The document recounts a story from Hindu mythology where Yudhishthira faces a yaksha who requires him to answer philosophical questions to save his brothers from death. The questions and answers pertain to concepts of dharma, virtue, knowledge, and the nature of existence. Through these dialogues, the document emphasizes the principles of Hindu philosophy and morality.

1. Yaksha PrashnaPrologue: Pancha Pandavas (Five brothers) roaming in the forest become thirsty. As they see a pond each of them come one by one to fetch water and are stopped by a Yaksha(Evil spirit). He demands answer for his questions before taking water. Four Brothers die and the last the eldest Yudhistra answers all the questions. These questions summarize Hindu Dharma. For more Click on to: http://mghariharan.wordpress.com/2011/10/15/35-qa-on-hindu-dharma/

2. PrologueYaksha said, your brothers tried to forcefully drink the pond water, in spite of my warning. Do not dare to drink this water without answering my questions or you will also suffer the same. Yudhisthira said – I will not dare to encroach on your rights, I cannot praise myself but according to my wisdom, I will try answering your questions.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

3. Yaksha – What is making the sun rise? Who revolves around it? Who causes it to set and where is it established?Yudhisthira - The Brahman makes the sun rise and devas revolve on his four sides and the eternal laws make him set and He is established in truth.Note: Truth is defined as that which does not change There is nothing in this world except laws of nature which does not change. So this could be construed as laws of nature make sun raise and set.Q1With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

4. Q2Yakshya - How does man become a Kshotriya (Famous) How does he achieve higher status? By whom is he made second and who makes him wise.Yudhisthira – by Learning Shruti man becomes a ‘Kshotriya’. He attains great position by penance. By courage he gets friendship and by serving elderly persons becomes wise.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

5. Q3Yaksha – what is godly (देवेत्व) in Brahmanas! What is the good conduct amongst them? What makes them Man? What are the acts of Untruthful amongst them?Yudhisthira - learning Vedas makes a Brahmin divine. Penance is the duty of Satpurusha ( good people). Death makes him a human being and talking bad about others is the bad quality in him.Note : Why death makes him human. Read Bicentennial man by Isaac Asimov. Where the court edicts that a Robot is a man after accepting DeathWith help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

6. Q4Yaksha – what is godly (देवेत्व) in Kshatriya? What action makes them good? What quality is human in him and what makes them untruthful?Yudhisthira - Knowledge in weapons makes a Kshatriya divine. Performing “yagas” makes him good. Sense of fear is the human quality in him and not protecting the ones who have come to him for help is the bad quality in him.Note :Fear is the driving force for success. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Kshatriya has to cautious. His failure will cause huge damage to all in his Kingdom.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

7. Q5Yaksha – What is sama to Yagna ?What is yajus to yagnya Which is chosen for yagna? What is it that Yagna cannot be withoutYudhisthira - life is sama, most useful to Yagnya. Mind is yajus the carrier of Yagnya. Rik which chooses Yagna . Without Rik there cannot be Yagnya.Note: Rik is words Yajus is mind and Sama is Life. These question are on topic of Conduct of yagaWith help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

8. Q6Yaksha – which is most precious that Shower. Which one important amongst those thrown on ground? What is best amongst 4 footed animals? what is best begottenYudh – “rains’ is the most important thing that showers; Seed is the best amongst those that are put in ground. Cows are the most precious amongst 4 footed animals; Son is most important of things begotten.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

9. Q7Yaks - who though sensing through Indriyas ( sensory objects) intelligent and loved by all, respected by all creatures, though breathing is not aliveYudh – one who fails to worship by offerings the - Gods, guests, dependents, pitrs and soul – he is dead even if breathingNote: These are called Pancha mahayagnasWith help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

10. Q8Yaks – what is heavier than earth? Taller than sky? What goes Faster than wind? What is in larger quantity than grassYudh – Mother is the heavier in earth, father higher than sky, Mind goes faster than wind and worries more numerous than grass.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

11. Q9Yaks – who while sleeping does not close eyelids? At birth does not move? What does not have heart? what grows with its own speed ?

12. Yudh – Fish do not close the eyes (even) in sleep, eggs do not move at birth; stone does not have heart; River grows with speed.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

13. Q10Yaks – Who is the friend of one who goes long journey? Who is the friend of one who remain at home ? who is the friend of one who is sickness? who is the friend of one who is near death? Yudh- The co-traveler is the friend of a person going on a journey. Wife is the friend of a person who remains at home. The physician is the friend of the sick man. Gift (Daanam) constitute the friend of the person who is about to die.Note in this context: There is a verse which says wealth and learning to be 1)earned little by little and gradually and regularly, ( no age limit)2) accumulate as if one is going to live for ever.( no maximum limit)3) spend in charity as if Yama ( god of death ) has already caught you by your hair.( as if the time available for doing charity is scarce).With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

14. Q11Yaksha- who is the guest for all creatures? what is the eternal DHARMA (virtue)? What is amrut ( nectar of life)? What is there in the entire world?Yudh- Fire is the guest of all. Cow’s milk is nectar, indestructible daily duty is the eternal dharma and wind ( AIR ) is everywhere in the world.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

15. Q12Yaksha- Who wanders alone ? what having born is born again? What is the medicine for cold? and what is the biggest receptacle?Yudh- Sun travels alone, Moon comes again and again, fire is the cure for cold and earth is the magnificent receptacle.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

16. Q13Yaksha- What is foundation of DHARMA? What of fame? What takes one to heaven and from where one gets happiness ?Yudh- Virtue is the foundation of DHARMAM – charity of fame , truth foundation of heaven and conduct foundation of happiness.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

17. Q14Yaksha- What is the soul of man ? and who is his divine friend ?what is his livelihood and what is his supreme shelter ?Yudh- Son is the soul of man, wife is the divine friend, clouds ( rains ) is his livelihood and charity is his best shelter.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

18. Q15Yaksha- What is the best quality in one who becomes DHANYA (Renown). What is the best amongst wealth? what is the best acquisition and among pleasures what is the best? Yudh- Virtue is the best quality of DHANYA. Knowledge of shastras is the best wealth. Health (good) is the best acquisition, and contentment is the best of pleasures or delight.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

19. Q16Yaksha- what is the most superior DHARMA amongst people? Which Dharma bestows benefit daily ? regulating or controlling what can one avoid all sorrows and with whom a friendship never decays ?Yudh- Kindness is the best is the most superior DHARMA. DHARMA prescribed by Vedas gives daily fruits. Keeping Mind under control results in the absence of sorrows. Friendship with the good never deteriorates.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

20. Q17Yaksha-Renouncing what one becomes dear to all ? Renouncing what one never becomes sad ? Renouncing what one becomes wealthy ? Renouncing what one becomes happy ?Yudh- one who renounces his Ego is dear to all, Renouncing anger one abandons sorrow, Renouncing lust one becomes rich and Renouncing greed one becomes happy.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

21. Q18Yaksha- what for is the alms (charity or gift) for Brahmins? what for to dancers and actors? so also what for to the servants and also what for to the king ?Yudh- Gift to Brahmin will earn Dharma, Gift to Artists will earn Fame, Gift to servants will earn control over them and to the king due to fear.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

22. Q19Yaksha- World is covered with what? It does not shine due to what ? What for does men renounce friends ? why men do not go to heaven?Yudh- World is covered with ignorance. , It does not shine out of egoism or Thamogun, because of greed men renounce friends and because of illusion men fail to go to heaven.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

23. Q20Yaksha-When one man is described dead (while still living) ? When a country is talked of as if dead ?When the worship of the ancestors is said to be as good as dead ? and when a yagnya is so described as dead ?Yudh- Poor man is considered dead., Without Governance Kingdom is considered dead? when one cannot get a Vedic scholar , SHRADHAM is dead, when DAKSHINA is not paid , the yaga is as good as dead.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

24. Q21Yaksha- What is direction? What is water ?and what food ?what is poison and what is the best time for Shradham; and then you can drink waterYudh- Good people are the (source) directions; sky is the (source of) water; Cow is the (source of)*food; Wish id the poison; Availability of good Brahmin is the time for Shradha*Note Cow is the source for butter milk curd etcWith help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

25. Q22Yaksha- What is Characteristic Tapas (Penance)? of great forbearance? What is shyness? What is shame?Yudh- following dharma is penance; handling dilemma is forbearance? Keeping away from bad desires is shyness; Shame keeps us away from Bad conduct.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

26. Q23Yaksha- Oh King! What is called Gyana ? what is compassion? What is straightforwardness? and what is superior Daya (compassion)? What is aarjav ( straightforwardness)? Yudh- Knowing things properly is Gyanam; Mind at peace is kshama; Desiring happiness to all is Daya (Compassion);. Straightforwardness is equanimity to all.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

27. Q24Yaksha- Who is the enemy causing defeat to man? What is the endless desire? What is a Sadhu (good man) ? Who is asadhu ( Not good man)Yudh- Anger is the unconquerable enemy. Greed is the endless or non curable disease; one who does good for all creatures is Sadhu and one unkind person is asadhu.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

28. Q25Yaksha- Oh King ! what is called (delusion) moham, what is Manam (Pride) and who should be known as lazy and what is called as sorrow ?Yudh- Indifference or ignoring Dharma is delusion; self pride is manam (when the pride is excessive); not observing or protecting Dharma is laziness and ignorance is named as sorrow;With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

29. Q26Yaksha- What is firmness ( according to rishis , saints) ? What is bravery , what is the perfect bath and here what is called charity ?Yudh –Steadfastness in ones own Dharma is firmness, bravery is just controlling the senses . discarding the mental impurities ( keeping a pure mind ) is a perfect bath and granting protection or shelter to all being, is daanam.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

30. Q27Yaksha- Who should be considers as Pundit (Learned)?Who is a nasthik (atheist)? Who is a fool? What is lust? What is matssar (envy/ jealousy)?

31. Yudh- One knowing dharma is pundit; Atheist is a fool; Fool is an atheist; Lust is the bondage to birth; and Envy is the affliction of heartWith help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

32. Q28Yaksha- what is pride or egotism? what is Dhambham ( hypocritical) ? Who is called supreme GOD ? What is that ? And also what is it they call Paisoonyam ?Yudh- Mammoth Ignorance is Ahamkaram (Egotism), Projecting oneself as great Philanthropic is hypocritical; Resultant fruit of Charity is God; Casting evil on others is Paisoonyam.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

33. Q29Yaksha- Dharma , Arth and Kamam are mentally antagonistic , how can these be together in one place ?Yudh- when the wife and Dharma are attracted to each other then these will be together in their Grahastha.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

34. Q30Yaksha- By whom is everlasting hell attained (reply quickly)Yudh- One who himself invites a poor Brahmin and refuses charity to him goes to everlasting hell. He who has false beliefs on the Vedas , Darmashastras, Brahmins, to the Devas and to the rites done the PITRIS goes to everlasting hell; He who possesses wealth yet , under avarice and is devoid of charity or enjoyment and On asking says I don’t have anything goes to everlasting hell.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

35. Q31Yaksha- Oh King ! Which out of these - noble family heritage , Acharams ( good conduct) and learning ones own Veda and hearing shashtras ,-one attains Brahminhood? ( speak after deciding).Yudh- Dear yaksha , Listen . Noble family heritage, studying Vedas or listening to Vedas will not get one Brahminhood. Undoubtedly Acharam alone will get you Brahminhood. Hence sadachar ( good Conduct) should be protected. Brahmin should keep an eye on following Acharam. Because if Acharam is maintained his Brahminhood is maintained and if he fails in Acharam he himself is lost; The student and teacher who learn teach and think of SHASTRAS are miserable fools; Pundit (Learned) is one who does his duty. Even after studying the four Vedas , one resorts to Duracharams ( bad Acharams) , he is not better than a Shudra. Hence he who does AGNIHOTRAM and also have his senses under control , he alone is a Brahmana.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

36. Q32Yaksha-What does a sweet speaking person get? One who does deeds after deep and mature thinking , what does he get ? What – one who has many friends- get? what does he a person following Dharma get?Yudh- One speaking sweetly is loved by to all; One who acts after deep thinking gets success; the one who has many friends is always happy and one who is established in DHARMA meets with divine end.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

37. Q33Yaksha- who is Happy? what is wonder ? what is the way? the news? Answer my these four questions.Yudh- One who at least – once in every 5 or 6 days returns home from tour and eats at home , one who has no debt , or does not stay in a foreign land , such a man is always happy even if he eats simple meals. Everyday Yama (god of death)goes to house of all animals but those who are remaining hope to live permanently; What can be a bigger wonder than this (contd..) With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

38. A33Contd….Logic and arguments have no fixed idea Shruti also says different things, there is no one Rishi, whose opinion is Standard Meaning of Dharma is hidden Hence path followed by good people is the only way; In this big vessel of delusion Yama with the ladles of month and season is cooking the creatures tumbling them using fire and day and night as fuel- This is the news. With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

39. Q34Yaksha-You have answered all my questions, correctly Now Explain Purusha and tell me who is the richest.Yudh – He whose fame of virtues touches earth and heaven he is a Purusha (Until then only)One who sees Love and hate, happiness and sadness, Past and future with same he alone is the richestWith help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

40. Q35Yaksha-You explained , Oh King, who is wealthy and who is perfect Purusha – Hence therefore , whom so ever of your ( four ) brothers, you like you can he alone will come back to lifeYudh – This of black colored , red eyed, tall like banyan tree, broad shouldered might armed Nakula should be brought back to life.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

41. ClarificationYaksha – Who has 10000 elephants strength that Bhimasena you left and why are you asking for Nakula? And on whose arms the Pandavas are dependent that Arjuna also you left and (why) are asking for Nakula; Why? With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

42. Reply for clarification Yudh – If Dharma is destroyed then the destroyer ( Kartha) is also destroyed If Dharma is protected then he is protected by Dharma; Hence I don’t forsake Dharma; So that I am not destroyed by Dharma; I think having equal opinion about all is greatest Dharma. People think I(Yudhishtra) is follower of Dharma. My father had two wives –Kunti and Madri. Both had sons. To me Kunti and Madri have same respect. There is no difference between them. I respect same feelings towards both of them So let Nakula live.Note :Kunti’s sons are Yudhistra, Bhima and Arjuna and Madri’s sons are Nakula and SahadevaWith help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer

43. BlessingsYaksha-Oh the great Bharatha explained the meaning of Arth(Fame) kaam (Love) with equanimity You have shown that your kindness and magnanimity are far superior to desire and love of wealth.LET ALL YOUR FOUR BROTHERS LIVE - Oh Lord of Bharatha dynasty.With help from Yakshna Prashna by K Balasubramania Iyer