The king became very much depressed. The Brahmanas also, O sinless one, became filled with grief. When at last the king failed to save his kingdom, he consulted the ministers, O Janamejaya, (about the remedy). The minister reminded him of the evil he had done regarding the dead kine.
यदा स पार्थिवः खिन्नस्ते च विप्रास्तदानघ॥ यदा चापि न शक्नोति राष्ट्रं मोक्षयितुं नृप। अथ वै प्राश्निकांस्तत्र पप्रच्छ जनमेजय॥ ततो वै प्राश्निकाः प्राहुः पशोर्विप्रकृतस्त्वया।