The Mahabharat is not a mere Epic. It is a repository of eternal values of life uncovered in story from to facilitate easy assimilation by the elite as well as the Semi-literate. Above all Mahabharat is a practical guide to successful living and an invaluable recipe for health and true happiness.
Let us take for example the interesting dialogue question and answer ' between the Yaksha and Yudhishtira (Eldest son of kunthi). It is interesting to find that some of these questions have an all time Significance and Universal appeal transcending the barriers of religion and geography. In all, there are 122 Questions.
Q) O' King, by what means one becomes wise?
Ans: By Service to Elders.
Q) What is faster than the wind?
Ans: The Mind
Q) Who is the friend of the dying?
Ans: Gifts made by him (Charity).
Q) Who is the householder's friend?
Ans: His Wife.
Q) By what does one attain greatness?
Ans: By Tapas (Tapas means Meditation and Self-Control).
Q) What is the sole path to Dharma?
Ans: Integrity
Q) What is the sole means to true fame?
Ans: Giving (Generosity or Charity)
Q) What alone leads to heaven?
Ans: Truth
Q) What is the one source of happiness?
Ans: Character
Q) With whom does association not come to an end?
Ans: The Good
Q) Renunciation of what makes one liked by all?
Ans: Pride
Q) Renunciation of what makes one truly rich?
Ans: Desire
Q) What makes the sun rise? What makes him set? Who keeps him company? Who keeps him going?
Ans: The power Brahman makes him rise and Dharma makes him set. The gods keep him company and truth keeps him going.
Q) What is the best of all blessings?
Ans: Health
Q) What is the best of all kinds of happiness?
Ans: Contentment
Q) What is true knowledge?
Ans: Knowledge of God
Q) What is Mercy?
Ans: Mercy is wishing happiness to one and all
Q) What is Ignorance?
Ans: Not knowing one's duty
Q) Who may be considered Honest?
Ans: He who desires the good of all
Q) What is idleness?
Ans: Not discharging one's duty
Q) What makes one a Brahmin ' birth, study, or wisdom?
Ans: Neither birth nor study nor wisdom. It is character alone that makes him a Brahmin
Q) Who is a truly happy man?
Ans: One who has no debt is a truly a happy man
Q) What is the best path to happiness?
Ans: The path trodden by virtuous men
Q) By what is the World Enveloped?
Ans: Ignorance
Q) Why doesn't one attain Heaven (True Happiness)?
Ans: Because of 'attachment'
Q) What is the path to be followed?
Ans: The Example of the Righteous
Q) What is known as 'Dama' (Self Control)?
Ans: Mind Control leading to the discipline in Conduct
Q) What is said to be the greatest patience?
Ans: Putting up with the pairs of the opposites (Polarities)
Q) What is the greatest Compassion?
Ans: To desire the happiness of all
Q) What is the enemy of man difficult to Conquer?
Ans: Anger
Q) What is delusion?
Ans: Ignorance of Dharma (Righteousness).
Q) What is meant by Misery?
Ans: Spiritual Blindness (Ajnana)
Q) What is known as 'snana' (ablution)?
Ans: Getting rid of the impurities of the Mind.
Q) Who is a learned Man?
Ans: Who knows Dharma besides studying books
Q) What is Conceit?
Ans: Parading one's Dharma.
Q) Dharma, Artha and Kama are mutually Enemical. How can they co-exist when they are contrary by Nature?
Ans: When One's life is according to dharma, the three can exist together.
Q) What does one gain if one speaks pleasantly?
Ans: He is liked by all.
Q) What does one gain if one has many friends?
Ans: Happiness
Q) What is most surprising?
Ans: Everyday we see people die. Still they don't think of their own death. Is this not the greatest of Surprises?
"Truth, Purity, Unselfishness wherever these are present, there is no power below or above the Sun to crush the possessor thereof. Equipped with these one individual can face whole universe in opposition."
- Swami Vivekananda
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