Dharmaraja who should have ruled a vast kingdom as absolute monarch had to undergo the worst difficulties in the forest. Even then he did not lose his cool and maintained unruffled equanimity. That equanimity itself has been transformed into Dharma. In fact, tolerance is real Dharma. One has to control his temperment. Once Dharmaraja was wandering in the forest alongwith his brothers. After sometime, he could not proceed further due to severe thirst. He sat under a tree. He called Sahadeva and told him to fetch some water from some tank nearby. Sahadeva went and did not return. Then Nakula was sent, but he also did not return. Next it was the turn of Bhima and Arjuna. They too did not return.

Dharmaraja was very much worried. In his anxiety, he forgot his thirst. He is now worried about the whereabouts of his brothers. Due to his intense love and affection for his brothers, he gained some strength and he himself went in search of his brothers. Alas! All his four brothers lay dead near a lake. He suffered unbearable pain and sorrow on seeing the dead bodies of his brothers. A demigod observed his agony and put some questionswhich are popularly known as ‘yaksha prashnalu.’ The celestial being enquired ‘Dharmaraja! For whom are you crying?’ Dharmaraja was anxious to know who killed his brothers and for what reason. The Yaksha told him, :This is my practice. Whoever comes to drink water in my lake has to answer some questions put by me before doing so. If they violate this practice they will meet this fate. If they give proper answers, they will be rewarded by me. You can also try.’ Dharmaraja could give appropriate answers to all the questions put by the Yaksha; for, his heart was filled with righteousness which in turn influenced his thoughts and feelings. The yaksha was pleased with the answers given by Dharmaraja and assured him, ‘The Mahabharata war is going to take place shortly. Hence, you choose one of the brothers who is important to you. I will resurrect him. Dharmaraja then requested him to resurrect Sahadeva. The Yaksha was surprised. He enquired, ‘Instead of asking for Bhima or Arjuna who may be useful in the ensuing Mahabharata war, why did you choose Sahadeva the youngest brother?’ The reply given to the query by Dharmaraja was most revealing. He told the Yaksha, ‘The war is not very much important for me. Dharma is important. Victory or defeat in a war is not under my control. It is God’s will. If there are no difficulties, there is no chance of the humanness manifesting at all! What is important for me is the principle of Dharma. We are three brothers born to our mother Kunti, namely, Dharmaraja, Bhima and Arjuna. My step mother, Madri had two sons, Nakula and Sahadevaa. She loved us all immensely. She handed over her two sons to our mother and told her, ‘Mother! I am placing my two sons under your control from today.’ Among the three sons born to Kunti, I am alive. Similarly there should be one among the sons born to Madri living. That is my wish.’ Having realised this principle of Dharma explained by Dharmaraja, the Yaksha told him, ‘Dharmaraja! Your heart is sacred and pure. I appreciate you dharmic principle. I am restoring all your four brothers to life. You all may go happily now.’ Thus, Dharma will ensure all good things in life, even if we try to uphold one principle atleast. (Beacons of Divine Wisdom Part 2, pp. 84-85)