Characters in Yudhisthira’s Wisdom:
| 1. Kunti a. Yudhisthira (Son) b. Bhima (Son) c. Arjuna (Son) 2. Madri a. Nakula (Son) b. Shadev (Son) 3. Yaksha (Yama, The God Of Justice and Righteousness) |
Summary of Yudhisthira’s Wisdom:
When the Pandavas were leading their way life in jungle, once they ran after a deer to hunt it. As it ran swiftly, they couldn’t find it anywhere. The brothers were tired and thirsty. So, they sat under a tree. Yudhisthira sank down under a tree to rest and sent Sahadev in quest of water. But he did not return for a long time. So he did sent Nakula to see what happened. But Sahadev, he too did not return. Yudhisthira sent his remaining brothers but none returned. Yudhisthira was not known about their ill fate. So, he decided to follow their footsteps. He saw a beautiful scene somewhere far. There was fresh and clear water where the blue sky reflected. There were golden flowers blooming aside. But he saw another sight too in which his blood froze. On the side he saw his four brothers lying dead or unconscious. Yudhisthira wanted to die because he could not live without his brothers. He started to cry bitterly. Yudhisthira knew the fact that they had been killed because they did not obey Yaksha’s order. The pool belonged to Yaksha and no one could drink the water unless s/he answered his question.
His answers to the questions were “The power of god makes the sun shine; Courage is the surest weapon against danger; Mother gives more to man than even the Earth; When a man gives up pride, he becomes loved by his fellows; When a man loses his anger, he becomes happy; A man immediately becomes rich when he can give up his desire.” These answers made Yaksha happy and he asked Yudhisthira demand for the life of any one of his brothers. He chooses the life of Nakula, the son of his step mother. He did so, so as to give continuity to the generation of both mother. Hearing this, Yaksha was more pleased. So, he gave life to all the brothers and advised Yudhisthira to go with them and Draupadi to Matsya and live there in disguise.
Yaksha appeared before Yudhisthira also. He said that he could not drink water of that pool unless he answered his questions. He asked philosophical queries: What makes the sun shine? What is man’s surest weapon against danger? What gives more to man even the earth does? When does a man get the affection of his peers? What is that which makes a man happy when he has lost it? What can a man give up and immediately become rich?
Questions and Answers in short:
1. What makes the sun shine?
Answer: Power of God
2. What is man’s surest weapon against danger?
Answer: Courage
3. What gives more to man even the earth does?
Answer: A mother
4. When does a man get the affection of his peers?
Answer: When he gives up pride.
5. What does a man or person find pleasurable (happy) after he has lost everything?
Answer: Anger
6. What can a person give up to get rich immediately?
Answer: Desire
Four Levels of Story
Literal Comprehension:
Yudhisthira’s wisdom is a part of “The Mahabharat” the greatest Hindu epic. It describes the event that happened when the Pandavas were leading their life in the forest.
The Pandavas were so thirsty while they were trying to catch a deer. Yudhisthira, being tired and thirsty, send Sahadev and other brothers to find water somewhere but none of them returned. So, Yudhisthira went himself to know what really happened. Following their footsteps, Yudhisthira reached to such a place which was very beautiful (picturesque) or (easy on the eye). Fresh water, beautiful lotuses were really praiseworthy but he was not able to handle himself when he saw his brothers lying dead by the side of the pool. Yudhisthira was met by Yakshya. He said that the pool belonged to him and no-one could drink the water unless he answered his questions. Yudhisthira knew the fact about his brothers’ death. H e answered Yakshya’s questions in a very simple way. His answers to the questions were ” The power of god makes the Sun shine; Courage is the surest weapon against danger; Mother gives more than even the Earth to man; When a man gives up his pride, he becomes loved by his fellows; When man loses his anger, he becomes happy; A man becomes immediately rich when he can give up his desire.”
He responded to all of Yaksha’s questions until he was satisfied.He pledged to bring one of the brothers back. Under Yaksha’s request he demanded for Nakula’s life. with much pleasing reason. The Yaksha reveals himself as a Yama, tells Yudhistra how pleased he is with his uprights. But being extremely pleased Yaksha enlivened all of his brothers and advised him to live in Matsya.
Interpretation of Yudhisthira’s Wisdom:
The story, though simple to read, embodies ample moral lessons. It’s philosophical aspects are noteworthy. This story teaches us the meaning of patience and wisdom and their ultimate consequences. Obstacles are not the stopping stones, but the stepping ones. One can get victory over all the difficulties if he possesses wisdom and justice. An angry man is never happy. On the other hand, the story also sketches the grandeur (glory). of the god. Men with righteousness, wisdom and justice are honored not only after death, they are equally respected even when they are alive.
Critical Thinking of Yudhisthira’s Wisdom:
Though the story is rich in its philosophical aspect, it is not trustworthy in many ways. Does a modern reader believe in god? Do they really exist? Are god those who make the sunshine?
It is not false to say that story is simple but I don’t agree with it’s view that patience and wisdom are all praiseworthy. Are all wise men honored after death and rewarded when alive? Is courage only the surest weapon against danger? Do men die by a magic spell? If the questions of the Yaksha were really complicated that took the lives of four brothers, how could they have simple answers given by Yudhisthira? Is man really loved by his fellow if he gives up his pride? If so, was Gandhi loved because he gave up his pride? Does our life become rich if we give up desires? On the other hand, ” Yudhisthira’s wisdom” is an extract of the vast epic, so, isn’t it meaningless to judge the whole simple measuring the elements of its parts? I want to argue over it too because we can’t judge it unless we go through the whole text.
Assimilation of Yudhisthira’s Wisdom:
This story changed the philosophy of my life. Before, I used to compare the success of life to the material gratification. Material prosperity was everything for me. But Yudhisthira’s wisdom has really made me wise. I knew that the material success has mothing to do in life. I knew now to lead a life of patience, righteousness, wisdom and justice. I know now that love, care and sympathy are the building blocks of our happiness. Right conduct and right wisdom are the surest weapon. Men with such virtues are respect while alive and they are honored even after their death.
Theme of Yudhisthira’s Wisdom:
The statement emphasizes the story of Yudhisthira’s main themes, which include righteousness, wisdom, patience, and devotion to God. These attributes are highlighted by Yudhisthira’s character, indicating their importance in the story. These attributes are fundamental to what makes a person great, and the story emphasizes the moral and ethical principles they stand for.
Moral of Yudhisthira’s Wisdom:
It is moral story that teaches us about the importance of wisdom, justice, morality, patience, courage and good conduct of life.
| disguise (भेष)- give (someone or oneself) a different appearance in order to conceal one’s identity. |
| picturesque (रमणीय)- (of a place or building) visually attractive, especially in a quaint or charming way. |
| ample (पर्याप्त)- enough or more than enough; plentiful. |
| righteousness (धार्मिकता)- the quality of being morally right or justifiable. |
| wisdom (बुद्धि)-the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement; the quality of being wise. |
| gratification (सन्तुष्टि)- pleasure, especially when gained from the satisfaction of a desire. |
| grandeur (भव्यता)- splendour and impressiveness, especially of appearance or style. |
Most Probable Questions:
- Describe “Yudhisthira’s Wisdom” from Yaksha’s perspective.
- In Yudhishthira’s perspective, retell the tale “Yudhisthira’s Wisdom”?
- Retell the plot of this story “Yudhishthira’s Wisdom”.
- Give a brief summary of “Yudhishthira’s Wisdom” in one sentence.
ANSWER : Patience, obedience, wisdom, and justice are qualities of a true warrior, such as Yudhishthira, who survived the Yaksha testing because he maintained his bravery and patience under pressure.