35.Yaksha: 'You have truly answered who is a man, and what man possesses every kind of wealth. Therefore, let one only amongst your brothers, whom you may wish, get up with life!' Yudhishthira: 'Let this one that is of darkish hue, whose eyes are red, who is tall like a large Sala tree, whose chest is broad and arms long, let this Nakula, O Yaksha, get up with life!
36.Yaksha rejoined: 'This Bhimasena is dear to you, and this Arjuna also is one upon whom all of you depend! Why, then, O king do you, wish a step-brother to get up with his life! How can you, forsaking Bhima whose strength is equal to that of ten thousand elephants, wish Nakula to live? People said that this Bhima was dear to you. What is your idea then for wishing your step-brother to revive even forsaking Arjuna the might of whose arms is worshipped by all the sons of Pandu? '
Yudhishthira said: 'If virtue is sacrificed, he that sacrifices it is himself lost. So virtue also cherishes the cherisher (Dharmo rakshati rakshitaha: Dharma protects those who protect it). Therefore taking care that virtue by being sacrificed may not sacrifice us, I never forsake virtue. Abstention from injury is the highest virtue, and is, I believe, even higher than the highest object of attainment. I endeavor to practice that virtue. Therefore, let Nakula, O Yaksha, revive! Let men know that the king is always virtuous! I will never depart from my duty. Let Nakula, therefore, revive! My father had two wives, Kunti and Madri. Let both of them have children. This is what I wish. As Kunti is to me, so also is Madri. There is no difference between them in my eye. I desire to act equally towards my mothers. Therefore, let Nakula live?'
37. Yaksha: 'Since abstention from injury is regarded by you as higher than both profit and pleasure, therefore, let all your brothers live, O the greatest among the Bharata race!"
Conclusion
After this question and answer session Yudhishthira asked Yaksha who he was, whether he was the foremost of the Vasus, or of the Rudras, or of the chief of the Maruts? Was he the lord of the celestials who could slay all his brothers who were invincible? He told him ‘I see also that their senses have refreshed, as if they have sweetly awakened from slumber. Are you a friend of ours, or even our father himself’?
Yaksha replied,-'O child, I am even your father, the Lord of justice, possessed of great prowess! Know the mightiest of the Bharata race, that I came here desirous of beholding you! Fame, truth, self-restraint, purity, candor, modesty, steadiness, charity, austerities and Brahmacharya, these are my body! And abstention from injury, impartiality, peace, penances, sanctity, and freedom from malice are the doors (through which I am accessible).
You are always dear to me! By good luck you are devoted to the five; and by good luck also you have conquered the six. Of the six, two appear in the first part of life; two in the middle part thereof; and the remaining two at the end, in order to make men repair to the next world. I am the lord of justice! I came here to test your merit. I am well-pleased to see your harmlessness. I will therefore confer boons on you. Please ask me whatever you want. '
Note: Five - That is, tranquility of mind, self-restraint, abstention from sensual pleasures, resignation, and Yoga meditation. Six - That is, hunger, thirst, sorrow, bluntness of mortal feeling, decay, and death
Yudhishthira said: 'A deer was carrying away the Brahmana's fire-sticks. Therefore, the first boon that I shall ask, is, May that Brahmana's worship to Agni be not interrupted!' The Yaksha said,--'O Kunti's son, it was I who was carrying away, in the guise of a deer, that Brahmana's fire-sticks for examining you!" Then he granted the boon asked for and told Yudhishthira to ask for another boon. Yudhishthira said,--'We have spent these twelve years in the forest; and the thirteenth year is coming. May no one recognize us, as we spend this year somewhere?' Yaksha granted this boon also and assured him that none in the three worlds shall recognize them and that they will spend this thirteenth year, secretly and unrecognized, in Virata's kingdom! And every one of them will be able at will to assume any form they liked!
He continued ‘I have not yet been satisfied by granting these boons to you! You do, my son, accept a third boon that is great and incomparable! You, O king, are born of me.’
Yudhishthira prayed ‘It is enough that I have seen you with my senses, the eternal God of gods as you are! O father, whatever boon you will confer on me I shall surely accept gladly! May I, O Lord, always conquer covetousness and folly and anger, and may my mind be ever devoted to charity, truth, and ascetic austerities! ‘
The Lord of justice said; ‘Even by nature, O Pandava, you have been endowed with these qualities, for you are the Lord of Justice himself! You do attain what you asked for?" Having said these words, the worshipful Lord of justice, Dharmaraja, who is the object of contemplation of all the worlds, vanished therefrom and the noble Pandavas were united with one another. And their fatigue dispelled, those five heroes returned to the hermitage, and gave back that Brahmana his fire sticks.
Those who study and contemplate on this story of the revival of the Pandavas and the meeting of the father and son (Dharmaraja and Yudhishthira), obtains perfect tranquility of mind, and progeny and also a long life. That man who is convinced about the wisdom contained in this conversation will never delight in unrighteousness, or in foul thoughts!
Adopted from:
Mahabharata: English Translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Also read:
What is Dharma?