Vaishampayana said O great king, it was then the virtuous Gandhari, afflicted with grief on account of her sons, addressed king Dhritarashtra and said.

Gandhari said When Duryodhana was born, the highsouled Khattwa (Vidura) said, “It is better to send this disgrace of the race (Duryodhana) to the other world".

For he (Duryodhana) cried repeatedly and dissonantly like a jackal when he was born. It is certain he will prove the destruction of our race. Take this (the words of Vidura) to heart.

O descendant of Bharata, do not sink for your own fault in the ocean of calamity. O lord, do not approve the counsel of these wickedminded ones who are but boys.

Do not be the cause of the fearful destruction of this race. Who is there that will break an embankment which has been completed or re-kindle a conflagration which has been extinguished?

O best of the Bharata race, who is there that will provoke the peaceful sons of Pritha (Kunti)? O descendant of Ajamida, you remember everything, but I shall still call your attention to this.

The Shastras can never control the wickedminded men, either in good or in evil acts. A man of boyish intelligence can never act as an old man.

Let your sons follow you as their leader. Let them not for ever be separated from you (by death). Therefore, abandon at my word this disgrace of our race.

O king, O ruler of men, you could not do it before from the affection you bear for your son. Know that the time has come for the destruction of our race through him.

Let your mind, guided by counsels of peace, virtue and true policy, be what it naturally is. Do not err. The prosperity which is acquired by the aid of wicked acts is soon destroyed, while that which is won by honest means takes root and descends from generation to generation.

Vaishampayana said Having been thus addressed by Gandhari who pointed out to him the path of virtue, the king replied to her saying, “If the destruction of our race has came, let it take place without any hindrance. I cannot prevent it.

Let it be what they desire. Let the Pandavas return. Let my sons again gamble with the sons of Pandu".