Vidura was�the�prime minister�of Hastinapur under King�Dhritarashtra,�and also the uncle of�Pandavas�and�Kauravas. He�was a half-brother to the kings�Dhritarashtra�and�Pandu,�the son of the sage�Vyasa�and Parishrami, the maid to the queens�Ambika�and�Ambalika. He was the incarnation of Yamaraja, god of death and justice, who had been previously cursed by the sage�Mandavya�for punishing the latter more harshly than his transgression warranted. Vidura was a very interesting and central figure who was instrumental in helping the Pandavas avoid trials and tribulations melted out to them by their cousin, Duryodhana.