O lord, Bhishma, seeing that vast crowd perfectly still, duly worshipped those ascetics by offering them water to wash their feet and the customary Arghya. He then spoke to them about the sovereignty and kingdom. Thereupon, the eldest of the ascetics with matted locks and skin cloth stood up. And with the concurrence of other great Rishis, he spoke thus-
तमकूजमभिज्ञाय जनौघं सर्वशस्तदा। पूजयित्वा यथान्यायं पायेनार्येण च प्रभो॥ भीष्मो राज्यं च राष्ट्रं च महर्षिभ्यो न्यवेदयत्। तेषामथो वृद्धतमः प्रत्युत्थाय जटाजिनी। ऋषीणां मतमाज्ञाय महर्षिरिदमब्रवीत्॥