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  Connect! Dhritrāshtra praised Vidura & said: You’ve spoken very well on true wisdom & yet I’m still not satiated by hearing your Nectarian words. Pls speak more Vidura continued: The virtue of kindness or mercy is superior to bathing in all holy places of pilgrimage. Thus, I urge you to be kind to Pāndavās as you’re to your own sons. Let me narrate a story to illustrate this point: There was once a girl of unrivaled beauty named Kesini. Desiring to find a good husband, she arranged for her Swayamvara & when Virocana, the King of Daityas heard the news, he came there. Kesini asked him: O King! Pls tell me who is superior, Brāhmanās or Daityas? Virocana said: In my opinion Daityas are better than Brāhmanās Kesini said: The Brāhmana, Sudhanvan, will come here tomorrow. I request you to remain here for night so that I will be able to see both of you together Next morning, Sudhanvan arrived. Kesini offered the Brāhmana Arghya, a nice seat & water to wash his feet. Virocana
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Call SPADE a spade! Vidura said to Dhritrāshtra: O King! Your brother Pāndu, received 5 sons as glorious as great demigods. Due to circumstances, you raised & taught them everything and thus they're obedient to you. Now you should return to them their rightful share of Kingdom. If you do this, you’ll be happy & your good reputation will be firmly established in the worlds Dhritrāshtra said: Pls speak some more so that the burning anxiety robbing me of my sleep will be relieved. Tell me what is on Yudhisthira’s mind. What will prove beneficial for both Pāndavās & my sons? Vidura replied: When a person desires to benefit someone, he should speak unadulterated truth, even if it is unpalatable. As I’m your well-wisher, you can be assured that I’ll tell you that which is truly beneficial for your sons Never act impulsively, nor employ unrighteous means to achieve your ends. Before doing something, an intelligent person carefully considers nature of the act, and his personal
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  Wise Vs Fool! After explaining characteristics of a wise virtuous man, Vidura said to Dhritrāshtra: I’ll now describe to you the fool, who is just opposite of wise man. A fool doesn’t hesitate to employ unfair means to achieve his goals & his mind is always filled with desires for sense gratification. He takes long time to accomplish a task that can be quickly done & treats those who are his well-wishers as if they were enemies, while giving inimical persons royal treatment He who divulges his schemes, who is always full of doubts & trusts an unworthy person, who comes to a place uninvited & then talks excessively without being asked to do so is a great fool. He who blames others when he himself is at fault & is miserly and selfish is also a fool. Who could be more heartless than a wealthy person who dresses nicely & eats fine food, but doesn’t provide such things for his dependents? A weapon or poison generally is fatal, but bad advice followed by a ruler can
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  Words of Wisdom! Yudhisthira said to Sanjay: According to response we receive from Kauravas, we will determine our course of action & are prepared for both gentleness and severity Sanjay returned to Hastināpur & immediately went to Dhritrāshtra to relay message from Pāndavās. Conveying good wishes from Yudhisthira & described their well-being, he then said: It is my opinion that destruction of Kurus is at hand due to wicked deeds performed by Duryodhana & others, with your sanction. By giving in to Duryodhana’s whims, you’ve spoiled your good reputation in this life & your chances for salvation in the next. Entire blame for impending war rests upon you alone Sanjay then left to retire for the night Dhritrāshtra immediately called Vidura after Sanjay left, who arrived quickly with a respectful attitude, and said: Sanjaya has returned from Upaplavya & will read Yudhisthira’s message tomorrow morning in royal assembly. I’m in so much anxiety while wondering about
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