In the previous episode, we had witnessed the continuation of Bhagawan Krishna’s beautiful conversation with Vidura at Vidura’s residence. As we’ve witnessed earlier, Bhagawan Krishna opts to stay with Vidura for the rest of the day, even as Duryodhana wanted to offer the best-in-house hospitality to Bhagawan Krishna, in a bid to entice Him towards the Kauravas’ side. However, Bhagawan Krishna is too smart for all these gimmicks, and Duryodhana’s bid gets foiled. Subsequently, as Vidura offers bananas for Bhagawan Krishna’s dinner, we’ve witnessed how Vidura gets engrossed deeply into the “Bhakti-Bhaava”, and offers the banana skins instead of the actual fruit. As Vidura realizes his folly, and as Vidura offers the fruit instead of the skin, Bhagawan Krishna declares that His hunger is already satisfied! Even as Vidura wants Bhagawan Krishna to consume atleast one banana properly, Bhagawan Krishna asserts that His hunger got satisfied with the “Bhakti” that Vidura exhibited, and not because of the banana skins that he offered!
This is an important lesson that all of us need to understand here. We might offer so many things for Bhagawan in a temple, including gold chains, gold coins, any other kinds of jewellery, expensive attires, etc., but the real question here is – “Are we offering all these with a sense of selfless Bhakti, or, are we offering all these so as to fulfil our own desires and worldly pleasures?” Many of us might not be able to differentiate between these two aspects in life. Even if we offer a “Tulasi” leaf and a flower petal to Bhagawan with complete and selfless devotion, Bhagawan will wholeheartedly accept them and provide His divine “Anugraha” to us. Thus, it is not important as to what we offer to Bhagawan. All what is important here is how we offer them to Him! In fact, Bhagawan Krishna Himself is going to talk about this aspect in His Bhagawad Gita shortly, which we’re going to witness in the future episodes to come. We shall take up this discussion in detail at that point in time.
Moving on further thus, as the conversation continues, Bhagawan Krishna asks Vidura thus, “Oh great Vidura! You know exactly what is “Dharma”. You know how to differentiate clearly between “Dharma” and “Adharma” and you are a great scholarly person! So tell me – What is the message I should convey tomorrow to King Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana, in such a way that we may avert the disastrous war from happening? Oh Vidura! Please tell me from your experience as to how I should go forward from here!” Upon hearing this from Bhagawan Krishna, Vidura is in tears! He doesn’t know what to reply! Doesn’t Bhagawan Krishna know the answer to the questions that He had asked just now? Inspite of knowing everything, why is He asking Vidura for an answer? Let us witness Vidura’s beautiful answer now.
Vidura replies thus, “Oh Bhagawan Krishna! If you ask me such a question, I would only tell you one thing – There is no use talking to both King Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana! Instead of wasting your time in this futile effort, why don’t you stay with me for one more day here itself? Why can’t we continue our conversation on “Dharma” on and on without any break? If you are with me, I’m feeling a sense of satisfaction and strength! Oh Bhagawan! I’m not asking you for anything that is going to satisfy any worldy pleasure! All I’m asking you is your divine presence near me at all times! As I said earlier, I really do not know what you should convey to Duryodhana and even if you do so, I’m not sure whether he would listen to you at all! Hence, please consider my request and stay with me here itself for tomorrow also!”
We can clearly see an exhibition of Vidura’s Bhakti-Bhaava here, isn’t it? This is the level of Bhakti that all of us should strive upon. If it was any other person other than Vidura to whom Bhagawan Krishna would have asked this question, anybody would have given their “expert opinions and suggestions” to Him, not knowing of the fact that Bhagawan already knows everything and He is merely testing our Bhakti levels! But here is Vidura, who doesn’t leave even an opportunity to exhibit his Bhakti towards Bhagawan!
So for today, let us understand up to this point, and in the next episode, we shall witness Bhagawan’s response to Vidura’s request! Stay tuned for an interesting accord! 🙂
The Indian Dharma 