A great cause of the destruction of the Kurus is now come. If there is no other means of an end to this quarrel, than peace, peace seems desirable to me and not war with the sons of Pritha. I have ever been of opinion that the Pandavas are possessed of greater strength than the Kurus.
क्षयोदयोऽयं सुमहान् कुरूणां प्रत्युपस्थितः। अस्त चेत् कलहस्यान्तः शमादन्यो न विद्यते॥ शमो मे रोचते नित्यं पार्थस्तात न विग्रहः। कुरुभ्यो हि सदा मन्ये पाण्डवान् शक्तिमत्तरान्॥