In the previous episode, we had witnessed Vidura training his guns towards King Dhritarashtra with regards to the current brewing situation at Hastinapura. Vidura is extremely critical about King Dhritarashtra’s one-sided attitude and his indecisiveness and explains to him that it is because of these two primary reasons, King Dhritarashtra is unable to sleep properly without any worries. Two major things have stood out till now – Firstly, King Dhritarashtra is doing a gross injustice (“Adharma”) to someone who is an epitome of “Dharma”! This is bound to backfire on him very badly according to Vidura’s advice. Secondly, since King Dhritarashtra has either directly or indirectly abducted Yudishtra’s property, severe repercussions are looming large! This has a potential not only to destroy King Dhritarashtra, but also the entire Kaurava clan stands at the verge of depletion!
As Vidura flags the warning signal directly thus, King Dhritarashtra casts a worried look! He knows that his actions are solely responsible for all the colossal mess that is happening, but he is clearly struggling to cope up with it. Realizing this, King Dhritarashtra sheds tears of helplessness and talks to Vidura thus, “Oh Vidura! I’m deeply anguished by whatever is happening at Hastinapura! My heart aches with the incidents that have happened here and I’m also deeply ashamed of them! I know that my son is walking the path of gross “Adharma” on all fronts! However, I’m unable to ask anything from him and my “Putra-Vatsalya” is pulling me down everytime! Hence, if there is a choice that I’ve to make between “Dharma” and “Putra-Vaatsalya”, which should be the option that I should choose, and why? Why can’t Yudishtra come for a compromise? In any case, Yudishtra knows the wickedness of Duryodhana and his ego, doesn’t he? If a disastrous war has to be avoided, Yudishtra being an epitome of “Dharma”, should go in for a compromise, isn’t it? Why is he not doing that?”
As King Dhritarashtra asks thus, Vidura doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry at this question! Anyways, as a minister, it is his duty to advise King Dhritarashtra on the way forward, isn’t it? Hence with a heavy heart, Vidura replies thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! If it is a question about “Dharma” vs. “Putra-Vatsalya”, I would always vouch for “Dharma”. Irrespective of whether Duryodhana is your son or not, “Dharma” is supreme and as a righteous king, “Dharma” is the first priority! You should be more assertive as a king and should be able to balance between Duryodhana and Yudishtra and their preferences. In your case, your excessive attachment towards your son is blinding you from the path of “Dharma”. Moreover think of this – You’re saying that Yudishtra should compromise – How much will he do? He has been compromising everything for you and your son for all these years! Right from the day he was born, Duryodhana has always looked at ways and means to kill him, isn’t it? Even after becoming adults, Duryodhana has used every ounce of opportunity to demean and insult Yudishtra at all forums! During that infamous gambling episode, was Duryodhana’s act fair? If you’re talking about “Dharma” and compromise, why are you talking only about what Yudishtra should do? Why aren’t you talking about what Duryodhana should do? By asking such questions like why Yudishtra isn’t ready to compromise, you are only trying to justify your son’s “Adharmic” acts! To be very frank, you should feel ashamed of asking such questions and making Yudishtra go for a compromise! Hadn’t he compromised his kingdom for thirteen long years and suffered in the forest? Do you think life in the forest is easy? He has borne enormous hardships in his life for whom? It is for you only! He wanted to act as per “Dharma” and has always tried to avert a war-like situation! But how long should Yudishtra hold on like this?”
Saying thus, Vidura gets visibly angry and blasts King Dhritarashtra! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall continue this discussion further wherein Vidura is going to illustrate his point with a beautiful story! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 