Vidura was Ambika's maid's son and an incarnation of Yamadharmaraya. He was born along with Pandu and Dhritarashtra.He was unequalled in righteousness and an expert in ethics. In fact, even Bhisma used to consult him on various matters. Vidura married Parasavi, King Devaka'a daughter. His guidance to Kunti and the Pandavas was invaluable. He helped the Pandavas to escape from the burning lac palace. Vidura gave very valuable advice to the Kauravas too but they did not take it the way the Pandavas did. Accordingly, he dissuaded Dhritharashtra from organizing the game of dice as he saw the beginning of disaster in that move. Even half way through the game, he begged the king to stop it . His words of wisdom to Duryodhana and Dushasana also fell on deaf ears. He warned Dushasana that he was putting the hangman's noose round his neck when he dragged Draupadi into the hall. When the Pandavas set off to the forest, Vidura instilled confidence into them. He again advised Dhritarashtra to give half the kingdom to the Pandavas on their return from the forest but the king remained unfazed; he left everything to fate. After the great war, when Dharmaraja became king, it was Vidura who became his advisor. After serving the young king, he went to the forest and became a mendicant. In the end, as he and Dharmaraja were both children of Yamadharmaraya, he became one with Dharmaraja. His last rites were not performed as he had been leading a sanyasi's life. Thus he went to the heavenly abode known as santhanika.
