Yudhishtira’s Anguish

The eldest Pandava

Yudhishtira, after waiting for a reasonable amount of time for Bheema’s return, set out to see for himself as to what was keeping his brothers. He was horrified to see his four brothers lying senseless on the ground, with no signs of either fight or struggle. Fleetingly wondering if the water was poisoned, he bemoaned his fate at having to witness the deaths of his beloved younger brothers.

As he recalled the valour and might of each of them, their defeat and death seemed even more implausible. Distraught and filled with despair, he found that his parched body could not even shed tears. Despite his grief he found himself wanting to quench his thirst.

As Yudhishtira walked wearily towards the lake, the disembodied voice put forth it's warning. Unlike his brothers, the patient Yudhishtira considered the request and replied with humility that he would never dream of drinking water from a lake which belonged to someone without their permission.

However, he spoke to the voice, asking him to reveal himself. A heron appeared, exclaiming, “Aham baka!” (I’m a bird).

Yudhishtira remarked that when even demi-gods were incapable of harming his brothers, how could a mere bird do so? He exclaimed that the bird must be a God in disguise and once again asked the bird to reveal its identity. The bird then said, “I am a Yaksha (as in X Y Z)”.

Why Yudhishtira?

If we are left wondering whether the four Pandava brothers were not capable of answering the Yaksha’s questions, scholars have assured us that indeed each of them was eminently capable of doing so. But, this memorable Q & A episode was Yudhishtira’s alone to answer. Yudhishtira’s knowledge and his qualities were on test by none other than his spiritual father.

Interestingly, the heron or the Yaksha who was Yama Dharmaraaja is lower in the hierarchy of Gods than Vayu and Indra.

Bramha > Vayu > Saraswathi > Bharathi > Shesha > Rudra > Vaaruni > Parvathi > Indra > Ahankaarika Praana > Aniruddha, Rathi, Swaayambhu Manu, Daksha, Brihaspathi, Shachi devi > Pravaha Vayu > Surya, Chandra, Shatarupi, Yama.

Therefore, it was improper of/ impossible for Yama to subdue Arjuna or Bheema who were the spiritual sons of Indra and Vayu. Yet, Arjuna and Bheema played their parts sportingly, as if overpowered by Yama.

Just as Krishna, the incarnation of Maha Vishnu, sportingly played the role of a younger brother to Balaraama, who was Shesha deva incarnate.

To be continued…