Mahabharata in Hastinapura

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This episode is from [Maha:3.4-3.11]. Back in Hastinapura, even though his sons had obtained sole possession of the kingdom, Dhritarashtra was filled with unease and guilt. He was aware of the unfairness of the situation, but his deep-seated love for Duryodhana kept him from taking any steps to right the wrongs. His failure to uphold the trust his late brother Pandu had placed in him, by entrusting the care of the Pandavas to him, weighed heavily on his conscience. He found no solace in his usual royal pleasures and was plagued by sleepless nights.

Seeking counsel, Dhritarashtra summoned his half-brother, Vidura, who was renowned for his wisdom. When Vidura arrived, Dhritarashtra said, “Dear brother, your knowledge of the subtle path of morality is immense, akin to that of Parashurama. I cannot find peace, for I have wronged the sons of my brother, forcing them into exile through the actions of my own sons. The citizens are displeased, and unrest grows. Tell me, how can I win back the trust and affection of my subjects?”

Vidura responded, “O King, my advice has always been the same. Treat your brother’s sons as you would your own. The kingdom was equally divided, but your wicked sons, with Shakuni’s deceitful dice-play, have seized the Pandavas’ share. A king who displays such blatant partiality will never gain the respect of his subjects. The only way to rectify this is to bring back the Pandavas from exile and restore their rightful kingdom. You must also stop Duryodhana from hatching further plots against them.

“All that is known to me is also known to you, but your excessive love for your eldest son clouds your judgment. If you do nothing, there will be a great war when the exile ends. Even with Bhishma and Drona on your side, they will not be able to withstand the righteous wrath of Arjuna and Bheema. Restore their kingdom, and let Karna, Dushasana, and Duryodhana publicly apologize. This is the only way to prevent the destruction that looms over our house.”

But Dhritarashtra, unwilling to hear such harsh truths, became angry. “Vidura, your advice benefits only the Pandavas. How can I take away what my son has won through effort? You claim to be impartial, yet you always favor my nephews. Stay in Hastinapura or join the Pandavas in exile—I care not!”

Vidura, though hurt by the accusation of bias, left without reply. Determining that the Pandavas were in the Kamyaka forest, he set off to meet them. When he arrived, Bheema, still bitter from their exile, greeted him harshly. “Uncle, has Duryodhana sent you with another invitation to gamble? There is nothing left for him to take from us but our weapons—is that his aim?”

Yudhishthira, ever calm, silenced Bheema with a glance and warmly welcomed Vidura. After exchanging pleasantries, Vidura recounted how Dhritarashtra, angry at his advice, had effectively exiled him from the royal court. The Pandavas, concerned but pleased to have Vidura’s company, tried to cheer him. Vidura, sincerely attached to his brother, was saddened by the estrangement, as no serious quarrel had ever arisen between them before.

Meanwhile, back in Hastinapura, Dhritarashtra began to regret his hasty words. He feared he had wounded his brother deeply and even worried that Vidura might end his life out of sorrow. Dhritarashtra realized the double loss he had inflicted: not only had the Kauravas lost their best counselor, but the Pandavas would gain his wisdom. Calling his charioteer Sanjaya, he said, “Go find Vidura, and entreat him to return. Tell him I am sorry and desolate without him.”

Sanjaya, having learned that Vidura was in Kamyaka, went to meet him. He found Vidura seated under a Banyan tree, instructing the Pandavas in statecraft. After paying his respects to Vidura and the Pandavas, Sanjaya conveyed the king’s heartfelt apology. Vidura, touched by his brother’s remorse, told Yudhishthira, “My duty is first to my brother. Now that he seeks my return, I must go.”

Though Yudhishthira was sorry to lose Vidura, he did not object. Vidura departed, taking Sanjaya’s chariot back to Hastinapura.

When Duryodhana learned that Vidura had been summoned back, he was furious. “I thought our troubles were over, but now Vidura has returned to poison the king’s mind against us. We must act, or he may convince the king to restore the Pandavas’ kingdom.”

Shakuni, ever the schemer, counseled caution. “Fear not. The Pandavas have sworn an oath to stay in exile. Vidura may speak, but they will not break their vow.”

Karna, however, was more aggressive. “This is the perfect opportunity to finish them. Let us gather an army and attack the Pandavas in the forest. They are bereft of allies and without a kingdom. If we act now, we can rid ourselves of this threat once and for all.”

But before this plan could be put into action, the sage Vyasa appeared at court. Using his spiritual vision, Vyasa had foreseen their evil plot. He rebuked Dhritarashtra for allowing his sons to disinherit the Pandavas. “O King, you have done ill in permitting this injustice. Your duty was to listen to Vidura and Bhishma. Even now, it is not too late. Prevent your sons from further harm, and all may yet be well.”

Dhritarashtra, torn between his duty and his love for Duryodhana, replied, “O great sage, what you say is just. But I am powerless to act against my son. My love for him surpasses everything.”

Vyasa sighed. “Your inability to act will bring disaster. However, the sage Maitreya will soon arrive. Perhaps your son will listen to him.”

The very next day, Maitreya came to court. After being welcomed, the sage addressed Duryodhana directly: “O Prince, you come from a proud lineage. Why have you dishonored it by cheating your cousins at dice and insulting Draupadi? Not even the Devas, with Indra as their leader, can defeat the Pandavas in battle. Make peace with them, return their kingdom, and avoid the destruction that is sure to follow if you persist in this unjust course.”

Duryodhana, showing no respect, slapped his thigh mockingly and stared at the ceiling, ignoring the sage’s words. Maitreya, enraged, cursed him: “Since you have slapped your thigh in disrespect, Bheema will break your thigh in battle. In the war that will come, you and your kinsmen shall perish.”

Dhritarashtra, horrified, tried to apologize for his son’s insolence. Maitreya responded, “If Duryodhana heeds my advice and makes peace, my curse will be nullified. If not, what I have spoken will come to pass.” With these words, the sage left.

The incident troubled everyone in the court. Vidura, ever loyal to his duty, recounted a recent event to emphasize the strength of the Pandavas: the slaying of the Rakshasa Kirmira by Bheema.

He narrated, “While traveling through the Kamyaka forest at night, the Pandavas were confronted by a fearsome Rakshasa, Kirmira, who sought revenge for the death of his brother Bakasura. Bheema, without hesitation, engaged the demon in combat. After a fierce struggle, Bheema, with his immense strength, choked the life out of Kirmira and dashed his body to the ground, slaying him.”

Upon hearing of Bheema’s strength, Dhritarashtra fell into deeper despair. Even Duryodhana, though brash and confident, began to feel a twinge of fear, as the threat posed by the mighty Pandavas became clearer.

Connection to Other Stories

This episode connects with the theme of fate and dharma that runs through the Mahabharata and Hindu mythology. Dhritarashtra’s dilemma echoes the internal conflicts of other mythological figures like Ravana in the Ramayana, whose love for his kin (in Ravana’s case, his sister Surpanakha) blinds him to his duties as a king, leading to his downfall.

CharacterRoleConnection to Other Mythological Figures
DhritarashtraThe conflicted king, torn between duty and paternal loveRavana, who let his love for his sister and family blind him to his dharma as a king
ViduraThe wise and righteous advisorVasishta in the Ramayana, whose wisdom and commitment to righteousness guide kings, though often ignored
DuryodhanaThe arrogant prince, driven by greed and envyRavana, whose pride and arrogance ultimately led to his destruction
**M

aitreya** | The cursing sage | Narada and other rishis who curse kings and warn them of their impending doom, often ignored by the prideful |

Ultimately, this episode underscores the inevitability of karma and the consequences of adharma (unrighteousness). Despite the warnings of sages, the Pandavas’ exile, and Vidura’s wise counsel, the seeds of destruction have been sown in the Kuru household, leading inexorably to the great war that will claim countless lives.

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