Vidura Summons Sanatsujata to Advise Dhritarashtra
Dhritarashtra presses Vidura for more wisdom, sensing there is something left unsaid. Vidura reveals that the secret matter — the nature of death itself — can only be spoken by the ancient sage Sanatsujata, not by himself, because he was born from a shudra womb. He mentally summons the sage, receives him with rites, and asks him to resolve the king's doubt so that Dhritarashtra may transcend all dualities and be free from old age and death.
Dhritarashtra had been listening to Vidura speak about dharma, about the nature of the self, about what is real and what passes. The blind king felt something stirring in him — a hunger that had not been there before. He asked Vidura directly: "Is there anything that you have not spoken about so far? Tell me, since I am eager to listen to you. You are speaking about wonderful things."
Vidura answered carefully. He told Dhritarashtra that there was indeed something — a secret matter, the most secret of all. The ancient and eternal youth Sanatsujata had said that there is no death. That supreme among intelligent ones could speak on this. He would bring out everything that is overt and covert, clinging to the heart.
Dhritarashtra pressed further: "Do you not know what that eternal one will tell me? You must tell me, if you have that much of wisdom left."
Vidura said no. He could not.
"I have been born from a shudra womb," he said. "It is for that reason that I cannot tell you anything more. But I know about the eternal intelligence of that youth. He was born in a brahmana womb and speaks about matters that are extremely secret. I will be censured by the gods by speaking to you about those."
Dhritarashtra asked how he could meet this ancient one — here, in this body of his.
Vidura did not answer with words. He thought of the rishi who was rigid in his vows. And the rishi, knowing Vidura's thoughts, showed himself.
Sanatsujata appeared. Vidura received him in accordance with the decreed rites and tasks — the offerings, the water for the feet, the seat of honor. When the sage was rested and happily seated, Vidura spoke.
"O illustrious one! There is a doubt in Dhritarashtra's mind, which I am incapable of explaining. You should speak to him. On hearing this, this Indra among men will transcend all happiness and unhappiness, all gain and loss, and all pleasure and displeasure. Then old age and death will not overcome him, or fear and intolerance, hunger and thirst, insolence and power, hatred, lassitude, desire, anger, decline and rise."
Sanatsujata sat before the blind king, ready to speak of what lies beyond death — and of what never dies at all. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 704