Yudhisthir was crowned the new king of Hastinapur kingdom— the kingship of which was the cause of the war.

The old king, father of the Kaurav’s, Dhritarashtra stayed in Hastinapur with his wife Gandhari, mother of the Pandav’s Kunti, and his younger brother Vidur.

Dhritarashtra, the deceased Pandu, and Vidur were the sons of Sage Veda Vyas of different mothers. The elder two had royal mothers, while Vidur was born to a palace maid. Vidur was the wisest man in Hastinapur, who served as its Mahamantri (Prime Minister) and was an incarnation of Yamraj (God of dharma and death). He was the only one who spoke of justice and righteousness while supporting the Pandavs.

Vidur, Dhritarasthra, Gandhari and Kunti stayed in the city and guided the Pandav’s in ruling it for nearly 15 years after the war.

Once, Dhritarashtra overheard Bhim making fun of Dhritarashtra and his sons the Kauravs. Bheem insulted him making Dhritarashtra feel unwelcome in the city. He decided to retire to the forest to meditate.

Gandhari,Vidura, Kunti also accompanied to Dhrishtrshtra to forest. They together planed to lead an ascetic life in a forest hermitage. After many years they got natural death in forest fire.

One day, while they were in the forest praying, Yudhisthir and his family came to visit the elders.

Yudhisthir saw a slim man with a long beard running between trees. The man was identified as Vidur, who in his pursuit for liberation, had become a perfect monk and avoided society.

Yudhisthir tried to meet Vidur, but Vidur suddenly grew still. His soul came out of his body, and Vidur died. The soul entered Yudhisthir’s body enlightening him, since Yudhisthir was also an incarnation of the same God Yamraj.

An akashvani (celestial voice) informed Yudhisthir that Vidur had attained liberation and that the body of such muni’s should not be cremated. Thus, Yudhisthir left Vidur as is, and returned to his kingdom.