Chapter 132

“Yudhishthira said, ‘When practices fraught with high morality andbeneficial to the world, (viz., those that appertain to righteous rule)disappear, when all the means and resources for the support of life fallinto the hands of robbers, when, indeed, such a calamitous time sets in,by what means should a Brahmana, O grandsire, who from affection isunable to desert his sons and grandsons, subsist?’

“Bhishma said, ‘When such a time sets in, the Brahmana should live by theaid of knowledge. Everything in this world is for them that are good.Nothing here is for them that are wicked. He who making himself aninstrument of acquisition, takes wealth from the wicked and gives it untothem that are good, is said to be conversant with the morality ofadversity. Desirous of maintaining his rule, the king, O monarch, withoutdriving his subjects to indignation and rebellion, may take what is notfreely given by the owner, saying, ‘This is mine!’ That wise man who,cleansed by the possession of knowledge and might and of righteousconduct at other times, acts censurably in such season, does not reallydeserve to be censured. They who always support themselves by puttingforth their might never like any other method of living. They that areendued with might, O Yudhishthira, always live by the aid of prowess. Theordinary scriptures, that exist (for seasons of distress) withoutexceptions of any kind, should be practised by a king (at such times). Aking, however, that is endued with intelligence, while following thosescriptures, would do something more.[398] At such times, however, theking should not oppress, Ritwijas, and Purohitas and preceptors andBrahmanas, all of whom are honoured and held in high esteem. Byoppressing them, even at such times, he incurs reproach and sin. Thisthat I tell thee is regarded as an authority in the world. Indeed, thisis the eternal eye (by which practices in seasons of distress are to beviewed). One should be guided by his authority. By this is to be judgedwhether a king is to be called good or wicked. It is seen that manypersons residing in villages and towns, actuated by jealousy and wrath,accuse one another. The king should never, at their words, honour orpunish anybody. Slander should never be spoken. If spoken, it shouldnever be heard. When slanderous converse goes on, one should close one’sears or leave the place outright. Slanderous converse is thecharacteristic of wicked men. It is an indication of depravity. They, onthe other hand, O king, who speak of the virtues of others in assembliesof the good, are good men. As a pair of sweet-tempered bulls governableand well-broken and used to bear burthens, put their necks to the yokeand drag the cart willingly, even so should the king bear his burthens(in seasons of distress). Others say that a king (at such times) shouldconduct himself in such a way that he may succeed in gaining a largenumber of allies. Some regard ancient usage as the highest indication ofrighteousness. Others, viz., they that are in favour of the conductpursued by Sankha, towards Likhita, do not hold this opinion. They do notadvance such an opinion through either malice or covetousness[399].Examples are seen of even great Rishis who have laid down that evenpreceptors, if addicted to evil practices, should be punished. Butapprovable authority there is none for such a proposition. The gods maybe left to punish such men when they happen to be vile and guilty ofwicked practices. The king who fills his treasury by having recourse tofraudulent devices, certainly falls away from righteousness. The code ofmorality which is honoured in every respect by those that are good and inaffluent circumstances, and which is approved by every honest heart,should be followed. He is said to be conversant with duty who knows dutyas depending on all the four foundations. It is difficult to find out thereasons on which duties stand even as it is difficult to find out thelegs of the snake.[400] As a hunter of beasts discovers the track of ashaft-struck deer by observing spots of blood on the ground, even soshould one seek to discover the reasons of duties. This should a mantread with humility along the path trod by the good. Such, indeed, wasthe conduct of the great royal sages of old, O Yudhishthira!'”