You have heard the duties of kings told by Manu, they are fraught with crookedness and unfairness, they are perfectly opposed to peace and virtue. O great king, why do you then forgive the wicked-minded of Dhritarashtra. O foremost of men, why are you silent in performing your duties being a man of ' high birth?
अश्रौषीस्त्वं राजधर्मान् यथा वै मनुरब्रवीत्। क्रूरान् निकृतिसम्पन्नान् विहितानशमात्मकान्॥ धार्तराष्ट्रान् महाराज क्षमसे किं दुरात्मनः। कर्तव्ये पुरुषव्याघ्र किमास्से पीठसर्पवत्॥ बुद्ध्या वीर्येण संयुक्तः श्रुतेनाभिजनेन च।