Shloka 23
Uddhava’s Departure to Badarikāśrama and Vidura’s Turn Toward Maitreya
श्री शुक उवाच इत्युद्धवादुपाकर्ण्य सुहृदां दु:सहं वधम् । ज्ञानेनाशमयत्क्षत्ता शोकमुत्पतितं बुध: ॥ २३ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca ity uddhavād upākarṇya suhṛdāṁ duḥsahaṁ vadham jñānenāśamayat kṣattā śokam utpatitaṁ budhaḥ
Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī nói: Nghe Uddhava thuật lại sự diệt vong khó kham của bạn hữu và thân quyến, hiền giả Vidura đã dùng trí tuệ siêu việt mà dập tắt nỗi sầu trào dâng.
Vidura was informed that the result of the Battle of Kurukṣetra was the annihilation of his friends and relatives as well as the destruction of the Yadu dynasty and also the passing away of the Lord. All these hurled him into bereavement for the time being, but because he was highly advanced in transcendental knowledge, he was quite competent to pacify himself by enlightenment. As it is stated in Bhagavad-gītā, due to our long association with bodily relationships, bereavement on account of the annihilation of friends and relatives is not at all astonishing, but one has to learn the art of subduing such bereavement with higher, transcendental knowledge. The talks between Uddhava and Vidura on the topic of Kṛṣṇa began at sunset, and Vidura was now further advanced in knowledge due to his association with Uddhava.
FAQs
This verse states that Vidura’s sorrow, arising after hearing of the devastating end of his friends, was pacified by jñāna—clear spiritual understanding that steadies the heart beyond temporary worldly loss.
Uddhava informed him of the unbearable destruction of the Yadu well-wishers; hearing of such loss naturally stirred sorrow, which Vidura then restrained through wisdom.
When grief arises suddenly, ground the mind in higher perspective—study sacred wisdom, remember the soul’s permanence, and take shelter of devotion—so emotions are honored but not allowed to overwhelm discernment.