Vidura was a son of a maid-servent who served the Queens of Hastinapura, Queen Ambika and Ambalika. In some accounts, he was an incarnation of Yama or Dharma Raj, who was cursed by the sage, Mandavya, for imposing punishment on him that exceed the sin.

The Queens were married to King Vichitravirya of Hastinapur. Their husband died without having children. Vichitravirya's mother Satyavati called upon her other son Sage Vyasa, who granted each queen a boon to bear sons. The only twist was that they would a son like the features the Queens presented to the sage. Since the sage was extremely ugly, Ambika closed her eyes and Ambalika became pale. When the queens were asked to go to the sage again, they refused and sent their maid-servent instead.

The maid-servent was not frightened at all and was strong. The sage granted her a boon that her son would be extremely intelligent and a lawful man. Thus, Vidura was born who was raised as brother of Dhritarashtra and Pandu.

Vidura was the minister at the court at Hastinapura for a long time. After Lord Krishna, he was the most trusted advisor to the Pandavas and had warned them repeatedly about Duryodhana's plots. In particular, he warned the Pandavas from Duryodhana's plan to burn them alive in the palace he made for them. He was well-known for saying the bitter truth to everyone and to be extremely intelligent in all fields.

External Links

• Vidura an incarnation of Yama.