Shloka 42
पार्थ मा साहसं कार्षीमम पूर्वपरिग्रह: । प्रश्नानुक्त्वा तु कौन्तेय ततः पिब हरस्व च,यक्षने कहा--राजन्! तुम्हारे इन भाइयोंको मैंने बार-बार रोका था; फिर भी ये बलपूर्वक जल ले जाना चाहते थे; इसीसे मैंने इन्हें मार डाला। महाराज युधिष्छिर! यदि तुम्हें अपने प्राण बचानेकी इच्छा हो, तो वहाँ जल नहीं पीना चाहिये। पार्थ! तुम पानी पीनेका साहस न करना, यह पहलेसे ही मेरे अधिकारकी वस्तु है। कुन्तीनन्दन! पहले मेरे प्रश्नोंका उत्तर दो, उसके बाद जल पीओ और ले भी जाओ
yakṣa uvāca | pārtha mā sāhasaṁ kārṣīr mama pūrva-parigrahaḥ | praśnān uktvā tu kaunteya tataḥ piba haraś ca ||
The Yakṣa said: “O Pārtha, do not act rashly. This water has been claimed by me beforehand as my rightful possession. O son of Kuntī, first answer my questions; only then may you drink—and take the water as well.”
यक्ष उवाच
Educational Q&A
Do not seize what is claimed or protected by another, and do not act impulsively; ethical access (here, to water) is conditioned on restraint, respect for rightful claim, and willingness to be examined through truthful answers.
At the guarded lake where Yudhiṣṭhira’s brothers have fallen after drinking without permission, the Yakṣa warns Yudhiṣṭhira not to drink. He declares the water his prior possession and sets a condition: answer his questions first, then drink and take water.