Yudhishthira answers a series of questions from the Yaksha in the Mahabharata. He defines man as one whose good reputation lasts through their deeds. The most extraordinary thing is seeing people die daily yet feeling immortal. The greatest news is that time destroys all creatures. The highest dharma is compassion, and true happiness is found in cooking at home with no debts or exile.

1. Yudhishthira’s Answers to Yaksha’s Questions
from Mahabharata
Yaksha: What is Man?
Yudhishthira:The repute of a good deed touches heaven and earth.
One is called a man as long as his repute lasts. In other words, a
man is only as good as his deeds.
Yaksha: What is extraordinary?
Yudhishthira: What is extraordinary is that one sees people dying
every day, and one thinks that one will live forever. What could be
more extraordinary!?
Yaksha: What is the News?
Yudhishthira: Time cooks beings – That is the news! Time cooks
every creature in its cauldron.
Yaksha: What is the highest dharma in the world?
Yudhishthira: Compassion is the highest dharma.
Yaksha: What is happiness?
Yudhishthira: A person who cooks vegetables in his own home, who
has no debts, and who is not in exile, he is truly happy.
Compiled by Shankar Subramanian