Chapter 119
“Bhishma said, ‘That king who, guided by the lesson to be drawn from thestory of the dog, appoints his servants to offices for which each is fit,succeeds in enjoying the happiness that is attached to sovereignty.
Chapter 120
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast, O Bharata, discoursed upon the manyduties of king-craft that were observed and laid down in days of old bypersons of ancient times conversant with kingly duties.
Chapter 121
“Yudhishthira said, ‘O grandsire, thou hast now finished thy discourseupon the duties of kings. From what thou hast said it seems thatChastisement occupies a high position and is the lord of everything foreverything depends upon Chastisement.
Chapter 122
“Bhishma said, ‘In this connection is cited the old story that follows.There was among the Angas a king of great splendour, called Vasuhoma.
Chapter 123
“Yudhishthira said, ‘I wish, O sire, to hear the settled conclusions onthe subject of Virtue, Wealth, and Pleasure. Depending upon which ofthese does the course of life proceed? What are the respective roots ofVirtue, Wealth, and Pleasure? What are again the results of those three?They are sometimes see n to mingle with one another, and sometimes toexist separately and independently of one another.’
Chapter 124
“Yudhishthira said, ‘All persons on earth, O foremost of men, applaudvirtuous behaviour. I have, however, great doubts with respect to thisobject of their praise. If the topic be capable of being understood byus, O foremost of virtuous men, I desire to hear everything about the wayin which virtuous behaviour can be acquired. How indeed, is thatbehaviour acquired, O Bharata! I desire to hear it. Tell me also, Oforemost of speakers, what has been said to be the characteristics ofthat behaviour.’
Chapter 125
“Yudhishthira said, ‘Thou hast said, O grandsire, that behaviour is thefirst (of requisites for a man). Whence, however, does Hope arise? Tellme what it is. This great doubt has taken possession of my mind.
Chapter 126
“Bhishma said, ‘The king, having entered that large forest, came upon anasylum of ascetics.
Chapter 127
“Bhishma said, ‘Then that best of Rishis, viz., the regenerate Rishabha,sitting in the midst of all those Rishis, smiled a little and said thesewords:
Chapter 128
“The king said, ‘I am a king called by the name of Viradyumna. My famehas spread in all directions. My son Bhuridyumna hath been lost.