Chapter 134

“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection, persons acquainted with thescriptures declare this text in respect of duty, viz., for a Kshatriyapossessed of intelligence and knowledge, (the earning of) religious meritand (the acquisition of) wealth, constitute his obvious duties. He shouldnot, by subtle discussions on duty and unseen consequences in respect ofa future world, abstain from accomplishing those two duties. As it isuseless to argue, upon seeing certain foot-prints on the ground, whetherthey are wolf’s or not, even so is all discussion upon the nature ofrighteousness and the reverse. Nobody in this world ever sees the fruitsof righteousness and unrighteousness. A Kshatriya, therefore, should seekthe acquisition of power. He that is powerful is master of everything.Wealth leads to the possession of an army. He that is powerful[404]obtains intelligent advisers. He that is without wealth is truly fallen.A little (of anything in the world) is regarded as the dirty remnant of afeast.[405] If a strong man does even many bad acts, nobody, throughfear, says or does anything (for censuring or checking him). Ifrighteousness and Power be associated with Truth, they can then rescuemen from great perils. If, however, the two be compared, Power willappear to be superior to Righteousness. It is from Power thatRighteousness springs. Righteousness rests upon Power as all immobilethings upon the earth. As smoke depends upon the wind (for its motion),even so Righteousness depends upon Power. Righteousness which is theweaker of the two depends for its support upon a tree. Righteousness isdependent on them that are powerful even as pleasure is dependent uponthem that are given to enjoyment. There is nothing that powerful mencannot do. Everything is pure with them that are powerful. A powerlessman, by committing evil acts can never escape. Men feel alarmed at hisconduct even as they are alarmed at the appearance of a wolf. One fallenaway from a state of affluence leads a life of humiliation and sorrow. Alife of humiliation and reproach is like death itself The learned havesaid that when in consequence of one’s sinful conduct one is cast off byfriends and companions, one is pierced repeatedly by the wordy darts ofothers and one has to burn with grief on that account. Professors ofscriptures have said with respect to the expiation of sinfulness that oneshould (if stained with sinfulness) study the three Vedas, wait upon andworship the Brahmanas, gratify all men by looks, words, and acts, castoff all meanness, marry in high families, proclaim the praises of otherswhile confessing one’s own worthlessness, recite mantras, perform theusual water-rites, assume a mildness of behaviour, and abstain fromspeaking much, and perform austere penances, seek the refuge of Brahmanasand Kshatriyas. Indeed, one who has committed many evil acts, should doall this, without being angry at the reproaches uttered by men. Byconducting one’s self in this way, one may soon become cleansed of allhis sins and regain the regard of the world. Indeed, one wins greatrespect in this world and great rewards in the next, and enjoys diversekinds of happiness here by following such conduct and by sharing hiswealth with others.'”