In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of the “Vidura-Neeti” wherein Vidura is now taking every chance to lambast King Dhritarashtra for all what had happened till now at Hastinapura. Vidura reminds King Dhritarashtra again and again about that infamous gambling incident that happened thirteen years ago and how Draupati was insulted in the public courtroom to drive home the point that if a king acts with partiality and takes sides with one party, this is going to backfire at the king very badly in the near future. We’ve witnessed this incident in detail in our earlier episodes and we’ve seen how King Dhritarashtra’s gross inaction towards Duryodhana’s and Ducchaasana’s atrocities paved the way for gross “Adharma” to happen in front of everyone’s eyes! It should be noted here that even at that critical juncture when the gambling game was progressing, none except Vidura opened their mouths to lend a helping hand to Draupati and Yudishtra. At a time when Bhishmachaarya, Guru Dhronachaarya, Sage Kripachaarya and the other seniors were mute spectators to the “Adharma” that was being staged in public, Vidura was the only one who raised his voice even then. However, all of Vidura’s words went into deaf ears of King Dhritarashtra and the others! Vidura reminds and stings King Dhritarashtra with all these points and explains how a king should be neutral and fair towards all his subjects! Just because Duryodhana is his son, can King Dhritarashtra legitimise all his “Adharmic” acts? Saying thus, Vidura fumes in anger and despair!
Moving forward thus, Vidura further blasts King Dhritatashtra – “Oh King Dhritarashtra! You are leaving Duryodhana, scot free because he is your son. Even though Duryodhana is at his peak of “Adharma” you are refusing to question him and bring him to book. However, imagine this situation – If the same activities would have been committed by Yudishtra or someone else in your kingdom, would you let them go scot free as well? You will definitely not! I’m sure you will dig out the rule book and start talking about rules if Yudishtra would have committed even one percentage of what Duryodhana has committed! However, when it comes to Duryodhana, you are keeping the rule book away! What kind of “Raaja Dharma” are you exhibiting? Oh King Dhritarashtra! Please remember one thing very clearly – A rule is a rule for everyone in the kingdom, irrespective of whether that person is Duryodhana or Karna or Ducchaasana or Yudishtra or Bheemasena or Arjuna. You should not differentiate between your subjects and apply rules selectively! I’m saying all this because you’ve not adhered to these rules properly in the past, and this is the reason for all the colossal mess that we are into today! When Yudishtra had to go to the forest for twelve years, plus one year of “Agnyaata-Vaasam”, did you question Duryodhana about how he came to a conclusion that Yudishtra be sent to the forest? Did Duryodhana adopt legitimate means to capture Indraprastha? If Duryodhana would have had any guts, he should have fought a war against Yudishtra and captured Indraprastha! Just because Yudishtra had lost a “friendly game” of gambling, was it fair on Duryodhana’s part to claim Indraprastha from Yudishtra? Isn’t it “Raaja-Dharma” that a kingdom be captured with the due process of a war? How did you allow Duryodhana to do all this nonsense? Had Yudishtra done that same thing, would you keep quiet? This is where you are partial as a king! If it comes to Duryodhana, you have one set of rules and if it comes to Yudishtra, you have another set of rules! What kind of administration is this? Hence, King Dhritarashtra! Even now it is not too late! Please mend your ways! If a person is genuine to you, be genuine to him as well! Do not show your fickle mindedness to genuine people!”
Saying thus, Vidura blasts King Dhritarashtra left right and centre and for today, let us understand up to this point. We shall wait till the next episode to continue further! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 