Yaksha Prashna Story for Kid

Lord Yama revealing his divine form and reviving the Pandavas after Yaksha Prashna in Mahabharata

Published March 14, 2024

The Yaksha Prashna story for kids is a famous story from the Mahabharata. It tells how Yudhishthira answered the Yaksha’s questions with great wisdom and patience. This meaningful story teaches important life lessons about truth, responsibility, and wise decision-making.

Quick Information: In the Hindu epic Mahabharata, there is a question-and-answer dialogue between Yudhishthira and a Yaksha that is described as the Yaksha Prashna. It appears in the Madhya Parva of the Mahabharata.

The twelve years of Pandavas’ exile were nearing their end. One day, while resting beneath a tree, they felt an intense thirst. Yudhistra instructed Nakula, “Brother, climb that tree and check if there’s a pool or river nearby.”

From atop the tree, Nakula spotted water plants and cranes a short distance away. Hoping to find water, he decided to fetch some for his brothers to drink.

Gladly, Nakula discovered a pool. Feeling thirsty himself, he thought to quench his own thirst before retrieving water for his brothers. However, as soon as he dipped his hand into the water, he heard a voice:

“Do not be hasty. This pool is mine. O son of Madri, answer my question before drinking.” Ignoring the warning, Nakula drank from the water and immediately collapsed, seemingly lifeless.

Nakula drinking water from a forest lake with lotus flowers and cranes in the Yaksha Prashna story from Mahabharata

Concerned by Nakula’s prolonged absence, Yudhishtra sent Sahadeva to find him. Sahadeva arrived at the pool and found his brother unconscious on the ground. Despite hearing the mysterious voice and its warning, he too drank from the water and fell unconscious.

Puzzled and anxious, Yudhishtra then sent Arjuna to investigate. Shocked by the sight, Arjuna was filled with grief and a desire for revenge. Despite shooting arrows in the direction of the voice, he too succumbed after drinking from the pool.

When Arjuna failed to return, Yudhishtra sent Bhima, consumed by grief and rage, to find his brothers. Determined to confront the Yakshas responsible, Bhima also drank from the water despite the warning and met the same fate as his brothers.

Pandava brothers Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva lying unconscious near a forest lake in Yaksha Prashna story

Desperate, Yudhishtra set out to search for his brothers himself. Upon finding them all dead, he wondered who could have been powerful enough to kill them. He suspected foul play by Duryodhana, who might have poisoned the water.

Yudhishthira seeing his brothers lying unconscious near the lake in Yaksha Prashna from Mahabharata

As he descended into the pool, Yudhishtra heard the voice again. Realizing it was the work of a bodiless Yaksha, he answered the Yaksha’s questions:

“What rescues a man in danger?”

“Courage,” Yudhishtra replied.

“By which science does man become wise?”

“In the company of the wise,” he answered.

“What sustains more nobly than the earth?”

“The mother who raises her children.”

“What is swifter than wind?”

“The mind.”

“Who accompanies a man after death?”

“Dharma.”

“What is happiness?”

“The result of good conduct.”

“Who is rich?”

“One who controls desires.”

“What makes one a true Brahmin?”

“Good conduct alone, not birth or learning.”

“What is the greatest wonder in the world?”

“Men witness creatures departing to Yama’s abode daily, yet those who remain seek to live forever. This is the greatest wonder.”

The Yaksha asked Yudhishtra a series of philosophical questions, testing his wisdom and understanding of righteousness. Yudhishtra answered each question thoughtfully and wisely.

Yudhishthira respectfully answering the Yaksha’s questions beside a mystical lake in the Mahabharata story

Impressed by Yudhishtra’s answers, the Yaksha offered to revive one of his brothers. Yudhishtra chose Nakula, explaining that he wanted to ensure both his mothers, Kunti and Madri, had one son alive each. The Yaksha, who was actually Yama, the Lord of Death, was satisfied with Yudhishtra’s response.

Yama then revived all the Pandavas, revealing that he had been testing Yudhishtra’s wisdom and commitment to justice. With their lives restored, the Pandavas continued their journey, wiser and more united than ever before.

Note: Pandu ruled the Kuru Kingdom as a king in the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Because of the curse of the sage Kindama, he was unable to conceive and was left with the five Pandava brothers as foster parents. These brothers were the gifts bestowed upon his wife Kunti by several gods:

Sons from Kunti:

Yudhishthira by Yama
Bhima by Vayu
Arjuna by Indra

Sons from Madri

Nakula by Nasatya
Sahadeva by Darsa

Moral of the Story

Wisdom, patience, and truth always lead to the right decisions. We should think carefully before acting and always choose what is right, even in difficult situations.

What We Learn from Yaksha Prashna

This story teaches us to stay calm, think wisely, and speak the truth. Good decisions come from patience and knowledge, not from hurry or fear.