12.104
Yudhishthira said.
O grandsire, tell me how a king should behave towards the gentle, the harsh, and in the great assembly, and also towards the enemy.
Bhīṣma said.
Here too, O Yudhiṣṭhira, an ancient story is told: the conversation between Bṛhaspati and Indra.
Vāsava (Indra), the destroyer of enemy heroes, approached Bṛhaspati, saluted him with joined palms, and asked.
O Brahman, how should I act among the harmful without fatigue? By what means should I restrain these people without utterly destroying them?
When the two armies are closely engaged, victory becomes common to both. What blazing and glorious fortune would not abandon me for acting in this way?
Then, the wise and capable expert in royal duties responded to Purandara (Indra) regarding the matters of dharma, artha, and kāma.
One should never wish to restrain wrongdoers through quarrel; such behavior, rooted in anger and impatience, is childish. One should not openly make an enemy with the desire to kill him.
After restraining anger, strength, and impatience, and having self-control, one should serve the enemy as if he were a trusted friend, but without actually trusting him.
One should always speak only what is pleasing and never act in an unpleasing way. One should refrain from pointless quarrels and avoid arguments that only strain the voice.
Just as a charioteer, when properly harnessed, brings the twice-born under his control by his voice, so too should a king, when properly prepared, subdue and destroy his enemies, O Indra.
O Indra, one who has wicked intentions does not always sleep happily after overcoming enemies; rather, in times of confusion, he remains ever alert, like a fire that has arisen.
O lord, one should not launch an attack in general after victory. Only after bringing the enemy under control and making him trustworthy should he be surrendered.
Having deliberated with his ministers, wise counselors, and noble souls, he remained unconquered in heart, disregarding being slighted.
Then, if his step is even slightly unsteady at the time, punishment should be inflicted upon him by trustworthy men.
He who knows the beginning, middle, and end should carefully examine what is hidden; he should, knowing by evidence, point out the faults in the strengths of that person.
Incision, supplementary administration, and mixing with medicines should be done in this way; however, one must never allow the cloth to come into contact with harmful substances or enemies.
Even after enduring for a long time, one should indeed destroy enemies; one who waits for the right time should also delay, so that they may gain confidence.
One should not immediately destroy an enemy; victory over a visible enemy is calm and without agitation. He who does not touch the thorn (wound) nor creates a new wound is victorious.
O Indra, when the time to strike has come, one who desires to kill does not again advance towards the enemy.
The time that passes by a man who is merely waiting for it is indeed rare to return again for one who wishes to fulfill the duty appropriate to the time.
One should maintain steadfastness, accept those approved by the virtuous, always accomplish tasks at the right time, and not oppress when something is not yet attained.
O Purandara, one who has abandoned desire, anger, and ego, and is disciplined, should seek the company of the virtuous in solitude.
O Śakra, softness, punishment, laziness, negligence, and various illusions overcome the unwise.
After overcoming and dispelling these four illusions, one can then attack the enemies without any hesitation.
One should act on a secret only when it can be accomplished by oneself alone. For ministers who conceal a secret, even among themselves, may still divulge it to each other.
If something is considered impossible, then one should seek counsel with others. The Brahma's staff is to be used among the unseen, and the fourfold army among the seen.
The king should first employ division, then silence and punishment likewise; at the proper time, he should apply each of these as appropriate.
One should approach with prostration at the proper time to a stronger enemy; being prepared, he should seek the destruction of the careless one, remaining vigilant.
One should serve even an enemy with prostration, gifts, and sweet words, but should never harbor suspicion.
One should always avoid places associated with suspicious people and never trust them; even those who are vigilant here are rejected after being deceived.
O best of the gods, there is indeed no action more difficult than this; just as the sovereignty over various events, O lord of the immortals.
Thus, it is said that even among those of various natures, possibility exists. One should strive, adopting discipline, restraining both friends and foes.
Even gentle people are disregarded, while people shrink from the harsh. Therefore, do not be only harsh or only gentle; you should be both harsh and gentle as the situation demands.
Just as a breach in a riverbank with a strong current, surrounded by water on all sides, always causes trouble, so too does negligence always bring harm to a kingdom.
O Indra, one should not simultaneously engage with forest-dwellers and enemies; instead, one should deal with them through conciliation, gifts, division, and punishment.
A wise king, even if capable, should skilfully deal with each of these individually among the remaining, and should not attempt to undertake all at once.
When there is a mighty army teeming with horses, elephants, and chariots, rich in foot-soldiers and machines, loyal to its own, and composed of six divisions.
When one perceives a multifaceted increase as being contrary, then, after examining the situation, one should attack the robbers without hesitation.
Neither conciliation nor the doctrine of punishment is praised; nor is gentleness towards enemies always appropriate in expeditions. The destruction of crops, the act causing mixture (of castes, etc.), and again, consideration of nature are also not approved.
One should treat the divisions of illusion and non-subordinate things, as well as sin arising from contact, by means of trustworthy men; this is to be applied in cities and kingdoms.
O slayer of Vṛtra by strength, the kings, having followed the ancient texts of these, conquered all enjoyments in the cities here. In the cities, applying the policy established according to rule.
The wicked, after giving away hidden treasures so-called, cutting off enjoyments and disregarding their own, and having proclaimed their own faults thus, employ (such people) in cities and kingdoms.
Likewise, by others who are versed in the science of love, well-adorned, with perspectives formed by scriptural regulations, well-trained and skilled in commentary and discourse, you should carefully observe the actions of others.
Indra said.
O best of the twice-born, what are the signs of the wicked? How can one recognize a wicked person? Please tell me this, as I have asked.
Bṛhaspati said.
He talks about hidden qualities and finds fault with good qualities; or, when others are praised, he sits silently, turning his face away.
Even when one is silent, if knowledge does not arise, then faith, pressing the lips, and shaking the head become the causes.
He repeatedly acts, sometimes associating and sometimes not, and speaks; without seeing he acts, and even after seeing, he does not address.
One who comes separately and eats together does not do so today according to the rule. Especially, the states in sitting, lying down, and riding in a vehicle are to be observed.
Feeling distress at another's distress and affection for the beloved—this is the mark of a friend. But the opposite should be recognized as the mark of an enemy.
O lord of the gods, you should understand these things as stated. The nature of corrupted men is more powerful.
Thus, O best of the gods, I have explained to you the knowledge of the wicked. Now, having properly heard the true meaning of the śāstra, O lord of the immortals.
Bhīṣma said.
He, engaged in destroying enemies, acted exactly as Bṛhaspati's words, without falsehood. At the right time, for victory, the destroyer of enemies, Purandara, moved and brought the enemies under control.
