Adherence!

 

Yaksha congratulated Maharāj Yudhisthira for his enlightening answers & said: O King! You can choose one of your brothers to be brought back to life

 

Yudhisthira selected Nakula. Being very surprised, Yaksha enquired: How could you choose one of your stepbrothers, instead of Bhima or Arjun, who are also far more powerful?

 

Yudhisthira said: When one gives up virtue, it is actually he himself who is lost. The highest virtue is to never give pain to others. I selected Nakula so that both Kunti & Mādri would have living sons

 

Yaksha said: O King! Because you consider non-violence to be the highest virtue & more important than personal profit or happiness, I will reward you by bringing back to life all your brothers. Thus Bhima, Arjun, Nakula & Sahadev at once began to stir with life. When they got up, they found that their fatigue, hunger & thirst had vanished

 

Yudhisthira told the crane: I request you to reveal your identity, for I can’t imagine that you are mere Yaksha. I think that you must be one of the chief demigods, perhaps even my father, Yamarāj

 

Crane disclosed: Dear Son! I’m Yamarāj, the Lord of death & I came here just to test your exalted character. You spoke wonderfully. From your words I can understand that you are reservoir of godly qualities & that you’ve conquered all kinds of evil influences inherent in material existence. Now it would be my great pleasure to reward you with benediction you desire

 

Yudhisthira said: We’ve come to this remote forest while chasing a deer that carried a Brāhmanā’s fire sticks. Because we failed in our attempt, I request you to benedict me in such a way that Brāhmanā’s fire sacrifices may not be interrupted. Yamarāj said: It was me who carried away those sticks after assuming the form of a deer. Pls ask something else

 

Yudhisthira requested: During the upcoming year when we’ll have to live incognito, may we not be recognized, by your grace

 

Yamarāj gave his consent saying: Even if you were to wander over entire earth without any attempt to disguise yourselves, due to my benediction, no one will be able to recognize you. Still, I want you to assume various forms & go to reside at Virāta’s kingdom. Now take Brāhmanā’s fire sticks, but before departing ask one more benediction, for my desire to benefit you is not yet satiated

 

Yudhisthira said: Dear father! Just to see you is in itself a sufficient reward. But, to please you, I ask that may I always conquer anger, greed & foolishness, my mind is always inclined towards giving charity, remain truthful & perform austerities. Yamarāj granted this & said: You’re already the embodiment of those exalted qualities

 

What exalted personality is King Yudhisthira!

When one gives up virtue & does not follow Dharma, it is actually he himself who is lost. That would be the biggest failure and self-destruction. Adherence to virtue helps us more rather than others. If we don’t do that we are as good as animals, perhaps a bit sophisticated, but still an animal

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife


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