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Whenever we hear the name Mahabharata, we definitely do envision such war heroes of mythological renown such as Arjuna, Bhima, or even wise Lord Krishna. But among all such superhuman figures is a soft-spoken, contemplative, wise character named Vidur. Although he never witnessed war, his input in the epic is of great value. Vidur of Mahabharata is an intelligent, truthful, and dharma (good) person. His life is an inspirational lesson to children to always act in the right manner, even under challenging situations.
Let us learn the intriguing history of Vidur, one of the great minds of the Mahabharata.
Vidur was the younger brother of King Dhritarashtra and Pandu. He was born to a maidservant and sage Vyasa due to divine intention. Not being born of a queen but a maidservant, he was, however, respected and admired because he was wise, intelligent, and just.
Since childhood, Vidur was renowned for being honest and following dharma. He possessed serious scripture study and moral studies and provided good counsel whether people were happy or unhappy.
Vidur was the Hastinapur prime minister. He was supposed to counsel the king, uphold justice, and deliver people from inhuman acts. Virutr was honest and an excellent fighter and very dedicated to the country.
Whenever Dhritarashtra became a king, Vidur would counsel him in important affairs. But, unfortunately, Dhritarashtra listened to his greedy and inhuman son Duryodhana more than Vidur.
But Vidur never lost his dignity. He remained steadfast and went on speaking the truth, even if others did not wish to listen.
Full lesson:
Vidur and the Dice Game
The dice game was one of the most sorrowful events that happened in the Mahabharata, when older Pandava Yudhishthira lost his kingdom, money, and even wife Draupadi due to the cunningness of Shakuni and Duryodhana.
Vidur also was very indignant about this injustice. He threatened King Dhritarashtra that this was unfair and would lead to the fall of the Kauravas. He defended Draupadi when she was led to court and insulted her. He wept aloud that a woman could be treated in such a manner and dharma was being injured in the court of the palace.
His ability to take a stand for what was right at this gloomy moment is one of the strongest teachings of the Mahabharata.
Even when all the others sealed their lips, Vidur spoke.
Vidur was not merely a wise man—he was a guru. His conversation with Dhritarashtra has been documented in one of the volumes of the Mahabharata titled Vidur Niti. Through it, he teaches the king how to be a good king, what is wrong and what is right, how to deal with other human beings, and how to live a purposeful life.
Some of the profoundest lessons of Vidur Niti are:
The king must follow sound advice and avoid counsellors who are self-absorbed.
Ambition and anger bring about the end of the man's wisdom.
Patience, truth, and kindness make a man great.
A wise man must never be afraid to tell the truth.
These proverbs are timeless and help children become good classmates, friends, and relatives.
Vidur kept the Pandavas as his own sons. He never deserted them and guided them in times of crisis. When Duryodhana tried to burn the Pandavas alive within their lac house, Vidur sent a secret message to them and also worked to save them. He rescued them from death.
Even though they went to exile in the forest, Vidur was in touch with them and encouraging them all the time. He had confidence in their justice and was sure that one day they will come back to rule again.
Although Vidur was wise and dedicated, he did not partake in the war of Kurukshetra. He did not want to be associated with a war where family members were fighting against other family members. Both sides, according to him, were doing an act of injustice.
Rather than this, he left the palace and lived harmoniously in the jungle. This says a lot about his commitment to dharma. Sometimes it takes more guts to retreat from battle than it does to engage in battle—especially if you know that war gives rise to sorrow.
Vidur led a long, sacred life. Finally, he encountered Yudhishthira once again when the Pandavas returned as kings. Quite soon after that, he placed his body on earth in peace, having lived a sacred and truthful life.
He never wanted to be famous or great. He always wanted only people to follow the path of righteousness.
Vidur is not a favorite Mahabharata character, but his biography is one of the most inspiring. Here are some simple lessons for kids aged between 6–16 years:
Be Brainy but Smart: Think with your brains and then do it, like Vidur would.
Stand Up for What is Right: Stand up even if you are the only person, and be the voice of justice and truth like Vidur stood up for Draupadi.
Be Kind and Just: Be kind to all whether good or bad. Vidur was kind to all alike.
Adhere to Dharma (Righteous Path): Never allow fear and greed dominate your sense of justice to follow the wrong path. Dharma will prevail.
Powerful Without Battles: Do not have to battle to demonstrate how powerful you are. Words and truth at times are mightiest weapons.
In a world full of great warriors and great kings, Vidur of the Mahabharata is a gentle star—a wise hero, not a warrior. His tale is a reminder that it is not necessary to wear armor in order to be powerful. Being truthful, being gentle, and being dharma makes us totally powerful.
For kids and parents to read together the stories of Mahabharata, the story of Vidur is a goldmine of life lessons. His life teaches children virtues of honesty, bravery, and doing the right thing even if it is challenging.
The next time you read a story from the Mahabharata, recall the wise Vidur—the man who taught us to live with integrity, no matter what.
Ask your child to read more Mahabharata kids' heroes and discover more dharmic heroes like Vidur who govern through example, not gunpower.
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Pratakshi, a seasoned English tutor with over 10 years of experience, has not only excelled in the field of teaching but also made significant contributions as a writer. Her passion for education and love for children are evident in her published works. With a keen eye for detail and a creative flair, Pratakshi's writing style captivates readers of all ages. Her articles on various educational topics have been widely acclaimed for their insightful content and engaging narrative. As an online tutor, Pratakshi seamlessly blends her teaching expertise with her writing skills to create informative and engaging resources for students worldwide. Her dedication to empowering learners shines through in every piece she produces.
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