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Mahābhārata The History of the Great India
<< 37 Vidura's Warning >>
 |  | When the citizens had retired, Vidura, learned in all the principles of justice and religion, alerted Yudhisthira to imminent danger. Vidura clearly saw the best means to protect both body and soul. Learned in the art of riddles, he spoke to his wise nephew Yudhisthira, who was trained to understand them.
| | | One must act to escape disaster by understanding a sharp weapon, not made of iron, that cuts the body to pieces. This weapon does not strike the one who knows it and who turns it against his enemy; it slays the underwood and strikes down the cold. But it does not burn the inhabitants of holes in the great hiding place. One who guards himself lives.
| | | The eyeless know not the path; the eyeless find not the direction; the irresolute attain not the weal; awaken, thus alerted. A man who accepts the gift, a weapon not of iron, given by those who are not close can be saved from the devouring fire by going to the refuge of the porcupine. Wandering about, he knows the ways by the stars and finds his direction. Subduing the five with his mind, he will not be subdued.
| | | Having accompanied the Pandavas for a short stretch and given these instructions, Vidura then circumambulated them, granted them permission to begin their journey, and returned to his home.
| | | When Vidura, Bhisma, and all the townspeople had gone back to their homes, Kunti called her son Yudhisthira, who hated no one, and said to him, "When Vidura spoke to you in the middle of the crowd, it seemed like he was not saying anything coherent, and yet you agreed to his words. We don't understand the conversation you had with him. If we are able to hear about it, and there is nothing indecent, then I would like to hear all about it".
| | | King Yudhisthira said, "Vidura told me we must beware of poison and fire. He also said that no path should be unknown to us. And he said, 'You will gain the abundant earth if you conquer your five senses.' I then said to Vidura, 'I have understood it all'".
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