In the previous episode, we had witnessed Vidura continuing with his accord about the various aspects of “Dharma” that he is explaining to King Dhritarashtra, which is what we refer to as the “Vidura-Neeti”. We’ve witnessed Vidura talking about how a king should always have the habit of listening to experts for consultative decision-making, how a king should not just listen, but should act upon the discussed points as and when required. This is where Vidura is pointing out to King Dhritarashtra that of course he listens to both Vidura and Sanjaya, but he seldom follows their advice and puts it into implementation. Vidura reminds King Dhritarashtra that it is his sole responsibility to put an end to the brewing crisis between the Kauravas and the Paandavas and it is he who has to hand over Indraprastha duly to Yudishtra. However, if he is going to listen to Duryodhana’s evil blackmails and is going to take his side, Vidura warns of a severe disaster wherein the possibility of destruction of the entire Kaurava clan looms large!
Listening to all these words from Vidura, it is now King Dhritarashtra’s turn to reply and respond. Vidura has this knack – He knows where the conversation should be continued and where it should be paused! 🙂 So now, as he has started to poke King Dhritarashtra more directly, Vidura smartly stops the conversation and allows King Dhritarashtra to think! Then, a thoughtful King Dhritarashtra responds back thus, “Oh Vidura! You’ve been listing out various characteristics of people who do not get sleep properly. Now tell me the ways and means through which I can get a peaceful sleep when I go to bed! Till now, you’ve been mentioning various categories of people who fall under the “Panditha” and “Mooda” lineages, isn’t it? Now let me tell you frankly – I come under the second lineage only and I know that very well! 🙂 Now tell me how I get over this! What should I do to retrieve my lost sleep and peace of mind!”
As King Dhritarashtra asks thus, Vidura laughs for a minute and replies back: “Oh King Dhritarashtra! I think I’ve already answered your question! If you’ve abducted someone else’s property, it is obviously difficult for you to get peace of mind and good sleep. However, if you’re in no way connected to the loss of others’ property, then the story is different! But in your case, the first category holds good! Oh Dhritarashtra! Please realize one thing very clearly – According to the rules of nature, if you do something bad to someone, it backfires on you immediately! If you see Yudishtra’s condition today, he is very happy and peaceful. I’m sure he is also having a good sleep during the night too! This is because, Yudishtra’s thoughts are steadfast on “Dharma” and its application. He has not thought anything bad for anyone all through his life! He has not abducted or even desired for others’ property. He has not been instrumental for others to suffer! If you do good to someone, that “Punya Karma” is going to benefit both you and your family in a lot of ways. Hence, Oh King Dhritarashtra! Please think good and do good for a “Dharma-Atma” like Yudishtra. You are directly or indirectly causing a lot of pain and suffering to someone who doesn’t even think of causing any pain to you at any point in time. Hence, do you understand the magnitude of the sin that you and your sons are committing?”
Asking directly thus, Vidura literally blasts King Dhritarashtra for his irresponsible activities towards Yudishtra and Co. and also exposes some of them in the conversation that is going to follow! Thus, we can understand one thing very clearly here – Whatever actions we perform at this moment are sure to have an equal and an opposite reaction upon us sooner or later! This is how the “Karma” theory works, and this is exactly what Vidura is trying to explain here! Thus, the point here is that, we’ve to be very careful with our actions! So for today, let us understand up to this point, and let us wait till the next episode to continue this discussion forward! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 