Vidura Neethi – Sri Mahabharath - Chapter -1
Chapter – 1 - Introduction
The great epic Sri Mahabharath was
composed by Maharishi Vedavyasa comprises one lakh glorious verses, in that Srimad
Bhagavad Gita, Vidura Neethi, Yaksha Prashnam, and Sanath Sujatheeyam, are
highly popular which depicts the Dharma, in fact, the entire Mahabharath focused
on the center point of Dharma which is the only source for Arththa, Kama,
Moksha to the Jeeva.
Dharme Charththe Cha Kame Cha Mokshe Cha
Bharatharshabha | Yadhihasthi Thadhanyathra Yannehasthi Nathath Kvachith
||
The great epic Sri Mahabharath is the essence of Dharma and this is one of the superior scripture highly speak about
the Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha, which is the ultimate asylum of the
Jeeva. Therefore Sri Mahabharath still holds the highest rank among the
intellectuals and in the life of ordinary people as well, even though it was
composed several centuries back. Vidura Neethi is one of the important conversations
that took place between the Vidura and Dhritarashtra in the Udhyogaparva,
during the crucial moment just before the great battle of Kurukshetra. The
conversation begins exactly the moment when the preparation for the great
battle is happening; on the other side, Vidura makes all effort to evade the
battle which is going to put millions and millions of life under threat.
Dhritarashtra sends his sincere associate Sanjjaya as an emissary to Pandavas,
returns with an unfruitful message, further accuse Dhritharashtra for his silence
on the vital matters, and he warns Dhritarashtra that his mistake would put
the entire clan of Kauravas to massive destruction, like the heap of dry straw
on the fire. Sanjaya did not disclose the message of Pandavas, instead he
retires to his chamber giving a hint that he will disclose all those messages
of Pandavas before the assembly on the next day, eventually, Sanjaya returns to
his chamber to get rid of the mental afflictions caused by the Kauravas.
On that night, Dhritarashtra could not
sleep became too restless and worried about the forthcoming disaster to his clan,
called out for Vidura who is profound in all Shastras and enquire what would he
do to evade all these mental afflictions caused by the ignorance of his own
sons Kauravas. Vidura describes the righteousness of a King through the
marvelous five hundred verses to Dhritarashtra, which are highly appropriate
not only for the King but also for the ordinary people as well. It is an excellent guide that shed light on
the Dharma concepts and the Dharma of a Jeeva, and he also describes the
importance and the benefits derived out of strict observance of the same.
Dhritarashtra who was madly in love with his
children ignores all those unpardonable mistakes of his sons, he completely
ignores all the Dharma in his life, finally pushes himself into deep mental
afflictions approach Vidura who is Dharmathma, seeking the way out of the forthcoming battle between the Pandavas and Kauravas.
There was an incident similar to that happened during the great battle
of Kurukshetra, in that Arjuna gets confused
and nervous watching his own brothers, preceptors, friends, and relatives stood
against him on the battlefield, he prepares to leave the battlefield, was
advised the Kshatriya Dharma by Yogeshwara Sri Krishna, through glorious
verses of Bhagavad Gita.
Sulabha: Purusha Rajan Sathatham Priyavadhina: | Apriyasya Thu
Padhyasya Vaktha Shrotha Cha Dhurlaba:
||
According to Vidura, there would be many
out there to advise and listen, but it is very difficult to receive promising
advice/ harsh but true, and people who follow the same are very rare to find. Vidura
speaks “Oh! Rajan, it is easy to find people who speak promising/sweet and most
suitable advice, but it is very difficult to follow Apriya/not sweet but
truthful advice.”
At one incident, Duryodhana who has profound
knowledge in Dharmashasthra, unfortunately, incapable to follow them, speaks the
following:
Janami Dharmam Na Cha Me Pravriththi: |
Nanamyadharmam Na Cha Me Nivriththi : | Kenapi Devena Hridhisthithena | Yadha Niyukthosmi Thadha
Karomi ||
“I know the essence of Dharma;
unfortunately, I am incapable to follow them. I know which Adharma, sadly I am not
able to refrain from it. I am sincerely performing all those tasks that were
compelled and instructed by the ‘Athma/supreme soul’ which is the driving force inside me.”
Surprisingly, the elderly Dhritarashtra who was blind by the love for his own children, have no control over sense, lack of wisdom failed to follow the advice of Vidura which was most promising and auspicious like nectar. At one point of time, Maharishi Vedavyasa pleads to Jeeva, after witnessing the ignorance and lack of control over the sense, and cries out like this.
Oordhvabahur Viraumeshya: Nahi
Kashchithshrunothime | Dharmadharththashcha Kamashcha Sa Dharma: Kim Na Sevyathe ||
“I am crying out loudly with folded hands
on the top of the head, Oh! Jeeva, Dharma is the source for Arththa, Kama and
Moksha. Oh! Jeeva, why do not you follow that foremost Dharma? unfortunately, none is willing to follow my advice.”
