Chapter 65

“Indra said, ‘Kshatriya duties, O king, which are possessed of suchenergy, which include in their exercise all other duties, and which arethe foremost of all duties, should be observed by persons that are, likethee, so high-souled and so employed in seeking the good of the world. Ifthose duties are not properly discharged, all creatures would beovertaken by ruin. The kings possessed of compassion for all creatures,should regard these to be the foremost of his duties, reclaiming the landfor cultivation and fertilizing it, performance of great sacrifices forcleansing himself, a disregard for begging, and protection of subjects.Abandonment (gift) is said by the sages to be the foremost of virtues. Ofall kinds of abandonment, again, that of the body in battle, is theforemost. Thou hast seen with thy eyes how the rulers of the earth, everobservant of Kshatriya duties, having duly waited upon their preceptorsand acquired great learning, at last cast off their bodies, engaged inbattle with one another. The Kshatriya, desirous of acquiring religiousmerit, should, after having gone through the Brahmacharya mode, shouldlead a life of domesticity which is always meritorious. In adjudicatingupon ordinary questions of right (between his subjects), he should bethoroughly impartial. For causing all the orders to be observant of theirrespective duties, for the protection they afford to all, for the diversecontrivances and means and the prowess and exertion (with which they seekthe accomplishment of their objects). Kshatriya duties, which include allother duties within their scope, are said to be the foremost. The otherorders are able to observe their respective duties in consequence ofkingly duties. For this reason the former are said to be dependent uponthe latter in respect of the merit they produce.[205] Those men whodisregard all wholesome restraints and who are too much attached to thepursuit of worldly objects are said to be of the nature of brutes. Theyare compelled to act with justice by the exercise of kingly duties. Thoseduties, therefore, are said to be the foremost of all. That course ofconduct which has been prescribed for Brahmanas who follow the threeVedas, and those modes of life that have been laid down for Brahmanas,should, before everything else, be observed by every Brahmana. If aBrahmana acts otherwise, he should be punished like a Sudra. The dutiesof the four modes of life and the ritual prescribed in the Vedas, O king,should ever be followed by a Brahmana. Know that he has no other duties.For a Brahmana acting otherwise, a Kshatriya should not make anyarrangement for sustenance. His religious merit grows in consequence ofhis acts. A Brahmana, indeed, is like Dharma’s self. That Brahmana who isemployed in acts that are not laid down for him, deserves no respect. Ifnot engaged in his proper acts, he should not be trusted. These are theduties that appertain to the several orders. Kshatriyas should take careof them so that their observance may be improved. Even these are theduties of Kshatriyas. For these reasons also, kingly duties and no other,are the foremost of all. They are, as I believe, the duties of heroes,and they that are heroes are foremost in practising them.’

“Mandhatri said, ‘What duties should be performed by the Yavanas, theKiratas, the Gandharvas, the Chinas, the Savaras, the Barbaras, theSakas, the Tusharas, the Kankas, the Pathavas, the Andhras, the Madrakas,the Paundras, the Pulindas, the Ramathas, the Kamvojas, the severalcastes that have sprung Lip from Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, the Vaisyas,and the Sudras, that reside in the dominions of (Arya) kings? What arethose duties again to the observance of which kings like ourselves shouldforce those tribes that subsist by robbery? I desire to hear all this. Oillustrious god, instruct me. O chief of all the deities, thou art thefriend of us Kshatriyas.’

“Indra said, ‘All the robber tribes should serve their mothers andfathers, their preceptors and other seniors, and recluses living in thewoods. All the robber tribes should also serve their kings. The dutiesand rites inculcated in the Vedas should also be followed by them. Theyshould perform sacrifices in honour of the Pitris, dig wells, (anddedicate them to universal service), give water to thirsty travellers,give away beds and make other seasonable presents unto Brahmanas.Abstention from injury, truth, suppression of wrath, supporting Brahmanasand kinsmen by giving them their dues, maintenance of wives and children,purity, peacefulness, making presents to Brahmanas at sacrifices of everykind, are duties that should be practised by every person of this classwho desire his own prosperity. Such a person should also perform allkinds of Paka-yajnas with costly presents of food and wealth. These andsimilar duties, O sinless one, were laid down in olden days for personsof this class. All these acts which have been laid down for all othersshould be done by persons of also the robber class, O king.’

“Mandhatri said, ‘In the world of men, such wicked men may be seen livingin disguise among all the four orders and in all the four modes of life.’

“Indra said, ‘Upon the disappearance of kingly duties and of the scienceof chastisement, all creatures became exceedingly afflicted, O sinlessone, in consequence of the tyranny of kings. After the expiry of this theKrita age, a confusion will set in, regarding the different modes oflife, and innumerable Bhikshus will appear with sectarian marks ofdifferent kinds. Disregarding the Puranas and the high truths ofreligion, men, urged by lust and wrath, will deviate into Wrong paths.When sinful men are rest rained (from wicked acts) by high-souled personswith the aid of the science of chastisement, then religion, which issuperior to everything and eternal, and which is the source of everythinggood, becomes firmly established. The gifts, and libations, and offeringsto the Pitris of the man that disregards the king who is superior toevery one, become fruitless. The very gods do not disregard a virtuousking who is truly an eternal god. The divine Lord of all creatures,having created the universe, intended the Kshatriya to rule men regardingtheir inclinations and disinclinations in respect of duties. I respectand worship that person who, aided by his understanding, watches thecourse of the duties performed by men. Upon such supervision restKshatriya duties.’

“Bhishma continued, ‘Having said these words, the divine and puissantNarayana in the form of Indra, accompanied by the Maruts, repaired to hiseternal abode of inexhaustible felicity. When, O sinless one, duties aspractised by the good had such a course in days of old, what man ofcleansed soul and learning is there that would disregard the Kshatriya?Like blind men lost on the way, creatures acting and abstainingunrighteously meet with destruction. O tiger among men, do thou adhere tothat circle (of duties) that was first set agoing and to which theancients had recourse. I know, O sinless one, that thou art quitecompetent to do this.’