Hundred Questions
Rasipuram Krishnaswani Ayyar Narayanswami
(R.K. Narayan)
Overview:
“Hundred Questions comes from the book 2 of the “Mahabharata” near the end of the Pandava brother’s twelve year exile in the forest. This episode seems a far cry from sacred matters. Yet the “Mahabharata” is an important text of the Hindu religion.
In this episode, the eldest Pandava brother, must respond to a series of questions that test his character and challenge him to fulfill his dharma and save his brothers from permanent deaths.
Significant Human Experience
Hundred Questions
“The true test of character is not how much we know to do,
But how we act when we don’t know what to do”-anonymous
There is no perfect life in this world, all people encounter problems that tests a persons’ character to be stronger and better person than he/she is. However, there is another way that somehow made our life quiet perfect, it’s preserving to oneself the dignity and values that all people must possess.
“Hundred Questions” is an ideal story that surely answers all your curiosity in life and opens your eyes and thoughts towards an abundant feeling of contentment. Honestly, this fulfills the emptiness within me.
Lots of instances in my life that I’ve meet challenges. Oftentimes I have told myself to quit, but still I pursue resolving it. It’s amazing to know that in every challenge that we partake, though we struggle, but in the end we learn. It also tests our character to handle some unexpected situations properly. In Yudhistira’s challenge where he should answer hundred questions to save his brothers is an enormous dare to handle. Sounds impossible in everybody’s ears, but in Yudhistira’s character, all things are possible.
“Who is really happy?” a simple question but it truly has a deep meaning. Each of us has our own definition of real happiness. I cannot say that I’m one of those who are really happy, because in my case, there are still bunches of things to be fixed and great lessons to be learned. My eldest brother is out of nowhere right now, my love one is in a bus and plane distance far from me, and I’m still in my journey to achieve my dreams. However in Yudhistira’ side, he said, “One who has scanty means but is free from debt; he is truly a happy man.” Absolutely right, how happy a person is, if we don’t hide anything and we’re free from everybody’s eyes and liabilities. Now let me ask you, are you one of those who are really happy?
Here is another one, “What is the greatest wonder?” a casual question if it was asked by a kid, but if we will try to think of it, we’re still curious right? Yudhistira said, “Day after day and hour after hour, people die and corpses are carried along, yet the onlookers never realize that they are able to die one day. But think they will live forever. This is the greatest wonder of the world.” Time is precious, and yes, it is the greatest wonder that God had given to us, we should use it the way it should be. There are several times in my life that I’ve wasted my time for nonsense things and have been so dependent before. I have wished to turn back the time that I could say the words “sorry” and “I love you” and do important things to those persons whom I really loved much. I have regretted and blamed myself but it’s too late. Time is truly like a river, we cannot touch the same water twice, because the flow that has passed will never passed again. Let us always cherish the moment that we’re still able to hug and say sweet nothings to our dearest love ones.
Those are just two of the hundred questions that Yudhistira answered with all sincerity. Despite of the sudden challenge he encountered, he manages to be in his own self and showed his humility in answering the quest.
Inspired, blissful, and complete, I am now encouraged to face the trials that comes, to always live with love and hopefully develop my character with the influence of this literary work.
Lastly, I want to share a sensible portion of words which Yudhistira had answered to another series of questions on renunciation, “ Pride if renounced, makes one agreeable; anger, if renounced, brings no regret; desire if renounced, will make one rich; avarice if renounced, brings one happiness. True tranquility is of the heart..Mercy may be defined as wishing happiness to all creature..Ignorance is not knowing one’s duties..Wickedness consists in speaking ill of others. “ I will never forget these words, it is worthy to ponder in one’s own heart.
