Great Personalities
Major Sections
Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus

VIDURA

The Pandavas Prosper

The Pandavas went to the 'Swayamvara' of Draupadi, the daughter of King Drupada. (At a swayamvara a girl chooses her husband.) Draupadi became the wife of the Pandavas. It was only then that Vidura came to know that the Pandavas were safe and had won honor. Vidura was happy when he got this news. The Kauravas, however, were unhappy. It was not only because of the failure of their plot to destroy the Pandavas, coupled into the suspicion that the Pandavas had come to know of their plot. They were unhappy also because the Pandavas had married Draupadi, the daughter of Drupada - a powerful king. The Kauravas were unhappy that the Pandavas had gained the support of Drupada.

They discussed among themselves what they should do next. Bhishma, Drona and such elders suggested: "Let there be no hatred of the Pandavas. It is good to give them half the kingdom and to live in friendship with them." Vidura also supported that view. When everybody pressed him in this manner, Dhritharashtra agreed to the suggestion. But the task of bringing the Pandavas back to Hastinapura fell to Vidura. Everybody knew that the Pandavas would respect his word.

Dhritharashtra accommodated the Pandavas in his home for a few days and looked to their comfort. Thereafter he gave them half the kingdom and sent them to Khandavaprasta. The Pandavas settled there. The region was really a thick forest. The Pandavas developed it. They built a city named Indraprasta and made it their capital. They defeated their enemies and increased their wealth. They treated their friends with courtesy and consideration and won their support.

Thus the Pandavas established their supremacy among the kings and decided to perform a sacrifice called the Rajasuya Yaga. They made preparations for it and invited their elders and other relatives. Vidura was requested to be in charge of the expenses. He consented. He was very pleased that the sacrifice was performed with such pomp and without any hitch.

But it had a different effect on Duryodhana. During the sacrifice Duryodhana was to receive gifts and presents offered by the subordinate princes and friends. Looking at the heaps of pearls, diamonds and gold slabs that were presented, Duryodhana grew jealous of the Pandavas. Their wealth, glory and power made him envious. As soon as he reached Hastinapura he opened his heart to his uncle Shakuni. Shakuni said, "Yudhishtira is very fond of dice. But he cannot play well. Let us invite him to play dice and win all his wealth. I know the secret of victory of dice." He and Duryodhana went to Dhritharashtra and got his permission to play the game of dice.

About Vidura
Introduction
The Meaning
A Man Who Knows Righteous Conduct
'Mangala Mandira'
You are Here! The Pandavas Prosper
'Listen To Me'
Disaster Did Strike
A Crime To Speak Justly
'Follow The Path'
What Next?
Vidura's Precepts
'Be Wise At Least Hereafter'
Krishna's Negotiations
'Bear Your Grief'
To The Forest
Tradition Of Righteous Conduct
About XYZ
You are Here! Introduction