Shloka 12
वहाँ सारसोंसे घिरे हुए जलाशयका स्वच्छ जल देखकर नकुलको उसे पीनेकी इच्छा हुई। इतनेमें ही आकाशसे उनके कानोंमें एक स्पष्ट वाणी सुनायी दी ।। यक्ष उवाच मा तात साहसं कार्षीमम पूर्वपरिग्रह: । प्रश्नानुक्त्वा तु माद्रेय ततः पिब हरस्व च,यक्ष बोला--तात! तुम इस सरोवरका पानी पीनेका साहस न करो। इसपर पहलेसे ही मेरा अधिकार हो चुका है। माद्रीकुमार! पहले मेरे प्रश्नोंका उत्तर दे दो, फिर पानी पीओ और ले भी जाओ
yakṣa uvāca | mā tāta sāhasaṁ kārṣīr mamāyaṁ pūrva-parigrahaḥ | praśnān uktvā tu mādreya tataḥ piba harasva ca ||
The Yaksha spoke: “Dear child, do not act rashly. This lake has already been claimed by me. O son of Madri, first answer my questions; only then may you drink—and even take the water away.”
यक्ष उवाच
Educational Q&A
Restrain impulsive desire and respect rightful ownership/authority; knowledge and ethical inquiry (answering questions) must precede enjoyment of resources.
As Nakula approaches a clear lake to drink, a disembodied voice—the Yaksha—claims the lake and forbids him to drink until he answers a set of questions, setting up the famous Yaksha-prashna episode.