12.107
The prince said.
O Brāhmaṇa, I do not wish to live by deceit or hypocrisy; nor would I desire wealth gained through unrighteous means, even if it is very great.
O Lord, I have already set this aside myself, so that no one would suspect me, or so that whatever is wholly beneficial may result.
One who desires to live in this world should act with non-cruelty and righteousness; I am not able to do this, nor is this fitting for me.
The sage said.
You speak as a warrior, having attained this state. By nature and intellect, you are indeed of wonderful vision.
I will strive for the benefit of both you and him; or I will bring about a union that is eternal and unfailing.
Who would not appoint as a minister someone like you, born in a noble family, compassionate, learned, and skilled in statecraft?
You, who have left the kingdom and reached the greatest misfortune, now wish to live as a kṣatriya by following a path of compassion.
O dear one, the son of Videha, who is steadfast in truth, will come to my house; whatever I instruct him, he will certainly do without any doubt.
Bhīṣma said.
Then, having summoned Vaideha, the sage said: "This person, born in the royal family, is known to me as an intimate."
He is pure-souled like a mirror, like the autumn moon. I have examined him in every way and do not see any fault in him.
Therefore, let there be an alliance for you, with trust in this as in me. A kingdom cannot be ruled without a minister, O destroyer of enemies.
A minister must be both brave and intelligent; through these qualities, he perceives dangers to the king and manages the kingdom. For the righteous, there is no other path like this anywhere in the world.
This prince, who has mastered himself and follows the path of the virtuous, being well-collected and guided by dharma by you, should, when served, conquer your great hosts of enemies.
If this person, wishing to conquer, fights you in battle for the ancestral position, that is the proper duty of a kṣatriya.
You too, established in the resolve to conquer, should fight back. O Vaideha, even without fighting, by my command, you are under my authority and your position is secure.
Therefore, you should consider what is dharma, having set aside adharma that is not appropriate now. Indeed, you should not abandon your own dharma either out of desire or out of hostility.
O dear one, victory is not always certain, nor is defeat always certain; therefore, one should both feed and accept food from others.
O dear one, both victory and defeat are perceived only within oneself; for those who act without leaving anything undone, fear arises from the very act of complete accomplishment.
Thus addressed, he respectfully honored and received the foremost among Brāhmaṇas, considered him worthy of worship, and, having been permitted, replied with these words.
One should speak in the manner that a great wise person, a learned one, and one seeking welfare would speak—whatever is appropriate for both parties.
Thus addressed, I will act accordingly. This is truly the highest good; for me, there is no further deliberation about it.
Then, having called Kauśalyā, the king of Videha (Janaka) said: 'I have conquered by righteousness, by policy, and by strength.'
O best of kings, I have been conquered by you through your own qualities. You should conduct yourself as one who has conquered himself, without disregarding the self.
I do not disregard your intellect, nor do I disregard your manliness. Do not think that I disregard the idea of 'I conquer'; let yourself act as one who is already victorious.
O king, after being duly honored, you will go to the house from my house. Then, after duly honoring the Brāhmaṇa, those two, trusting, went to their homes.
Then the king of Videha easily brought Kausalya into the house and honored him, who was worthy of worship, with water for washing the feet, offerings, and madhuparka.
He gave his daughter and various jewels to him. This is the supreme duty of kings: to endure both victory and defeat.
