Daśa-lakṣaṇam: The Ten Topics, Virāṭ-Puruṣa Sense-Manifestation, and the Supreme Shelter (Āśraya)
शौनक उवाच यदाह नो भवान् सूत क्षत्ता भागवतोत्तम: । चचार तीर्थानि भुवस्त्यक्त्वा बन्धून् सुदुस्त्यजान् ॥ ४८ ॥
śaunaka uvāca yad āha no bhavān sūta kṣattā bhāgavatottamaḥ cacāra tīrthāni bhuvas tyaktvā bandhūn sudustyajān
修那迦仙人曰:噢,苏多啊,你先前曾告知我们,毗度罗——至上的奉主者(bhāgavata-uttama,kṣattā)——舍离极难舍弃的亲族,遍行大地诸圣地。故今我问及毗度罗之事。
The ṛṣis headed by Śaunaka were more anxious to know about Vidura, who met Maitreya Ṛṣi while traveling to the pilgrimage sites of the world.
This verse highlights Vidura as a bhāgavatottama who could leave even “very difficult to give up” family ties in order to pursue holy association and pilgrimage—showing that devotion may require prioritizing spiritual duty over attachment.
Śaunaka wants Sūta to recount the narrative he previously heard—specifically how Vidura, an exalted devotee, undertook pilgrimage after leaving his relatives—because Vidura’s conduct teaches renunciation and devotion.
One can practice Vidura’s spirit by reducing unhealthy attachments, making time for satsanga and sacred study, and regularly visiting or honoring tīrthas (holy places/holy practices) without neglecting one’s genuine responsibilities.