If, O Krishna, Suyodhana wishes to make peace without giving up the kingdom, there is no need to go there for the sake of such a peace. The Pandavas, together with the Srinjayas, O mighty-armed one, are fully capable of withstanding the fierce host of Dhritarashtra, inflamed with fury. When they no longer respond to the art of reconciliation, mercy, O slayer of Madhu, should not be shown to them. Those enemies, O Krishna, with whom peace cannot be established either by conciliation or by gifts, must be dealt with sternly by one who wishes to save his own life. Therefore, O mighty-armed Achyuta, a severe punishment deserves to be inflicted upon them by you without delay, with the help of the Pandavas and the Srinjayas. Indeed, this will befit the son of Pritha and add to your glory, and should it come to pass, O Krishna, it will become a source of great happiness for the whole race of kshatriyas. Whoever is covetous, whether he belongs to the kshatriya order or to any other — excepting, of course, the brahmin — even if he is the most sinful, must certainly be slain by a kshatriya who is faithful to the duties of his own order. The exception in the case of the brahmin, O sovereign, is because the brahmin is the teacher of all the other orders, and also the first participant in everything.