Chapter 93

“Vamadeva continued, ‘When the king, who is powerful, acts unrighteouslytowards the weak, they who take their birth in his race imitate the sameconduct. Others, again, imitate that wretch who sets sin agoing. Suchimitation of the man ungoverned by restraints soon brings destructionupon the kingdom. The conduct of a king who is observant of his properduties, is accepted by men in general as a model for imitation. Theconduct, however, of a king who falls away from his duties, is nottolerated by his very kinsfolk. That rash king who, disregarding theinjunctions laid down in the scriptures, acts with highhandedness in hiskingdom, very soon meets with destruction. That Kshatriya who does notfollow the conduct observed from days of old by other Kshatriyas.conquered or unconquered, is said to fall away from Kshatriya duties.Having seized in battle a royal foe that did some good to the conqueroron a former occasion, that king who does not, actuated by malice, pay himhonours, is said to fall away from Kshatriya duties. The king shoulddisplay his power, live cheerfully, and do what is necessary in seasonsof danger. Such a ruler becomes the beloved of all creatures and neverfalls away from prosperity. If thou doest disservice to any person, thoushouldst, when the turn comes, do him service. One who is not lovedbecomes an object of love, if he does what is agreeable. Untruthfulspeeches should be avoided. Thou shouldst do good to others without beingsolicited. Thou shouldst never abandon righteousness from lust or wrathor malice. Do not give harsh answers when questioned by anybody. Do notutter undignified speeches. Never be in a hurry to do anything. Neverindulge in malice. By such means is a foe won over. Do not give way toexclusive joy when anything agreeable occurs, nor suffer thyself to beoverwhelmed with sorrow when anything disagreeable occurs. Never indulgein grief when thy pecuniary resources are exhausted, and always rememberthe duty of doing good to thy subjects. That king who always does what isagreeable by virtue of his disposition achieves success in all hismeasures and is never shorn of prosperity. The king should always, withheedfulness, cherish that devoted servant who abstains from doing what isinjurious to his master and who always does what is for his good. Heshould appoint in all great affairs persons that have subjugated theirsenses, that are devotedly loyal and of pure behaviour, and that arepossessed of ability. That person, who by the possession of suchqualifications pleases the king and who is never heedless in taking careof the interests of his master should be appointed by the king in theaffairs of his kingdom. On the other hand, the king becomes divested ofprosperity by appointing to important offices men that are fools andslaves of their senses, that are covetous and of disrespectable conduct,that are deceitful and hypocritical, that are malicious, wicked-souled,and ignorant, that are low-minded, and addicted to drink, gambling,women, and hunting. That king, who, first protecting his own self,protects others that deserve protection, feels the satisfaction offinding his subjects growing in prosperity. Such a king succeeds also inobtaining greatness. A king should, by secret agents that are devoted tohim, watch the conduct and acts of other kings. By such means can heobtain superiority. Having injured a powerful king, one should notcomfort himself with the thought that he (the injurer) lives at a greatdistance from the injured. Such a king when injured falls upon theinjurer like the hawk swooping down upon its prey, in moments ofheedlessness. A king whose power has been consolidated and who isconfident of his own strength, should assail a neighbour who is weakerthan himself but never one that is stronger. A king who is devoted tovirtue, having acquired the sovereignty of the earth by prowess, shouldprotect his subjects righteously and slaughter foes in battle. Everythingbelonging to this world is destined to destruction. Nothing here isdurable. For this reason, the king, adhering to righteousness, shouldprotect his subjects righteously. The defence of forts, battle,administration of justice, consultations on questions of policy, andkeeping the subjects in happiness, these five acts contribute to enlargethe dominions of a king. That king who takes proper care of these isregarded to be the best of kings. By always attending to these, a kingsucceeds in protecting his kingdom. It is impossible, however, for oneman to supervise all these matters at all times. Making over suchsupervision to his ministers, a King may govern the earth for ever.[277]The people make such a person their king who is liberal, who shares allobjects of enjoyment with others, who is possessed of a mild disposition,who is of pure behaviour, and who will never abandon his subjects. He isobeyed in the world who, having listened to counsels of wisdom, acceptsthem, abandoning his own opinions. That king who does not tolerate thecounsels of a well-wisher in consequence of their opposition to his ownviews, who listens with inattention to what is said unto him inopposition to his views, and who does not always follow the conduct ofhigh and noble persons conquered or unconquered, is said to fall awayfrom the duties of Kshatriyas. From ministers that have once beenchastised, from women in especial, from mountains and inaccessibleregions, from elephants and horses and reptiles, the king should always,with heedfulness, protect his own self.[278] That king who, abandoninghis chief ministers, makes favourites of low persons, soon falls intodistress, and never succeeds in compassing the (intended) ends of hismeasures. That king of infirm soul, who, yielding to the influence ofwrath and malice, does not love and honour those amongst his kinsmen thatare possessed of good qualities, is said to live on the very verge ofdestruction. That king, who attaches to himself accomplished persons bydoing good to them even though he may not like them at heart, succeeds inenjoying fame for ever. Thou shouldst never impose taxes unseasonably.Thou shouldst not be grieved at the occurrence of anything disagreeable,nor rejoice exceedingly at anything agreeable. Thou shouldst always setthyself to the accomplishment of good acts. Who amongst the dependentkings is truly devoted to thee, and who is loyal to thee from fear, andwho amongst them has faults, should always be ascertained by thee. Theking, even if he be powerful, should trust them that are weak, for inmoments of heedlessness the weak may assail the powerful like a flock ofvultures seizing their prey. A man of sinful soul seeks to injure hismaster even if the latter be sweet-speeched and possessed of everyaccomplishment. Do not, therefore, place thy confidence upon such men.Nahusha’s son Yayati, in declaring the mysteries of king-craft, said thata person engaged in ruling men should slay even foes that arecontemptible.'”