The news of Mandavya reached the king who was frightened at the cruelty his soldiers had shown towards the wise and learned sage. He asked his forgiveness and took out the spear. The sage was not angry with the king. He went to ask Dharma, the lord who gave justice to everyone, why he had made him suffer and learnt that it was because he had hurt animals and birds as a child. The sage said it was very unfair to punish people for what was done when they were innocent children. He cursed Dharma to be born as a human being so that he might understand. Dharma was therefore born as Vidura, the son of Ambalika’s maid. Later, he was appointed as a counsellor of the King by Bhishma when he was very young, because he was known and respected for being wise and virtuous.
Vidura
