Shloka 13
Vidura’s Return; Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Departure; Nārada’s Instruction on Kāla and Detachment
नन्वप्रियं दुर्विषहं नृणां स्वयमुपस्थितम् । नावेदयत् सकरुणो दु:खितान् द्रष्टुमक्षम: ॥ १३ ॥
nanv apriyaṁ durviṣahaṁ nṛṇāṁ svayam upasthitam nāvedayat sakaruṇo duḥkhitān draṣṭum akṣamaḥ
Jenes Ereignis war für die Menschen höchst unerquicklich und kaum zu ertragen und war von selbst eingetreten. Der mitfühlende Vidura konnte es nicht ertragen, die Pāṇḍavas betrübt zu sehen; darum offenbarte er es nicht.
According to Nīti-śāstra (civic laws) one should not speak an unpalatable truth to cause distress to others. Distress comes upon us in its own way by the laws of nature, so one should not aggravate it by propaganda. For a compassionate soul like Vidura, especially in his dealings with the beloved Pāṇḍavas, it was almost impossible to disclose an unpalatable piece of news like the annihilation of the Yadu dynasty. Therefore he purposely refrained from it.
FAQs
This verse highlights that a compassionate devotee may hesitate to deliver unbearable news because he cannot tolerate seeing others suffer—showing truth should be conveyed with sensitivity and mercy.
In the narrative of Canto 1 Chapter 13, Vidura is described as deeply compassionate; he did not disclose the harsh calamity at once because he could not bear to witness Dhritarashtra and others becoming overwhelmed with grief.
When correcting or informing others, combine honesty with empathy—choose the right time, words, and intention so that truth helps uplift rather than needlessly crush the heart.