Questions!
 
Sri Nārada further asked Maharāj Yudhisthira: Has your study of the ritualistic portions of the Vedas, your knowledge of the philosophical portions of scriptures, your acquisition of wealth & your married life proven fruitful?
 
Yudhisthira said-My dear sage, how can a person understand if these 4 things have borne fruit?
 
Sage replied-Study of the Vedas bears fruit when one performs abundant sacrifices. Knowledge of philosophical portions of scriptures bears fruit when it results in humility & good behavior. Wealth bears fruit when one enjoys it or gives in charity. A wife bears fruit when she renders service to her husband & produces children
 
Yudhisthira bowed his head to worship sage’s lotus feet & while doing so promised to act as he has been directed. The sage said-A King who passes his days earnestly protecting the four social orders (Brahmana, Kshatriya, Vaishya & Shudra), lives happily in this life & attains abode of Indra after death
 
Yudhisthira with great curiosity asked-O foremost sage! In course of your perpetual wanderings have you ever seen another assembly hall equal to or superior to this one built by Maya Dānava?
 
The sage smiled as if finding this question somewhat amusing & said-My dear King! I’ve certainly never seen such an opulent royal assembly hall upon earth. However, in other planetary systems there are far superior ones that I shall now describe
 
As Pāndavās became curios, sage said-The assembly hall of Indra named Puskarmālini was built by king of heaven himself. It is 150x100x5 yojanas in size & moves according to his will. Anyone who enters it finds that the influence of old age, grief & fear are immediately dispelled. When Indra sits upon his throne, he is surrounded by demigods & celestial sages, who worship him & await his commands. The Gandharvās & Apsaras are always in attendance to sing & dance for his pleasure & great saintly kings like Harischandrā are also present there
 
Assembly of Yamarāj was built by Visvakarmā & covers an area of more than 100 square yojanas. It is similar to Indra’s Hall in characteristics. Prominent kings like Yayāti, Nāhusa & Puru wait there for him. Sāntanu & Pāndu are also there. There are inestimable kings also present there
 
Assembly hall of Varuna has same dimensions as Yamarāj’s & is built by Visvakarma within water. The Nagas headed by Vāsuki wait upon Varuna in this pure white palace, as do the Daityās & Dānavas, headed by Bali Maharāj, son of Virocana. All oceans of sacred rivers reside in their personal forms there to serve the Lord of waters
 
Asking relevant question is an art which can give great insights & learnings. To see the big picture, ask big questions. In our lives, we also ask so many questions-to customers, friends, colleagues, juniors, etc. Our Vedic scriptures are also in the form of question and answers. Knowledge is transferred when an eager and inquisitive person humbly seeks answers from a resourceful and qualified teacher. A student is compared to a vessel, his humility is the empty space and eagerness the depth of the vessel. But if he has preconceived notions, then the vessel is full and cannot retain anymore.
 Do we ask clear, unambiguous questions? Do we listen & are inspired to give clear answers?
 
Thoughts? #gameoflife


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