In the previous episode, we had witnessed Bhagawan Krishna completely spoiling the bids of both King Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana as He makes His way into Hastinapura. Bhagawan Krishna smartly spoils King Dhritarashtra’s plan of giving 50 villages to Bhagawan Krishna, so as to pull Him on to Duryodhana’s side, by not residing at Hastinapura palace as per King Dhritarashtra’s request. Secondly, Bhagawan Krishna also spoils Duryodhana’s bid to entice Him on to his side, by opting to reside with Vidura for the rest of the day. Duryodhana wanted to offer the best-in-house hospitality to Bhagawan Krishna with the wicked intention of blackmailing Him into his fold, but this too gets foiled when Bhagawan Krishna expresses His wish to reside with Vidura. Of course Bhagawan Krishna knows that if He stays and accepts the hospitality from the enemy, He would become indebted to him and hence, carefully avoids the bizarre situation.
Moving on thus, as per Bhagawan’s request, Vidura escorts Him to his house. Even though Vidura’s house is very small and simple as compared to King Dhritarashtra’s expansive palace, Bhagawan Krishna opts for this, as He wants to honour His ardent Bhakta. As Vidura brings Bhagawan Krishna to his house, he is completely in tears of joy and tension. He did not expect Bhagawan Krishna to come to his small house. Thus, Vidura extends all the possible hospitality that he can to Bhagawan Krishna and makes Him feel comfortable. Thus, as this happens, Bhagawan and Vidura are conversing happily with each other. Vidura asks Bhagawan Krishna during the conversation thus, “Oh Bhagawan! You are a great king! You are the supreme Lord for the entire world! You are from a great divine place called Dwaraka! As you came to Hastinapura, you were offered the best hospitality at our palace by King Dhritarashtra! Inspite of all these things, why did you opt to come and stay with me? As you know now, my place is extremely small and I can only provide bare minimal hospitality to you, due to my limitations. How did you decide to come to me, rather than residing at Hastinapura?”
As Vidura asks thus, Bhagawan Krishna gives a heart-touching reply to him. Bhagawan says thus, “Oh my dear Vidura! You do not need to provide me with the best-in-class hospitality. That is not what I look for. All I look for is your Bhakti and Sharanagati. I see both these qualities in you, more than anybody else in Hastinapura. Of course, Sanjaya is an exception, and I agree! But apart from you and Sanjaya, there is nobody who can give me these two! Moreover, you are an epitome of “Dharma”, and you are one person who stands by “Dharma” at all times, even when the going gets tough. I know that you’re doing your duty perfectly as a minister to King Dhritarashtra in explaining him the “Dharma” in all his actions. When Draupati was stripped in public on that fateful day, I know that you were the only one who stood by Draupati, at a time when all the others were in silence! You were the one who tried to argue for Draupati’s cause. You were the only one who had the guts to talk against Duryodhana’s actions, at a time when nobody had that courage! Hence, I wanted to honour you for all what you’ve done till date to protect “Dharma”! Of course, you’ve tried your best, but rest is left to fate to decide! However, despite this, you’ve had the guts to stand by “Dharma”! Moreover, I know that you’ve been of immense help to Yudishtra and Co. during their thirteen-year “Vana-Vaasam” period, Thus, I was waiting all these years to meet you and express my gratitude to you for being alongside “Dharma”, and also for helping Yudishtra at tough times whenever I was not available for him! This is the sole reason why I opted to come to your house, instead of staying at King Dhritarashtra’s! Oh Vidura! I know that I would have got ten times more hospitality at King Dhritarashtra’s palace than what you offered me! However, as I said earlier, hospitality, gifts, etc. do not move me! Only your ardent “Bhakti” and your meticulous path towards “Dharma” moves my attention towards you!”
As Bhagawan Krishna gives this lengthy reply, Vidura is in tears of joy! Even Bhagawan Krishna couldn’t hold back His tears as He is thanking Vidura for all whatever he has done to protect Yudishtra and Co. so far! So for today, let us enjoy this beautiful moment between Bhagawan and His ardent Bhakta and we shall continue further with this discussion in the next episode! Stay tuned! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 