Shloka 15
Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
क एनमत्रोपजुहाव जिह्मं दास्या: सुतं यद्बलिनैव पुष्ट: । तस्मिन् प्रतीप: परकृत्य आस्ते निर्वास्यतामाशु पुराच्छ्वसान: ॥ १५ ॥
ka enam atropajuhāva jihmaṁ dāsyāḥ sutaṁ yad-balinaiva puṣṭaḥ tasmin pratīpaḥ parakṛtya āste nirvāsyatām āśu purāc chvasānaḥ
Who summoned him here—this crooked son of a kept woman? Though nourished by our support, he spies for the enemy against those who raised him. Cast him out of the palace at once; let him be left with nothing but breath.
When getting married, the kṣatriya kings would take on several other youthful girls along with the married princess. These girl attendants of the king were known as dāsīs, or attendant mistresses. By intimate association with the king, the dāsīs would get sons. Such sons were called dāsī-putras. They had no claim to a royal position, but they would get maintenance and other facilities just like princes. Vidura was the son of such a dāsī, and he was thus not counted amongst the kṣatriyas. King Dhṛtarāṣṭra was very affectionate toward his younger dāsī-putra brother, Vidura, and Vidura was a great friend and philosophical advisor to Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Duryodhana knew very well that Vidura was a great soul and well-wisher, but unfortunately he used strong words to hurt his innocent uncle. Duryodhana not only attacked Vidura’s birth, but also called him an infidel because he seemed to support the cause of Yudhiṣṭhira, whom Duryodhana considered his enemy. He desired that Vidura be immediately put out of the palace and deprived of all his possessions. If possible, he would have liked him caned until he was left with nothing but his breath. He charged that Vidura was a spy of the Pāṇḍavas because he advised King Dhṛtarāṣṭra in their favor. Such is the situation of palace life and the intricacies of diplomacy that even a faultless person like Vidura could be charged with something abominable and punished. Vidura was struck with wonder at such unexpected behavior from his nephew Duryodhana, and before anything actually happened, he decided to leave the palace for good.
FAQs
This verse shows envy expressed as abusive speech—Duryodhana attacks Vidura’s birth and loyalty—illustrating how adharma manifests through pride, insult, and hostility toward the righteous.
Duryodhana viewed Vidura as unfavorable and interfering in “others’ affairs” because Vidura gave dharmic counsel; threatened by truth and righteousness, he demanded Vidura’s immediate banishment.
Avoid judging people by birth or status, recognize how insecurity fuels harsh words, and respond to insults by choosing dignity and dharma—like Vidura, who later withdraws rather than engage in destructive conflict.