Shloka 18
Bhāgīrathī-tīra-śauca, Kurukṣetra-gamana, and Śatayūpa-āśrama-dīkṣā (गङ्गातीरशौच–कुरुक्षेत्रगमन–शतयूपाश्रमदीक्षा)
इत्येवं ब्रुवतस्तस्य जटी वीटामुख: कृश: । दिग्वासा मलदिग्धाड़री वनरेणुसमुक्षित:
ity evaṁ bruvatas tasya jaṭī vīṭāmukhaḥ kṛśaḥ | digvāsā maladigdhāṅgo vanareṇusamukṣitaḥ |
Ketika ia masih berkata demikian, dari kejauhan tampak seorang pertapa kurus—berambut gimbal, mulutnya menahan gumpal seperti batu, telanjang menghadap segala penjuru; anggota tubuhnya berlumur kotoran dan terselimuti debu rimba. Kabar kedatangannya disampaikan kepada Raja Yudhiṣṭhira. Namun Vidura, setelah melirik ke arah pertapaan, tiba-tiba berbalik dan menarik diri.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vairāgya (detachment) expressed through austere discipline: Vidura’s outward abandonment of comfort and social markers, and his turning back from the hermitage, underscore restraint, non-attachment to honor or welcome, and a dharmic focus on inner realization rather than public recognition.
While Dhṛtarāṣṭra is speaking, Vidura appears from afar in a severe ascetic state—matted hair, emaciated, naked, dust-covered, with a lump/stone-like object in his mouth suggesting a vow of silence. Yudhiṣṭhira is informed, but Vidura, after looking toward the hermitage, abruptly turns back and withdraws.