Hare Krsna,
From the study of verses SB 3.1.1-16, several unique features in Vidura’s character stand out.
- His inquisitiveness to learn from his spiritual master: Throughout the study in this month, we have seen how significant a role a bonafide spiritual master makes in the life of a sincere disciple. The whole first chapter on Sri Caitanya Caritamrta focused on the need of instructing and initiating spiritual masters in one’s life. Here also we see that Vidura was very eager to enquire from Uddhava and Maitreya Rsi. According to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, one is advised to approach a bona fide spiritual master when one is actually inclined to question from an elevated level of spiritual understanding.
- Boldness: Vidura displayed the exceptional qualities of a bold preacher. Despite knowing that Dhrtarastra and Duryodhana will not accept his good counsel, Vidura still instructed Dhrtarastra to return the kingdom to the Pandavas. A preacher almost always faces some opposition to his preaching but he still continue to preach boldly. We have seen this quality in Srila Prabhupada too; he boldly took on the Mayavadis and their impersonal philosophy.
“Vidura gave Dhṛtarāṣṭra very good counsel regarding political alliance with the sons of Pṛthā, the Pāṇḍavas… Vidura wanted to impress upon his elder brother that fighting with the Pāṇḍavas was fraught with many dangers because they were supported by Lord Kṛṣṇa, who had conquered, even in His childhood, demons like Kaṁsa and Jarāsandha and demigods like Brahmā and Indra. Therefore all universal power was behind the Pāṇḍavas.” (SB 3.1.12 P)
Vidura also advised Dhrtarastra to get rid of his elder son Duryodhana who was offense-personified.
“Duryodhana was exactly like blind, troubling eyes; he would be a source of great trouble to the family of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, as foreseen by Vidura. Vidura therefore rightly advised his eldest brother to get rid of this source of trouble. Dhṛtarāṣṭra was wrongly maintaining such personified offense under the mistaken impression that Duryodhana was a good son, able to liberate his father.” (SB 3.1.13 P)
- Quality of Vidura’s inquiries: Saint Vidura was a great and pure devotee of the Lord, and therefore his questions to His Grace Ṛṣi Maitreya must have been very purposeful, on the highest level, and approved by learned circles. (SB 3.1.4)
- Humility: Vidura displayed humility by accepting spiritual knowledge from a younger person like Uddhava.
“Vidura was anxious to know from Uddhava that confidential knowledge known as paramāṁ sthitim, in which the Lord is known by His transcendental pastimes. Although Vidura was older than Uddhava, he was anxious to become a servant of Uddhava in the transcendental relationship. This formula of transcendental disciplic succession is taught by Lord Caitanya also. Lord Caitanya advises that one receive transcendental knowledge from anyone — whether a brāhmaṇa or a śūdra, a householder or a sannyāsī — provided that the person is factually conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa. A person who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa is factually a bona fide spiritual master.” (Sb 3.4.25 P)
- Optimist: Vidura used the insult of Duryodhana for cultivating higher spiritual realization. He quit the house of Dhrtarastra and took the opportunity to meet Ṛṣi Maitreya and discuss transcendental knowledge. For a saintly person like Vidura, any disturbance due to worldly affairs is insignificant. Such disturbances, however, are sometimes favorable for higher realization, and therefore Vidura took advantage of a family misunderstanding in order to meet Maitreya Ṛṣi. (SB 3.1.2 P)
- Renounced: Being a pure devotee of the Lord, Vidura was totally renounced and transcendental to material disappointments such as insults, ridicule, etc. He could see everything as the Supreme Lord’s plan. In spite of being very strongly insulted by Duryodhana’s words, Vidura could see that Duryodhana, under the influence of māyā, the external energy, was making progress on the path toward his own ruination. He therefore considered the acts of the external energy to be supreme, yet he also saw how the internal energy of the Lord helped him in that particular situation. Vidura was never attracted by the royal palace of his brother. He was always ready to leave the place and devote himself completely to the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Now he got the opportunity by the grace of Duryodhana, and instead of being sorry at the strong words of insult, he thanked him from within because it gave him the chance to live alone in a holy place and fully engage in the devotional service of the Lord. (SB 3.1.16 P)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 