12.068
Yudhishthira said:
O revered grandfather, O bull among the Bharatas, tell me: whom do the brāhmaṇas call the divine being among men—the king, the lord of men?
Bhīṣma said:
Here too, an ancient story is told: how Vasumanas questioned Bṛhaspati, O Bhārata.
King Vasumanā, the best among the wise and a descendant of Kausalya, asked the great sage Bṛhaspati, who was accomplished in wisdom.
Having completed all the rites of discipline, the Vinaya-sacrifice of Bṛhaspati, and, after the offering, having bowed respectfully according to the prescribed procedure.
Engaged in the welfare of all beings and seeking the welfare of his subjects, the lord of the people asked about the procedure of governance rooted in dharma.
By what do beings grow, and by what do they perish? O greatly wise one, worshipping what may they attain supreme happiness?
Thus, when asked by the illustrious queen Kausalya, Bṛhaspati, calm and composed, explained to her the royal honors.
O great king, dharma is rooted in the king and is observed among the people. It is out of fear of the king that the subjects do not harm one another.
The king, indeed, pleases the entire world, which is arisen and eager, by righteousness; having pleased (them), he shines.
O king, just as, if the moon and sun did not rise, beings would be immersed in darkness, unable to see one another.
Just as, in a place without water, fishes, and in a silent place, birds, would freely roam as they wish, coming and going again and again.
If, by agitation and transgressions, the parts even endure each other, they would quickly come to non-existence; there is no doubt about this here.
In the same way, without a king, these people would be destroyed; just as cattle without a herdsman would be lost in darkness and ignorance.
If the king does not protect, the strong will seize the possessions of the weak and destroy those who strive to defend themselves.
If the king does not protect, evil people would suddenly steal vehicles, clothes, ornaments, gems, and various other things.
If in this world people say 'this is mine,' there would be appropriation; if the king does not protect, universal destruction would arise.
If the king does not protect, then even the mother, father, elder, teacher, guest, or preceptor may be afflicted or harmed.
If the king does not protect, then various kinds of punishment would fall in many ways even upon those who practice dharma, and unrighteousness would prevail.
If the king did not protect, killing, binding, and affliction would always befall the wealthy, and they would not have any sense of possession.
If the king does not protect, this world would become as empty as the sky within, fall into the hands of robbers, and descend into terrible hell.
If the king did not protect, there would be no protection of progeny, no agriculture, no trade, and the threefold dharma would sink and not exist.
If the king does not protect, then sacrifices with properly obtained fees, marriages, or assemblies would not proceed according to rule.
If the king did not protect, bulls would not move, grinders would not be churned, and villages would go to ruin.
If the king does not protect, then in a moment, everything—frightened, panic-stricken, and unconscious—would perish.
If the king does not protect, then even the yearly sacrifices would not remain free from all fear, nor would the gifts be properly given.
If the king does not protect, then Brāhmaṇas, even if they have studied the four Vedas, are ascetics, bathed in knowledge and austerity, should not study.
If the king does not protect, one hand would steal from another, all barriers would be broken, and everyone afflicted by fear would flee.
People deprived of wise men do not attain union with righteousness. If the king does not protect, everyone acts according to his own will and desires.
If the king does not protect, then unrighteousness would arise, there would indeed be a mixing of castes, and famine would enter the kingdom.
Indeed, people, protected by the king, sleep with their house doors open as they wish, everywhere, free from any fear.
No one endures an unprovoked insult; then how could one tolerate the transgression of the hand? If the king among men is a righteous protector.
When the king protects, women and men, adorned with all ornaments, walk fearlessly on the road.
When the king protects, people indeed adhere to dharma, do not harm each other, and support one another.
The three classes perform various great sacrifices and, being engaged, study the scriptures when the king offers protection.
Livelihood is truly the foundation of this world; it is always upheld by the three Vedas. Everything functions properly when the king protects it.
When the king assumes the highest responsibility and bears it for his subjects with great strength, then the people are content.
Who would not worship him, in whose absence all beings would cease to exist everywhere, and in whose presence existence is eternal?
He who bears the burden that brings happiness to all people, who stands for what is dear and beneficial to the king, truly conquers both worlds.
Whoever even mentally contemplates sin, that man, without doubt, suffers here and, after death, falls into hell.
A man should never be despised, says the king, for a great divinity truly dwells in human form.
He who always assumes five forms associated with time becomes Agni, the Sun, Death, Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), and Yama.
When the king is falsely accused, then he, burning away sins with fierce energy, becomes like fire.
When the king, through the agency of a spy, observes all beings and, having ensured their welfare, proceeds, then he becomes like the sun.
When, in anger, he destroys impure men by the hundreds, along with their sons, grandsons, and ministers, then he becomes like Death itself.
When Yama restrains all the unrighteous with sharp punishments and favors the righteous, then he truly becomes Yama at that time.
But when he rewards benefactors with streams of wealth and takes away various gems from wrongdoers.
Prosperity is given to some and taken away from others; then Vaiśravaṇa becomes the king, the lord of the earth, in the world.
One should not remain in blame; a skillful person whose actions are unwearied, desiring righteous gain, and without envy towards the Lord.
No one attains happiness by acting against the king; whether he is a son, brother, or friend, even if he is equal to oneself.
The remainder, having the course of Kṛṣṇa (night), should be consumed by fire whose charioteer is wind. But for one who is subdued by the king, no remainder exists anywhere.
One should keep away from all things that must be protected by him; just as one shuns death, a man should avoid the seizure of royal revenue.
Just as an animal perishes instantly upon touching a trap, so too should a wise person here protect royal property as he would his own.
Those who steal the king's wealth, being unwise, fall into a great and dreadful hell without foundation for a long duration.
King Bhoja, the great emperor, Kṣatriya, lord of the earth—who, being praised in such words, would not wish to worship him?
Therefore, a person who wishes to live, who is self-controlled, disciplined, intelligent, mindful, and skillful, should seek the protection of the king.
A king should honor as his minister one who is grateful, wise, magnanimous, steadfast in devotion, self-controlled, ever righteous, firm, and established in stability.
One should seek the company of a person who is firmly devoted, wise, knowledgeable in dharma, self-controlled, heroic, not engaged in petty deeds, and who avoids the company of the prohibited.
The king makes a man bold and strengthens the weak. One who is opposed by the king, how can he have happiness? The king makes the one he favors happy.
The king is truly the heart and greatest refuge of his people; he is their foundation and highest happiness. Those who take refuge in him, O men, rightly attain success in this world and the next, conquering all, with the king.
The king, after instructing the earth and ruling with self-restraint, truth, and friendship, and having performed great sacrifices, attains an honored place in heaven.
Thus addressed by his teacher, the heroic Kausalya, best among kings, diligently protected his subjects.
