Yaksha's Questions

During their forest exile, the five Pandava brothers grew terribly thirsty. Yudhishthira sent Nakula to find water. Nakula found a beautiful lake but heard a voice: "Answer my questions before you drink, or you will die." He ignored the warning and drank. He collapsed lifeless. One by one, Sahadeva, Arjuna, and Bhima followed and met the same fate. Finally, Yudhishthira arrived and saw his four brothers lying still. The Yaksha spirit appeared and posed his riddles. "What is heavier than the earth? What is faster than wind?" Yudhishthira calmly answered each one. "A mother's love is heavier. The mind is faster." Pleased with his wisdom and humility, the Yaksha revealed himself as Yama, god of Dharma and Yudhishthira's divine father. He restored all four brothers to life.