Yaksha Prashna

Following are the famous intricate questions (called Yaksha Prashna) that were asked by the Lord of Death, Yama to Yudhisthir or Dharmaraja or Dharma, the eldest of the Pandavas of the Indian epic Mahabharata, and the famous wisdom-filled answers given by him:


1) Yama:     What is heavier than earth, higher than heavens, faster than the wind and more numerous than straws?
Dharma: One's mother is heavier than the earth; one's father is higher than the mountains. The mind is faster wind and our worries are more numerous than straws. 
2) Yama:     Who is the friend of a traveler? Who is the friend of one who is ill and one who is dying?
Dharma: The friend of a traveler is his companion. The physician is the friend of one who is sick and a dying man's friend is charity. 
3) Yama:     What is that which, when renounced, makes one lovable? What is that which is renounced makes happy and wealthy?
Dharma: Pride, if renounced makes one lovable; by renouncing desire one becomes wealthy; and to renounce avarice is to obtain happiness.
4) Yama:     What enemy is invincible? What constitutes an incurable disease? What sort of man is noble and what sort is ignoble?
Dharma: Anger is the invincible enemy. Covetousness constitutes a disease that is incurable. He is  noble who desires the well-being of all creatures, and he is ignoble who is without mercy. 
5) Yama:     Who is truly happy? What is the greatest wonder? 
Dharma: He who has no debts is truly happy. Day after day countless people die. Yet the living wish to live forever. O Lord, what can be  greater wonder?

(Source: Chapter 24  of Complete Mahabharatha collection of Amar Chithra Katha)