Phantom of words

Story source from the Mahabharata

1. Literal Comprehension: One day the Pandova brothers went for from their dwelling place in search of Deer in the jungle. They saw a deer and followed it but the deer vanished. They felt very tired and thirsty. Yudhishthira could not find any sign of water around them. SoYoudhishthira sent Sahadeva to search water. Sahadeva went from there but he didn't come back. Yudhishthira became worried and he sent Nahakula. But Nahakula also failed to return. Then Yudhishthira sent Bhima and Arjuna there foot steeps to know what had happened to them. After sometime, he comes to a clearing. He saw a beautiful pool looked fresh, cool and inviting. But at the some time, he saw another terrible scene. His all brothers were lying on the bank of the pool, their eyes were closed.

Yudhishthira became mournful. He prayed the God to take him also because he could not live without his dear brothers. He cried bitterly. However, he could not control his thirst. When he bent down to drink the water, the sound of the Yaksha ordered him that he could not drink the water until he answered his questions. He had given the same order. However, Yudhishthira was very wise and patient. He requested the Yaksha to ask his questions and promised that he would answer them as well as he could.

The Yaksha asked him many questions that he answered sincerely and rightly. The Yaksha was very much impressed by his replies and promised to revive one of his brothers. Yuthishthira was very just fair, truth and wise. So, he requested the Yaksha to save Nahakula the son of step mother. The Yaksha was even more impressed by Yudhishthira's wisdom and justice. He revived all the brothers of Yudhishthira. He also advised them to remember him in future difficulties. Then he suggested them to go to Matsya with Draupadi and spend the rest exile period.

2. Interpretation: The story may be trying to tell us something about the importance of patience, obedience to good wisdom, and right conduct. If Yudhishthira had lacked these qualities, all the Pandava brothers would have been lost. The story stresses the right, justice and fairness more than other things. Likewise, the story suggests us to be courageous and to give up anger, pride and desire to live a happy and healthy life.

3. Critical thinking: After reading this story, I found many useful things for life. However, there are also some disagreeable ideas. Do the gods exist? If so what is the proof of their existence? Can we truly say that patience and right conducts are rewarded on this earth? Was the right conduct of people like Socrates, Gandhi and Martin Luther King rewarded while they live? Do such complicated questions really have so simple answers would modern people believe that the sun shines by the power of God? Is courage the best weapon against danger? Would life be worth living without desire? So, I do not agree with the writer totally.

4. Assimilation: When I read this story, I found many things useful for my life. I understood the importance of patience, justice and right conduct. I will also try to be like Yudhisthira. However, I will not give up all my desires it they are within my reach.