Chapter 68
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Why, O bull of Bharata’s race, have the Brahmanassaid that the king, that ruler of men, is a god?’
Chapter 69
“Yudhishthira said, ‘What other special duties remain for the king todischarge? How should he protect his kingdom and how subdue his foes? Howshould he employ his spies? How should he inspire confidence in the fourorders of his subjects, his own servants, wives, and sons, O Bharata?’
Chapter 70
“Yudhishthira said, ‘By adopting that conduct, O thou that art conversantwith every kind of behaviour, can a king succeed in easily acquiring,both here and hereafter, objects productive of happiness in the end?’
Chapter 71
Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grand sire, in what way should the kingprotect his subjects so as to be able to avoid grief and so as not tooffend against righteousness?’
Chapter 72
“Bhishma said, ‘That person, O king, who would protect the good andpunish the wicked, should be appointed as his priest by the king. In thisconnection is cited the old story about the discourse between Pururavas,the son of Aila and Matariswan.’
Chapter 73
“Bhishma said, ‘The king, with an eye to both religious merit and profitwhose considerations are often very intricate, should, without delay,appoint a priest possessed of learning and intimate acquaintance with theVedas and the (other) scriptures.
Chapter 74
“Bhishma said, ‘It is said that the preservation and growth of thekingdom rest upon the king. The preservation and growth of the king restupon the king’s priest.
Chapter 75
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Tell me, O grandsire, that conduct by which a kingsucceeds in aggrandising his subjects and earning regions of felicity inthe other world.’
Chapter 76
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, amongst Brahmanas some are engaged inthe duties proper to their order, while others are engaged in otherduties. Tell me the difference between these two classes!’
Chapter 77
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Of whose wealth, O bull of Bharata’s race, is theking regarded to be the lord? And what conduct also should the kingadopt? Discourse to me on this, O grandsire.’