Thus spake Yudhistra...

The following dialogue between Yaksha and King Yudhistra has been recorded in Mahabharata. It brings to book the essential elements which each human being should know and try relating to.

Yaksha: What is heavier than earth?
Yudhistra: Mother

Ya: What is higher than the sky?
Yu: Father

Ya: What is faster than the wind?
Yu: The mind

Ya: What is more in number than twigs?
Yu: Worry

Ya: Who is the friend of the person close to death?
Yu: Charity

Ya: Where does Religion, Success, Heaven and Happiness reside?
Yu: Religion resides in Awareness, Success in Charity, Heaven in Truth and Happiness in Chastity

Ya: What is Man's Soul?
Yu: His Son

Ya: What has covered the earth?
Yu: Ignorance

Ya: What is Laziness?
Yu: Ignorance of Religion is laziness

Ya: Who is truly happy?
Yu: The one free of debt

Ya: What is true cleansing?
Yu: The cleansing of the mind

Ya: What is darker than eye black?
Yu: Disrepute

Ya: Which is the best religion?
Yu: Piety!

Ya: What can prevent mourning?
Keeping the mind in control

Ya: What is shame?
Yu: Keeping away from unworthy things

Ya: What is piety?
Wishing happiness for all

Ya: What kills the nation?
Yu: Slavery

Ya: What is the true test of Brahminhood? Dynasty, Character, Teaching or Knowledge?
Yu: Dynasty, Teaching or Knowledge do not prove Brahminhood. Character is the true test.

Ya: Is religion in logic?
No!

Ya: Is it found in philosophy of Sages?
Yu: No! Because each Sage differs from the others. None has the complete truth.

Ya: Then, where is the complete truth?
Yu: In the heart of the believer

Ya: What is the greatest wonder?
Yu: The greatest wonder is that each person knows that death is the ultimate truth and yet believes that maybe he is immortal.

Later, the Yaksha reveals that he is Dharamaraj (God of Truth) and had come to see Yudhistra.