Shloka 40
Vidura’s Questions: How the Unchangeable Lord Relates to Māyā; Bhakti as the Remedy; Blueprint for the Coming Cosmology
एतान्मे पृच्छत: प्रश्नान् हरे: कर्मविवित्सया । ब्रूहि मेऽज्ञस्य मित्रत्वादजया नष्टचक्षुष: ॥ ४० ॥
etān me pṛcchataḥ praśnān hareḥ karma-vivitsayā brūhi me ’jñasya mitratvād ajayā naṣṭa-cakṣuṣaḥ
हे मुनिवर! हरि, परम भगवान की लीलाओं को जानने की इच्छा से मैंने ये प्रश्न किए हैं। आप सबके मित्र हैं; अतः मुझ अज्ञानी को, जिसकी दृष्टि माया से नष्ट हो गई है, कृपा करके बताइए।
Vidura put forward many varieties of questions with a view to understanding the principles of transcendental loving service to the Lord. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (2.41) , devotional service to the Lord is one, and the mind of the devotee is not diverted to the many branches of uncertainties. Vidura’s purpose was to be situated in that service to the Lord, wherein one merges undivertedly. He claimed the friendship of Maitreya Muni, not because he was Maitreya’s son but because Maitreya was actually the friend of all who have lost their spiritual vision due to material influence.
FAQs
This verse shows that genuine understanding of Hari’s deeds comes through sincere questions asked with humility, recognizing one’s limitations under māyā and requesting guidance from a realized teacher.
Vidura admits that māyā can cover true spiritual perception; therefore he asks Maitreya, as a trusted friend and sage, to illuminate Hari-kathā for him.
Adopt Vidura’s mood: ask clear questions about God and dharma, seek guidance from authentic devotees/teachers, and stay humble—acknowledging that distractions and illusion can cloud judgment.