आरण्यक पर्व — विदुर का निर्वासन

Vaishampayana said : Being desirous of living in the forest, the foremost men of the Bharata race, the sons of Pandu with their followers to the banks of the Ganges to the Kurukshetra.

Performing their ablutions in the Sarasvati, the Drisadvati and the Yamuna and went from one forest to another travelling in the westerly direction.

Then (at last) they saw before them the forest of Kamyaka on the banks of Sarasvati and on a level and wild plain which was ever charming to the ascetics.

O descendant of Bharata, entertained and comforted by the Munis, there did they live in that forest abounding in birds and animals.

Vidura, ever longing to see the Pandavas went (alone) in a single car to the forest of Kamyaka abounding in every good thing.

Thereupon going to the Kamyaka forest on a car drawn by swift horses, he saw Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) at a retired part (of the forest) sitting with Draupadi and surrounded by his brothers and the Brahmanas.

Thereupon seeing Vidura coming in speed, the virtuous king spoke thus to his brother Bhimsena. “With what message Khattva (Vidura) comes to us?”

Does he come here, having been despatched by the son of Subala (Shakuni) to invite us again to a game at dice? Does the meanminded Shakuni desire to win our weapons by playing again at dice?

O Bhimasena, if challenged by one who says “Come," I am unable to stay, if our possessions of the Gandiva (bow) be doubtful, then the acquisition of our kingdom again will be (equally) doubtful.”

Then the Pandavas all rose up and welcomed Vidura with all respects. Received by them, that descendant of Ajamira (Vidura) sat in their midst and made to the sons of Pandu the usual enquiries.

After Vidura had taken some rest, those foremost of men (the Pandavas) asked him the reason of his coming and he related to them in detail everything with regard to the conduct of the son of Ambika, Dhritarashtra.

Vidura said: O Ajatashatru, Dhritarashtra summoned me, his dependent and honouring me duly, he said, “Things have thus fared. Tell me what is good for me as well as for them (the Pandavas)."

I told him what was good for the Kurus and for Dhritarashtra. But he did not relish what I said. I did not consider any other course to the beneficial.

O Pandavas, what I advised was highly beneficial, but the of Ambika, (Dhritarashtra), did not care to accept it. As medicine is not acceptable to a man who is ill, so my advice failed to please the king.

O Ajatashatru, as an unchaste wife of a man of noble birth can never be brought back to the path of virtue, so is the case with Dhritarashtra, As a young damsel does not certainly like a husband of sixty years, so that foremost of Bharata race did not like my words.

O king, the destruction of the Kurus is certain; Dhritarashtra will never meet with good fortune. As water dropped on a lotus leaf son does not remain there, so my counsels failed to have any effect on him.

Thereupon angry Dhritarashtra told me saying, “O descendant of Bharata, go away wherever you like. I shall never more seek your aid in ruling the earth or in ruling the city."

O ruler of men, having been (thus) abandoned by the king Dhritarashtra, I have come to you for giving you good counsel. What I said in the Sabha I shall now repeat to you. Hear and bear them in mind.

That wise man, who patiently bearing all the wrongs done to him by his enemies, bides his time and multiplies his resources by degrees as a man makes a small fire a large one, rules alone this entire earth.

O king, he who enjoys his wealth with his adherents finds them sharers of his adversity. This is the best means of securing adherents. It is said he that has adherents wins the sovereignity of the whole world.

O son of Pandu, share your wealth with your adherents; behave truthfully towards them and talk with them agreeably. Share also your food with them and never boast in their presence. This conduct increases the prosperity of kings.

Yudhishthira said : Having the aid of such intelligence (as yours), undisturbed by passion as you advise in respect of time and place, I will carefully and entirely follow (your advice).