.* The yaksha recited various riddles, to which Yudishthira answered wisely, with no urgency to drink the pond's water.
After Yudhisthira answered all of the riddles, the yaksha revealed that he was a form of Dharma, which is the god of wisdom, and most importantly, he was Yudhisthira's sire.
Yudhisthira requested for the others to be brought back to life and this was not only granted but they were to have power restored and unrecognizable by anyone for one year.
More information about yakshas here.
They are known to be spirit natures who may be benevolent or mischievous.
More information about Yudhisthira here.
Yudhisthira is the oldest of King Pandu and Queen Kunti. His name means "steady in war," which is interesting because he is the leader of the successful Pandava side in the war.
 |
| Yudhishthira answering Dharmaraj's questions. Source: Wikipedia |
Comments
Post a Comment