Vaishampayana said : O king, seeing Duryodhana who is always incapable of putting up with an insult, seated with the determination of dying by starvation, the son of Subala, Shakuni, spoke thus.

Shakuni said: O descendant of Kuru, you have heard that Karna has said. His words are indeed full of wisdom. O king, why should you foolishly throw away the great prosperity that I won for you by abandoning your life today through mere silliness? It appears to me today that you never waited upon (wise) old men.

Like an unburnt earthen vessel in water, he, who is incapable of controlling sudden occasions of joy or grief, is lost even if he obtains prosperity.

The king who is entirely destitute of courage, no has no spark of manliness, who is the slave of procrastination and who is addicted to sensual pleasures is never respected by his subjects.

Befitted as you have been, whence is this unseasonable grief of yours? Do not undo this graceful act done by the sons of Pritha by indulging in grief.

O king of kings, when you should express your joy and reward the Pandavas, you are grieving. Your this behaviour is very inconsistent.

Be cheerful; do not abandon your life. But with a very pleased heart think of the good work they have done to you. Give back to the sons of Pritha their kingdom and win both virtue and renown by your this act.

Establishing brotherly relations with the Pandavas, become their friends and make them your friends, give them back their paternal kingdom, for you will then be happy.

Vaishampayana said : Having heard the words of Shakuni and having seen Dushashana lying at the feet of the king (Duryodhana) unmanned by fraternal affection, the king raised Dushashana and clasping him in his well formed arms he smelt his head.

Having heard the words of Karna and Subala's son (Shakuni), the king Duryodhana was overwhelmed with shame. He lost heart more than ever and utter despair overtook his soul.

Having heard all that his friends said, he thus again spoke in sorrow, "I have nothing more to do with virtue, wealth, friendship, affluence, sovereignty and enjoyments. Do not oppose me; leave me all of you. I am firmly resolved to abandon my life by fasting. Go back to the city and worship all my Gurus with respect."

Having been thus addressed by him, they thus replied to that royal chastiser of foes, “O king of kings, O descendant of Bharata, the course that is yours is also ours. How can we enter the city without you?”

Vaishampayana said : Though addressed in all manner of ways by his friends and counsellors and brothers and relatives, the king waved not from his firm resolve.

In accordance with his resolve, he spread Kusha grass on the ground and purifying himself by touching water, he sat down on it. Clad in rags and Kusha grass, he engaged in observing the greatest vow. That foremost of kings, with the desire of going to heaven, stopped all speech. He began to pray and worship internally and he suspended all external intercourse.

On learning his resolve, the sons of Diti and the Danavas, who live in the nether region and who were once defeated by the celestials, fearing that their party would be destroyed without Duryodhana, began a sacrifice with fire to summon him before them. Mantraknowing men then commenced with the formulae of Brihaspati and Ushana. Those rites that are indicated in the Atharvaveda and the Upanishadas and which are capable of being achieved by mantras and prayers.

Brahmanas of rigid vows well-versed in the Vedas and their branches began with great and deep meditation to pour libations of ghee and milk into the fire with mantras. After those rites were completed, a strange goddess, O king, rose up saying, "What shall I do?"

With well-pleased hearts the Daityas commanded her by saying, “Bring here the king, the son of Dhritarashtra, who is now engaged in a vow of fasting."

Thus commanded, she went away saying, "So be it.” In a moment she came to the place where the king, Duryodhana, was.

Taking up the king, she brought him to the nether world and within a moment she came back to the Danavas and told them (that she had brought the king). Seeing the king brought before them in their assembly in the night, the Danavas. With well-pleased hearts and with expanded eyes in delight, thus spoke these flattering words to Duryodhana.