The story involving Bhima, Python and Yudhisthira is
mentioned in the Vana Parva of the Mahabharata. The story has it that a python
caught Bhima in its coils; despite his immense strength, Bhima was unable to
free himself. Yudhisthira then comes in search of Bhima and is puzzled how the
strong Bhima is in the coil of a python.
The python then explains to Yudhishtira that Bhima will only escape if someone answers his questions correctly.
The python then explains to Yudhishtira that Bhima will only escape if someone answers his questions correctly.
The question and answer session begins and Yudhisthira
correctly answers all questions. Yudhisthira who was amazed by the knowledge of
python and himself asks it several questions.
When the question and answer session was over, the python releases
Bhima and suddenly turns into a human being.
The man then narrates his story. His was King Nahusha and was from the same lineage of the Pandavas. He was cursed by Sage Agastya due to his pride and arrogance.
The sage had then predicted that he will get back the human form when a man answers correctly all his questions. He thus caught several men but no one gave him satisfactory answers. He then killed them and swallowed them.
The man then narrates his story. His was King Nahusha and was from the same lineage of the Pandavas. He was cursed by Sage Agastya due to his pride and arrogance.
The sage had then predicted that he will get back the human form when a man answers correctly all his questions. He thus caught several men but no one gave him satisfactory answers. He then killed them and swallowed them.
Yudhisthira by answering the questions rids him of the curse.
Nahusha then blesses Yudhisthira and Bhima.
The most famous episode of Yudhisthira answering questions to save his four brothers is the Yaksha Prashna.
The most famous episode of Yudhisthira answering questions to save his four brothers is the Yaksha Prashna.