The Quest for Water

After losing their kingdom to the Kauravas in a rigged game of dice, the Pandavas were exiled to the forest for thirteen years. During their exile, they faced numerous challenges, one of which was the lack of water. On a particularly hot day, the Pandavas found themselves desperate for water. Bhima, exhausted and parched, exclaimed, “We must find water soon, or we will not survive this heat!”

Yudhishthira, the eldest and wisest of the brothers, urged patience and sent Nakula to find a water source. Nakula soon returned, jubilant, “I found a lake, clear and inviting!” He hurried back to the lake to quench his thirst.

The Deadly Lake

As Nakula approached the lake, he was met with an eerie silence. Ignoring his instincts, he knelt by the water to drink. Suddenly, a divine voice echoed, “Do not drink this water without answering my questions.” Nakula, overcome by his thirst, disregarded the warning and drank. Instantly, he fell lifeless to the ground.

When Nakula did not return, Yudhishthira sent Sahadeva to check on him. Sahadeva, too, found the lake and the lifeless body of his brother. Ignoring the same warning, he drank the water and met the same fate.

One by One

Growing anxious, Yudhishthira sent Bhima and then Arjuna to find their brothers. Both warriors, known for their might and skill, approached the lake with determination. Bhima, who often relied on his strength, scoffed at the warning, “No voice can stop Bhima!” He drank and collapsed. Arjuna, the archer with unparalleled focus, attempted to reason with the voice, but in his desperation, he too drank and succumbed to the poison.

Yudhishthira, now alone, feared the worst. He followed his brothers’ path to the lake, where he found them lying lifeless. The divine voice spoke again, “Answer my questions if you wish to drink the water.”

The Yaksha’s Questions

Yudhishthira, composed and wise, listened carefully. He realized this was no ordinary situation but a test. The voice belonged to a Yaksha, a celestial being who guarded the lake. The Yaksha posed several philosophical and moral questions, testing Yudhishthira’s wisdom.

“What is the greatest wonder?” the Yaksha asked.

Yudhishthira replied, “Day after day, countless people die, yet the living wish to live forever. This is the greatest wonder.”

The Yaksha continued, “What is the path to happiness?”

Yudhishthira answered, “Contentment is the path to happiness.”

The questions went on, each one probing deeper into Yudhishthira’s understanding of life and dharma (righteousness). Satisfied with his answers, the Yaksha revealed himself to be Yudhishthira’s father, the god Dharma in disguise.

Resurrection and Revelation

Pleased with Yudhishthira’s wisdom and virtue, Dharma offered to revive one of his brothers. Yudhishthira chose Nakula, the son of his stepmother, Madri, to honor his promise to protect all his siblings equally. Dharma, impressed by this selflessness, revived all the Pandavas.

“We were tested,” Yudhishthira explained to his revived brothers. “Our father, the god Dharma, wanted to see if we remained true to our principles even in dire circumstances.”