12.119
Bhīṣma said.
Thus, a king who assigns his servants, like Śunāsīra, to their proper positions and duties, enjoys the rewards of his kingdom.
A dog, even if honored and placed at a higher position, will leave its own place and seek another; it does not remain at its own place.
Those endowed with their own caste and family, established in their own duties, the wise should have their servants perform their tasks; procedure and forgiveness should not be exercised in improper situations.
A king who assigns appropriate tasks to his servants, and possesses the qualities of a good servant himself, enjoys the rewards.
The śarabha should be in the place of the śarabha, the lion should be empowered like a lion. The tiger should be established like a tiger, and the panther just as a panther, accordingly.
Here, servants should be assigned to appropriate tasks according to the rules; those who desire the fruits of actions should not appoint servants in roles contrary to their suitability.
A king who, acting contrary to the standard, appoints unwise servants does not please his subjects.
A king who desires the welfare of his kingdom should not keep by his side foolish, mean, unrestrained, or low-born men.
Attendants should be virtuous, skilful, valiant, knowledgeable, free from envy, not petty, pure, and capable men.
Those who are subdued, devoted, forbearing, pure, born of nature, and auspicious, remaining in their own places and not far away, may be the king's external agents.
One should always have a lion-like person at the side of a lion; a non-lion, even if with the lion, enjoys the fruit as a lion does.
But a lion who is surrounded by dogs and is engaged in the actions of a lion, is not able to enjoy the fruits of a lion, being attended by dogs.
O king of men, thus, with these valiant, wise, well-learned, and noble-born men together, it is possible to conquer the entire earth.
A servant who is neither unlearned, nor crooked, nor ignorant, nor excessively wealthy should be accepted by kings; among those who have servants, he is the best.
People devoted to their master's work proceed like arrows. Among the servants, those who are well-wishers of the king should be conciliated.
Kings must always protect the treasury with effort, for their power is rooted in it; therefore, make the treasury your foundation.
May your granary always be full and well-stocked with grains. Let it always be entrusted to the worthy; be devoted to wealth and grain.
May your servants always be engaged and skilled in battle. Expertise in the handling of horses is desired here.
O delight of the Kauravas, be one who observes relatives, kinsmen, and people, is surrounded by friends and relations, and seeks the welfare of the citizens' affairs.
This is the ultimate wisdom I have explained to you. Tomorrow, dear one, do you wish to hear any further illustration?
