Shloka 55
यक्ष उवाच किंस्विदावपतां श्रेष्ठ किंस्विन्निवपतां वरम् | किंस्वित् प्रतिष्ठमानानां किंस्वित् प्रसवतां वरम्
yakṣa uvāca kiṁ svid āvapatāṁ śreṣṭhaṁ kiṁ svin nivapatāṁ varam | kiṁ svit pratiṣṭhamānānāṁ kiṁ svit prasavatāṁ varam ||
The Yaksha said: “What is the best among those who sow? What is the finest among those who reap? What is the best support for those who seek to stand firm? And what is the best among those who bring forth (or produce)?”
यक्ष उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ethical inquiry through agrarian metaphors—sowing, reaping, establishing oneself, and producing—prompting reflection on what truly counts as ‘best’ in each sphere: the right intention behind action, the right means of gaining results, the foundation of stability, and the highest form of fruitful output.
In the Yaksha–Yudhishthira dialogue at the forest lake, the Yaksha poses successive riddle-like questions. This verse is one such set, testing discernment about values—what is truly excellent in effort, in gain, in steadiness, and in generative power—before granting boons or relief.