Suta said........
Bidura while traveling to different places of pilgrimage, had received the Self knowledge (attmaa tatwa) from the great sage Maitreya. After getting the knowledge he returned to Hastinapura to meet king Yudhisthira. Arriving there, he was welcomed by Yudhishthhira with his younger brothers, jujustchu son of Drutaraastra, saaradbata, gandhaari, droupadi, subhadraa, uttaraa, and Kunti with all other relatives....
Bidura while traveling to different places of pilgrimage, had received the Self knowledge (attmaa tatwa) from the great sage Maitreya. After getting the knowledge he returned to Hastinapura to meet king Yudhisthira. Arriving there, he was welcomed by Yudhishthhira with his younger brothers, jujustchu son of Drutaraastra, saaradbata, gandhaari, droupadi, subhadraa, uttaraa, and Kunti with all other relatives....
Story of Vidura: Who is Vidura ?
Mahatma Vidur was in a way an incarnation of Dharma. Due to the curse of the sage, Mandavya, he was to be born in the Shudra caste. He was born to the maid of the king Vichitravirya. Thus, he was the real brother of Pandu and Dhritarashtra. He was very prudent, wise, polite, religious, well mannered and devoted to the Lord. As a minister to Dhritarashtra, he used to give him good advice. When Duryodhana was born, he had cried like a jackal. Seeing all these bad omens, Vidur had cautioned Dhritarashtra that his child would be the cause of the Kauravas destruction, hence it would be better to abandon the child at once. But due to the attachment for his child, Dhritarashtra did not pay heed to his advice and as a result suffered a lot all along his life just because of Duryodhana.
Because of Duryodhana's atrocities, Mahatma Vidur developed sympathy for the Pandavas and he helped them and protected them directly or indirectly. He knew that despite any crisis, the Pandavas would win the battle eventually. They were blessed with a long life and hence no one could kill them. That is why Vidur advised Kunti to keep calm and not to protest when Duryodhana had craftily poisoned Bheema and had thrown him into a river. He cautioned her that if she raised her voice to protest against Duryodhana's treachery against Bheema, then he would get irritated and he would attempt to kill the other Pandavas in the same manner. As for Bheema, Vidur convinced Kunti that he would escape unhurt. Kunti was convinced of Vidur's words as she knew that he was a man of truth and indeed he came back safe and sound.
Because of Duryodhana's atrocities, Mahatma Vidur developed sympathy for the Pandavas and he helped them and protected them directly or indirectly. He knew that despite any crisis, the Pandavas would win the battle eventually. They were blessed with a long life and hence no one could kill them. That is why Vidur advised Kunti to keep calm and not to protest when Duryodhana had craftily poisoned Bheema and had thrown him into a river. He cautioned her that if she raised her voice to protest against Duryodhana's treachery against Bheema, then he would get irritated and he would attempt to kill the other Pandavas in the same manner. As for Bheema, Vidur convinced Kunti that he would escape unhurt. Kunti was convinced of Vidur's words as she knew that he was a man of truth and indeed he came back safe and sound.
Vidur had also cautioned Yudhishtir of the imminent danger that was lurking in Barnavata and also told him the way to escape the danger. It was Vidur who had planned the digging of a tunnel from Lakshagriha to the bank of the Ganges and had arranged for the boat to emerge on the river and finally cross it. Thus acting prudently, Vidur saved the lives of the Pandavas. Vidur did not discriminate in his affection for the Pandavas and the Kauravas and he used to give them good advice as well. But Duryodhana never liked his advice. Even then, Vidur tried his level best to put his brother Dhritarashtra on the right track. But under the influence of his sons, Dhritarashtra never followed Vidur's advice but assuming him to be his well wisher, he always sought Vidur's advice.
Following Shakuni's advice, Duryodhana informed the proposal of inviting the Pandavas over a game of dice. Vidur cautioned Dhritarashtra that such a game would only increase the enmity between the two sides, hence a game of dice is inauspicious for both the sides. Praising Vidur, Dhritarashtra then persuaded Duryodhana to give up the plan. But Duryodhana was determined to humiliate the Pandavas, hence he made Dhritarashtra accept his plan. It was Vidur who went to Indraprastha with the proposal of the game. Yudhishtir too did not like the game of dice but lest his uncle's desire be dishonoured, he also accepted Duryodhana's proposal. Even when the game was being played, Vidur tried to convince Dhritarashtra that he still had enough of time to come around and drop his submissive stance for Duryodhana and save his clan and not to make the Pandavas their enemy.
After the coronation of Yudhishtir, Dhritarashtra came to stay with him. Vidur also stayed with him and used to be engaged in religious discussions. Eventually, he accompanied Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti in their penance. In the forests, observing solitude, he observed severe penance. Once Yudhishtir went to the forests to meet his mother, uncle and aunt. Not finding Vidur there, he inquired about him. At that time Vidur was heading for his hermitage far away in the jungles. Yudhishtir called out to him several times but Vidur did not pay any notice to his calls and he stood resting against a tree. Yudhishtir hastily went near Vidur and found out that due to his severe penance, Vidur's body had been reduced to a mere skeleton. There and then, Yudhishtir worshipped him and saw a beam of light emerging from his body and annihilated in Yudhishtir and the lifeless body of Vidur remained resting against the tree. Thus living a religious life, Vidur attained salvation. ]]]]
They went towards him in great delight as if life had returned to their bodies, approaching him with due respect with embraces and obeisances. In their affection they emotionally shed tears because of the anxiety and grief they had felt from the separation. King Yuddhishthhira then arranged for a reception getting him seated.
Yudhisthira pleaded.....o uncle (taata) seeing you , I get nostalgic about how we brothers along with our mother were saved from various dangers like poisoning and arson(jatughruha agnikaanda) by your help and blessings.... Keeping our love within your heart which forests and places of pilgrimage did you travel alone and how did you maintain your livelihood? Devotees like your goodness are converted into holy places themselves, o powerful one; having the Supreme Personality in your heart, you turn all places into places of pilgrimage. O my uncle, can you tell us from seeing or hearing about our friends and well-wishers, if the descendants of Yadu, who are rapt in the service of Krishna, are all happy in their respective abodes?
tu aambha sneha dura kari.......bhramana kalu basundhari
udaashi pathika lakhyane.........ekaa tu bulu bane bane
kipari praana rakhyaa karu.......e patha srama kehne haru?
bhramilu abani mandale..........tirtha aashrama punya sthale...
tohari praaye shaadhu jete..... pabitra dehe sarba tirthe
bhrami karanti punyatara.........jaahaanka chitte chakradhara......
Those persons who are humble, righteous and merciful are as similar as pilgrimage.... Visiting them gives equal result as visiting a holy place.....Godly natures maketh a man as par with God..
Thus being asked by the king Yudhisthira, Vidura properly described all that he had experienced one after another, without mentioning the destruction of the dynasty. He apprehended that listening to the destruction of Yadu dynasty the Pandabas might destroy themselves not being able to tolerate their separation in distress... So he mentioned hidding the truth that under the protection of the God himself the Yadu dynasty was sound..
He resided thus for a few days being treated with the amenities befitting a god, doing good to the eldest brother Dritaraastra and this way bringing happiness to all the others. Vidura was Yamaraaj(Dhrma) in his past life who played the part of a sudra (a working class man), because of a 100-year curse of the sage Manduka Muni (who under his responsibility was treated unjustly). Seeing the grandson of the dynasty (Parikshita) being suitable for ruling over the paternal kingdom together with his capable co-administering brothers, Vidura, pleaded to his elder brother Drhitaraastra that, The Dwapara Yuga(era of Dwaapara) is going to end, so you should leave this palace. Kali Yuga has entered so no more you all should live in the place where the kali has overpowered sky and earth....See how everywhere there is immense darkness..O King, please withdraw yourself from here without delay, just see how fear has taken over. There is no remedy or any measure for anyone, of the eternal kaala who has appeared for all of us.....
This Kali is very cruel, all will come under her grip. This will take away our lives. All the wealth and manpower on this earth will be under her stubborn clutch. Gods, Demigods, Demons, old, young and mighty all will be afraid of her.
anitya e manushya dehi...................saara ehaara kichi naahi
e dehe je mukta bandhana..................taahaaku boli mahaajana
This life is trivial and fragile. It is not worth being adorned. All are bound with relationships. Attachment with relations is the cause of all the agonies in life. The very person to be called great who makes himself/herself from all relations.
Vidura said to Dritaraastra, oh brother...... It's all your past deeds which are responsible for death of your brothers and sons your grief at this age. With your father, brother, well- wishers and sons all dead, your life expended and your body invalid of old age. You live in another man's home. You have been blind from the beginning, don't hear so well, your memory fails and recently your teeth loosened, your liver gives you trouble, you face difficulty in digesting food and you are loudly coughing up mucus. Alas, how powerful are the hopes of living beings for life, under the influence of which you, just like a household-dog, eat the remnants of food left by Bhima, whom your sons tried to kill by giving poisonous sweet being exhorted by evil ministers. That Bhima did not dye due to blessings of lord Krishna and your sons rather were killed being beaten with the weapon (Gada) of Bhima. All your sons planned to kill the Pandavas in an arson in Jatu ghara and to enjoy the kingdom wholly. But they failed in their evil venture. They tried to make naked the bride Draupadi defeating Pandavas in wicked dice game. You know every actions of your kins but remained silent. All the consequences of the past deeds, you are experiencing now.............
He is considered wise and free who, being displeased with this mortal body remains indifferent of all material obligations.
E dehe birakta je jana…………………se praani bimukta bandhana
A nitya nara kalebara …………………..bhitare kichi naahi saara
So by knowing; meditating upon yourself that this body is mortal in nature and there is nothing great about it, leave all your material attachments and your home installing lord in your heart. Come with me heading towards north, without letting your kins know where you are going. Thus the old king Drhitaraastra, urged by the wisdom of his younger brother Vidura, steadily broke all the familial affection and left in the (northern) direction set for the path of liberation keeping his arms upon the solder of Vidura. He was followed by the chaste and worthy wife Gandhari who went along with her husband to the Himalayas - the place that is the delight for those who took up the staff of renunciation, like fighters accepting the legitimate of a great war.
Returning to the palace, after finishing his evening worship, King Yudhisthira wanted to pay respects to the elderly, but did not find his two uncles or aunt Gaandhaari. Anxious, he turned to Sanjaya the son of Gavalgana (the assistant who gave the blind Dhritaraashthra the account of the battle), saying: 'Where is our old and blind uncle? Where is my well-wisher Vidura and mother Gandhari who was in grief of losing her offspring? Has the old king, ungrateful to me of having lost his sons, in a doubtful mind of my offenses, drowned himself with his wife in the Ganges in his distress? After the death of my father King Pandu, they were the well-wishers of all of us small children, protecting and caring for us - where have my uncles gone from here?' "......
Suta said:
"Sanjaya anxious out of compassion and distressed in separation of not seeing his master(Dritaraastra), being too aggrieved, could not reply. Wiping the tears of his face with his hands and regaining his mind with intelligence he began to reply King Yudhishthhira while thinking of the feet of his master 'I do not know the intentions of your uncles or Gandhari, o descendant of the Kuru dynasty - o great King, I've been cheated by those great souls.' At that time the supreme personality Narada appeared on the scene with his musical instrument and after Yudhishthhira and his younger brothers had offered him their due obeisances the king said: 'O Supreme One, I do not know where my uncles and my ascetic aunt so aggrieved of the loss of her sons, have gone? Like the captain on a ship in the extensive ocean you are the Lord to direct us to the other side.'
Narada said.....
Oh King don't be sad because this world is nothing but illusion created by the supreme lord.
He by his maya (illusion) creates living beings and plays his game of meeting and departure.
He is the one who brings all together and also disperses them. The way a cow is strung by a rope through the nose, likewise one is conditioned by the orders of control of the Lord. Accordingly he/she experiences agonies or sufferings subject to caring rendered and responsibilities taken.
bho nrupa shoka tu nakara.......iswara maya e sanshaara
praani bhiaai maya joge................. khelai sanjoge bijoge
goru naasikaa jehne bindhi...............aakarshi charma rajju baandhi
se praani jehne bhaaraa bahe...........antare dukha kheda sahe.....
As in a game of ball there is throwing and catching of the ball, in every one's life there is togetherness and departure. The ball goes that way it is sent by the player. So every thing happens in ones life is subject to some order of an invisible play.
kridaa kanduka kridaa range...........bhramai sanjoge bijoge
je daana padai demante................kanduka chale sehi mate
Following Shakuni's advice, Duryodhana informed the proposal of inviting the Pandavas over a game of dice. Vidur cautioned Dhritarashtra that such a game would only increase the enmity between the two sides, hence a game of dice is inauspicious for both the sides. Praising Vidur, Dhritarashtra then persuaded Duryodhana to give up the plan. But Duryodhana was determined to humiliate the Pandavas, hence he made Dhritarashtra accept his plan. It was Vidur who went to Indraprastha with the proposal of the game. Yudhishtir too did not like the game of dice but lest his uncle's desire be dishonoured, he also accepted Duryodhana's proposal. Even when the game was being played, Vidur tried to convince Dhritarashtra that he still had enough of time to come around and drop his submissive stance for Duryodhana and save his clan and not to make the Pandavas their enemy.
After the coronation of Yudhishtir, Dhritarashtra came to stay with him. Vidur also stayed with him and used to be engaged in religious discussions. Eventually, he accompanied Dhritarashtra, Gandhari and Kunti in their penance. In the forests, observing solitude, he observed severe penance. Once Yudhishtir went to the forests to meet his mother, uncle and aunt. Not finding Vidur there, he inquired about him. At that time Vidur was heading for his hermitage far away in the jungles. Yudhishtir called out to him several times but Vidur did not pay any notice to his calls and he stood resting against a tree. Yudhishtir hastily went near Vidur and found out that due to his severe penance, Vidur's body had been reduced to a mere skeleton. There and then, Yudhishtir worshipped him and saw a beam of light emerging from his body and annihilated in Yudhishtir and the lifeless body of Vidur remained resting against the tree. Thus living a religious life, Vidur attained salvation. ]]]]
They went towards him in great delight as if life had returned to their bodies, approaching him with due respect with embraces and obeisances. In their affection they emotionally shed tears because of the anxiety and grief they had felt from the separation. King Yuddhishthhira then arranged for a reception getting him seated.
Yudhisthira pleaded.....o uncle (taata) seeing you , I get nostalgic about how we brothers along with our mother were saved from various dangers like poisoning and arson(jatughruha agnikaanda) by your help and blessings.... Keeping our love within your heart which forests and places of pilgrimage did you travel alone and how did you maintain your livelihood? Devotees like your goodness are converted into holy places themselves, o powerful one; having the Supreme Personality in your heart, you turn all places into places of pilgrimage. O my uncle, can you tell us from seeing or hearing about our friends and well-wishers, if the descendants of Yadu, who are rapt in the service of Krishna, are all happy in their respective abodes?
tu aambha sneha dura kari.......bhramana kalu basundhari
udaashi pathika lakhyane.........ekaa tu bulu bane bane
kipari praana rakhyaa karu.......e patha srama kehne haru?
bhramilu abani mandale..........tirtha aashrama punya sthale...
tohari praaye shaadhu jete..... pabitra dehe sarba tirthe
bhrami karanti punyatara.........jaahaanka chitte chakradhara......
Those persons who are humble, righteous and merciful are as similar as pilgrimage.... Visiting them gives equal result as visiting a holy place.....Godly natures maketh a man as par with God..
Thus being asked by the king Yudhisthira, Vidura properly described all that he had experienced one after another, without mentioning the destruction of the dynasty. He apprehended that listening to the destruction of Yadu dynasty the Pandabas might destroy themselves not being able to tolerate their separation in distress... So he mentioned hidding the truth that under the protection of the God himself the Yadu dynasty was sound..
He resided thus for a few days being treated with the amenities befitting a god, doing good to the eldest brother Dritaraastra and this way bringing happiness to all the others. Vidura was Yamaraaj(Dhrma) in his past life who played the part of a sudra (a working class man), because of a 100-year curse of the sage Manduka Muni (who under his responsibility was treated unjustly). Seeing the grandson of the dynasty (Parikshita) being suitable for ruling over the paternal kingdom together with his capable co-administering brothers, Vidura, pleaded to his elder brother Drhitaraastra that, The Dwapara Yuga(era of Dwaapara) is going to end, so you should leave this palace. Kali Yuga has entered so no more you all should live in the place where the kali has overpowered sky and earth....See how everywhere there is immense darkness..O King, please withdraw yourself from here without delay, just see how fear has taken over. There is no remedy or any measure for anyone, of the eternal kaala who has appeared for all of us.....
This Kali is very cruel, all will come under her grip. This will take away our lives. All the wealth and manpower on this earth will be under her stubborn clutch. Gods, Demigods, Demons, old, young and mighty all will be afraid of her.
anitya e manushya dehi...................saara ehaara kichi naahi
e dehe je mukta bandhana..................taahaaku boli mahaajana
This life is trivial and fragile. It is not worth being adorned. All are bound with relationships. Attachment with relations is the cause of all the agonies in life. The very person to be called great who makes himself/herself from all relations.
Vidura said to Dritaraastra, oh brother...... It's all your past deeds which are responsible for death of your brothers and sons your grief at this age. With your father, brother, well- wishers and sons all dead, your life expended and your body invalid of old age. You live in another man's home. You have been blind from the beginning, don't hear so well, your memory fails and recently your teeth loosened, your liver gives you trouble, you face difficulty in digesting food and you are loudly coughing up mucus. Alas, how powerful are the hopes of living beings for life, under the influence of which you, just like a household-dog, eat the remnants of food left by Bhima, whom your sons tried to kill by giving poisonous sweet being exhorted by evil ministers. That Bhima did not dye due to blessings of lord Krishna and your sons rather were killed being beaten with the weapon (Gada) of Bhima. All your sons planned to kill the Pandavas in an arson in Jatu ghara and to enjoy the kingdom wholly. But they failed in their evil venture. They tried to make naked the bride Draupadi defeating Pandavas in wicked dice game. You know every actions of your kins but remained silent. All the consequences of the past deeds, you are experiencing now.............
He is considered wise and free who, being displeased with this mortal body remains indifferent of all material obligations.
E dehe birakta je jana…………………se praani bimukta bandhana
A nitya nara kalebara …………………..bhitare kichi naahi saara
So by knowing; meditating upon yourself that this body is mortal in nature and there is nothing great about it, leave all your material attachments and your home installing lord in your heart. Come with me heading towards north, without letting your kins know where you are going. Thus the old king Drhitaraastra, urged by the wisdom of his younger brother Vidura, steadily broke all the familial affection and left in the (northern) direction set for the path of liberation keeping his arms upon the solder of Vidura. He was followed by the chaste and worthy wife Gandhari who went along with her husband to the Himalayas - the place that is the delight for those who took up the staff of renunciation, like fighters accepting the legitimate of a great war.
Returning to the palace, after finishing his evening worship, King Yudhisthira wanted to pay respects to the elderly, but did not find his two uncles or aunt Gaandhaari. Anxious, he turned to Sanjaya the son of Gavalgana (the assistant who gave the blind Dhritaraashthra the account of the battle), saying: 'Where is our old and blind uncle? Where is my well-wisher Vidura and mother Gandhari who was in grief of losing her offspring? Has the old king, ungrateful to me of having lost his sons, in a doubtful mind of my offenses, drowned himself with his wife in the Ganges in his distress? After the death of my father King Pandu, they were the well-wishers of all of us small children, protecting and caring for us - where have my uncles gone from here?' "......
Suta said:
"Sanjaya anxious out of compassion and distressed in separation of not seeing his master(Dritaraastra), being too aggrieved, could not reply. Wiping the tears of his face with his hands and regaining his mind with intelligence he began to reply King Yudhishthhira while thinking of the feet of his master 'I do not know the intentions of your uncles or Gandhari, o descendant of the Kuru dynasty - o great King, I've been cheated by those great souls.' At that time the supreme personality Narada appeared on the scene with his musical instrument and after Yudhishthhira and his younger brothers had offered him their due obeisances the king said: 'O Supreme One, I do not know where my uncles and my ascetic aunt so aggrieved of the loss of her sons, have gone? Like the captain on a ship in the extensive ocean you are the Lord to direct us to the other side.'
Narada said.....
Oh King don't be sad because this world is nothing but illusion created by the supreme lord.
He by his maya (illusion) creates living beings and plays his game of meeting and departure.
He is the one who brings all together and also disperses them. The way a cow is strung by a rope through the nose, likewise one is conditioned by the orders of control of the Lord. Accordingly he/she experiences agonies or sufferings subject to caring rendered and responsibilities taken.
bho nrupa shoka tu nakara.......iswara maya e sanshaara
praani bhiaai maya joge................. khelai sanjoge bijoge
goru naasikaa jehne bindhi...............aakarshi charma rajju baandhi
se praani jehne bhaaraa bahe...........antare dukha kheda sahe.....
As in a game of ball there is throwing and catching of the ball, in every one's life there is togetherness and departure. The ball goes that way it is sent by the player. So every thing happens in ones life is subject to some order of an invisible play.
kridaa kanduka kridaa range...........bhramai sanjoge bijoge
je daana padai demante................kanduka chale sehi mate
