12.094
Vāmadeva said.
Wherever the strong oppress the weak with unrighteousness, their descendants continue to follow that way of life.
People follow the king, even if he leads them to evil. The kingdom ruled by an undisciplined person quickly perishes.
The means of livelihood that people accept from one who is in a normal state, the same, when from one in adversity, even his own people do not tolerate.
Where a king acts rashly and violently, disregarding the guidance of the śāstra, he quickly perishes.
He who, as a Kṣatriya, does not follow the conduct excessively practiced by both the conquered and unconquered, and departs from the duty of a Kṣatriya, is such.
In battle, if a king, out of hatred, does not honor an enemy who has fulfilled his duty, then he departs from the true path of a warrior.
A capable and pleasant-faced king should show compassion in adversity. He becomes dear to all beings, and his prosperity is never lost.
If someone has done something unpleasant to another, he should then do more of what is pleasant for that person; soon, the one who was disliked will become dear if he acts in a pleasing way.
One should avoid speaking falsehoods, act kindly even when not requested, and never abandon righteousness for the sake of desire, anger, or hatred.
One should not be ashamed when questioned, should not speak arrogantly, should not be hasty, nor harbor envy; in this way, one earns the respect of others.
One should not be overly elated by what is pleasing, nor distressed by what is unpleasant; nor should one lose composure in financial difficulties, always keeping in mind the welfare of the people.
The king who always acts virtuously and does what is dear, his actions succeed and he is never forsaken by prosperity.
A king should withdraw from the hostile, remain with the agreeable, and associate with the devoted; this is indeed the conduct of the virtuous in this world.
One should engage in great tasks only a person whose senses are controlled, who is wise, thoroughly devoted, pure, capable, and truly dedicated.
One who is thus endowed with virtues, not attached to the king, and does not envy the master in matters, should not be engaged in work.
Deluded, sensual, greedy, ignoble in conduct, deceitful, ever scheming, violent, of evil intellect, and lacking in learning.
A king who has given up addiction to liquor, gambling, women, and hunting, and who applies himself to great duties, is regarded as a king who brings prosperity.
But the king who has self-control and protects those who should be protected—his subjects prosper, and he surely attains great success.
A king should observe all other kings, whoever they may be, through friends who are not well-known; by doing so, the king will not be harmed.
After harming a powerful person, one who is far away should not feel secure thinking 'I am safe'; for, like hawks, these (enemies) indeed swoop down upon the careless by their actions.
A person who is firmly established and wicked, knowing his own strength, should attack only the weak and not those who are stronger.
A king who has gained the earth through valor and protects his subjects with righteousness should, if necessary, meet his end in battle, being ever devoted to righteousness.
Everything here ends in death; nothing here is free from affliction. Therefore, a king established in righteousness should protect his subjects through righteousness.
The earth prospers in time through five things: protection, administration, war, instruction in righteousness, and well-considered counsel, bringing happiness.
The king, O best among kings, whose these (principles) are protected, always abiding here, enjoys this earth.
It is not possible for one person alone to continuously observe all these matters. By appointing trustworthy persons among them, the king enjoys his kingdom for a long time.
People make dear the one who is a giver, who shares, who is endowed with gentleness, who is pure, and who is not abandoned by the good.
But the one who, having realized the supreme good, attains that knowledge and abandons his own opinion, is followed by the world.
He who, being desirous of wealth, cannot endure words of opposition, and who, dispirited, hears contrary things, does not remain so for long, as if.
He who fails to fully discern the mind of those of unworthy conduct, whether conquered or unconquered, and abandons the duty of a warrior, is such a person.
He who abandons his chief ministers and chooses inferior ones as favorites, when he is afflicted by deep misfortune, truly finds no remedy.
One who, out of hatred, does not recognize auspicious qualities or his own kinsmen, whose mind is unsteady and who is steadfast in anger, will never have his purpose fulfilled.
Now, he who, by means of the beloved, brings even those unpleasant to the heart but endowed with virtues under control, remains famous for a long time.
One should not undertake matters at the wrong time, nor ever be agitated in unpleasant situations; in pleasant situations, one should not rejoice excessively, and should engage in actions conducive to health.
One should always consider: Which kings are affectionate towards people, which have sought refuge out of fear, and which among them have faults of neutrality.
One who is strong should never trust the weak, for, like the Bhāruṇḍa birds, they fall due to carelessness.
Even a wicked person may harm a husband who possesses every virtue and speaks kindly; therefore, one should indeed be wary of such people.
Yayati, the son of Nahusha, indeed spoke this royal upaniṣad. One who is engaged in the conquest of men destroys even the unsurpassed enemies.
