Stories From The Bhagavatham - The Beginning Of The End

 

In the previous chapter, we read about Vidura’s departure from Hastinapura. The Bhagavatham explains in brief about Vidura’s life after he left the kingdom.

Vidura left on a pilgrimage, wanting to see all the holy places of Bharatavarsha. He had immense desire to visit the teerthas (holy rivers / ponds) that had been purified by the Divine in all forms – as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. First he went to Vrindavan and spent some time in the presence of the majestic Govardhana hill. He bathed in the holy waters of Narmada and Pushkara. With his mind devoted to Lord Narayana, he wandered all over the earth like a hermit – dressed in tree-barks and not carrying any possession.

When Vidura reached Prabhasa, which, the Bhagavatham describes as Krishna’s favourite place, he came to know about the outcome of the Mahabharata war and the annihilation of the Kaurava clan.  Although he had attained a high level of detachment, he still felt immense grief for his brother Dhritarashtra. He resumed his journey and at the banks of the blessed Yamuna river, he met Uddhava, cousin of Krishna. Uddhava directed him towards the ashram of Maitreya Rishi from whom Vidura learnt the Brahma Vidya. Having lived in the ashram for some days, Vidura decided to return to Hastinapura, wanting to meet all his people.

Yudhisthira was now the king of Hastinapura. He had finally made peace with the result of the war and ruled the kingdom justly. The people were happy and there was prosperity in Hastinapur. However, Yudhisthira felt some bad omens among the planetary positions, the same kind of omens that he had felt before the beginning of the war.

It was in this worried state that Vidura found Yudhisthira. The later’s joy knew no bounds as he rushed to welcome his beloved uncle. There was indeed a very wonderful reunion of Vidura with the Pandavas and specially with Dhritarashtra.

After spending some time in the company of his beloved ones, Vidura realized that it was time to leave yet again and this time for good. He had one more task left – to show the right path to Dhritarashtra. He said to the blind king. “Brother, I have often tried to advise you and you have never relented to me. But this time atleast, follow my advice. Abandoning all the comforts and lavishness of the palace, leave the city and head to the forest.”

Dhritarashtra was obviously confused. “Why should I go to the forest, that too in this old age and with my blindness? Surely there must be a reason you suggested this.”

Vidura patiently explained. “I suggested this, brother, because Kaala, death, is approaching. No one can stop it. When our very life has to be renounced in death, what will we do by holding on to royalty, wealth, power and people? You have no one left now. You stay in the palace and eat the food of the very people who killed your sons. It appears as if life is too dear to you if you are willing to subject yourself to this kind of humiliation. You have done many wrong acts in the past, trying to kill the Pandavas, and yet they let you live here. Why to live in such ignominy? Be brave and renounce your kingdom. That person who renounces the worldly life and prepares to shed their mortality in isolation and peace, is brave indeed. Forget this city that has brought you so much delusion and pain and head towards the North direction, the direction to your salvation.”

For the first time in his life, Dhritarashtra allowed his brother’s advice to penetrate his mind. As dawn broke out the next day, he informed Gandhari about his decision to renounce the kingdom. And that lady who had refused to see the world which her husband could not see, quietly accompanied him as they left for the forest.

As morning approached, Yudhisthira came to meet Dhritarashtra and Gandhari as per his usual routine. He found their chamber empty and a distressed Sanjaya who stood quietly outside the chamber. Yudhisthira enquired of Sanjaya about the whereabouts of Dhritarashtra but even Sanjaya could not tell exactly where the old couple, along with Vidura, had left.

Sage Narada approached Yudhisthira who shared his concerns with him. The sage spoke words of wisdom. “Do not grieve, Yudhisthira. The whole world is governed by the Divine. The power of the Divine unites people, keeps them together and also parts them. Consider this truth about the human body and life, that it is impermanent. People will come and go. Do not weep over their disappearance. Dhritarashtra and Gandhari have reached the ashram near Saptasrotas where there is a stream of the blessed Ganga.  Your uncle and aunt are now preparing for their last journey at the banks of the river. Five days from now, Dhritarashtra will find release from the bondage of mortal life, and so will Gandhari. Your other uncle Vidura, after witnessing this, will head off to Badarikashrama where he will shed his mortal body. But you need to focus on what I am saying now. Krishna had come to the earth for a specific mission and that has been accomplished. He will be in the earth for a very short period of time. Your time on earth will be only till the Lord remains. Remember everything I said and abandon your grief.”

The sage left and instead of dreading or worrying about the future, Yudhisthira consoled himself with the sage’s words of wisdom.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaaya!