The evening sun was casting its magical rays on the waves of the holy river. Vidura bent low and touched the warm brown sand. He turned around and ordered the 2 men waiting upon him with their hands resting on their swords to leave him alone for a while. He felt serene, but the pain was erupting from his heart.
As the guards retreated, he took off his angavastram and postured himself in the divine meditation pose. He closed his eyes and began chanting “om” but he couldn’t immerse himself into the silence. He failed to keep his mind off the happenings of the past. Yesterday was haunting him. He took a deep breath, stretched his legs, and dissolved his mind into the past.
“The fate of the Kauravas is doomed. Hastinapur is submerging into its destruction as the mind of Duryodhan is casting a spell upon our land. A mind that holds hatred and jealousy for his brothers. The war is inevitable. Today or tomorrow this hatred among brothers would consume them and the world.
Yesterday, the feeling of animosity broke all chains as Duryodhan’s actions went beyond evil. He dared to disrobe the daughter of Hastinapur. How could he take this step to abuse his sister-in-law? Indeed Duryodhan has lost all his senses and values to hatred. Just like his father, he is blinded by the urge to possess the throne of Hastinapur. What pierces my heart even more deeply is that Dhritarashtra, my brother does not restrain Duryodhan from his actions. He is not saving his own son from inflicting adharma on his soul. None of this would have happened if Pandu was alive. Though he is younger to Dhritarashtra, he would have ruled and established Dharma. Or maybe only if I wasn’t born to a maid. It would have been me ruling, and in no circumstances would I ever sacrifice Dharma. It would be the highest leading virtue. But as the fate holds, by no means will this war dissolve. ”
He took a deep breath and wiped his tears. He looked up to the sky and folded his hands.
“Please forgive me. I did not dare to step ahead and behead Duhsansa and Duryodhan. I did not dare to step ahead and protect Panchali. Though I did oppose in the Sabha, sometimes my opinions aren’t given respect to. Though I’ll be remembered to at least voice against the evil, I did witness the evil. Forgive me Panchali.
I have thought over the war. If it happens, I’ll not support the Kauravas. Even if it means to pierce arrows at my brother and family, I’ll not step back. Either I do not fight, or if I do, I side with the Pandavas. With Dharma.
I’ll be remembered as the warrior born to the great sage Vyasa. Someone proficient in all spheres of knowledge. The Maha Mantri of Hastinapur. The brother of Dhritarashtra and the warrior who saved the Pandavas from death. But all I want is to be known as the warrior who upheld Dharma. Who always opposed Adharma. A warrior who did not let love or power blind him. In every circumstances, he was the one who dared to protect Dharma. A man who made choices that aligned with Dharma. All I want to be remembered is as Vidura, the essence of truth and a life devoted to Dharma.