Yaksha Prasannam ( Part 3) : The Reveal

 


 

Amazed by the depth of Dharmar’s wisdom, the Yaksha said,

“Yudhishthira! I am delighted by your answers. As a reward for the depth of your knowledge, I wish to grant you a boon. Among your four brothers, you may choose one to be brought back to life. Whom do you wish to revive?”

This was a question not easily answered by intellect alone. Yet, just as he had answered the earlier questions instantly, without even a moment’s hesitation, Dharmar replied:
“O Yaksha, I wish to bring Nakula back to life.”

Until then, the Yaksha had been pleased with Dharmar’s answers, but this time he was startled and fell silent for a moment.

“Yudhishthira! Is it not Bhima who has vowed to destroy Duryodhana? Do you not need a great archer like Arjuna? Why then do you ask for Nakula?” the Yaksha asked in great surprise.

To this, Dharmaputra replied:
“O Yaksha! The highest dharma is to treat all one’s relationships with equal love and fairness. My father had two wives—Kunti and Madri. Of Kunti’s sons, I am still alive. If one life is to be restored now, it is only just that one of Madri’s sons should live.”

Hearing this, the Yaksha was deeply moved. He revealed his true identity—he was none other than Yama, the god of dharma, appearing before his own son, Dharmaputra.

“My son Yudhishtra! I am overjoyed by the height of your righteousness. To test the strength of your dharma, I came in the form of a Yaksha. Do not worry, my son! All your brothers will come back to life. Ask for any boon you desire!” Dharmadeva asked.




However, Yudhishtra asked only that the deer they had been chasing be returned to them, so they could retrieve the fire sticks and staff that had gotten caught in its antlers and return them to the Brahmin who had requested them.

Pleased, the god of dharma brought back the deer, blessed the five brothers, and disappeared. The brothers retrieved the sticks and staff from the deer’s antlers and returned them to the Brahmin.

Researchers say that the epic Mahabharata was written around 5,000 years ago. Even back then, Yudhishtra explained dharma in such a profound way. It is certainly no exaggeration to call him “Dharmaputra.” Wishing that his name and fame endure forever, this wonderful account comes to an end.


With gratitude,

Shanmugapriya K Sambathkumar

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