yāsyan - when he was about to go; rājānam - the King (Dhṛtarāṣṭra); abhyetya - going up to; viṣamam - biased; putra - toward his sons; lālasam - ardently affectionate; avadat - he spoke; suhṛdām - relatives; madhye - among; bandhubhiḥ - by well-wishing relatives (Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma); sauhṛda - in friendship; uditam - what had been said.

The ardent affection King Dhṛtarāṣṭra felt for his sons had made him act unjustly toward the Pāṇḍavas. Just before leaving, Akrūra approached the King, who was seated among his friends and supporters, and related to him the message that his relatives — Lord Kṛṣṇa and Lord Balarāma — had sent out of friendship.