Shloka 27
Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
कच्चित्कुरूणां परम: सुहृन्नो भाम: स आस्ते सुखमङ्ग शौरि: । यो वै स्वसृणां पितृवद्ददाति वरान् वदान्यो वरतर्पणेन ॥ २७ ॥
kaccit kurūṇāṁ paramaḥ suhṛn no bhāmaḥ sa āste sukham aṅga śauriḥ yo vai svasṝṇāṁ pitṛvad dadāti varān vadānyo vara-tarpaṇena
My friend, is Śauri Vasudeva—best well-wisher of the Kurus and our brother-in-law—doing well? He is most generous: like a father he grants boons to his sisters, and by his gifts he ever keeps his wives pleased.
Lord Kṛṣṇa’s father, Vasudeva, had sixteen wives, and one of them, named Pauravī or Rohiṇī, the mother of Baladeva, was the sister of Vidura. Vasudeva, therefore, was the husband of Vidura’s sister, and thus they were brothers-in-law. Vasudeva’s sister Kuntī was the wife of Pāṇḍu, Vidura’s elder brother, and in that sense also, Vasudeva was brother-in-law to Vidura. Kuntī was younger than Vasudeva, and it was the duty of the elder brother to treat younger sisters as daughters. Whenever anything was needed by Kuntī, it was munificently delivered by Vasudeva, due to his great love for his younger sister. Vasudeva never dissatisfied his wives, and at the same time he supplied the objects desired by his sister. He had special attention for Kuntī because she became a widow at an early age. While inquiring about Vasudeva’s welfare, Vidura remembered all about him and the family relationship.
FAQs
This verse praises Bhīma as the Kurus’ foremost well-wisher—happy, noble, and exceptionally generous—especially in how he protects and supports his sisters like a father.
In Canto 3, Vidura meets Kṛṣṇa and inquires about the principal members of the Kuru dynasty; asking about Bhīma highlights concern for the family’s protectors and exemplars of dharma.
Practice dharma through responsible care for family members, especially those who depend on you, and cultivate generosity that genuinely uplifts others rather than seeking recognition.