Chapter 67

“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast said what the duties are of the four modesof the life and the four orders. Tell me now, O grandsire, what are theprincipal duties of a kingdom.’

“Bhishma said, ‘The (election and) coronation of a king is the first dutyof a kingdom. A kingdom in which anarchy prevails becomes weak and issoon afflicted by robbers.[212] In kingdoms torn by anarchy,righteousness cannot dwell. The inhabitants devour one another. Ananarchy is the worst possible of states. The Srutis declare that incrowning a king, it is Indra that is crowned (in the person of the king).A person who is desirous of prosperity should worship the king as heshould worship Indra himself. No one should dwell in kingdoms torn byanarchy. Agni does not convey (to the gods) the libations that are pouredupon him in kingdoms where anarchy prevails. If a powerful kingapproaches kingdoms weakened by anarchy, from desire of annexing them tohis dominions, the people should go forward and receive the invader withrespect. Some conduct would be consistent with wise counsels. There is noevil greater than anarchy. If the powerful invader be inclined to equity,everything will be right. If, on the other hand, he be engaged, he mayexterminate all. That cow which cannot be easily milked has to suffermuch torture. On the other hand, that cow which is capable of beingeasily milked, has not to suffer any torture whatever. The wood thatbends easily does not require to be heated. The tree that bends easily,has not to suffer any torture (at the hands of the gardener). Guided bythese instances, O hero, men should bend before those that are powerful.The man that bends his head to a powerful person really bends his head toIndra. For these reasons, men desirous of prosperity should (elect and)crown some person as their king. They who live in countries where anarchyprevails cannot enjoy their wealth and wives. During times of anarchy,the sinful man derive great pleasure by robbing the wealth of otherpeople. When, however, his (ill-got) wealth is snatched by others, hewishes for a king. It is evident, therefore, that in times of anarchy thevery wicked even cannot be happy. The wealth of one is snatched away bytwo. That of those two is snatched away by many acting together. He whois not a slave is made a slave. Women, again, are forcibly abducted. Forthese reasons the gods created kings for protecting the people. If therewere no king on earth for wielding the rod of chastisement, the strongwould then have preyed on the weak after the manner of fishes in thewater. In hath been heard by us that men, in days of old, in consequenceof anarchy, met with destruction, devouring one another like strongerfishes devouring the weaker ones in the water. It hath been heard by usthat a few amongst them then, assembling together, made certain compacts,saying, ‘He who becomes harsh in speech, or violent in temper, he whoseduces or abducts other people’s wives or robs the wealth that belongsto others, should be cast off by us.’ For inspiring confidence among allclasses of the people, they made such a compact and lived for some time.Assembling after some time they proceeded in affliction to the Grandsire,saying, ‘Without a king, O divine lord, we are going to destruction.Appoint some one as our king. All of us shall worship him and he shallprotect us.’ Thus solicited, the Grandsire asked Manu. Manu, however, didnot assent to the proposal.

“Manu said, ‘I fear all sinful acts. To govern a kingdom is exceedinglydifficult, especially among men who are always false and deceitful intheir behaviour.’

“Bhishma continued, ‘The inhabitants of the earth then said unto him, ‘Donot fear. The sins that men commit will touch those only that commit them(without staining thee in the least). For the increase of thy treasury,we will give thee a fiftieth part of our animals and precious metals anda tenth part of our grain. When our maidens also will become desirous ofwedding, we shall, when the question comes up, give thee the mostbeautiful ones among them. Those amongst men who will become the foremostof all in the use of weapons and in riding animals and driving vehicles,shall proceed behind thee like the deities behind Indra. With thystrength enhanced in this way, and becoming invincible and possessed ofgreat prowess, thou wilt be our king and protect us happily like Kuveraprotecting the Yakshas and the Rakshasas. A fourth part of the meritwhich men will earn under thy protection will be thine. Strengthened bythat merit so easily obtained by thee, do thou protect us, O king, likeHe of a hundred sacrifices protecting the deities. Like the Sun scorchingeverything with his rays, go out for winning victories. Crush the prideof foes and let righteousness always triumph (in the world).’ Thusaddressed by those inhabitants of the earth, Manu, possessed of greatenergy, proceeded, accompanied by a large force. Of high descent, heseemed then to blaze with prowess. Beholding the might of Manu, like thegods eyeing the might of Indra, the inhabitants of the earth becameinspired with fear and set their hearts upon their respective duties.Manu then made his round through the world, checking everywhere all actsof wickedness and setting all men to their respective duties, like arain-charged cloud (in its mission of beneficence).’

“Those, O Yudhishthira, those men on earth who desire prosperity shouldfirst elect and crown a king for the protection of all. Like discipleshumbling themselves in the presence of the preceptors or the gods in thepresence of Indra, all men should humble themselves before the king. Onethat is honoured by his own people becomes an object of regard with hisfoes also, while one that is disregarded by his own is overridden byfoes. If the king be overridden by his foes, all his subjects becomeunhappy. Therefore, umbrellas and vehicles and outward ornaments, andviands, and drinks, and mansions, and seats, and beds, and all utensilsfor use and show, should be assigned to the king. By such means the kingwill succeed in discharging his duties of protection (the better) andbecome irresistible. He should speak with smiles. Addressed sweetly byothers, he should address others sweetly. Grateful (to those that servehim), firmly devoted (to those that deserve his respect), and withpassions under control, he should give unto others their due. Looked uponby others he should look at them mildly, sweetly, and handsomely.’