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“What is the greatest wonder in the world?”

“Every day men see creatures depart to Yama’s abode and
yet, those who remain, seek to live forever. This verily is the
greatest wonder.”
Not to be republished
9. Thus, the Yaksha posed many questions and Yudhistira
answered them all.

10. In the end the Yaksha asked, “O king, one of your dead
©KTBS
brothers can now be revived. Whom do you want revived? He
shall come back to life.”

11. Yudhistira thought for a moment and then replied: “May the
cloud-complexioned, lotus-eyed, broad-chested and long armed
Nakula, lying like a fallen ebony tree, arise.”

12. The Yaksha was pleased at this and asked Yudhistira: “Why
did you choose Nakula in preference to Bhima who has the
strength of sixteen thousand elephants? I have heard that Bhima
is most dear to you. And why not Arjuna, whose prowess in arms
is your protection? Tell me why you choose Nakula rather than
either of these two.”
13. Yudhistira replied: “ O Yaksha, Kunti and Madri were the two
wives of my father. I am surviving, a son of Kunti, and so, she
is not completely bereaved. So, to be fair, I ask that Madri’s son
Nakula, may revive.” The Yaksha was pleased with Yudhistira’s
impartiality and granted that all his brothers would come back
to life.

14. It was Yama, the lord of Death, who had taken the form of
the deer and the Yaksha so that he might see his son Yudhistira
and test him. He embraced Yudhistira and blessed him.

15. Yama said: “Only a few days remain to complete the
stipulated period of your exile in the forest. The thirteenth year
will also pass by. None of your enemies will be able to discover
you. You will successfully fulfil your undertaking,” and saying
this he disappeared.

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