12.090
Bhīṣma said:
In your territory, trees and edible fruits should not be cut. The wise declare that for Brāhmaṇas, root-fruits are considered righteous.
Other people should eat only what is left over by the Brāhmaṇas. No one should ever take anything by obstructing a Brāhmaṇa in any way.
O king, if a brāhmaṇa, troubled by means of livelihood, wishes to renounce the narrative, then, having considered, his livelihood should be maintained along with his wife.
If he does not return, he should be addressed in the assembly of Brāhmaṇas. Now, in whom will this world establish its boundaries?
O son of Kunti, without doubt, one should desist; if not, he will speak further. This command should be carried out secretly beforehand.
People say this, O Brāhmaṇa, but I do not believe it. If, after inviting, one should live on enjoyments without earning a livelihood, then that should be practiced.
Agriculture, cow protection, and trade are the means of livelihood for people here; but higher than these is the threefold Vedic knowledge, which also nourishes all beings.
While she was striving, those who became her opponents—enemies—Brahmā then created the kṣatriya order here for their destruction.
O Kauravanandana, destroy your enemies, protect your people, perform sacrifices with proper rituals, and as a hero, fight bravely in battle.
A king who protects those who ought to be protected is the best among noble kings. Those who do not protect them have no true purpose at all.
O Yudhishthira, a king must always understand from all people. Therefore, for that reason, a man should only enjoy what comes from humans.
Always protect everyone: protect outsiders from insiders, insiders from outsiders, and always safeguard your own from your own.
A king who safeguards himself in every way should also protect the earth, for wise people declare that everything is ultimately rooted in oneself.
One should always reflect: "What is my flaw? Which attachment do I have? Is there anything in me that is not properly subdued? From where could a fault arise in me?"
The earth should be patrolled by approved secret agents and spies. If my conduct is proper, whether people praise it or not, I wonder if my reputation is pleasing in the country and in the kingdom as well.
Of those who know dharma, the steadfast, those who do not flee in battle, the kingdom, those who depend on it, and those who are dependents of the king.
O Yudhishthira, you should employ all those ministers and mediators, whether they praise or blame you, provided they are all well-trained.
O Bhārata, it is not possible, O dear one, to please everyone exclusively; friend, enemy, and also the neutral among all beings.
Among those who are equal in strength and virtues, how can anyone be superior? Yet, he alone should enjoy (the fruits) among men.
Those moving creatures indeed devoured the immobile ones, both the fangless and the fanged, just as angry venomous serpents devour other serpents.
O Yudhiṣṭhira, you should always be vigilant and not careless regarding these matters. For, like Bhāruṇḍa birds, these indeed fall down due to carelessness.
Are your merchants in the kingdom free from distress, not afflicted by taxes, able to buy much with little, and do they make their profits through their efforts in traversing forests?
Are the farmers, who are excessively oppressed, not abandoning the kingdom? They bear the burden of the kings and also support others.
By what is given here, the gods, the groups of ancestors, humans, serpents and rākṣasas, birds, and animals all live.
O Bhārata, this is the conduct and protection of the kingdom for you. Based on this very purpose, I shall further explain, O Pāṇḍava.
