Questions of Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja - From War to Liberation

This article presents a thematic survey of Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja's inquiries, lamentations, and philosophical realizations. It organizes the profound teachings found in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Yudhisthira Maharaja.

Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, also known as Dharmarāja, was the eldest of the Pāṇḍavas and the emperor of the world. He was the son of Dharmarāja (Yamarāja) and Queen Kuntī. Celebrated for his strict adherence to truth and religious principles, he ruled the earth under the direct protection of Lord Kṛṣṇa. His verses in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are found primarily in the First Canto, where he deals with the aftermath of the Kurukṣetra war and the departure of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and in the Seventh Canto, where he inquires from Nārada Muni about the science of God consciousness. His character represents the ideal integration of royal duty (kṣatriya-dharma) and saintly devotion.

Omens of the Age of Kali

While waiting for Arjuna to return from Dvārakā, Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja observes many inauspicious signs in his kingdom. He expresses deep anxiety to his brother Bhīma, sensing that these disturbances indicate the withdrawal of Lord Kṛṣṇa's footprints from the earth and the advent of the dark age of Kali.

Signs in Nature and Society

Yudhiṣṭhira notes that the seasonal rhythms have been disrupted and that human relationships are deteriorating. He observes that ordinary citizens have become deceitful and that the Earth's natural beauty is fading.

  • "All the cities, villages, towns, gardens, mines and hermitages are now devoid of beauty and bereft of all happiness. I (Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja) do not know what sort of calamities are now awaiting us."
  • "The rays of the sun are declining, and the stars appear to be fighting amongst themselves. Confused living entities appear to be ablaze and weeping."
  • "The wind blows violently, blasting dust everywhere and creating darkness. Clouds are raining everywhere with bloody disasters."
  • "Rivers, tributaries, ponds, reservoirs and the mind are all perturbed. Butter no longer ignites fire. What is this extraordinary time? What is going to happen?"
  • "I think that all these earthly disturbances indicate some greater loss to the good fortune of the world. The world was fortunate to have been marked with the footprints of the lotus feet of the Lord. These signs indicate that this will no longer be."

Animal Behavior and Deities

Yudhiṣṭhira points out terrifying omens involving animals and sacred deities. He sees jackals facing the sun and deities in the temples weeping, which are traditional signs of impending doom.

  • "Just see, O Bhīma, how the she jackal cries at the rising sun and vomits fire, and how the dog barks at me fearlessly."
  • "O Bhīmasena, tiger amongst men, now useful animals like cows are passing me (Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja) on my left side, and lower animals like the asses are circumambulating me. My horses appear to weep upon seeing me."
  • "Just see! This pigeon is like a messenger of death. The shrieks of the owls and their rival crows make my (Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja's) heart tremble. It appears that they want to make a void of the whole universe."
  • "Due to the Lord's disappearance, the Deities seem to be crying in the temple, lamenting and perspiring. They seem about to leave. All the cities, villages, towns, gardens, mines and hermitages are now devoid of beauty and bereft of all happiness."
  • "Just see how the smoke encircles the sky. It appears that the earth and mountains are throbbing. Just hear the cloudless thunder and see the bolts from the blue."

Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja's Inquiries to Arjuna (Anxiety for Kṛṣṇa)

When Arjuna finally returns from Dvārakā, he appears dejected and stripped of his luster. Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja questions him intensely, fearing the worst—that Lord Kṛṣṇa has left the planet. He also asks detailed questions about the welfare of the Yadu dynasty, revealing his affection for his kinsmen.

Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja's Fear of Separation

Yudhiṣṭhira asks Arjuna directly if his dejection is due to the loss of Kṛṣṇa. He intuits that without the Lord, the Pāṇḍavas have no strength or standing.

  • "Is He going to quit His earthly pastimes, as Devarṣi Nārada indicated? Has that time already arrived?"
  • "My brother Arjuna, please tell me whether your health is all right. You appear to have lost your bodily luster. Is this due to others disrespecting and neglecting you because of your long stay at Dvārakā?"
  • "Since he (Arjuna) departed, seven months have passed, yet he has not returned. I (Yudhiṣṭhira) do not know factually how things are going there."
  • "Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said: Is it that you are feeling empty for all time because you might have lost your most intimate friend, Lord Kṛṣṇa? O my brother Arjuna, I can think of no other reason for your becoming so dejected."

Welfare of the Yadus

Yudhiṣṭhira inquires about the specific members of the Yadu family, including Vasudeva, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. He acknowledges that the Yadus are enjoying life in Dvārakā solely due to the protection of the Lord's arms.

  • "Are all the chieftain sons of Lord Kṛṣṇa, such as Suṣeṇa, Cārudeṣṇa, Sāmba the son of Jāmbavatī, and Ṛṣabha, along with their sons, all doing well?"
  • "Are Ugrasena, whose son was the mischievous Kaṁsa, and his younger brother still living? Are Hṛdika and his son Kṛtavarmā happy? Are Akrūra, Jayanta, Gada, Sāraṇa and Śatrujit all happy? How is Balarāma, the Personality of Godhead and the protector of devotees?"
  • "His (Vasudeva) seven wives, headed by Devakī, are all sisters. Are they and their sons and daughters-in-law all happy?"
  • "How is Pradyumna, the great general of the Vṛṣṇi family? Is He happy? And is Aniruddha, the plenary expansion of the Personality of Godhead, faring well?"
  • "Is Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who gives pleasure to the cows, the senses and the brāhmaṇas, who is very affectionate towards His devotees, enjoying the pious assembly at Dvārakā Purī surrounded by friends?"
  • "The original Personality of Godhead, the enjoyer, and Balarāma, the primeval Lord Ananta, are staying in the ocean of the Yadu dynasty for the welfare, protection and general progress of the entire universe."

Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja's Burden of War (Pious Lamentation)

After the Battle of Kurukṣetra, Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja is overwhelmed with grief. Despite being the victor, he feels responsible for the massacre of millions. He rejects the consolation that a king is not sinful for killing in battle, arguing that his actions have caused irreparable harm to society and women.

Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja's Guilt and Responsibility

Yudhiṣṭhira laments that he has killed his own superiors, teachers, and friends for the sake of a kingdom. He feels that this sin is so great that it cannot be counteracted by ordinary rituals.

  • "I (Yudhiṣṭhira) have killed many boys, brāhmaṇas, well-wishers, friends, parents, preceptors and brothers. Though I live millions of years, I will not be relieved from the hell that awaits me for all these sins."
  • "King Yudhiṣṭhira said: O my lot! I am the most sinful man! Just see my heart, which is full of ignorance! This body, which is ultimately meant for others, has killed many, many phalanxes of men."
  • "I (Yudhiṣṭhira) have killed many friends of women, and I have thus caused enmity to such an extent that it is not possible to undo it by material welfare work."
  • "There is no sin for a king who kills for the right cause, who is engaged in maintaining his citizens. But this injunction is not applicable to me."
  • "As it is not possible to filter muddy water through mud, or purify a wine-stained pot with wine, it is not possible to counteract the killing of men by sacrificing animals."

The Mystery of Liberation (Inquiries to Nārada)

In the Seventh Canto, during the Rājasūya sacrifice, Yudhiṣṭhira is baffled when the body of the blasphemer Śiśupāla merges into the body of Lord Kṛṣṇa. He inquires from Nārada Muni about how an enemy of the Lord could attain such a rare liberation. This leads to the narration of the history of Prahlāda Mahārāja.

The Paradox of Enmity

Yudhiṣṭhira asks how Śiśupāla and Dantavakra, who were constantly envious of Kṛṣṇa, achieved the same destination as great yogis. He wonders how the Lord's associates could fall down to become demons.

  • "Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira inquired: It is very wonderful that the demon Śiśupāla merged into the body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead even though extremely envious."
  • "Although these two men - Śiśupāla and Dantavakra - repeatedly blasphemed the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu (Kṛṣṇa), the Supreme Brahman, they were quite healthy."
  • "Indeed, their (Śiśupāla's and Dantavakra's) tongues were not attacked by white leprosy, nor did they enter the darkest region of hellish life. We are certainly most surprised by this."
  • "This matter is undoubtedly very wonderful. Indeed, my intelligence has become disturbed, just as the flame of a candle is disturbed by a blowing wind. O Nārada Muni, you know everything. Kindly let me know the cause of this wonderful event."
  • "How was it possible for Śiśupāla and Dantavakra in the presence of many exalted persons, to enter very easily into the body of Kṛṣṇa, whose nature is difficult to attain."
  • "This sāyujya-mukti is impossible to attain even for great transcendentalists. How then did the enemy of the Lord attain it."

The Fall of Jaya and Vijaya

In the Seventh Canto, Yudhiṣṭhira inquires further about the curse that caused the Lord's doorkeepers to take birth as demons. He finds it difficult to believe that devotees in Vaikuṇṭha could fall.

  • "Kindly explain how associates of the Personality of Godhead were cursed to descend in material bodies like ordinary persons."
  • "Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira inquired: What kind of great curse could affect even liberated viṣṇu-bhaktas, and what sort of person could curse even the Lord's associates? For unflinching devotees of the Lord to fall again to this material world is impossible."
  • "The bodies of the inhabitants of Vaikuṇṭha are completely spiritual, having nothing to do with the material body, senses or life air."

The Story of Prahlāda

Prompted by Nārada, Yudhiṣṭhira asks about the history of Hiraṇyakaśipu and his saintly son Prahlāda. He is amazed that a demon could have such a pure devotee for a son.

  • "O best of the saints among the demigods, O best of spiritual leaders, how did Hiraṇyakaśipu give so much trouble to Prahlāda Mahārāja, the pure and exalted saint, although Prahlāda was his own son? I wish to know about this subject from you."
  • "O brāhmaṇa (Nārada), O master, I (Yudhiṣṭhira) have never heard of such a contradiction as an affectionate father's punishing his noble son with the intention of killing him. Kindly dissipate our doubts in this regard."
  • "Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira further inquired: How was it possible for a father to be so violent toward an exalted son who was obedient, well-behaved and respectful to his father?"

Instructions on Dharma and Family

Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja exemplifies the perfect behavior of a family member and a king. He shows deep concern for his uncles Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Vidura, even though Dhṛtarāṣṭra had been envious of the Pāṇḍavas. He also inquires about the general principles of religion from Nārada.

Respect for Elders

When Vidura returns from pilgrimage, Yudhiṣṭhira welcomes him with great affection. Later, when Dhṛtarāṣṭra leaves home to die, Yudhiṣṭhira is frantic with worry, blaming himself for his uncle's unhappiness.

  • "My uncle, you must have visited Dvārakā. In that holy place are our friends and well-wishers, the descendants of Yadu, who are always rapt in the service of Kṛṣṇa. You might have seen them or heard about them. Are they all living happily in their abodes?"
  • "While traveling on the surface of the earth, how did you (Vidura) maintain your livelihood? At which holy places and pilgrimage sites did you render service?"
  • "Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said: O godly personality (Nārada), I do not know where my two uncles have gone. Nor can I find my ascetic aunt who is grief-stricken by the loss of all her sons."
  • "My uncle Dhṛtarāṣṭra was also very mortified due to the death of all his sons and grandsons. Undoubtedly I am very ungrateful. Did he, therefore, take my offenses very seriously and, along with his wife, drown himself in the Ganges?"
  • "When my (Yudhiṣṭhira) father, Pāṇḍu, fell down and we were all small children, these two uncles gave us protection from all kinds of calamities. They were always our good well-wishers. Alas, where have they gone from here?"

Inquiry on Dharma

Yudhiṣṭhira asks Nārada Muni to explain the principles of religion (sanātana-dharma) for householders who are entangled in material life.

  • "Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira inquired from Nārada Muni: O my lord, O great sage, kindly explain how we who are staying at home without knowledge of the goal of life may also easily attain liberation, according to the instructions of the Vedas."
  • "Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira said: My dear lord (Nārada Muni), I wish to hear from you about the principles of religion by which one can attain the ultimate goal of life - devotional service. I wish to hear about the general occupational duties of human society."
  • "No one is superior to you in peaceful life and mercy, and no one knows better than you how to execute devotional service or how to become the best of the brāhmaṇas. Therefore, you know all the principles of confidential religious life."

The Rājasūya Sacrifice and Kṛṣṇa's Supremacy

During the Rājasūya sacrifice, Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja offers prayers to Lord Kṛṣṇa, acknowledging Him as the Supreme Absolute Truth. He attributes all the Pāṇḍavas' success to Kṛṣṇa's causeless mercy and sets the standard for worshiping the Lord.

Yudhiṣṭhira's Worshipping of Kṛṣṇa

In the Tenth Canto, Yudhiṣṭhira declares that Kṛṣṇa is the Soul of all beings and that worshipping Him satisfies everyone. He rejects the idea that Kṛṣṇa is partial to the Pāṇḍavas, explaining that the Lord reciprocates according to the devotee's surrender.

  • "From Him only, all our kingly opulence, good wives, lives, progeny, control over our subjects, victory over our enemies, and future accommodations in higher planets have become possible. All this is due to His causeless mercy upon us."
  • "Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira said: O Govinda, I desire to worship Your auspicious, opulent expansions by the Rājasūya sacrifice, the king of Vedic ceremonies. Please make our endeavor a success, my Lord."
  • "Within Your mind there can be no such differentiation as 'This one is mine, and that is another's,' because You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Soul of all beings, always equipoised and enjoying transcendental happiness within Yourself. Just like the heavenly desire tree, You bless all who properly worship You, granting their desired fruits in proportion to the service they render You. There is nothing wrong in this."
  • "Therefore, O Lord of lords, let the people of this world see the power of devotional service rendered to Your lotus feet. Please show them, O almighty one, the position of those Kurus and Sṛñjayas who worship You, and the position of those who do not."

Lord Kṛṣṇa's Humility

Yudhiṣṭhira is amazed that the Supreme Lord accepts the menial orders of His devotees. He glorifies Kṛṣṇa's affection for His servants.

  • "That You, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, accept the orders of wretched fools who presume themselves rulers is a great pretense on Your part, O all-pervading one."
  • "Śrī Yudhiṣṭhira said: All the exalted spiritual masters of the three worlds, together with the inhabitants and rulers of the various planets, carry on their heads Your command, which is rarely obtained."
  • "O unconquerable Mādhava, even Your devotees make no distinctions of 'I' and 'mine,' 'you' and 'yours,' for this is the perverted mentality of animals."
  • "Simply by administering comforts at the lotus feet of the Lord (Kṛṣṇa), which is the most important of all services, the queens at Dvārakā, headed by Satyabhāmā, induced the Lord to conquer the demigods."

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

This article is a thematic compilation of the teachings presented in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Yudhisthira Maharaja. We invite you to visit the link to read the complete collection of verses presented in alphabetical order.

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