In the previous episode, we had witnessed the commencement of the all-important “Vidura-Neeti” wherein Vidura is going to give some important pieces of advice and wisdom to King Dhritarashtra. As we’ve seen earlier, King Dhritarashtra is extremely anxious about the outcome of Sanjaya’s visit to Yudishtra & Co. As Sanjaya gave an encrypted reply, King Dhritarashtra is having so many thoughts running in his mind, which makes him utterly confused. Hence he wants someone to clear all his confusion with some soothing words of advice. Thus, he calls out to Vidura for this. As Vidura comes, King Dhritarashtra expresses his inability to get a good night’s sleep. Now it is Vidura’s turn to reply to whatever King Dhritarashtra has said. We shall commence Vidura’s reply in today’s episode and let us see what Vidura has to say.
Moving on, Vidura replies to King Dhritarashtra thus, “Oh King! You’re telling me that you’re unable to get a good night’s sleep, aren’t you? Do you know who are those people in this world who are unable to get a good sleep when they lie down on bed? I’ll list down eight categories of such people. You tell me which category you’ve fallen into!” Saying thus, Vidura lists down the eight categories of people who do not get proper sleep at night. He says thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! First category of people is those who have called someone who is more powerful than them for a fight! Second category of people are those who do not have the mental strength to face any problem in life! Third category of people are those who have lost all their property to someone else! These people will also not be able to get enough sleep at night. Fourth category of people are those who desire unwanted things and unwanted people! Such people are driven heavily by desires and this would hinder their sleep! Fifth category of people are those who have abducted somebody else’s property and kept it in their house. Such people also wouldn’t get proper sleep!”
Saying the fifth category thus, Vidura stops and pauses for a while and looks at King Dhritarashtra deeply! Indirectly, Vidura nudges King Dhritarashtra that he clearly falls under the fifth category of people here! We can understand this very well too – When Duryodhana abducted Indraprastha illegally through the gambling game, King Dhritarashtra was silent, wasn’t he? Hence, it simply means, King Dhritarashtra was also “hand-in-glove” with Duryodhana in whatever he has done, isn’t it? Pausing thus, Vidura further asks King Dhritarashtra: “Oh King! I’ve listed down all the categories of people who do not get proper sleep at night. You tell me which category you fall under!” Now this is a poke that Vidura is making upon King Dhritarashtra, which prompts King Dhritarashtra to reply thus, “Oh Vidura! I fall under all the categories that you’ve mentioned so far! 🙂 I know that Bhagawan Krishna is on their side and even after that, I’m encouraging Duryodhana to fight against the Paandavas! I know that I’ve abducted Yudishtra’s Indraprastha illegally through the gambling game! I know that I do not have adequate mental strength to mend Duryodhana’s ways! I know that I’m not assertive enough to stand up against whatever Duryodhana does, even though I know that he is walking the path of “Adharma”! I do not have the strength to stand up and fight! This is because I know that I’m walking the path of “Adharma” and I’ve done it in the past! I also know that I’ve lost my property! You might wonder what property I’m talking about! Oh Vidura! The moment Draupati was insulted amidst the public courtroom on that fateful day, I lost the biggest property in the form of her! She will always remember this for her life! So what else is there for me to lose?”
Saying thus, King Dhritarashtra laments to Vidura about his inabilities and incapabilities as a king! Now it would be interesting to see what Vidura is going to reply back! We shall wait for the next episode to find out Vidura’s reply! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 