Shloka 42
Vidura Leaves Hastināpura and Meets Uddhava
Vidura’s Tīrtha-yātrā Begins
सोऽहं हरेर्मर्त्यविडम्बनेन दृशो नृणां चालयतो विधातु: । नान्योपलक्ष्य: पदवीं प्रसादा- च्चरामि पश्यन् गतविस्मयोऽत्र ॥ ४२ ॥
so ’haṁ harer martya-viḍambanena dṛśo nṛṇāṁ cālayato vidhātuḥ nānyopalakṣyaḥ padavīṁ prasādāc carāmi paśyan gata-vismayo ’tra
I am not astonished. Hari, the supreme Ordainer, performs deeds that resemble those of a mortal, bewildering the vision of men. Yet by His grace I wander unseen by others, moving upon His path; seeing all this here, my wonder has vanished, and I am satisfied in every way.
Although he was the brother of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Vidura was completely different. By the grace of Lord Kṛṣṇa, he was not foolish like his brother, and thus his brother’s association could not influence him. Dhṛtarāṣṭra and his materialistic sons wanted to falsely lord it over the world by dint of their own strength. The Lord encouraged them in this, and thus they became more and more bewildered. But Vidura wanted to achieve sincere devotional service of the Lord and therefore became a soul absolutely surrendered to the Absolute Personality of Godhead. He could realize this in the progress of his pilgrim’s journey, and thus he was freed from all doubts. He was not at all sorry to be bereft of his hearth and home because he now had experience that dependence on the mercy of the Lord is a greater freedom than so-called freedom at home. A person should not be in the renounced order of life unless he is firmly convinced of being protected by the Lord. This stage of life is explained in Bhagavad-gītā as abhayaṁ sattva-saṁśuddhiḥ. Every living entity is factually completely dependent on the mercy of the Lord, but unless one is in the pure state of existence, he cannot be established in this position. This stage of dependence is called sattva-saṁśuddhiḥ, or purification of one’s existence. The result of such purification is exhibited in fearlessness. A devotee of the Lord, who is called nārāyaṇa-para, is never afraid of anything because he is always aware of the fact that the Lord protects him in all circumstances. With this conviction, Vidura traveled alone, and he was not seen or recognized by any friend or foe. Thus he enjoyed freedom of life without obligation to the many duties of the world.
FAQs
This verse says Hari deliberately assumes a mortal-like appearance as a divine play, which can bewilder ordinary perception—even extending to the cosmic creator—so that He remains known only through His own grace.
Because the Lord’s true position cannot be grasped merely by material senses or intellect; realization comes when He bestows prasāda (mercy), which reveals His identity and purpose.
Approach spiritual study with humility, sincere devotion, and service; rather than trying to “master” God conceptually, cultivate bhakti so insight arises through inner purification and grace.