Pandavas and the Yaksha: On Conscientiousness

We have been exploring personality traits in my leadership classes. Research says that one of the most important leadership traits is conscientiousness.

Conscientiousness is about doing what’s right, staying dependable, and acting with integrity—even when no one is watching.

To illustrate this, I narrated the story below from the Mahabharata.

During their exile, the Pandavas were tired and were seeking water. They saw a lake in the distance—Yudhisthira sent his brothers one by one to fetch water while the others rested. When none of the brothers returned, he himself went to check and found his brothers lying unconscious.

There was a Yaksha by the lake. He told Yudhisthira that he had to answer his questions before he could enter the lake, or else he would meet the same fate as his brothers. Yudhisthira, recognizing the folly of his brothers, answered all 126 questions posed by the Yaksha. The satisfied Yaksha then gave Yudhisthira a choice: he could bring just one brother back to life.

Bhima was the strongest warrior and Arjuna was the most skilled. Yudhisthira knew there was a war coming. He was devastated to lose his brothers. And yet, he chose to revive Nakula, his half-brother.

The Yaksha asked the reason for this choice. Yudhisthira replied:

“My father had two wives—Kunti and Madri. I, the son of Kunti, am still alive. Let Nakula, the son of Madri, live too, so both the mothers have a surviving child.”

In this moment, Yudhisthira chose dharma over emotion, fairness over favoritism.

Recognizing his conscientiousness, the Yaksha revived all his brothers.

Yudhisthira exemplified:
• Acting with integrity, even when it’s hard
• Honoring duty over self-interest
• Being consistent, fair, and value-driven