In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the Vidura-Neeti wherein Vidura is narrating a few important pointers pertaining to Raaja-Dharma, as narrated by Dattatreya to the Sahya-Devas. Here, Vidura stresses upon two important points which are directly applicable to King Dhritarashtra – A king should always be mindful of his words and communication techniques that he employs. Even though a king might be good in his intentions, if he uses the wrong words and starts dictating and abusing people, it would spell doom for him in the long run! Moreover, Vidura also talks about how a king should refrain from those activities that are banned by the “Shaastras” and the “Vedas”. This is a direct poke at King Dhritarashtra because he was the one who allowed the illegal gambling game to progress, without stopping it at any stage. We might still argue that it was Duryodhana who conducted the game and King Dhritarashtra was originally not in favor of playing the game. However, even though the king is not directly involved in the game, it is his bound duty to stop the game from happening even if it is being played by somebody else, isn’t it? This is where King Dhritarashtra failed miserably as a king!
Moving on further, Vidura also lambasts King Dhritarashtra that he is acting more like a father towards Duryodhana, than a king. If King Dhritarashtra puts himself in the shoes of a king in front of Duroydhana, he would be able to reign and restore the “Dharma” at Hastinapura. However, King Dhritarashtra is adorning the role of a father, more than a king, and this is the reason why King Dhritarashtra is unable to raise his voice even a bit in front of Duryodhana. Vidura continues further thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! Please remember one thing very clearly here – You were born as a king and not as a father! The role of a father came to you much later. However, the role of a king is with you right from the beginning! Hence, you should give more importance to being a king, rather than being a father. As a king, your priority should be to discharge all your duties pertaining to this role, and your duties pertaining to being a father can always wait!”
Vidura continues further thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! The first duty of yours as a king is to ensure that all your people fall in line, isn’t it? If people aren’t falling in line, what would be your next course of action? You would punish them appropriately, wouldn’t you? Oh King Dhritarashtra! Isn’t Duryodhana also one amongst your people? If that is the case, why is this rule applicable only for others, and not for Duryodhana? For all the atrocities that Duryodhana has committed so far, as a king, you should have given him appropriate punishments, isn’t it? Why didn’t you do this? You might argue that Duryodhana is my son and how will I punish him! If that is the case, isn’t Duryodhana one of your people? So, is the position of being a son more important for you as compared to the others? Isn’t it a clear case of nepotism? If the rest of your people would have committed the same mistake, would you be quiet? Hence, just because Duryodhana is your son, will you show respite and make him get away? Oh Dhritarashtra! Please remember one thing – A leader should always be impartial towards his subjects! This is the fundamental quality of leadership! If you’re not understanding this and if you’re going to take sides towards your son, your entire clan is going to go down the path of destruction very soon!”
Saying thus, Vidura highlights a very important point in leadership on how a leader should be neutral and unbiased towards his people. A leader should give an opportunity for growth to all his people equally and should not ignore one for the other. When it comes to punishing a wrong act, a leader should be ready to show neutrality! Whomsoever might have committed that mistake, even though that person might be a very close aide to the leader, he / she should be meted out with equal punishment! This is justice, isn’t it? So for today, let us understand this point very clearly and we shall wait till the next episode to continue this discussion forward! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 