Shloka 14
Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
इत्यूचिवांस्तत्र सुयोधनेन प्रवृद्धकोपस्फुरिताधरेण । असत्कृत: सत्स्पृहणीयशील: क्षत्ता सकर्णानुजसौबलेन ॥ १४ ॥
ity ūcivāṁs tatra suyodhanena pravṛddha-kopa-sphuritādhareṇa asat-kṛtaḥ sat-spṛhaṇīya-śīlaḥ kṣattā sakarṇānuja-saubalena
As Vidura, the kṣattā whose character was cherished by the honorable, spoke in this way, he was insulted by Suyodhana, swollen with anger and trembling at the lips. Suyodhana was then in the company of Karṇa, his younger brothers, and his maternal uncle Śakuni.
It is said that giving good counsel to a foolish person causes the fool to become angry, just as feeding milk to a snake only increases its venomous poison. Saint Vidura was so honorable that his character was looked up to by all respectable persons. But Duryodhana was so foolish that he dared to insult Vidura. This was due to his bad association with Śakuni, his maternal uncle, as well as with his friend Karṇa, who always encouraged Duryodhana in his nefarious acts.
FAQs
Because Vidura spoke truthful counsel aligned with dharma, and Duryodhana—overcome by anger and envy—rejected that guidance and publicly dishonored him with the support of Karṇa, his brothers, and Śakuni.
Suta Gosvami narrates this verse while describing to the sages how Vidura, after speaking in the Kuru assembly, was disrespected by Duryodhana and his allies.
It highlights that integrity and saintly character may be opposed by the angry and envious; one should remain aligned with truth and dharma rather than compromise principles to gain approval.