Dharma, Dialogue and Dissent: Is an Inclusive Civilization Possible? Listening to Vidura

Abstract

Dharma is one of the significant multivalent civilizational concepts that emerged in early India. I explore one strand of the meanings of this term as exemplified by the figure of Vidura in the Mahābhārata. Admittedly a man of low status, he is also regarded as the embodiment of dharma, elucidating it at several points through the text. The definition of dharma that is expounded proves to be relatively expansive, relying on an inclusive understanding of kinship ties as central to the social order. Vidura is also a figure who dissents peacefully and is proved to be sadly accurate in his predictions about the final cataclysm. Apart from his speeches, Vidura’s actions also represent the praxis of his understanding of dharma. Finally, we consider two instances where the figure of Vidura is retrieved to express other ideas of righteous behaviour.