Vidura Neethi – Sri Mahabharath - Chapter - 1 - The conversation between Vidura and King Dhritharashtra 1- 20

 

Vidura Neethi – Sri Mahabharath - Chapter - 1

Chapter – 2  - The conversation between Vidura and King Dhritarashtra 1- 20

Sage Vaishampayana speaks to King Janamejaya, “Oh! Rajan, King Dhritarashtra ordered his men to bring Vidura, as he was wanted to discuss crucial matters with him. Immediately the King’s men approached Vidura and given the news to him. Soon, Vidura arrives in the palace of Hastinapura and informs the King’s men to give the news of his arrival to the King. King’s men duly informed the arrival of Vidura to Dhritarashtra, at that moment he highly praises the virtues and intelligence of Vidura and instructs his men to bring Vidura in his private chamber with all the respects. Shortly, the King’s men approach Vidura and convey the message to him about the great desire of King Dhritarashtra to meet him. Vidura enters in the private chamber of Dhritarashtra and found the King was extremely anxious and restless. Vidura stood before him with folded hands and speaks “Oh! Mahabudhdhe, I am Vidura arrived at your order, kindly advice me what shall I do for you.”

 

Dhritarashtra speaks “Oh! Vidura, my closest associate Sanjjaya met Pandavas and returned to me, he blamed me for all the rivalry taking place between Pandavas and Kauravas, he returned to his fortress with a notice that he will disclose the message of Ajathashathru/Yudhishtira in the assembly tomorrow. I am not able to imagine what would be the message he had received from Yudhishtira, thinking about all those my body is shivering, I am not able to sleep, I am extremely worried about it. Oh! Thatha, I am feeling exhausted and burning inside, what would you like to advise me. Oh! Dear child, you have profound knowledge of Dharma and  Artha, kindly put off my anxieties. I am feeling extremely anxious after meeting Sanjjaya who was returned from the Indraprastha after having a crucial discussion about the forthcoming battle of Kurukshetra, I have lost peace of mind, I am worried about what would he inform in the assembly tomorrow, my sense starts to explode thinking about all those. Oh! Vidura, kindly tell me what would be the replay of Yudhishtira? Would he take decisions favorable to all? Would he take a promising decision for the people of Hastinapura?”

Vidura speaks “ Oh! Rajan, I shall describe the nature of the people who will be troubled without the sleep 1) The person who is under the attack of powerful 2) A weak person 3) Person who has failed to achieve the goal 4) Person who has lost his wealth 5) Person who is in love 6) and the thief. Oh! Rajan, I hope you are not affected by any of these impurities. Oh! Naradhipa, I hope you are not anxious about holding the wealth of others.”

 

Dhritarashtra speaks “Oh! Vidura, you have taken birth in the clan of  Rajarishi, you have profound knowledge in Dharmashastra, and you are prominent in the knowledge of scriptures which could provide Shreyas/fortune, you are highly intelligent I would like to hear from you on all those subjects.”

 

Vidura speaks “Oh! Rajan, you have exiled a wise ruler Yudhishtira, who have possessed great prowess to rule the three worlds, and has possessed all the virtues and righteousness. You have forbidden Yudhishtira to live in his own Kingdom, and discarded all his rights, and did not even share the Kingdom he has owned, although you have knowledge in Dharma and would like to follow the Dharma, you have born blind and you are entirely different from the viewpoints of Yudhishtira. You are not willing to give away his rights in the Kingdom. Yudhishtira is enriched with qualities like Ahimsa/non-violence, Dhaya/kindness, Dharma/righteousness, Sathya/truthfulness, and Parakrama/valor; he has endless virtues and great respect to you, which is the reason he is patiently mellowing all those afflictions imposed by you and your children. How did you visualize the prosperity of the Kingdom of Hasthinapur and its people, after entrusting the ruling to Duryodhana, Shakuni, Karnna, and Dhushasana?”

 

Vidura continues “ Oh! Rajan, I shall describe the virtues of a scholar 1) the person who has the knowledge of Bramham/soul, 2) hard-working, 3) endurance, 4) benevolence, 5) follows strict disciplines and a strict follower of Dharma and 6) the person who did not move out the performance of Dharmic rites which is the source of Purusharththa/Dharma, Arththa, Kama, and Moksha. 7) The person who always performs righteous and promising deeds 8) the person who keeps away from immoral deeds 9) the person who has firm faith in Sanathana Dharma and perform all those religious and spiritual rites with sincerity and devotion 10) the person who is free from impurities like anger, pride, jealous, ego, etc. which is the hindrance to Purusharththa. 11) The performance of intelligent deeds without the knowledge of his enemies, and discloses them to the public after the successful accomplishment of the task, 12) the person who perform brilliant tasks without the fear of heat, or cold, or fear, or greed, or gain or loss which causes hindrance to the tasks. 12) An intelligent person is the one who is free from lust and desires, 13) the person who performs righteous deeds to achieve Dharma and Arththa.”

 

Vaishampayana Uvacha –

Dhva:stham Praha  Mahaprajjo Dhritharashtro Mahipathi: | Vidhuram Dhrashtumicchami Thamihanaya Machiram ||

 

Prahitho Dhritharashtrena Dhootha: Kshaththtaram Abhraveeth | Eshwarasthvam Maharajo Mahaprajja Dhidhrikshathi ||

 

Yevamukthasthu Vidura: Prapya Rajaniveshanam | Abhraveedhritharashtraya Dhva:stham Mam Prathivedaya ||

 

Dhva:stha Uvacha –

Viduroayamanupraptho Rajendra  Thava Shasanath | Dhrashtu Micchathi The Padhau Kim Karothu Prashadhi Mam ||

 

Dhritharashtra Uvacha –

Praveshaya Mahaprajjam Viduram Dheergha Dharshinam | Aham Hi Vidurasyasya Nakalyo Jathu Dharshane ||

 

Dhva:stha Uvacha –

Pravishantha: Puram Kshaththar Maharajasya  Dheematha: | Na Hi The Dharshaneakalyo Jathu Raja Bhraveethi Mam ||

 

Vaishampayana Uvacha –

Thatha: Pravishya  Viduro Dhritharashtra Niveshanam | Abraveeth Prajjalir Vakyam Chinthayanam Naradhipam ||

 

Viduro Aham Mahaprajja Samprapthasthava Shasanath | Yadhi Kim Chana Karththavyamasmi Prashadhi Mam ||

 

Dhritharashtra Uvacha –

Sanjjayo Vidura Praptho Garhayithva  Cha Mam Gatha: | Ajathashathro: Shvo Vakyam Sabhamadhye  Sa Vakshyathi ||

 

Thasyadhya  Kuruveerasya  Na Vijjatham Vachomaya | Thanme  Dhahathi Gathrani Thadhakarsheeth Prajagaram ||

 

Jagratho Dhahyamanasa  Shreyo Yadhiha Pashyasi | Thadh Bhroohi Thvam Hi Nasthatha Dharmarththa Kushalo Hyasi ||

 

Yatha: Praptha: Sanjjaya: Pandavebhyo Na Me  Yadhavanmanasa: Prashanthi: | Sarvendhriyanya Prakrithim Gathani  Kim  Vakshyatheethyeva Hi  Me Adhya Chintha ||

 

Thanme  Bhroohi Vidura  Thvam Yadhavan Maneeshitham  Sarvam Ajathashathro: | Yadha  Cha Nasthatha  Hitham Bhavenshcha Prajashcha Sarva: Sukhitha Bhaveyu: ||

 

Vidura Uvacha –

Abhiyuktham Balavatha Dhurbalam Heenasadhanam | Hrithasvam Kaminam Choramavishanthi Prajagara: ||

 

Kacchidhethair Mahadhoshairna  Sprishtoasi Naradhipa | Kaschinna Paraviththeshu Gridhyanvi Parithapyase ||

 

Dhritharashtra Uvacha –

Shrothumicchami They Dharmyam Param Nai: Shreyasam Vacha : | Asminrajarshivamshe  Hi Thvameka: Prajja Sammatha: ||

 

Vidura Uvacha –

Raja Lakshna Sampanna Sthrailokysyadhipo Bhaveth | Preshyasthe Preshithaishchaiva Dhritharashtra Yudhishtira: ||

 

Vipareethashcha  Thvam Bhagadheye  Na Sammatha: | Archisham Prakshayashchaiva  Dharmathma  Dharmakodhiva: ||

 

Anrushamyadhanukrosha Andhar Mathsathyath Parakramath | Guruthvaththayi Samprekshya Bahun Kleshamsthi Thikshathe ||

 

Dhuryodhane Saubale Cha Karnne Dhu:Ssane Thadha | Yethaishvashvaryamadhaya  Kadham Thvam Bhoothimicchasi ||

 

Athmajjyanam Samarambhas Thithiksha Dharma Nithyatha | Yamardhannapakarshanthi Sa Vai Panditha Uchyathe ||

 

Nishevathe  Prashasthani Nindhithani Na  Sevathe | Anasthika: Sharadhdhadhana Yethath  Panditha Lakshanam ||

 

Krodho Harshashcha  Dharpashcha  Hree Sthambho Manyamanitha | Yamardhannapakarshanthi Sa Vai  Panditha Uchyathe ||

 

Yasya Krithyam Na Jananthi Manthram Va  Manthritham Pare | Krithamevasya  Jananthi Sa Vai  Panditha Uchyathe ||

 

Yasya Krithyam Na Vighnanthi Sheetham Ushnam Bhayam Rathi: | Samridhdhirasamridhdhir  Va Sa Vai Panditha Uchyathe ||

 

Yasya Samsarini Prajja Dharmarththavanu Varththathe | Kamadharththam Vrineethe Ya: Sa Vai Panditha Uchyathe ||

 

Vidura Neethi – Sri Mahabharath - Chapter - 1 - Introduction

 

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.”