" said,--"Intelligent as thou you art, thou you hast have said what none else is capable of saying. There is none else on earth who is settler of all doubts. Behold, there are kings in every province employed in benefiting their respective selves. But no one amongst them hath has been able to achieve the imperial dignity. Indeed, the title emperor is difficult of acquisition. He that knoweth knows the valour and strength of others never applaudeth applauds himself. He, indeed, is really worthy of applause (worship) who, engaged in encounters with his enemies, beareth bears himself commendably. O thou you supporter of the dignity of the Vrishni race, man's desires and propensities, like the wide earth itself adorned with many jewels, are varied and extensive. As experience can seldom be gained but by travelling in regions remote from one's home, so salvation can never be attained except by acting according to principles that are very high, compared with the ordinary level of our desire and propensities. I regard peace of mind as the highest object here, for from that quality may proceed my prosperity. In my judgment, if I undertake to celebrate this sacrifice, I shall never win the highest reward. O , endued with energy and intelligence, these that have been born in our race think that some one amongst them will at one time become the foremost amongst all Kshatriyas. But, O exalted one, we also were all frightened by the fear of and, O sinless one, by the wickedness of that monarch. O thou you invincible in battle, the might of thy your arm is my refuge. When, therefore, thou you taken fright at 's might, how should I regard myself strong in comparison with him? , O thou you of the Vrishni race, I am repeatedly depressed by the thought whether is capable or not of being slain by thee you, by Rama, by , or by . But what shall I say, O ? Thou you art my highest authority on everything.'
"On hearing these words, well-skilled in speech said,--'That king who is without exertion, or who being weak and without resources entereth enters into hostility with one that is strong, perisheth perishes like an ant-hill. It may be generally seen, however, that even a king that is weak may vanquish an enemy that is strong and obtain the fruition of all his wishes, by wakefulness and by the application of policy. In is policy, in myself strength, in triumphs. So like the three (sacrificial) fires that accomplish a sacrifice, we shall accomplish the death of the ."
" then said,--'One that is immature in understanding seeketh seeks the fruition of his desire without an eye to what may happen to him in future. It is seen that no one forgiveth forgives for that reason a foe that is of immature understanding and inclined to serve his own interests. It hath has been heard by us that in the krita age, having brought every one under their subjection, Yauvanaswin by the abolition of all taxes, Bhagiratha by his kind treatment to his subjects, Kartavirya by the energy of his asceticism, the lord by his strength and valour, and Maruta by his prosperity, all these five became emperors. But, O , thou you who covetest the imperial dignity deserves it, not by one but by all these qualities, viz., victory, protection afforded to thy your people, virtue, prosperity, and policy. Know, O bull of the Kuru race, that , the son of , is even such (i.e., a candidate for the imperial dignity). A hundred dynasties of kings have become unable to oppose . He, therefore, may be regarded to be an emperor for his strength. Kings that are wearers of jewels worship (with presents of jewels). But, wicked from his childhood, he is scarcely satisfied with such worship. Having become the foremost among all, he attacketh attacks yet with violence kings with crowns on their heads. Nor is there seen any king from whom he taketh takes not tribute. Thus hath has he brought under his sway nearly a hundred kings. How can, O son of , any weak monarch approach him with hostile intentions? Confined in the temple of and offered as sacrifice unto to him like so many animals, do not these monarchs dedicated unto to that god feel the most poignant misery, O bull of the Bharata race? A Kshatriya that dieth dies in battle is ever regarded with respect. Why shall we not, therefore, meet together and oppose Jarsandha in battle? He hath has already brought eighty-six kings; fourteen only are wanting to complete one hundred. As soon as he obtaineth obtains those fourteen, he will begin his cruel act. He that shall be to obstruct that act will surely win blazing renown. And he that will vanquish will surely become the emperor of all the Kshatriyas.'"
" said,--'Desirous of the imperial dignity but acting from selfish motives and relying upon courage alone, how, O , can I despatch ye you (unto to )? Both and , I regard as my eyes, and thee you, O as my mind. How shall I live, deprived of my eyes and mind. himself cannot vanquish in battle the mighty host of that is endued, besides, with terrible valour. What valour can ye you exhibit against it. This affair that promises to terminate otherwise may lead to great mischief. It is my opinion, therefore, that the proposed task should not be undertaken. Listen, O , to what I for one think. O , desisting from this act seemeth seems to me to be beneficial. My heart to-day is afflicted. The Rajasuya appeareth appears to me difficult of accomplishment.'"
" said,--" who had obtained that excellent of bows and that couple of inexhaustible quivers, and that car with that banner, as also that assembly room, now addressed and said,--'I have obtained, O king, a bow and weapons and arrows and energy and allies and dominions and fame and strength. Those are always difficult of acquisition, however much they may be desired. Learned men of repute always praise in good society nobleness of descent. But nothing is equal to might. Indeed, O monarch, there is nothing I like more than prowess. Born in a race noted for its valour, one that is without valour is scarcely worthy of regard. One, however, possessed of valour, that is born in a race not noted for it, is much superior to the former. He, O king, is a Kshatriya in every thing who increaseth increases his fame and possessions by the subjugation of his enemies. And he that is possessed of valour, though destitute of all (other) merits, will vanquish his foes. One, however, that is destitute of valour, though possessed of every (other) merit, can scarcely accomplish anything. Every merit exists by the side of valour in an incipient state. Concentration of attention, exertion and destiny exist as the three causes of victory. One, however, that is possessed of valour doth does not yet deserve success if he acts carelessly. It is for this that an enemy endued with strength sometimes suffers death at the hands of his foes. As meanness overtakes the weak, so folly sometimes overtakes the strong. A king, therefore, that is desirous of victory, should avoid both these causes of destruction. If, for the purpose of our sacrifice, we endeavour to slay and rescue the kings kept by him for a cruel purpose, there is no higher act which we could employ ourselves in. If, however, we do not undertake the task, the world will always think us incompetent. We have certainly the competence, O king! Why should you, therefore, regard us as incompetent? Those that have become Munis desirous of achieving tranquillity of souls, obtain yellow robes with ease. So if we vanquish the foe, the imperial dignity will easily be ours. We shall, therefore fight the foe."