The holy one said: 'I have heard the words of Sanjaya, and now I have heard yours. I know all about his purposes, just as I know about you yourself. Your heart inclines toward righteousness, while their inclination is turned toward enmity. What is achieved without war holds greater worth for you. A long life of brahmacharya, O lord of the earth, is not the duty of a kshatriya. Indeed, people of all four orders have said that a kshatriya must never live on alms; victory or death in battle is ordained by the Creator for all time; cowardice is not to be praised (existence as a kshatriya is impossible otherwise, O Yudhishthira, O mighty weapon-bearer, and be victorious, O chastiser of your foes). Dhritarashtra, O chastiser of foes, having lived long (with many kings), has become very powerful through attachment and friendship. Therefore, O king, they consider themselves strong, having with them Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, and others. As long as you, O king, deal with them gently, they will not hold onto your kingdom. Through a sense of righteousness, the sons of Dhritarashtra, O chastiser of foes, will fulfill your wishes.'