Dhritarashtra
I await her.
Duryodhana
Let me take my leave. [Exit.
Dhritarashtra
Fly! For you cannot bear the fire of your mother’s presence.
Enter QUEEN GANDHARI, the mother of DURYODHANA
Gandhari
At your feet I crave a boon.
Dhritarashtra
Speak, your wish is fulfilled.
Gandhari
The time has come to renounce him.
Dhritarashtra
Whom, my queen?
Gandhari
Duryodhana!
Dhritarashtra
Our own son, Duryodhana?
Gandhari
Yes!
Dhritarashtra
This is a terrible boon for you, his mother, to crave!
Gandhari
The fathers of the Kauravas, who are in Paradise, join me in beseeching you.
Dhritarashtra
The divine Judge will punish him who has broken His laws. But I am his father.
Gandhari
Am I not his mother? Have I not carried him under my throbbing heart? Yes, I ask you to renounce Duryodhana the unrighteous.
Dhritarashtra
What will remain to us after that?
Gandhari
God’s blessing.
Dhritarashtra
And what will that bring us?
Gandhari
New afflictions. Pleasure in our son’s presence, pride in a new kingdom, and shame at knowing both purchased by wrong done or connived at, like thorns dragged two ways, would lacerate our bosoms. The Pandavas are too proud ever to accept back from us the lands which they have relinquished; therefore it is only meet that we draw some great sorrow down on our heads so as to deprive that unmerited reward of its sting.