Since the lockdown, I have received calls, messages and mails from people I had not been in touch with for years. I too contacted people I had not bothered to stay connected. I have been deriving so much pleasure from inconsequential conversations with forgotten relationships. What explains this sudden surge in bonhomie that has taken hold of all of us?
The answer is to be found in a story from Mahabharata. The Pandavas had started living in exile in the forest. One day, the eldest of the five brothers, Yudhishthira sends Nakula to fetch water from a near by lake. On reaching the lake, Nakula decides to quench his thirst before filling the pitcher he was carrying with him. As soon as he kneels to drink water from the lake, a Yaksha (Elf) appears by his side and warns Nakula, “If you want to drink water from the lake, you have to first answer my questions. Else, the water shall turn into poison.” Disregarding the warning, Nakula drinks a mouthful of water. And he drops dead. After waiting for some time, Yudhishthira sends Sahadeva in search of Nakula. He too does not return. He then sends Arjuna to look for the two brothers. Arjuna too does not return. He then sends Bhima to search for the three missing brothers. Bhima too fails to return. By now quite concerned and immensely thirsty, Yudhishthira sets out in search of his missing brothers. On reaching the lake, he finds all four of them, lying unconscious by the side of the lake. He hurries into the lake to quench his thirst and to fetch water to revive his brothers whom he thinks had fainted from thirst. When he is about to scoop the water from the lake, the Yaksha reappears and repeats his warning, “Dharmaraja (another name for Yudhishthira), if you wish to drink the water from the lake, you have to first answer my questions. If you disagree, the water in the lake shall turn into poison. I made the same offer to each of your brothers. But they refused to answer my questions. They drank the water from the lake and are dead.” With no hesitation at all, Dharmaraja answers, “I am ready to answer all your questions. However, promise me that if I were to answer all your questions, to your satisfaction, you will bring my brothers back to life.” The Yaksha replies, “I promise that if you satisfy me with your answers, I shall revive your brothers and return them to you.”
What followed was a lengthy question answer session between the Yaksha and Dharmaraja. The philosophical questions explored the abstruse aspects of life and existence of mankind. Dharmaraja answers each question patiently, often elaborating on the short remarks he would begin the answers with. The Yaksha finally appears to be satisfied and yet says, “I would ask you my last question. If you answer this question to my satisfaction, I will grant your wish.” With folded hands, Dharmaraja says, “I love my brothers dearly. I can only hope that I satisfy you.” The Yaksha asks, “What do you think is the greatest wonder in the world?” Dharmaraja replies, “Each one of us knows that death is inescapable. And yet we carry on with our lives as if we are immortal. There is no greater wonder in the world.” The Yaksha reveals himself to Dharmaraja. He is Yama, the God of death. He blesses Dharmaraja and says, “You have shown great wisdom in your answers. You shall have your brothers back.” One by one, the brothers come back to life.
Coronavirus has shown us that we are not immortal after all.