Sanjaya Brings Vidura Back to Dhritarashtra

Sanjaya set out for the Kamyaka forest. He travelled quickly, carrying the weight of a king's repentance, and soon arrived at the forest where the Pandavas were living in exile. He saw Yudhishthira first — attired in the skin of a ruru deer, seated with Vidura, surrounded by thousands of brahmanas. Bhima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sahadeva were there too, gathered around their eldest brother like the gods around Shatakratu (Indra). Coming up to Yudhishthira, Sanjaya showed him homage, and to Bhima, Arjuna, and the twins, as each one deserved. The king asked him about his welfare. When Sanjaya was happily seated, he explained the reasons for his coming. "O Kshatta! Ambika's son, King Dhritarashtra, remembers you. Please go and see him quickly and revive the king. O descendant of the Kuru lineage! Take your leave of the Pandavas, supreme among men. O revered one! On the command of that lion among kings, return immediately." Having been thus addressed, the intelligent Vidura — always affectionate towards his relatives — took Yudhishthira's leave and returned to Gajasahrya (Hastinapura). The powerful Dhritarashtra received him with words that came from somewhere deep. "O unblemished one! O one who is knowledgeable in dharma! It is through good fortune that you have remembered me. It is through good fortune that you have come back. O bull among the Bharata lineage! Because of you, I could not sleep during the day and during the night. While awake, I saw my body as if it had no soul." He then took Vidura on his lap and smelt the top of his head — the ancient gesture of a father's blessing, of complete acceptance. He said, "Forgive what I had said to you in anger." Vidura replied, "O king! I have forgiven you. You are my greatest preceptor. I have come here swiftly so as to see you. O tiger among men! O king! Men who have dharma in their hearts come to those who are distressed, without thinking whether the deed should be done. Your sons are as dear to me as Pandu's sons. But since they are now in distress, my intelligence went out towards them." Having thus become reconciled towards each other, the immensely radiant brothers — Vidura and Dhritarashtra — obtained supreme happiness.