Vidura is acknowledged as a wise and upright person, who is also well-versed in the art of kingship. It is believed that he is the embodiment of Dharma and his knowledge of ethical values is thus highly respected. He was free of attachment or anger and always spoke truth without fear.
In his advice to a disturbed Dhritarashtra are couched universal truths on human nature and behaviour that are pertinent to all times, pointed out Dr. Sudha Seshaiyan in a lecture.
Dhritarashtra summoned Vidura as he felt uneasy and was unable to sleep. It was immediately after Sanjaya came back with a message from Yudhishtira but chose to disclose the essence the next morning. This suspense about what might be the content began preying on his mind and he felt restless. He thought a talk with Vidura might be beneficial.
Vidura knows his brother's mind and advises him to eschew jealousy. This evil trait has made him sinful. He cannot sleep until his sin of causing suffering to the Pandavas is washed off. In fact, Vidura knows only too well how Dhritarashtra had lost sleep long ago when Duryodana was born. He had heard that his brother Pandu had had a son and that his son's right to succeed to the throne was in jeopardy. Right through, he was a silent partner to the outwardly expressed jealousy of Duryodana towards the Pandavas.
This jealous trait, harboured and nourished in one's consciousness was a potent enough factor to deprive one of sleep. This problem could be solved only if he gave back the kingdom to the Pandavas.
The following are those who cannot sleep — a man who eyes another's wife, a thief, a rich man who is eager to safeguard his wealth, a man who adopts wrong tactics and is always unsuccessful, one who is keen on the fruits of action and is anxious about success and fears failure and one who is exploited by the powerful and the rich.
Dhritarashtra, like every human being, succumbs to self-pity due to his blindness. He does not realise that this is only a latent disability. His intention to usurp the rightful kingdom of the Pandavas is the actual handicap.
