The Ethics of Vidura is in the nature of a dialogue between Dhritarashtra and Vidura contained in chapters 33 to 40 of Udyoga-Parva of the Mahabharata. This is a precursor to the Sanat-sujata-Gita which is an exposition of the concept of the Brahman as propounded in the Vedanta in its entirety.
In the world of classical literature, the Mahabharata is unique in many respects. As an epic, it is the greatest in all literatures. It is considered the mightiest single human endeavor of literary creation of any culture in human history. The effort to conceive the mind that conceived it is itself considered great education. It is the stupendous ocean of all-embracing knowledge. It is a wonderful production bench-marking the high state of Indian civilization long before the Christian era.
Dhritarashtra is in an unenviable position as to resolving the ethical conflict of either following the path of righteous conduct in being fair to the sons of his brother, or following the dictates of his sons for illegal gain. He considers that Vidura is well versed in both religion and profit, and the only one suited to offer him guidance and deliberation as to his conduct in the given circumstances that gives solace to his soul and peace to his mind.
On the request of Dhritarashtra, Vidura elaborates the entire gamut of righteous human conduct applicable to people of all stations and divisions in the society. His elaboration is comprehensive, unique and constitutes one of the earliest ethical treatises of the ancient Indian society.
‘The Ethics of Vidura’ is a liberal translation of the Sanskrit text in Mahabharata, verse (sloka) by verse, true to its spirit. The entire translation into English of The Mahabharata by Kisari Mohan Ganguli is an epic in itself, and this compilation has heavily depended on his work.
