Great Women from Mahabharata - Story of Vidula

In the Udyaga Parva of Mahabharata when Sri Krishna had come to meet Kunti, the mother of the five Pandavas, the queen who had not seen her sons for a period of thirteen years, who had kept alive the hope of seeing them becoming king again, Kunti told him to give Yudhisthira, her eldest son, the message - of reclaiming what was rightfully his and behave like a true Kshatriya.

In this connection Kunti narrated the tale of Vidula, another outstanding woman who had inspired her son Sanjaya to fight. Vidula was well educated. She chastised her son Sanjaya, who, upon being defeated by the rival king of Sindhu desh, had been lying down forlorn and depressed. Vidula told him in strongest term that Sanjaya did not deserve to become her son. He was not displaying the valour and the courage of the Kshatriya. He should abandon his fear, rise and fight. She asked him to put forth his courage and reclaim his land from the hand of his enemy even at the cost of his life. She told him to make himself known by his deeds. She said, "Like a brand of Tinduka wood, blaze up even for a moment, but never smoulder from desire, like a flameless fire of paddy chaff. It is better to blaze up for a moment than smoke for ever and ever." (Mahabharata - Kishori Mohan Ganguli). She continued rebuking and chastising him in the strongest terms and urged him to fight again and again. She asked him to exert himself to win prosperity as that was what is expected of a valourous king. The son being weak minded asked his mother as to why she was sending her to the battlefield knowing that he would die. His mother replied that she would like to see others dependent on him rather than he dependent on others to earn a living. It is for his own welfare and fame in this world and the next that he should fight.

Vidula then gave a sound advice to her son. She said that the king of Sindhu had many followers but they were all waiting for their master to get weakened to enjoy better positions for themselves. The king of Sindhu also had many enemies who would join Sanjaya once he decided to fight. " Be true to thy name. Be my son." She said. She continued to inspire him by narrating stories of heroism and fortitude. She reminded him of the poor state of her and other womenfolk because of the defeat of the king and wanted him to rouse by appealing to his emotions. She reminded him again and again of the glories of his ancestors. The mother continued her attempt to rouse the son who was still weakened by self doubt and fear of death. The son again and again implored the mother to be kind to him and show him maternal affections, but the mother was unmoved. She reminded him of his duty to his race, to his subjects and kingdom. The son said that without any means of winning back his kingdom how could he fight. The mother then gave few sound advice. "In all acts, O son, the attainment of success is always uncertain. Knowing that success is uncertain, people still act, so that they sometimes succeed, and sometimes do not. They, however, who abstain from action, never obtain success. In the absence of exertion, there is but one result, viz., the absence of success. There are, however, two results in the case of exertion, viz., the acquisition of success or its non-acquisition." She said. She asked him to bring to his side those enemies of his enemy who were angry with the foes (by the common objective), who were covetous of wealth (by offering them wealth), who were weakened by the foes and were seeking revenge, who were jealous, who were humiliated, who challenge them from pride in their own abilities. He should give them wealth, seek their help, speak sweetly to them, practice the art of conciliation. Sanjaya should also seek the help of his friends who though desiring his welfare yet from inability to do anything were waiting helplessly. She also said that she knew of a large amount of hidden treasure that would give Sanjaya enough wealth to prepare for the battle. Hearing these words from the mother, the son once again got back his courage and decided to fight. He very soon achieved victory over his enemies and regained his fame and kingdom.

This is the story of a brave mother who inspired his son to rise and achieve, even at the risk of his life.