Vidura preaches strongly to Dhrtarastra

Srimad Bhagavatam 1.13.18-28

• 18 : Vidura instructs Dhrtarastra to quit home• 19-21 : Why ? Influence of time• 22-25 : Why ? Warning of old age• 26 -28 : How ? Become a transcendentalist

Section Themes

viduras tad abhipretyadhrtarāstram abhāsata

rājan nirgamyatām śīghrampaśyedam bhayam āgatam

Mahātmā Vidura knew all this, and therefore he addressed Dhrtarāstra, saying: My dear King, please get out of here immediately. Do not delay. Just see how fear has overtaken you.

1.13.18

• Applicable to everyone– Vidura did not need to instruct Maharaj Yudhishtir

• Sarcastic cut from the sadhu’s sword – king– No one is a king in material world

• Fear due to happiness in false shelter• Time is compared to snake• Vidura acted like a surgeon

– Cut through Dhrtarastra’s illusory sense of security• Afraid to face death

– Surround with comforts• Fearful situation – dying without getting spiritual

knowledge

Important points

SB 2.1.4 purport

Persons devoid of atma-tattva do not inquire into the problems of life, being too attached to the fallible soldiers like the body, children and wife. Although sufficiently experienced, they still do not see their inevitable destruction.

In the next life, persons who are too much attached to family comforts are generally awarded lower species of life on account of sinful acts performed during a long duration of sinful life, and thus all the energy of the human life is spoiled. In order to be saved from the danger of spoiling the human form of life and being attached to unreal things, one must take warning of death at the age of fifty, if not earlier… The holy places all over the world are meant for the residential purposes of retired persons getting ready for a better next life. Intelligent persons must go there at the end of life, and for that matter, after fifty years of age, to live a life of spiritual regeneration for the sake of being freed from family attachment, which is considered to be the shackle of material life.

SB 2.1.16 purport

SB 11.2.37 purport

bhayam dvitīyābhiniveśatah syādFear is caused by our absorption in the illusory energy. But those who are free from the illusory energy, those who are confident that they are not the material body, that they are spiritual parts of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and who are therefore engaged in the transcendental service of the Supreme Godhead, have nothing to fear.

The material existence of our present status is full of fear. Out of the four problems of material existence, namely the food problem, the shelter problem, the fear problem and the mating problem, the fear problem gives us more trouble than the others. We are always fearful due to our ignorance of the next problem. The whole material existence is full of problems, and thus the fear problem is always prominent. This is due to our association with the illusory energy of the Lord, known as maya or external energy, yet all fear is vanished as soon as there is the sound of the Lord, represented by His holy name, as it was sounded by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu

SB 1.11.3 purport

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

This Krsna consciousness movement is meant for that purpose, to become abhayam, no more fear. Why one should fear? Krsna assures, kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktah pranaśyati [Bg. 9.31] – Vrindavan, 1974

pratikriyā na yasyehakutaścit karhicit prabhosa esa bhagavān kālah

sarvesām nah samāgatah

This frightful situation cannot be remedied by any person in this material world. My lord, it is the Supreme Personality of Godhead as eternal time [kāla] that has approached us all.

1.13.19

• No remedy for death in material world– Example : Hiranyakasipu

• Death is Krsna – BG 10.34• Denial of death - Precarious situation• Influence of time only in material world• If you want to make spiritual advancement, then you

should always think that "Death is next moment. Death is next moment.“ – Canakya Pandita

• Death and tax is inevitable – George Bernard Shaw• Bhajan will be tested at the time of death – Srila

Bhaktivinoda Thakur

Important points

SB 8.2.33 purport

It is not that only Gajendra, the King of the elephants, was afraid of death. Everyone should fear death because everyone is caught by the crocodile of eternal time and may die at any moment. The best course, therefore, is to seek shelter of Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and be saved from the struggle for existence in this material world, in which one repeatedly takes birth and dies. To reach this understanding is the ultimate goal of life.

SB 2.3.17

Both by rising and by setting, the sun decreases the duration of life of everyone, except one who utilizes the time by discussing topics of the all-good Personality of Godhead

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

samsthām means death. Death is sure. Death is the best surety as... "As sure as death." Nobody can say that "I can avoid death." That's a fact. So one who actually understands that "I'll have to die,"... People do not understand. Everyone thinks that he will not die. He'll not die. That is called maya. He's seeing that everyone is dying; still, he's thinking that "I shall not die" or "I shall live for millions of years. There is no question of death." But it is a fact. You may be advanced in science, but he, this death is sure. That's a fact. Therefore it is advised here that samsthām vijñāya, one who is actually intelligent, he should know that he will die. But the karmis, the rascals, he knows also that he will die—at least, theoretically accept—but he wants to enjoy, since the death does not come, to the fullest extent. That is the present condition of the society. He knows that will he die. "So, so long my senses are there, let me gratify.“ – Los Angeles, 1972

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

The atheist class who does not believe in God, he'll see God at the end of life when he cannot do anything. But before that, if he sees God, then his life is saved. – Honolulu, 1976

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

And death may take place at any time. There is no guarantee that after so much time you'll die. At any moment, you can die. Death, there is no guarantee. But it is a guarantee that you must die. That is guaranteed. But when you will die, that is not guaranteed. Therefore we must be prepared for death at any moment. Therefore a devotee is not afraid of death. He knows that death may come at any moment. We are... Nowadays, it has, the death is very cheap. Because we are using this motorcar, these aero planes, so many things, ships and other things for transportation, and there is, every moment there is danger of accident, collapse, everything. So death is now very cheap. So we must be prepared for death at any moment. There is no guarantee, that "I am not yet old enough. I am not yet eighty years, ninety years. Why shall I die?" No. You may be twenty years, twenty-five years or younger than that. Death is assured, and it can take place at any moment. – Geneva, 1974

1.13.20

yena caivābhipanno 'yamprānaih priyatamair apijanah sadyo viyujyeta

kim utānyair dhanādibhih

Whoever is under the influence of supreme kāla [eternal time] must surrender his most dear life, and what to speak of other things, such as wealth, honor, children, land and home.

Important points

• No one can overcome the influence of time• Influence of time is everywhere in material world• Devotional service can never be destroyed by time – SB

3.25.38• Yamaraja instructed his assistants to not approach

devotees – SB 6.3.27

SB 3.25.38

The Lord continued: My dear mother, devotees who receive such transcendental opulences are never bereft of them; neither weapons nor the change of time can destroy such opulences. Because the devotees accept Me as their friend, their relative, their son, preceptor, benefactor and Supreme Deity, they cannot be deprived of their possessions at any time.

Once one is fixed in the devotional service of the Lord, his position of transcendental service cannot be destroyed, and the pleasure and service simply increase unlimitedly. For the devotees engaged in Krsna consciousness, in the Vaikunta atmosphere, there is no influence of time. The conclusion is that the time influence cannot act upon devotees who have accepted the Supreme Personality of Godhead as everything.

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

So in due course of time, everything happens. That is the nature's law. When I was also a child, I was looking very beautiful, but kalena, in due course of time, I'm now old man, a ugly man. Nobody likes. (laughter) So this is the influence of time, influence of time. So influence of time will act. You cannot check it. Influence of time, that is nature's law. Daive hy esa gunamaye mama maya [Bg. 7.14]. That is maya's strength. How you can check? It is not in your power. – Hawaii, 1974

SB 6.3.27

My dear servants, please do not approach such devotees, for they have fully surrendered to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are equal to everyone, and their narrations are sung by the demigods and the inhabitants of Siddhaloka. Please do not even go near them. They are always protected by the club of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore Lord Brahmā and I and even the time factor are not competent to chastise them

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

So prabhävaà pauruñaà prähuù kälam. So we have to feel the influence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in this time factor. We cannot deny it. Because in due course of time, according to the time factor, everything will be finished. Everything will be finished. The present existence will be finished, and then we will have to accept another existence. This is all due to the time. Time is over; then one body is changed into another. So this is the influence of time. Nature is working under the influence of time, and that time factor is enforcing the influence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore it is called prabhävaà pauruñaà prähuù kälam. This is the influence. You have to abide by the influence of time. That means influence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However you deny... Just like crazy fellow. They think that "I have nothing to do with government laws." But the influence of government must be felt when he is arrested and put into the jail. Similarly, by time factor we may do something now without any fear, but time factor will place me in the fearful condition without any fail. – Bombay, 1974

1.13.21

pitr-bhrātr-suhrt-putrāhatās te vigatam vayamātmā ca jarayā grastahpara-geham upāsase

Your father, brother, well-wishers and sons are all dead and passed away. You yourself have expended the major portion of your life, your body is now overtaken by invalidity, and you are living in the home of another.

Important Points

• Precarious condition• Protection requires our endeavor + mercy of Lord• Mare Krsna rakhe ke, Rake Krsna mare ke• Prahlad Maharaja’s prayers – SB 7.9.19

– Child cannot be protected by the parents

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

"My father has died. When I was a child, my father was giving me protection. Now my father has gone away. Who is giving me protection? Is my father alive to give me protection? Who is giving me protection? My mother was giving me protection. Now who is giving me protection? I was in family, my sons, my daughters, my wife, but I left them. Now who is giving me protection?" And actually Krsna gives you protection always. Not your society, friendship and love. They will be finished. As your father is finished, as your grandfather is finished, similarly, your sons, grandsons, will be finished. None of them will be able to give you protection. Only Krsna will be giving you protection. Therefore you surrender to Krsna. Sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaà çaraëaà vraja, ahaà tväà sarva-päpebhyo mokña... [Bg. 18.66]. "I shall give you protection." Kaunteya pratijänéhi na me bhaktaù praëaçyati: [Bg. 9.31] "My devotee is never vanquished." So the best thing is to take to Krsna consciousness, fully surrender unto Him, and you will be protected. Otherwise, there is no other way of being protected. – London, 1973

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

Even in your rebellious condition Krsna is giving you protection. Without Kåñëa's protection you cannot live even for a second. He's so kind. But when you admit it, when you recognize it, then you become happy. Now Kåñëa is giving you protection but you do not know it because you have taken your life at your own risk. Therefore He has given you freedom, "All right, do whatever you like. As far as possible I will give you protection." But when you fully surrender, the whole charge is to Kåñëa. That is special. That is special protection. Just like a father. The child who has grown up doesn't care for the father, he's acting freely. What the father can do? "All right, do whatever you like." But the child who is fully under the protection of the father, he takes more care. – Los Angeles 1969

1.13.22

andhah puraiva vadhiromanda-prajñāś ca sāmpratam

viśīrna-danto mandāgnihsarāgah kapham udvahan

You have been blind from your very birth, and recently you have become hard of hearing. Your memory is shortened, and your intelligence is disturbed. Your teeth are loose, your liver is defective, and you are coughing up mucus.

Important Points

• Symptoms of old age• 6 transformations of body

– After dwindling, death is very close

• Foolish people forget the prime duty• Difficult to wake up a person who is pretending to be

asleep• Vidura – real sadhu

1.13.23

aho mahīyasī jantorjīvitāśā yathā bhavān

bhīmāpavarjitam pindamādatte grha-pālavat

Alas, how powerful are the hopes of a living being to continue his life. Verily, you are living just like a household dog and are eating remnants of food given by Bhīma.

Important points

• Vidura’s sharp piercing words– dog eating remnants of Bhima

• Dhrtarastra accepted Pandavas’ kindness shamelessly• Vidura knew his audience very well

– Dhrtastra’s psychology– Austerity of speech

• Why Vidura’s words acted on Dhrtarastra now ?– Vidura is a pure devotee after his travels– Dhrtarastra is not poisoned by Duryodhana

• Task of a sadhu– Save people’s eternal life and not just temporary material life

Important Points

• Preaching according to audience– Narada muni’s indirect preaching to King Prachinabarhishat– Lord Brahma killing Indra’s hog family– Prahlad Maharaj direct preaching to his friends

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

So actually unless one is saved by the supreme authority, there is no question of saving him by so many philanthropic work. Actual saving is this Krsna consciousness movement. Because if one is raised to his Krsna consciousness, the whole problems of his life will be solved. That is real welfare activity. Other things you cannot change. If one is destined to suffer by some agency, you cannot stop. – Vrindavan, 1972

1.13.24

agnir nisrsto dattaś cagaro dārāś ca dūsitāh

hrtam ksetram dhanam yesāmtad-dattair asubhih kiyat

There is no need to live a degraded life and subsist on the charity of those whom you tried to kill by arson and poisoning. You also insulted one of their wives and usurped their kingdom and wealth.

Important points

• Dhrtarastra is punishable– 4 out of 6 aggressions

• Importance of following all stages of Varnasrama– Not just first and second

• Grossest type of degradation• Need for Viduras now

Srila Prabhupada uvaca

So for the brahmana, one who is brahmana, for him, the four asramas are recommended. One... First of all he must become brahmacari, a brahmana, son of a brahmana. Then, when he's fully trained up, he should become a grhastha. Not should, but if he likes. Then... Otherwise, sometimes you will find naishthika-brahmacari. Never... Just like my Guru Maharaja was. He never married. Naishthika-brahmacari. So brahmacari, grhastha, then not to stuck up with the family affairs up to the end of death. No. At a certain stage, after fifty years, he must give up. That is called vanaprastha. And then, after being trained up in vanaprastha very nicely, he takes sannyasa. This is brahmana’s..., four asrama. And for the ksatriya, up to vanaprastha. Up to vanaprastha. Just like Maharaja Yudhisthira and all the brothers, they left home, but the wife was there. That is called vanaprastha. They did not take sannyasa. Ksatriya. Up to vanaprastha. Vaisyas. No vanaprastha, no sannyasa. Up to grhastha. brahmacari... brahmacari is compulsory for the dvija. Because there is the training. And for the sudra there is no brahmacari. Only grhastha, married. Otherwise, life will be very irregular. So in this way varnasrama. So there are duties. – Vrindavana, 1974

1.13.25

tasyāpi tava deho 'yamkrpanasya jijīvisoh

paraity anicchato jīrnojarayā vāsasī iva

Despite your unwillingness to die and your desire to live even at the cost of honor and prestige, your miserly body will certainly dwindle and deteriorate like an old garment.

Important points

• Dhrtarastra’s miserly nature– Wasted the human form of life– Wants to live at any cost

• Better to take the right path even at the risk of death• Purpose of human life

1.13.26

gata-svārtham imam dehamvirakto mukta-bandhanah

avijñāta-gatir jahyātsa vai dhīra udāhrtah

He is called undisturbed who goes to an unknown, remote place and, freed from all obligations, quits his material body when it has become useless.

Important Points

• Vidura asks Dhrtarastra to become dhira– BG 2.13– Nectar of Instruction verse 1

• Excessive attachment to family obstructs self realization• This is the beginning stage of renunciation

– Based on frustrated life– Can be sustained only be development of Devotional service

• Association with sadhus devotional service surrender

1.13.27

yah svakāt parato vehajāta-nirveda ātmavānhrdi krtvā harim gehāt

pravrajet sa narottamah

He is certainly a first-class man who awakens and understands, either by himself or from others, the falsity and misery of this material world and thus leaves home and depends fully on the Personality of Godhead residing within his heart.

Important Points

• The three classes of transcendentalists– Dhira, sannyasi, narottama

• Perfection – becoming narottama– This is taught by Srimad Bhagavatam

• Can be practised at home• Desiring material benefits cannot become narottama• Eligibility for devotional service sincerity

1.18.28

athodīcīm diśam yātusvair ajñāta-gatir bhavānito 'rvāk prāyaśah kālah

pumsām guna-vikarsanah

Please, therefore, leave for the North immediately, without letting your relatives know, for soon that time will approach which will diminish the good qualities of men.

Important Points

• Effects of Kali Yuga– deteriorates the good qualities– Vidura’s instructions would fade away

• How to go from dhira to narottama ?– Persistent endeavor

• Vidura advised Dhrtarastra to at least become dhira

Take home

• Prepare for death– Prahlad Maharaj (from very childhood)– Take complete shelter of Krsna through hearing, chanting

• Have Krsna as the center of our relationship with family members

• Don’t depend on family members, instead depend on Krishna for protection

• Give instructions according to the receptivity of the audience

• Potency of our preaching depends on our purity (sadhana)

References

• HG Bhurijana Prabhu’s lecture• HH Romapada Maharaja’s lectures