Yakshaprashna: Quenching the Thirst - 2

This article is part 2 of 4 in the series Yakshaprashna

This is the second part of the translation of the Yakshaprashna, a conversation between Yudhishtira and Yama on the banks of the enchanted lake.

Chapter 297
Verses 32-62:
Yaksha
किं क्षत्रियाणां देवत्वं
कश्च धर्मः सतामिव ।
कश्चैषां मानुषो भावः
किमेषामसतामिव ॥ ३२
How does a kshatriya attain divinity?
What is his true dharma?
What is the human trait of kshatriyas?
What is the wrong path for a kshatriya?

Yudhishtira
इष्वस्त्रमेषां देवत्वं
यज्ञ एषां सतामिव ।
भयं वै मानुषो भावः
परित्यागोऽसतामिव ॥ ३३
A kshatriya attains divinity by mastering his weapons
Yajna is the right action for him
Fear is the humanly trait of a kshatriya
The wrong path is giving up

Yaksha
किमेकं यज्ञियं साम
किमेकं यज्ञियं यजुः ।
का चैका वृश्चते यज्ञं
कां यज्ञो नातिवर्तते ॥ ३४
What is the saman (song) of the yajna?
What is the yajus (prose) of the yajna?
What is the support of the yajna?
What is that, which the yajna does not violate?

Yudhishtira
प्राणो वै यज्ञियं साम
मनो वै यज्ञियं यजुः ।
वागेका वृश्चते यज्ञं
तां यज्ञो नातिवर्तते ॥ ३५
The prana (breath, vital force) is the saman of the yajna
The mind is the yajus of the yajna
Speech (i.e. the rik) is the support of the yajna
and that doesn’t violate the yajna

Yaksha
किं स्विदापततां श्रेष्ठं
किं स्विन्निपततां वरम् ।
किं स्वित्प्रतिष्ठमानानां
किं स्वित्प्रवदतां वरम् ॥ ३६
What has the greatest value for one who seeks to cultivate?
What is a gift to the one who wishes to sow?
What is important for one who seeks stability?
What is a gift to those who wish to have a child?

Yudhishtira
वर्षमापततां श्रेष्ठं
बीजं निपततां वरम् ।
गावः प्रतिष्ठमानानां
पुत्रः प्रवदतां वरः ॥ ३७
Rain has the greatest value for the cultivator
Seeds are a gift to the one who wishes to sow
Cows are important for one who seeks stability
A son is a gift to those who wish to have a child

Yaksha
इन्द्रियार्थाननुभवन्
बुद्धिमांल्लोकपूजितः ।
संमतः सर्वभूतानाम्
उच्छ्वसन्को न जीवति ॥ ३८
Which person, though enjoying sensual pleasures,
having intelligence, respected by the world,
and loved by all beings
is not alive though he breathes?

Image courtesy:- Google image search

Yudhishtira
देवतातिथिभृत्यानां
पितॄणाम् आत्मनश्च यः ।
न निर्वपति पञ्चानाम्
उच्छ्वसन्न स जीवति ॥ ३९
One who respects not these five:
deities, guests, servants,
ancestors, and himself,
isn’t alive though he breathes

Yaksha
किं स्विद्गुरुतरं भूमेः
किं स्विदुच्चतरं च खात् ।
किं स्विच्छीघ्रतरं वायोः
किं स्विद्बहुतरं तृणात् ॥ ४०
What is heavier than the earth?
What is taller than the skies?
What is faster than wind?
What is more numerous than grass?

Yudhishtira
माता गुरुतरा भूमेः
पिता उच्चरतश्च खात् ।
मनः शीघ्रतरं वायोश्-
चिन्ता बहुतरी तृणात् ॥ ४१
Mother is heavier than the earth
Father is taller than the skies
Mind is faster than the wind
Worries are more numerous than grass

Yaksha
किं स्वित्सुप्तं न निमिषति
किं स्विज्जातं न चोपति ।
कस्य स्विद्धृदयं नास्ति
किं स्विद्वेगेन वर्घते ॥ ४२
What doesn’t close its eyes while sleeping?
What doesn’t move even after birth?
What doesn’t have a heart?
What attains force with its own speed?

Yudhishtira
मत्स्यः सुप्तो न निमिष-
त्यण्डं जातं न चोपति ।
अश्मनो हृदयं नास्ति
नदी वेगेन वर्धते ॥ ४३
A fish doesn’t close its eyes while it sleeps
An egg doesn’t move even after birth
A stone doesn’t have a heart
A river attains force with its own speed

Yaksha
किं स्वित्प्रवसतो मित्रं
किं स्विन्मित्रं गृहे सतः ।
आतुरस्य च किं मित्रं
किं स्विन्मित्रं मरिष्यतः ॥ ४४
Who is the friend of the traveller?
Who is the companion of the householder?
Who is the friend of the ailing?
Who is the companion of a man on his deathbed?

Yudhishtira
सार्थः प्रवसतो मित्रं
भार्या मित्रं गृहे सतः ।
आतुरस्य भिषङ्मित्रं
दानं मित्रं मरिष्यतः ॥ ४५
The caravan is the friend of the traveller
The companion of the householder is his wife
The doctor is the friend of the ailing
The companion of a man on his deathbed is dana

Yaksha
किं स्विदेको विचरति
जातः को जायते पुनः ।
किं स्विद्धिमस्य भैषज्यं
किं स्विदावपनं महत् ॥ ४६
What moves alone?
What is reborn after its death?
What is the medicine for cold?
What is the great vessel?

Image courtesy:- Google image searchYudhishtira
सूर्य एको विचरति
चन्द्रमा जायते पुनः ।
अग्निर्हिमस्य भैषज्यं
भूमिरापवनं महत् ॥ ४९
The sun moves alone
The moon is reborn after its death
Fire is the medicine for cold
The earth is the great vessel

Yaksha
किं स्विदेकपदं धर्म्यं
किं स्विदेकपदं यशः ।
किं स्विदेकपदं स्वर्ग्यं
किं स्विदेकपदं सुखम् ॥ ४८
Where does dharma primarily reside?
What is the chief place for fame?
Where does heaven primarily reside?
What is the chief place for sukha?

Yudhishtira
दाक्ष्यमेकपदं धर्म्यं
दानमेकपदं यशः ।
सत्यमेकपदं स्वर्ग्यं
शीलमेकपदं सुखम् ॥ ४९
Dharma primarily resides in diligence
The chief place for fame is dana.
Heaven primarily resides in satya.
The chief place for sukha is good conduct.

Yaksha
किं स्विदात्मा मनुष्यस्य
किं स्विद्दैवकृतः सखा ।
उपजीवनं किं स्विदस्य
किं स्विदस्य परायणम् ॥ ५०
What is the atma of man?
Who is the divinely created friend?
What is the main support for one’s life?
What is the chief refuge for a person?

Yudhishtira
पुत्र आत्मा मनुष्यस्य
भार्या दैवकृतः सखा ।
उपजीवनं च पर्जन्यो
दानम् अस्य परायणम् ॥ ५१
The son is the atma of man
The divinely created friend is the wife
Rain is the main support for one’s life
The chief refuge for a person is dana.

Image courtesy:- Google image search

Yaksha
धन्यानामुत्तमं किं स्वित्
धनानां किं स्विदुत्तमम् ।
लाभानामुत्तमं किं स्वित्
किं सुखानां तथोत्तमम् ॥ ५२
What is the best of all valuable things?
What is the greatest wealth?
What is the greatest profit?
What is the best of all sukhas?

Yudhishtira
धन्यानामुत्तमं दाक्ष्यं
धनानामुत्तमं श्रुतम् ।
लाभानां श्रेष्ठम् आरोग्यं
सुखानां तुष्टिरुत्तमा ॥ ५३
Skill is the best of all valuable things
The greatest wealth is wisdom
Good health is the greatest profit
The best of all sukhas is contentment

Yaksha
कश्च धर्मः परो लोके
कश्च धर्मः सदाफलः ।
किं नियम्य न शोचन्ति
कैश्च संधिर्न जीर्यते ॥ ५४
What is the highest dharma in the world?
What dharma always yields fruit?
What, when controlled, leads to a state of no sorrow?
Friendship with whom never gets old?

Yudhishtira
आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मः
त्रयीधर्मः सदाफलः ।
मनो यम्य न शोचन्ति
सद्भिः संधिर्न जीर्यते ॥ ५५
Magnanimity is the highest dharma
The three dharmas (i.e. the Vedas) always bear fruit
The control of the mind removes sorrow
Friendship with good people never gets old

Yaksha
किं नु हित्वा प्रियो भवति
किं नु हित्वा न शोचति ।
किं नु हित्वार्थवान्भवति
किं नु हित्वा सुखी भवेत् ॥ ५६
What when renounced makes one lovable?
What when renounced makes one free from sorrow?
What when renounced makes one wealthy?
What when renounced brings sukha?

Yudhishtira
मानं हित्वा प्रियो भवति
क्रोधं हित्वा न शोचति ।
कामं हित्वार्थवान्भवति
लोभं हित्वा सुखी भवेत् ॥ ५७
Arrogance renounced makes one lovable
Anger renounced makes one free from sorrow
Desire renounced makes one wealthy
Greed renounced brings sukha

Yaksha
मृतं कथं स्यात्पुरुषः
कथं राष्ट्रं मृतं भवेत् ।
श्राद्धं मृतं कथं च स्यात्
कथं यज्ञो मृतो भवेत् ॥ ५८
What is death for a man?
What is death for a kingdom?
What is death for a funeral rite?
What is death for a yajna?

Yudhishtira
मृतो दरिद्रः पुरुषो
मृतं राष्ट्रमराजकम् ।
मृतमश्रोत्रियं श्राद्धं
मृतो यज्ञस्त्वदक्षिणः ॥ ५९
Poverty is death for a man
Absence of a king is death for an empire
A funeral rite without an officiator is dead
A yajna without dakshina is dead

Yaksha
का दिक्किमुदकं प्रोक्तं
किमन्नं पार्थ किं विषम् ।
श्राद्धस्य कालमाख्याहि
ततः पिब हरस्व च ॥ ६०
What is direction? What is spoken of as water?
What is food, O son of Pritha? What is poison?
Tell me, what is the right time to perform the funeral rite,
and then you may drink as much water as you like.

Yudhishtira
सन्तो दिग्जलमाकाशं
गौरन्नं प्रार्थना विषम् ।
श्राद्धस्य ब्राह्मणः कालः
कथं वा यक्ष मन्यसे ॥ ६१
A wise person is truly direction (for he shows the path to tread)
Sky is the source of water
Cow is the source of food
Begging for a favour is poison
The proper time to perform the funeral rite
is when a good brahmana can be found.
I don’t know what you think of all this, O Yaksha!

Yaksha
व्याख्याता मे त्वया प्रश्ना
याथातथ्यं परन्तप ।
पुरुषं त्विदानीमाख्याहि
यश्च सर्वधनी नरः ॥ ६२
You have answered all my questions
correctly, O scorcher of enemies!
Now, tell me, who is truly a man?
Who possesses every kind the wealth?

To be continued...

Author(s)

About:

Hari is an author, translator, editor, designer, and violinist with a deep interest in philosophy, education pedagogy, literature, and films. He has (co-)written/translated and (co-)edited some forty books, mostly related to Indian culture.

Prekshaa Publications

Indian Perspective of Truth and Beauty in Homer’s Epics is a unique work on the comparative study of the Greek Epics Iliad and Odyssey with the Indian Epics – Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata. Homer, who laid the foundations for the classical tradition of the West, occupies a stature similar to that occupied by the seer-poets Vālmīki and Vyāsa, who are synonymous with the Indian culture. The author...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the sixth volume of reminiscences character sketches of prominent public figures, liberals, and social workers. These remarkable personages hailing from different corners of South India are from a period that spans from the late nineteenth century to the mid-twentieth century. Written in Kannada in the 1970s, these memoirs go...

An Introduction to Hinduism based on Primary Sources

Authors: Śatāvadhānī Dr. R Ganesh, Hari Ravikumar

What is the philosophical basis for Sanātana-dharma, the ancient Indian way of life? What makes it the most inclusive and natural of all religio-philosophical systems in the world?

The Essential Sanātana-dharma serves as a handbook for anyone who wishes to grasp the...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the fifth volume, episodes from the lives of traditional savants responsible for upholding the Vedic culture. These memorable characters lived a life of opulence amidst poverty— theirs  was the wealth of the soul, far beyond money and gold. These vidvāns hailed from different corners of the erstwhile Mysore Kingdom and lived in...

Padma Bhushan Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam represents the quintessence of Sage Bharata’s art and Bhārata, the country that gave birth to the peerless seer of the Nāṭya-veda. Padma’s erudition in various streams of Indic knowledge, mastery over many classical arts, deep understanding of the nuances of Indian culture, creative genius, and sublime vision bolstered by the vedāntic and nationalistic...

Bhārata has been a land of plenty in many ways. We have had a timeless tradition of the twofold principle of Brāhma (spirit of wisdom) and Kṣāttra (spirit of valour) nourishing and protecting this sacred land. The Hindu civilisation, rooted in Sanātana-dharma, has constantly been enriched by brāhma and safeguarded by kṣāttra.
The renowned Sanskrit poet and scholar, Śatāvadhānī Dr. R...

ಛಂದೋವಿವೇಕವು ವರ್ಣವೃತ್ತ, ಮಾತ್ರಾಜಾತಿ ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ಷಣಜಾತಿ ಎಂದು ವಿಭಕ್ತವಾದ ಎಲ್ಲ ಬಗೆಯ ಛಂದಸ್ಸುಗಳನ್ನೂ ವಿವೇಚಿಸುವ ಪ್ರಬಂಧಗಳ ಸಂಕಲನ. ಲೇಖಕರ ದೀರ್ಘಕಾಲಿಕ ಆಲೋಚನೆಯ ಸಾರವನ್ನು ಒಳಗೊಂಡ ಈ ಹೊತ್ತಗೆ ಪ್ರಧಾನವಾಗಿ ಛಂದಸ್ಸಿನ ಸೌಂದರ್ಯವನ್ನು ಲಕ್ಷಿಸುತ್ತದೆ. ತೌಲನಿಕ ವಿಶ್ಲೇಷಣೆ ಮತ್ತು ಅಂತಃಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಯ ಅಧ್ಯಯನಗಳ ತೆಕ್ಕೆಗೆ ಬರುವ ಬರೆಹಗಳೂ ಇಲ್ಲಿವೆ. ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಕಾರನಿಗಲ್ಲದೆ ಸಿದ್ಧಹಸ್ತನಾದ ಕವಿಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸ್ಫುರಿಸಬಲ್ಲ ಎಷ್ಟೋ ಹೊಳಹುಗಳು ಕೃತಿಯ ಮೌಲಿಕತೆಯನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸಿವೆ. ಈ...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the fourth volume, some character sketches of the Dewans of Mysore preceded by an account of the political framework of the State before Independence and followed by a review of the political conditions of the State after 1940. These remarkable leaders of Mysore lived in a period that spans from the mid-nineteenth century to the...

Bharatiya Kavya-mimamseya Hinnele is a monograph on Indian Aesthetics by Mahamahopadhyaya N. Ranganatha Sharma. The book discusses the history and significance of concepts pivotal to Indian literary theory. It is equally useful to the learned and the laity.

Sahitya-samhite is a collection of literary essays in Kannada. The book discusses aestheticians such as Ananda-vardhana and Rajashekhara; Sanskrit scholars such as Mena Ramakrishna Bhat, Sridhar Bhaskar Varnekar and K S Arjunwadkar; and Kannada litterateurs such as DVG, S L Bhyrappa and S R Ramaswamy. It has a foreword by Shatavadhani Dr. R Ganesh.

The Mahābhārata is the greatest epic in the world both in magnitude and profundity. A veritable cultural compendium of Bhārata-varṣa, it is a product of the creative genius of Maharṣi Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa. The epic captures the experiential wisdom of our civilization and all subsequent literary, artistic, and philosophical creations are indebted to it. To read the Mahābhārata is to...

Shiva Rama Krishna

சிவன். ராமன். கிருஷ்ணன்.
இந்திய பாரம்பரியத்தின் முப்பெரும் கதாநாயகர்கள்.
உயர் இந்தியாவில் தலைமுறைகள் பல கடந்தும் கடவுளர்களாக போற்றப்பட்டு வழிகாட்டிகளாக விளங்குபவர்கள்.
மனித ஒற்றுமை நூற்றாண்டுகால பரிணாம வளர்ச்சியின் பரிமாணம்.
தனிநபர்களாகவும், குடும்ப உறுப்பினர்களாகவும், சமுதாய பிரஜைகளாகவும் நாம் அனைவரும் பரிமளிக்கிறோம்.
சிவன் தனிமனித அடையாளமாக அமைகிறான்....

ऋतुभिः सह कवयः सदैव सम्बद्धाः। विशिष्य संस्कृतकवयः। यथा हि ऋतवः प्रतिसंवत्सरं प्रतिनवतामावहन्ति मानवेषु तथैव ऋतुवर्णनान्यपि काव्यरसिकेषु कामपि विच्छित्तिमातन्वते। ऋतुकल्याणं हि सत्यमिदमेव हृदि कृत्वा प्रवृत्तम्। नगरजीवनस्य यान्त्रिकतां मान्त्रिकतां च ध्वनदिदं चम्पूकाव्यं गद्यपद्यमिश्रितमिति सुव्यक्तमेव। ऐदम्पूर्वतया प्रायः पुरीपरिसरप्रसृतानाम् ऋतूनां विलासोऽत्र प्रपञ्चितः। बेङ्गलूरुनामके...

The Art and Science of Avadhānam in Sanskrit is a definitive work on Sāhityāvadhānam, a form of Indian classical art based on multitasking, lateral thinking, and extempore versification. Dotted throughout with tasteful examples, it expounds in great detail on the theory and practice of this unique performing art. It is as much a handbook of performance as it is an anthology of well-turned...

This anthology is a revised edition of the author's 1978 classic. This series of essays, containing his original research in various fields, throws light on the socio-cultural landscape of Tamil Nadu spanning several centuries. These compelling episodes will appeal to scholars and laymen alike.
“When superstitious mediaevalists mislead the country about its judicial past, we have to...

The cultural history of a nation, unlike the customary mainstream history, has a larger time-frame and encompasses the timeless ethos of a society undergirding the course of events and vicissitudes. A major key to the understanding of a society’s unique character is an appreciation of the far-reaching contributions by outstanding personalities of certain periods – especially in the realms of...

Prekṣaṇīyam is an anthology of essays on Indian classical dance and theatre authored by multifaceted scholar and creative genius, Śatāvadhānī Dr. R Ganesh. As a master of śāstra, a performing artiste (of the ancient art of Avadhānam), and a cultured rasika, he brings a unique, holistic perspective to every discussion. These essays deal with the philosophy, history, aesthetics, and practice of...

Yaugandharam

इदं किञ्चिद्यामलं काव्यं द्वयोः खण्डकाव्ययोः सङ्कलनरूपम्। रामानुरागानलं हि सीतापरित्यागाल्लक्ष्मणवियोगाच्च श्रीरामेणानुभूतं हृदयसङ्क्षोभं वर्णयति । वात्सल्यगोपालकं तु कदाचिद्भानूपरागसमये घटितं यशोदाश्रीकृष्णयोर्मेलनं वर्णयति । इदम्प्रथमतया संस्कृतसाहित्ये सम्पूर्णं काव्यं...

Vanitakavitotsavah

इदं खण्डकाव्यमान्तं मालिनीछन्दसोपनिबद्धं विलसति। मेनकाविश्वामित्रयोः समागमः, तत्फलतया शकुन्तलाया जननम्, मातापितृभ्यां त्यक्तस्य शिशोः कण्वमहर्षिणा परिपालनं चेति काव्यस्यास्येतिवृत्तसङ्क्षेपः।

Vaiphalyaphalam

इदं खण्डकाव्यमान्तं मालिनीछन्दसोपनिबद्धं विलसति। मेनकाविश्वामित्रयोः समागमः, तत्फलतया शकुन्तलाया जननम्, मातापितृभ्यां त्यक्तस्य शिशोः कण्वमहर्षिणा परिपालनं चेति काव्यस्यास्येतिवृत्तसङ्क्षेपः।

Nipunapraghunakam

इयं रचना दशसु रूपकेष्वन्यतमस्य भाणस्य निदर्शनतामुपैति। एकाङ्करूपकेऽस्मिन् शेखरकनामा चित्रोद्यमलेखकः केनापि हेतुना वियोगम् अनुभवतोश्चित्रलेखामिलिन्दकयोः समागमं सिसाधयिषुः कथामाकाशभाषणरूपेण निर्वहति।

Bharavatarastavah

अस्मिन् स्तोत्रकाव्ये भगवन्तं शिवं कविरभिष्टौति। वसन्ततिलकयोपनिबद्धस्य काव्यस्यास्य कविकृतम् उल्लाघनाभिधं व्याख्यानं च वर्तते।

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the third volume, some character sketches of great literary savants responsible for Kannada renaissance during the first half of the twentieth century. These remarkable...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the second volume, episodes from the lives of remarkable exponents of classical music and dance, traditional storytellers, thespians, and connoisseurs; as well as his...

Karnataka’s celebrated polymath, D V Gundappa brings together in the first volume, episodes from the lives of great writers, poets, literary aficionados, exemplars of public life, literary scholars, noble-hearted common folk, advocates...

Evolution of Mahabharata and Other Writings on the Epic is the English translation of S R Ramaswamy's 1972 Kannada classic 'Mahabharatada Belavanige' along with seven of his essays on the great epic. It tells the riveting...

Shiva-Rama-Krishna is an English adaptation of Śatāvadhāni Dr. R Ganesh's popular lecture series on the three great...

Bharatilochana

ಮಹಾಮಾಹೇಶ್ವರ ಅಭಿನವಗುಪ್ತ ಜಗತ್ತಿನ ವಿದ್ಯಾವಲಯದಲ್ಲಿ ಮರೆಯಲಾಗದ ಹೆಸರು. ಮುಖ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಶೈವದರ್ಶನ ಮತ್ತು ಸೌಂದರ್ಯಮೀಮಾಂಸೆಗಳ ಪರಮಾಚಾರ್ಯನಾಗಿ  ಸಾವಿರ ವರ್ಷಗಳಿಂದ ಇವನು ಜ್ಞಾನಪ್ರಪಂಚವನ್ನು ಪ್ರಭಾವಿಸುತ್ತಲೇ ಇದ್ದಾನೆ. ಭರತಮುನಿಯ ನಾಟ್ಯಶಾಸ್ತ್ರವನ್ನು ಅರ್ಥಮಾಡಿಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಇವನೊಬ್ಬನೇ ನಮಗಿರುವ ಆಲಂಬನ. ಇದೇ ರೀತಿ ರಸಧ್ವನಿಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತವನ್ನು...

Vagarthavismayasvadah

“वागर्थविस्मयास्वादः” प्रमुखतया साहित्यशास्त्रतत्त्वानि विमृशति । अत्र सौन्दर्यर्यशास्त्रीयमूलतत्त्वानि यथा रस-ध्वनि-वक्रता-औचित्यादीनि सुनिपुणं परामृष्टानि प्रतिनवे चिकित्सकप्रज्ञाप्रकाशे। तदन्तर एव संस्कृतवाङ्मयस्य सामर्थ्यसमाविष्कारोऽपि विहितः। क्वचिदिव च्छन्दोमीमांसा च...

The Best of Hiriyanna

The Best of Hiriyanna is a collection of forty-eight essays by Prof. M. Hiriyanna that sheds new light on Sanskrit Literature, Indian...

Stories Behind Verses

Stories Behind Verses is a remarkable collection of over a hundred anecdotes, each of which captures a story behind the composition of a Sanskrit verse. Collected over several years from...