Vidura Cites the Parable of Prahlada and Sudhanva
After the disrobing attempt, the hall falls into uproar and shame. Vidura silences them, warning that failing to answer a question of dharma incurs grave sin. To compel an answer, he begins to narrate an ancient story about truth and testimony.
Cries of “shame” filled the sabha. People shouted that the Kauravas would not answer the question and censured King Dhritarashtra. Vidura, learned in all the ways of dharma, raised his arms and silenced the hall.
He framed the crisis. “Having raised the question, Droupadi now weeps, like one without a protector. If those who are in the sabha do not answer the question, dharma will be oppressed.” He described the duty of an assembly. “Like a blazing fire, one in distress comes to this sabha. Those who are in the sabha pacify him through true dharma.”
He laid down the law of testimony. “When a man in distress asks a question about dharma, those in the sabha must answer that question, without being driven by desire or anger.” He acknowledged Vikarna’s attempt. “O lords of men! Vikarna has answered the question in accordance with what he thinks. You should also answer the question as you deem fit.”
Then he stated the penalty for silence. “If one seated in the assembly hall does not answer the question, even though he knows about dharma, he incurs half the demerit that comes from lying. And if one is seated in the assembly hall and answers the question falsely, even though he knows about dharma, he certainly incurs the complete demerit that comes from lying.”
To give weight to this law, he reached for an ancient precedent. “In this context, the learned ones quote the ancient conversation that took place between Prahlada and the sage who was the son of Angirasa.” He began the story, aiming its lesson like an arrow at the silent, complicit kings before him.