12.108
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O Parantapa, the dharma, conduct, livelihood, and the results of the means of livelihood for brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras are described here.
The conduct of kings, the treasury, the great creation of wealth, the enhancement of ministers' qualities, and the growth of the subjects.
The regulation of the sixfold policy, virtue, and military strategy, as well as the complete understanding of the wicked and the characteristics of the non-wicked, are to be known.
The characteristics of equals, inferiors, and superiors should be accumulated as appropriate; and for the satisfaction of the middle person, one should maintain and increase (these qualities) accordingly.
O Bhārata, the explanation of the diminished compendium has been properly described as it is, in a concise instructional form, by the combination of the text.
Just as you have described the conduct of the one desiring victory, in the same way, O best of the wise, I wish to hear about the conduct of the groups.
O Bhārata, just as groups flourish and remain united, enemies seek to conquer, while friends achieve success.
Destruction that arises from division is indeed seen among groups. Concealing counsel brings pain to many—this is my view.
O king, I wish to hear this in full, O scorcher of foes; tell me how they would not be divided.
Bhīṣma said.
O Bharata chief, greed and anger are the two that kindle enmity among groups, families, and kings, O lord of people.
It is only greed that one chooses, and immediately after comes anger. These two, being associated with destruction and loss, are mutually produced and dependent on each other.
By means of spies, counsel, strength, acquisition, conciliation, gifts, division, destruction, expenditure, fear, and other strategies, they harass each other.
There, by means of gifts, groups with collective conduct are divided; all, being split and dispirited, go under the enemy's control out of fear.
Groups are destroyed by division; those divided in purpose are overcome by others. Therefore, groups should always strive for unity in associations.
Objects are attained only through combination, strength, and effort; even outsiders form friendships among those engaged in collective activities.
Those who are advanced in knowledge, who praise and serve each other, and who have abandoned ulterior motives, increase happiness in every way.
Assemblies of excellence, who establish the most righteous practices as prescribed by the śāstra and conduct themselves properly, flourish.
Those who restrain their sons and brothers, are always devoted to discipline, and accept the disciplined, such excellent groups prosper.
O mighty-armed one, groups that are always engaged in the arrangements of spies and counsel, and in the accumulations of the treasury, increase everywhere.
O king, groups that always honor wise, valiant, and steadfast great archers in their actions, prosper.
Those who possess wealth, are valiant, are skilled in weapons, and have mastered the scriptures, in times of difficulty and calamity, rescue groups of people who are completely bewildered.
O best of the Bharatas, anger, division, fear, punishment, torment, restraint, and killing quickly bring groups under the control of the enemy.
Therefore, O king, those chiefs of the assemblies should be especially respected, for the conduct of the world depends mostly on them.
O Bhārata, secrecy of counsel should be maintained among chiefs, and a spy should be employed for harassing the enemy. Assemblies are not entirely fit to hear counsel.
But the chiefs of the group should unite and act together for the welfare of the group. If the group is divided and of differing opinions, then purposes fail and misfortunes arise.
When there are those among them who are mutually divided and exercising their own power, the wise should primarily and swiftly impose restraint.
O king, when quarrels arise in families and are neglected by the elders, they cause division within the lineage or group.
Internal fear should be protected; fear from outside should be well protected. Fear that arises from within immediately severs the root.
Sudden anger, greed, delusion, or inherent nature may cause people to stop speaking to each other; this is a sign of defeat.
All are similar by birth and by family, but they differ in valor, intelligence, and in beauty and wealth.
Groups are subdued by enemies due to division and negligence; therefore, union alone is said to be the great refuge of groups.
