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 |
Tatkala baginda berkata demikian, dari kejauhan kelihatan seorang pertapa yang kurus kering—berambut jata, mulutnya menahan segumpal seperti batu, telanjang menghadap empat penjuru (digvāsā), anggota tubuhnya diselaputi kotoran dan disalut debu rimba. Khabar kedatangannya disampaikan kepada Raja Yudhiṣṭhira. Namun Vidura, setelah memandang ke arah pertapaan itu, tiba-tiba berpaling dan berundur—tingkahnya mencerminkan kekangan asketik seorang yang telah melepaskan identiti sosial dan mencari keteguhan batin, bukan pengiktirafan.
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.