14 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 1
TRANSLATION
Who asked him to come here, this son of a kept mistress? He is so
crooked that he spies in the interest of the enemy against those on whose
support he has grown up. Toss him out of the palace immediately and
leave him with only his breath.
PURPORT
When getting married, the ksatriya kings would take on several other
youthful girls along with the married princess. These girl attendants of the
king were known as dasis, or attendant mistresses. By intimate association
with the king, the dasis would get sons. Such sons were called dasi-putras.
They had no claim to a royal position, but they would get maintenance
and other facilities just like princes. Vidura was the son of such a dasi, and
he was thus not counted amongst the ksatriyas. King Dhrtarastra was very
affectionate toward his younger dasi-putra brother, Vidura, and Vidura
was a great friend and philosophical advisor to Dhrtarastra. Duryodhana
knew very well that Vidura was a great soul and well-wisher, but un-
fortunately he used strong words to hurt his innocent uncle. Duryodhana
not only attacked Vidura’s birth, but he also called him an infidel because
he seemed to support the cause of Yudhisthira, whom Duryodhana consid-
ered his enemy. He desired that Vidura be immediately put out of the
palace and deprived of all his possessions. If possible, he would have liked
him caned until he was left with nothing but his breath. He charged that
Vidura was a spy of the Pandavas because he advised King Dhrtardstra in
their favor. Such is the situation of palace life and the intricacies of
diplomacy that even a faultless person like Vidura could be charged with
something abominable and punished. Vidura was struck with wonder at
such unexpected behavior from his nephew Duryodhana, and before any-
thing actually happened, he decided to leave the palace for good.
TEXT 16
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AT Wl aa afeast |
A RAARETOTERTITI-
TATMUSATS «| AVAATA NRA
svayam dhanur dvari nidhaya mayam
bhratuh puro marmasu tadito’pi
sa ittham aty ulbana-karna-banair
gata-vyatho’yad uru manayanah
