I want my first post to be something useful, that which will lay out the purpose for this blog. Thus, I want to talk about Dharma (धर्म) which is the essence of Indian Spirituality.
The word Dharma is lost now, especially amongst the youth of our generation. Dharma has various meanings. The one that makes most sense to me is: It is a Law/ behavior required to maintain righteousness in the world. Only for the establishment of Dharma, Lord Vishnu has taken the various avatars on earth. Without righteous behavior, there seems to be extreme distrust amongst individuals these days. Because of lack of trust and honesty there is growing amount of corruption and insecurity amongst individuals, amongst nations.
At the pinnacle of Dharma is Yudhishthira, known to be the son of Dharma himself. There were many instances in the Mahabharta that describes Yudhishthira’s greatness and righteousness. One such incident took place during the end of the twelve year exile period of the Pandavas. Once, the Pandavas were carrying out a task for a Rishi(ऋषि). In the process Yudhishtira became extremely thirsty. When Sahadeva, the youngest of the Pandavas when to fetch water, he found a lake gaurded by a Yaksha (a spirit). The Yaksha warned Sahadeva that if he drank water without answering his questions, the water would be poisoned. Sahadeva ignored him. When he drank the water, he died. Nakula did the same after he came looking for Sahadeva and thus he dies as well. So did Arjuna and Bheema. When none of the brothers returned, Yudhishthira went looking for them and arrived at the lake where his brothers lay dead. Hearing the Yaksha, he realized that only the Yaksha held answers to his brothers’ death. Therefore, he decided to answer the eighteen questions on Dharma which the Yaksha asked. The answers that Yudhishthira provided were insightful and are take aways for each one of us.
Source: Ether Media
Some of the answers to the questions were (Source: Wikipedia):
Yaksha : What is heavier than earth, higher than heavens, faster than the wind and more numerous than straws?
Yudhishthira: One’s mother (value) is heavier than the earth; one’s father (respect) is higher than the mountains. The mind is faster than wind and our worries are more numerous than straws.
Yaksha: What is that which, when renounced, makes one lovable? What is that which is renounced makes happy and wealthy?
Yudhishthira: Pride, if renounced makes one lovable; by renouncing desire one becomes wealthy; and to renounce avarice is to obtain happiness.
Yaksha: Who is truly happy?
Yudhishthira: He who has no debts is truly happy.
Yaksha:What is the greatest wonder?
Yudhishthira: Day after day countless people die. Yet the living do not realize that it can happen to them. O Lord, what can be a greater wonder?
Yaksha: What is the path?
Yudhishthira: Argument leads to no certain conclusion, the Srutis (ears/hearing) are different from one another; there is not even one Rishi whose opinion can be accepted by all; the truth about Dharma and duty is hid in caves of our heart: therefore, that alone is the path along which the great have trod.
Upon hearing the answers, the Yaksha was very pleased. He said that he would give back life to one of the brothers. He asked Yudhisthira to choose. Yudhisthira, chose Nakula as he was the son of Madhuri, Yudhisthira’s second mother. He gave a reason that he wanted sons born out of both the mothers alive. Listening to this, the Yaksha granted life to all the four brothers. He revealed his true form to Yudhishthira. He was in reality, Dharma himself. He disguised himself as the Yaksha to test Yudhishthira’s merit and righteousness.
The answers to the questions given by Yudhishthira were extremely beautiful and meaningful. If understood properly, these questions can serve as a guide for us humans to lead a rightful life.
Let me know what you think of this post! 🙂
– Prachi
Bhakti Route 