In the previous episode, we had witnessed a few of Vidura’s concluding remarks as part of the “Vidura Neeti” wherein he gives some golden words of wisdom to King Dhritarashtra. Vidura warns King Dhritarashtra that time is running out fast and he has to act immediately to mend Duryodhana’s ways. Duryodhana is crossing all boundaries in terms of performing “Adharmic” acts against Yudishtra. If this continues, consequences are going to be disastrous in the future. Moreover, Yudisthra is patiently enduring all these things only because of his enormous respect towards King Dhritarashtra. Vidura explains to King Dhritarashtra that Yudishtra sees him as his own father after the demise of his father, King Paandu. Hence, King Dhritarashtra should treat the Paandava brothers too as his own sons just like how he treats Duryodhana and Co. There should not be any differences that should be encouraged between the two camps. Finally, Vidura advises King Dhritarashtra that he should be assertive enough to call out Duryodhana’s atrocities and punish him for the same!
Explaining all these points thus, Vidura leaves the ball on to King Dhritarashtra’s court to play his game. With this, we also come to an end of the all-important “Vidura-Neeti” as part of the Mahabharata text. Whatever Vidura has explained in this chapter are truly golden words of wisdom, not only for King Dhritarashtra, but also for all of us in our present day lives as well! We’ve witnessed various aspects of “Dharma” and leadership all through the “Vidura-Neeti” and as ardent devotees of Bhagawan Krishna, we should take a step forward to read through, understand, reflect and implement these points in our lives. Moving on thus, we now enter into the “Sanath-Sujaatha Parva”. Till now we’ve been witnessing the “Prajaakara Parva” wherein the Vidura-Neeti is an integral part. We shall see some interesting details in this Parva as we move on.
As Vidura concludes this lengthy accord, King Dhritarashtra is not in a position to let Vidura go off. He still wants to ask Vidura a few more things. King Dhritarashtra asks thus, “Oh Vidura! Till now you’ve been talking about “Dharma” in its various forms and aspects. Now I want to know the origin of this “Dharma”. From where was it created? What is the history behind the formation of this entire world? Who is that one person responsible for managing this entire world? We talk a lot about “Brahman” , don’t we? What is the real form of “Brahman”, if at all there is something? Oh Vidura! Please explain all these aspects to me! I would like to learn from you!” As King Dhritarashtra asks thus, Vidura replies back – “Oh King Dhritarashtra! I’m not qualified enough to give answers to these questions that you’ve asked me now! I shall ask Sanath-Sujaatha to come here and give you the answers for your questions!”
As Vidura says thus, King Dhritarashtra quips again – “Oh Vidura! Why should I listen to Sanath-Sujaatha? Why can’t you explain the answers to me? Don’t you know them by yourself?” As King Dhritarashtra asks thus, Vidura replies, “Oh King Dhritatashtra! I never said that I do not know the answers to your questions. I only said that I’m not qualified and fit enough to answer them. I’m just not the right person for it. Only a few people have the right qualifications to explain such things. One such person is Sage Sanatkumara. He will come if I call out for him!” As Vidura says thus, King Dhritarashtra asks again, “Oh Vidura! How will he come if you call him? He is such a great sage, isn’t it? How can you just call him and he would come?” Vidura answers back thus, “Oh King Dhritarashtra! Sage Sanatkumara will definitely come. He is currently deep into his penance. I shall call him when I’m meditating next. He will understand my call and will come to meet us here. If good and genuine people call sages, they would definitely answer our calls and would come and meet us!”
Saying thus, Vidura goes into deep meditation immediately! During this time, he calls out for Sage Sanatkumara and as he had mentioned earlier, Sage Sanatkumara understands Vidura’s call! He immediately leaves for Hastinapura and arrives within a jiffy! So for today, let us understand up to this point and in the next episode, we shall witness a very interesting conversation between King Dhritarashtra and Sage Sanatkumara! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 