Dhritarashtra said What purpose does the practice of asceticism serve? Which is better, the practice of asceticism or the vow of silence? Speak to me, O learned one, the real nature of asceticism. Can a learned person attain to the state of the Supreme Being by the vow of silence? How in this world O Muni, is asceticism practiced?
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच कस्यैष मौनः कतरन्नु मौनं प्रब्रूहि विद्वन्निह मौनभावम्। मौनेन विद्वानुत याति मौनं कथं मुने मौनमिहाचरन्ति॥