In the previous episode, we had witnessed Vidura commencing his reply to King Dhritarashtra on who are those people not getting enough sleep at night. He lists down various categories, upon which, King Dhritarashtra accepts to Vidura that he falls under all those categories of people. He further laments to Vidura that he is not able to ask anything to Duryodhana, even though he knows that Duryodhana is walking the path of gross “Adharma”. King Dhritarashtra cries to Vidura that he has lost everything on that fateful day when Draupati was insulted in the public courtroom by Duryodhana and Co.! Meanwhile, King Dhritarashtra also realizes that if at all there is a war, Duryodhana is certainly going to be on the losing side because Yudishtra has Bhagawan Krishna by his side at all times. Given the significance of Bhagawan Krishna, the Paandavas are never going to lose and this is quite certain. Moreover, King Dhritarashtra also realizes that he and his son have abducted Indraprastha illegally from Yudishtra, for which they’re going to pay a heavy price!
As King Dhritarashtra laments thus, he requests Vidura: “Oh Vidura! Given the current situation, is there any way that this can be reversed? What is the path of “Dharma” I should follow from here on to do a course correction? Please advise me on the same!” As King Dhritarashtra asks thus, Vidura is now going to explain a lot of things to him. He commences with a beautiful explanation about who is a “Vidwan” (“Panditha” or a learned scholar) and a “Mooda” (A stupid person) and how both of them react to situations. Vidura explains thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! A “Vidwan” is someone who has mastered the “Atma-Gnyaanam” (Knowledge about the “Atman”). This person would be able to clearly differentiate between the “Jeevatma” and the “Paramatma” and this knowledge is extremely essential for spiritual progress. Secondly, Vidura says that a person is a Vidwan if he / she is an epitome of the characteristic called “Samaarambaha”. This means, the person should have high levels of motivation to perform good actions which would benefit the world!”
Vidura continues further thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! Thirdly, a Vidwan should be an epitome of the characteristic called “Tithiksha”! This means, a person should be able to exhibit enormous amounts of patience and perseverance irrespective of how many hurdles cross by during the pursuit! Fourthly, a person is branded as a Vidwan if he possesses the characteristic called “Dharma-Nityata”. This means, while the person is trying to satisfy his / her desires, if there is a compulsion that he / she has to deviate from the path of “Dharma”, how is this person resisting it and standing by the “Dharma”! This is a real test here! We might be having enormous desires in life and we would be aiming to satisfy all of them. However, we should understand that not all desires could be satisfied through the path of “Dharma”. If we understand this clearly, life would be a success!”
Vidura continues further thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! If a person is devoid of any desires towards others’ property and wealth, he / she is termed as a “Panditha”! Hence, Oh King Dhritarashtra! Think within yourself now – Do you follow any / all of these characteristics? If “yes”, you would get a sound sleep when you go to bed at night! If not, you would be sleepless like this! Normally, “Pandithas” get a sound sleep because their minds are clear of any sort of worries!” As Vidura explains thus, King Dhritarashtra quips Vidura again: “Oh Vidura! Till now you’ve detailed all the characteristics of a “Panditha”! This is fine! However, please tell me the characteristics of a “Mooda” (Fool). Maybe I would be able to relate more to these, rather than those of a “Panditha”! :)”
As King Dhritarashtra asks thus, Vidura is now going to list down the characteristics of a “Mooda”! Maybe, we can also relate a lot to this as Vidura is going to explain! 🙂 For this, we shall wait till the next episode which is coming up tomorrow! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 