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Source: The Hindu

(http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/04/16/stories/2003041600950900.htm)

 

Miscellaneous

-

Religion

  

 

Exposition on righteousness

 

 

 

 

CHENNAI

APRIL 16

 

.. It is not uncommon to find a person wielding enormous clout in society being

under the thumb of someone insignificant because of some weakness in his

character, which can be exploited. Such an individual will yearn for peace of

mind because in spite of his power and pelf he lives in constant fear of being

exposed. Dhritarashtra is a case in point.

 

Though he was an emperor, he was never happy in life because of his attachment

to his son Duryodhana. It blinded him to the extent that he allowed his son to

blackmail him into denying the Pandavas their legitimate share of the kingdom.

 

The Viduraniti was one of the three important treatises on Dharma in the

Mahabharata, the others were the Bhagavad Gita and Bhishma's exposition to

Yudishthira, said Swami Asutoshananda in his discourse. While the Gita expounds

on spirituality and Bhishma's teaching relevant to rulers, the Viduraniti is

meant for lay people. Dhritarashtra sent Sanjaya on the mission of coaxing the

Pandavas not to resort to war to stake their claim to the kingdom after the

stipulated period of their exile was over. When he returned he was anxious to

know the outcome but he did not immediately disclose what transpired feigning

tiredness and the king lost his sleep.

 

Vidura never approved of his brother's unjust treatment of the Pandavas and

counselled him whenever there was an occasion. The Viduraniti was the advice

given by him when the king sent for him and pleaded with him to tell him the

reason for his restlessness. Vidura listed five types of people who did not

enjoy peaceful sleep and asked him with sarcasm whether he fitted that

description.

 

Then he advised Dhritarashtra, "For so many years I have been trying in vain to

instil in you some righteousness. You are a very sinful person. You have been

responsible for the sufferings of the Pandavas and the imminent destruction of

the Kauravas. How can sinful people like you get sleep? At this very moment, if

you decide to return Yudhisthira's kingdom to him, you can sleep like an

innocent child. You are not wise but foolish." Vidura pointed out that he had

wronged all the good people and thereby lost his peace of mind. It was at this

juncture that the king wanted him to dilate further on the qualities of a wise

man and that of a foolish person.

 

 

 

 

 

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