Shloka 8
Vidura’s Return; Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s Departure; Nārada’s Instruction on Kāla and Detachment
युधिष्ठिर उवाच अपि स्मरथ नो युष्मत्पक्षच्छायासमेधितान् । विपद्गणाद्विषाग्न्यादेर्मोचिता यत्समातृका: ॥ ८ ॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca api smaratha no yuṣmat- pakṣa-cchāyā-samedhitān vipad-gaṇād viṣāgnyāder mocitā yat samātṛkāḥ
Yudhiṣṭhira berkata: Paman, masihkah engkau ingat bagaimana engkau selalu melindungi kami—bersama ibu kami—dari berbagai malapetaka? Keberpihakanmu bagaikan naungan sayap burung, menyelamatkan kami dari racun dan dari api rumah lak.
Due to Pāṇḍu’s death at an early age, his minor children and widow were the object of special care by all the elderly members of the family, especially Bhīṣmadeva and Mahātmā Vidura. Vidura was more or less partial to the Pāṇḍavas due to their political position. Although Dhṛtarāṣṭra was equally careful for the minor children of Mahārāja Pāṇḍu, he was one of the intriguing parties who wanted to wash away the descendants of Pāṇḍu and replace them by raising his own sons to become the rulers of the kingdom. Mahātmā Vidura could follow this intrigue of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and company, and therefore, even though he was a faithful servitor of his eldest brother, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, he did not like his political ambition for the sake of his own sons. He was therefore very careful about the protection of the Pāṇḍavas and their widow mother. Thus he was, so to speak, partial to the Pāṇḍavas, preferring them to the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, although both of them were equally affectionate in his ordinary eyes. He was equally affectionate to both the camps of nephews in the sense that he always chastised Duryodhana for his intriguing policy against his cousins. He always criticized his elder brother for his policy of encouragement to his sons, and at the same time he was always alert in giving special protection to the Pāṇḍavas. All these different activities of Vidura within the palace politics made him well known as partial to the Pāṇḍavas. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira has referred to the past history of Vidura before his going away from home for a prolonged pilgrim’s journey. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira reminded him that he was equally kind and partial to his grown-up nephews, even after the Battle of Kurukṣetra, a great family disaster.
FAQs
This verse recalls that the Pandavas, with their mother Kunti, were repeatedly rescued from deadly threats such as poison and fire through the shelter and intervention of their well-wishers—highlighting the theme that the righteous are preserved under divine and devotee protection.
Yudhisthira is honoring Vidura’s past guardianship and counsel, remembering how Vidura supported and safeguarded the Pandavas during severe crises, and expressing gratitude as Vidura returns after a long absence.
Cultivate gratitude toward mentors and devotees who guide you, remember the help you received during crises, and seek protective shelter through dharmic counsel and sincere spiritual practice rather than pride or forgetfulness.