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Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O best of Kurus, grandfather, I ask you: How should a righteous king, desiring to stand in dharma, act? Please tell me that.
Bhīṣma said:
Here too, they recount this ancient story, as recited with practical insight by the wise Vāmadeva.
The powerful and pure king Vasumanā of Kosala asked the illustrious sage Vāmadeva.
O revered one, please instruct me with words that are righteous and purposeful, so that by following such conduct, I may not deviate from my own duty.
Vāmadeva, the ascetic and foremost among those who recite mantras, addressed him, who was golden-complexioned and seated nearby, resembling Yayāti, the son of Nahusha.
Follow only righteousness; there is nothing superior to righteousness. Kings who are established in righteousness truly conquer this earth.
A king who regards dharma as superior to the attainment of wealth, and aligns his intellect with truth, shines by virtue of dharma.
If a king who observes unrighteousness acts by force, both the foremost and the middle persons quickly depart from here.
An unrighteous and extremely sinful minister who destroys the people's dharma deserves execution; he, along with his entire retinue, quickly perishes.
A person who neglects his duties, acts on his desires, and boasts—even if he gains the whole world—will quickly perish.
Now, a wise king who does not take what is not his, who is auspicious, free from envy, and has conquered his senses, grows in greatness like the ocean increases by streams.
The king should always reflect: 'I am not perfect'—whether in righteousness, desire, wealth, intellect, or friendship.
It is indeed upon these that all worldly conduct is established. By listening to these, one attains fame, glory, prosperity, and offspring.
Thus, one who is devoted to dharma and contemplates its purpose, and who acts after carefully examining the objectives, certainly attains greatness.
A king who neither gives nor shows much affection, who rules his people only through punishment, and who is rash by nature, is quickly destroyed.
Now, when a sin is committed with intelligence, the unintelligent person does not perceive it; being associated with disgrace, even after death, he attains hell.
Then, people try to remove the misfortune that befalls an honorable, generous, pure, and wise person, as if it were their own.
He who has no teacher in dharma, does not consult others, and acts according to his own will in matters of wealth, does not enjoy great prosperity for long.
He who is foremost in dharma, who himself examines matters, is weighty; one whose chief concern is dharma attains great rewards among people for a long time.
