( the D in this name is pronounced like 'th' in 'brother')
Vidura was the son of Ambika's servant maid, born to her from sage Vyaasa.
After the death of Vichithraveerya, the kuru empire became kingless. Bheeshma and Satyavathy decided that the wives of late Vichithraveerya should beget sons from sage Vyaasa through the practice of Devara, which was in vouge those days. ( 'Devara' means husaband's brother). It was a custom of those days to beget children from Devaras in case it was not possible to do so from the husband, for the purpose of continuation of the lineage.
Satyavathy instructed Ambika to receive Vyaasa for the said purpose but Ambika was shocked at the sight of the sage and closed her eyes in fear. Due to that act of the mother, the son was born blind.He was Dhritharaashtra.
Satyavathy then tried with Ambaalika but she too could not bear the appearance of the sgae and turned pale with shock. Her son Paandu was pale white in color.
Satyavathy was dissatisfied with her two grandsons and decided to take a chance with Ambika again. But Ambika this time did not venture to receive the sage. Instead. she sent her maid in her own place. That maid served the sage with devotion and respect. Her son was alright in every aspect but became ineligible to the throne due to his low origin. He was named Vidura . He grew up with Dhritharaashtra and Paandu.
Vidura was said to be the incarnation of the god Yama himself, who was to undergo a mortal life due to the sage Maandavya's curse.
Vidura was a very learned person. He was respected by all the elders in the clan and the Paandavas were obedient to him. His discourses to Dhritharaashtra were known as Viduraneethi (=Vidurs's teachings). Vidura was fond of the Paandavas for their righteousness. He took care of Kunthi during the exile of the Paandavas.
He prevailed upon Dhritharaashtra to instruct his jealous son Duryodhana properly but it was of no fruition. All the while, Vidura stood for the right cause. He loved both the Paandavas and the Kouravas alike but many a time he argued for the Paandavas, knowing their right stance. He helped the Paandavas to escape from Duryodhana's trap in the city of Vaaranaavatham. He remained unmoved by thecourse of things. He followed Dhritharaashtra to the forests in the end and died there by burning himself in a forest fire.
His life tells us how the learned should guide the rulers and how the ruling persons should not deride the raisers of voice of justice.
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