684 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 1, Ch. 13
mother was raptly attending the lectures. But it was known to Vidura
that his instructions were especially meant for Dhrtarastra, who was too
materialistic. The word rajan is especially addressed to Dhrtarastra signifi-
cantly. Dhrtarastra was the eldest son of his father, and therefore according
to law he was to be installed on the throne of Hastinapura. But because he
was blind from birth, he was disqualified from his rightful claim. But he
could not forget the bereavement, and his disappointment was somewhat
compensated after the death of Pandu, his younger brother. His younger
brother left behind him some minor children, and Dhrtarastra became the
natural guardian of them, but at heart he wanted to become the factual
King and hand over the kingdom to his own sons, headed by Duryodhana.
With all these imperial ambitions, Dhrtarastra wanted to become a king
and contrive all sorts of intrigues in consultation with his brother-in-law
Sakuni. But everything failed by the will of the Lord, and at the last
stage, even by losing everything, men and money, he wanted to remain as
King, being the eldest uncle of Maharaja Yudhisthira. Maharaja Yudhisthira,
as a matter of duty, maintained Dhrtarastra in royal honor, and Dhrtarastra
was happily passing away his numbered days in the illusion of becoming a
king or the royal uncle of King Yudhisthira. Vidura, as a saint and as the
duty-bound affectionate youngest brother of Dhrtarastra, wanted to
awaken Dhrtarastra from his slumber of disease and old age. Vidura there-
fore sarcastically addressed Dhrtarastra as the “King,” which he was
actually not. Everyone is the servant of eternal time, and therefore no one
can be king in this material order. King means the person who can order.
The celebrated English King wanted to order time and tide, but the time
and tide refused to obey his order. Therefore one is a false king in the
material world, and Dhrtarastra was particularly reminded of this false
position and of the factual fearful happenings which had already ap-
proached him at that time. Vidura asked him to get out immediately, if he
wanted to be saved from the fearful situation which was approaching
him fast. He did not ask Maharaja Yudhisthira in that way because he knew
that a king like Maharaja Yudhisthira is aware of all the fearful situations
of this flimsy world, and he would take care of himself, in due course, even
though Vidura might not be present at that time.
TEXT 19
wtateat + eae gafaceterert |
TU AMA BS! AAW A? AARTA 12
