(Adi Parva- Mahabharata,)
King Janmejaya very curiously asked, ‘O Rishi! Why did Dharma (the God of Justice) get a curse from a Brahmana? Who was that Brahmana who cursed him to be born in the womb of a Shudra woman?’
Hearing the words of the king, Rishi Vaishampayana began the story of Vidura————
There was a great Brahmana ascetic named Mandavya. He observed the vow of silence and was devoted to truth and asceticism. Once, he was deeply involved in meditation raising both his hands at the entrance of his hermitage. Many years passed but still, he was in that posture keeping silent. One day, a few robbers came running to his hermitage being chased by the royal guards. They carried the stolen property with them and tried to hide it somewhere. Out of fear, they entered into the hermitage and hid themselves with the stolen booty there only.Â
Chasing the robbers, the guards reached at the same spot. They humbly asked the Rishi Mandavya if he knew the whereabouts of the robbers. They asked, ‘ O Brahmana, at least point your finger in which direction the thieves have gone.’ The Rishi didn't respond to them a word- good or bad. Shortly after that, the royal officers searched the hermitage and found the thieves with the stolen properties. Out of ignorance, they misunderstood such a noble rishi as a hypocrite! However, they caught all of them and produced them before the king explained what had happened. Without a second thought, the king asked the guards to place them on a Shula (a spear) as a punishment.Â
The Brahmana remained on the Shula for many years but didn't die because of the power of his asceticism. In due course of time, the other ascetics came to know about the punishment of Mandavya. Thereupon, they came to see the great rishi. Beholding the misery of the Brahmana, the other Rishis got furious. Having shown themselves, they asked, ‘O Rishi! We desire to know what sin did you do for which you are suffering at the tip of a Shula?’
Then, Rishi Mandavya said, ‘Whom shall I blame? No one is to be blamed! It's my fate!’
After a few days, the guards noticed that the rishi was still alive in the same state. They rushed to the king and told them about the rishi on the Shula (spear). Having heard the news, the king went to the excellent rishi, and said, ‘O noble rishi! Out of ignorance, I did a sinful act. I beg your forgiveness for my mistake. Do not get angry with me.’
Hearing the humble words of repentance of the king, the rishi was gratified! The king tried to free him from Shula but failed. Rishi Mandavya practised the hard penances staying on that Shula for many days. He thus conquered many difficult regions by his asceticism which were difficult to obtain!Â
One day, the Brahmana (Mandavya rishi) went to Dharma- the god of justice! Lord Yamadeva was in his seat. Rishi Mandavya asked, ‘O god of justice! Tell me what sin I have committed unconsciously for which I am suffering so much. Tell me without delay and then watch my ascetic power!’
Being asked by the rishi, Dharma said, ‘O ascetic! You pierced a little insect with a blade of grass. You are getting the reward of that sinful act.’
The rishi got furious when he heard the cause of his suffering. He said, ‘O god of justice! You have not done justice to my fault! You have imposed a great punishment for such a little fault! Therefore, O Dharma, you will be soon born on earth as a man in the womb of a Shudra woman! Listen, O god of justice, I establish this rule today on earth that- no sin will be a sin if done by a person below the age of fourteen! It will be a sin if committed by anyone above the age!’
Thus, the great Brahmana Mandavya cursed Dharma, and he was born as Vidura in the womb of a Shudra woman (the maidservant of Ambika). But one thing for sure: Vidura (Dharma) was free from avarice and anger! He was loyal to his elders and an expert in Vedas, scriptures, and shastras.
PS: The role of Vidura will be given separately!
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