Vedic Wisdom Talks

  Destined or?   Vidura said to Dhritrāshtra: You already knew well inherent evil of gambling & I warned you about what would happen before the game of dice commenced. And yet, even though your sons were like crows, you wanted them to vanquish Pāndavās, who are like peacocks. You forsake mighty lions & instead protected envious jackals   O King! These are qualities of a person in whom you should place your trust. One who is truthful, grateful, peaceful in mind & a staunch controller of senses. He is devoid of deceitful tendencies & his speech is always pleasing. You’ve forsaken pious Yudhisthira & given rule of kingdom to Duryodhana, ensuring all your prosperity will be lost   At this point Dhritrāshtra objected saying: It’s my opinion that man is not the architect of his prosperity or adversity. We are all controlled by destiny, which acts under supervision of almighty creator. We are simply puppets dancing according to will of the Su...

  Fearless😎 or Frivolous🤒! Vidura said to Dhritrāshtra: I hope that your illustrious family doesn’t become degraded⏬ by its members’ sinful behavior Hearing this Dhritrāshtra admitted: I’m convinced that my sons will be exterminated if they fight Pāndavās. I allowed pious Yudhisthira to be cheated by my wicked🖤 sons, & because of the great danger at hand, my mind is filled with anxiety. Say something which can dispel my fears😨 Vidura replied: Brother! If you actually desire your own welfare then your only refuge is knowledge, austerity, self-control & abandonment of greed. Fear can be dispelled by knowledge of self-realization & peace can be attained by renunciation of desires of sense gratification🤳. Remember how, at the time when Draupadi was won by Sakuni, I’d warned you to restrain your son. You disregarded my advice, however, as it is because of this negligence that you’re now suffering The only remedy is to control your wicked son & make peace🕊️with Maha...

  One step forward! Vidura said to Dhritrāshtra: You should not waste your time dwelling upon how your son Duryodhana became spoiled. Even if you can’t understand why it is so, you should conclude that there will be no hope for prosperity if you allow the kingdom to fall in hands of Duryodhan, Dushasana, Karna & Sakuni You should better give Kuru kingdom to Pāndavas, for it is actually they who are dependent upon you, as if they were your real sons. Dear brother! Pls hear what Atri Muni once said when he was questioned by Sādhyas about wisdom He said: One should always practice tolerance & forgiveness & abstain from the use of harsh speech. When pierced by arrows of another’s sharp words, a wise person should patiently tolerate them, even if he feels deeply wounded. He must be convinced that if he does so, he will take away his tormentor’s entire merit A first-class man is well-wisher of all living beings & thus never desires misery for anyone. His speech is always ...

  Truthfulness! Virocana came with Sudhanvan to his father Prahlāda & said: Dear Father! We are not friends. Infact, we have wagered our lives & for this reason have come to you to answer our questions truthfully Hoping to avoid this awkward situation, Prahlāda called for water, honey & a cow to be given in charity, to worship his Brāhmana guest. However, Sudhanvan was very anxious to settle the matter & said: Dear Prahlāda! I already received these things before coming here. I simply request you to give me an answer without delay. Who is Superior, a Brāhamanā or your son Virocana? Prahlāda pleaded: Dear Sudhanvan, because Virocana is my only son, pls excuse me. Do not force me to answer this question Sudhanvan was insistent, however, and so Prahlāda finally said: Dear Brāhmanā! Before I answer your question, pls answer my question. What is the result obtained by one who misuses his tongue by telling a lie? Sudhanvan said: A person who gives false evidence must suff...

  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. Viro...