Yaksha's Questions
“When wisdom is tested, when brothers lie dead, when a voice asks riddles of dharma, only truth can bring life back.”
Story Summary
Late in their forest exile, the Pandavas come across a beautiful lake. Thirsty after long travel, the brothers ignore a mysterious warning voice and drink from the water—only to fall dead. Yudhishthira, the last remaining, approaches with caution and discovers the voice belongs to a Yaksha who will revive his brothers only if Yudhishthira answers philosophical riddles correctly. Through profound wisdom about dharma, life, death, and duty, Yudhishthira answers each question perfectly, including the famous riddle: 'What is the greatest wonder?' His answer: 'Every day people see death, yet think they will live forever.' When all questions are answered, the Yaksha reveals himself as Dharma, Yudhishthira's own father, who had been testing his son. All four brothers are revived, and Dharma blesses Yudhishthira with wisdom and protection. This episode, one of the most famous in the Mahabharata, demonstrates why Yudhishthira is called 'Dharma Raja'—the King of Righteousness.