The Yaksha Prashna – Yudhishthira’s Greatest Test
The Pandavas continued their forest exile.
Years had passed since they left their kingdom.
One day, the brothers faced a mysterious situation that would test not their physical strength, but their wisdom, patience and understanding of dharma.
A mysterious lake appeared before them.
One by one, the Pandavas approached it.
What happened at that lake became one of the most famous episodes of the Mahabharata.
1. The Pandavas Search for Water
One day during their forest exile, the Pandavas became extremely tired and thirsty.
They needed water.
Yudhishthira asked Nakula to search for a nearby source of water.
Nakula travelled through the forest and eventually discovered a beautiful lake.
The water looked clear and pure.
He was relieved to find it.
But before he could drink, he heard a mysterious voice.
The voice warned him:
“Do not drink this water until you answer my questions.”
Nakula ignored the warning.
2. Nakula Falls Unconscious
Nakula did not listen to the mysterious voice.
He drank the water.
Immediately, he fell unconscious beside the lake.
When Nakula did not return, Yudhishthira sent Sahadeva to find him.
Sahadeva reached the lake and saw Nakula lying on the ground.
He also heard the mysterious voice warning him.
But Sahadeva ignored the warning.
He drank the water.
He too fell unconscious.
3. Bhima Goes to the Lake
When Sahadeva did not return, Bhima went to search for his brothers.
He reached the lake and was shocked.
Nakula and Sahadeva were lying motionless near the water.
Bhima became angry.
The mysterious voice warned him not to drink.
But Bhima ignored the warning.
He drank from the lake.
He too fell unconscious.
4. Arjuna Arrives
When Bhima failed to return, Arjuna went to the lake.
He saw his three brothers lying on the ground.
Arjuna immediately suspected that something supernatural had happened.
The mysterious voice appeared again.
It warned Arjuna not to drink the water without answering its questions.
Arjuna refused to listen.
He drank the water.
He also fell unconscious.
Now four of the five Pandavas were lying beside the lake.
5. Yudhishthira Arrives
Finally, Yudhishthira came to the lake.
He saw his four brothers lying motionless.
He was heartbroken.
But unlike his brothers, Yudhishthira did not immediately drink the water.
He understood that something extraordinary had happened.
The mysterious voice spoke to him.
It said that the lake belonged to a Yaksha and that Yudhishthira had to answer his questions before drinking.
Yudhishthira agreed.
6. The Yaksha Begins Asking Questions
The Yaksha began asking Yudhishthira difficult questions.
The questions were not about weapons or war.
They were about life, death, morality, wisdom and dharma.
Yudhishthira answered calmly.
The Yaksha was impressed by his wisdom.
Among the questions was one of the most famous:
“What is the greatest wonder in the world?”
Yudhishthira answered that people see others dying every day, yet continue living as though death will never come to them.
The Yaksha was pleased with his answer.
7. Yudhishthira’s Wisdom
The Yaksha continued asking questions.
Yudhishthira explained his understanding of dharma.
He spoke about truth, good conduct, happiness, duty and the nature of life.
He did not become impatient.
He carefully considered every question before answering.
His wisdom impressed the Yaksha.
Finally, the Yaksha offered Yudhishthira a choice.
He could bring one of his brothers back to life.
Yudhishthira had to choose.
8. Yudhishthira Chooses Nakula
The Yaksha expected Yudhishthira might choose Bhima or Arjuna.
Bhima was extremely powerful.
Arjuna was the greatest archer.
Either brother would be extremely valuable to the Pandavas.
But Yudhishthira chose Nakula.
The Yaksha asked why.
Yudhishthira explained that Kunti was his mother and Madri was the mother of Nakula and Sahadeva.
Since Yudhishthira, Kunti’s son, was still alive, he wanted one son of Madri to live as well.
He believed that justice required both mothers to have a surviving son.
The Yaksha was deeply impressed by Yudhishthira’s fairness.
9. The Yaksha Reveals His Identity
The mysterious Yaksha then revealed his true identity.
He was Dharma, Yudhishthira’s divine father.
He had come to test Yudhishthira’s wisdom and devotion to dharma.
Because Yudhishthira had answered the questions correctly and chosen fairness over personal advantage, Dharma was pleased.
He granted Yudhishthira a boon.
He also restored the lives of the other Pandavas.
10. The Pandavas Return to Life
Nakula, Sahadeva, Bhima and Arjuna regained consciousness.
Yudhishthira was relieved to see his brothers alive again.
The mysterious test had ended.
The Pandavas had learned another important lesson during their exile.
Strength was not always the answer.
Sometimes wisdom, patience and dharma were more powerful than physical strength.
11. The End of the Twelve Years
The Pandavas were now approaching the end of their twelve years in the forest.
They had endured enormous difficulties.
They had gained divine weapons.
They had met great sages.
They had learned important lessons.
But one final condition remained.
They had to complete one year living in disguise.
If their identities were discovered during that year, they would have to repeat the exile.
The Pandavas now needed to find a kingdom where they could remain hidden.
12. The Kingdom of Virata
The Pandavas decided to spend their final year in the kingdom of King Virata.
They would each take a different identity.
Yudhishthira would become a court adviser.
Bhima would work as a cook.
Arjuna would take a unique disguise.
Nakula and Sahadeva would work with horses and cattle.
Draupadi would become a maid in the royal household.
They knew that the coming year would be extremely dangerous.
One mistake could reveal their identities.
The Thirteenth Year Begins
The twelve years of forest exile were finally coming to an end.
The Pandavas had survived everything that fate had placed before them.
Now they had to face perhaps their most difficult challenge:
Living among strangers without revealing who they really were.
Their year in Virata’s kingdom would bring new danger, especially from a powerful warrior named Kichaka.
The story continues in Maha Bharatham Part 15.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Yaksha Prashna?
Yaksha Prashna is the famous episode in which Yudhishthira answers a series of difficult questions asked by a mysterious Yaksha.
Why did the Pandavas fall unconscious?
According to the traditional story, they drank water from the Yaksha’s lake without answering his questions.
Who was the Yaksha?
The Yaksha was later revealed to be Dharma, Yudhishthira’s divine father.
, where they lived in disguise.