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The sacred Vidurniti scripture is a must read for all those living in the 21st century. The scripture
brings together ancient philosophy with modern means; it brings forth many of the Eastern concepts
and combines them with everyday Western living methods. Though the scripture has received very
little exposure over the centuries even in India despite Shri Vidura’s relative popularity in the
epic Mahabharat which was first screened in the late 1980’s. Hence it is even more important
to highlight the practical thinking of Vidurniti to everyday living.
Many may remember the role of Vidurji in Mahabharat, many will remember Lord Shri Krishna
being invited to Vidurji’s home and being fed the skin of a banana rather than the banana itself.
It was the sheer love for the Lord that he was not only blessed, but also has treaded the path
of righteousness throughout his life. He promoted righteousness during the Mahabharat and earned
the love and respect of Lord Shri Krishna, saints and the Pandava’s.
The study of Vidurniti provides valuable lessons to reach enlightenment and moral living in a
simple and specific manner; it does not mix words and is precise. In other words, Vidurji knows
when to call a spade a spade! Calls a fool a fool and describes the characteristics of foolish
and good men in equal measure. Viduriji while respecting his elder brother Dhritrashtra and
consoling him over the events in the battle field with his 100 sons, he does not hold back his
utmost opposition to his elder brothers foolishness, prejudice and pride over his elder son’s egotist
wishes leading towards the eventual war. Vidurji through discourse highlights to his elder brother
his misgiving’s and mistakes that have been committed against righteousness, purely for selfgain,
and suggests that Dhritrashtra’s pride and blindness to see the right path will ultimately
be the reason for the down fall of his 100 sons in the battlefield against the Pandav’s.
There was great enjoyment in converting this scripture from Gujarati, first published by
Swaminarayan Mandir, Bhuj, Kutch, India, into English on directions from His Holiness Acharaya
Shree Koshelendra Prasadi Maharaj of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. His desire was that this valuable
scripture would be of utmost importance to not only devotees of the Swaminarayan Faith, but
to all who may be searching a morally high ground.
The Vidurniti happens to be one of eight holy scriptures selected and mentioned in the Shikshapatri
written by Bhagwan Swaminarayan nearly 200 years ago as one of the key readings for all men
and women wishing to lead a pure, and divine life. One of the key Swaminarayan scriptures,
the Vachnamrutam has been referenced according to the various selected segments in the Vidurniti
and hence this is a unique scripture, and a world first with this kind of cross correlation with
other scriptures.
I hope that reading this wonderful scripture, you will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed translating
from Gujarati to English, and that having read it, you will reflect on how this Holy Scripture
may enrich your lives.