Karna's Realization [Old Version]

36. Yaksh-Paksh's Inquisition

After one month, the Pandu family embarked on their journey to Indraprastha, taking a brief stop at the borders of Hastinapur and Indraprastha.

Thirsty and in need of water, Nakula took it upon himself to fetch water from a nearby lake. They had not brought any soldiers or servants along with them.

As Nakula approached the lake in search of water, a heron perched on a tree by the lakeshore spoke, "Nakula! If you drink water from this lake without answering my questions, you shall meet your demise."

Unperturbed by the heron's warning, Nakula proceeded to drink water from the lake. However, as soon as he took a sip, he collapsed onto the ground.

Noticing Nakula's delay, Yudhishthira sent his other three brothers, Sahadeva, Arjuna, and Bhima, one after the other. Each of them met the same fate as Nakul.

Finally, Yudhishthira himself reached the reservoir, instructing the women to protect themselves and flee towards Hastinapur if he didn't return. To his astonishment, he found his brothers lying in a disheveled state.

Curious about the situation and the heron's presence, Yudhishthira heard the heron's voice emanating from the tree, "Oh Yudhishthira! I am the Yaksha. I warned your brothers to answer my questions before drinking the water, but they didn't comply. Hence, they met their fate. Now, if you attempt to drink without answering my questions, the same shall befall you."

Yudhishthira, upon hearing the Yaksha's words in the form of a heron, responded, "Oh Yaksha! I have no desire to challenge your authority. Please proceed with your questions."

The Yaksha began his interrogation, asking, "Who causes the sun to rise? Who revolves around it? Who sets it, and in whom does it reside?"

Yudhishthira confidently replied, "Oh Yaksha! Brahma causes the sun to rise. The gods revolve around it. Dharma sets it, and it resides in truth."

The Yaksha proceeded with another question, "How does a human become a woman? Who attains great stature? By whom is one considered the second (Brahmarupa), and with whom does one acquire wisdom?"

Yudhishthira answered, "Through listening, a man becomes a woman. Great stature is attained through memory. One becomes the second through meditation, and wisdom is acquired through serving the gurus."

The Yaksha's next question was, "What is the divinity inherent in Brahmins? What is the virtue resembling a Satpurusha within them? What is the essence of a human being, and what defines the behavior of an Asatpurusha?"

Yudhishthira responded, "The knowledge of the Vedas is the divinity within Brahmins. Their adherence to righteousness resembles that of a Satpurusha. Mortality defines a human being, and noble conduct characterizes an Asatpurusha."

The Yaksha then asked, "What is the sacrificial object? What is the sacrificial ritual? What is the object of the sacrificial fire, and what doesn't the sacrificial fire transcend?"