12.120
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O Bhārata, you have described many royal duties, which were previously prescribed by the ancient knowers of royal law.
O best of the Bharatas, declare in detail that affection for royal duties which has been spoken of by the former ones and is regarded as the opinion of the virtuous.
Bhīṣma said.
The protection of all beings is considered the highest duty in the kṣatriya order. Now, O king, listen as I explain how that protection should be carried out.
Just as Garuḍa, the eater of serpents, bears many-colored feathers, so too should a king who knows dharma take on many different forms.
One who is neutral, abiding in steadfastness, attains happiness by possessing sharpness, crookedness, endurance, truth, and straightforwardness.
One should present the form and description in which there is benefit in a matter. For a king of many forms, even a subtle matter does not go unnoticed or perish.
One who always keeps his mantra protected should remain silent like a mute and hidden like an autumn fire; with gentle words, he may become prosperous and an expert in the scriptures.
When faced with calamities, one should be vigilant, and just as waters from mountain rains flow into streams, so too should one seek refuge in the twice-born and the perfected sages.
A king who seeks wealth should make his crest like the banner of dharma; he should always be vigilant and act without negligence. Observing the imperishable and perishable in the world, he should move from one support to another, like leaping from tree to tree.
Let one who is clean remain among his own group, casting away feelings with his feet. When his wings have grown, he should move about and guard against his own weaknesses.
He should reveal the faults of the king and remove the opposition; just as one gathers flowers in the forests for sacrificial grass, so should he collect what is needed.
One should seek the protection of exalted and prosperous kings who are as steadfast as mountains; one should also seek shelter in unknown shade and take refuge in a hidden sanctuary.
During the rainy season, with a darkened neck, one should immerse oneself at night in a deserted place; using only a peacock's feather and a string, and moving about unnoticed by women. One should never abandon bodily protection and must safeguard oneself by one's own means.
One must avoid the approaches of spies and traps in the regions, and should also torment that region; otherwise, it may perish again in the thicket.
One should slay those who are angry, excessively poisonous, crooked in conduct, and hostile; one should not take refuge in places with tender shoots, but should reside in densely inhabited places.
A king should always act with focused desire like a peacock, gathering wisdom from all directions as insects do in thickets. In this way, like a peacock, the king should protect his own kingdom.
A wise person should adopt conduct that leads to self-development; practice self-restraint through intellect, and learn from the wisdom of others. Attaining one's own virtues through intellect is the teaching demonstrated by this śāstra.
He should console others with gentle words and assess his own strength; by self-reflection, he should examine his intellect with discernment. The wise, whose mind is inclined toward conciliation, is one who discerns what should and should not be done.
A person of hidden intellect may remain silent when something is to be said, and even if wise as Bṛhaspati, when approached with intelligence, he will act according to his nature, just as heated black iron regains its nature when placed in water.
The king must perform all duties prescribed by the scriptures, whether they pertain to himself or to others.
One should assign tasks to the mean, the cruel, the wise, the brave, and those skilled in wealth according to their own duties; and also to others who are superior in speech.
Even if one does not see the assigned tasks in suitable actions, one should follow all of them, just as stretched strings follow the notes.
One should act in a way that pleases everyone, provided it does not contradict dharma. The king who claims, "This is mine," is steadfast like a mountain, unmovable.
With firm resolve, just as the sun extends its rays, one should uphold dharma alone, treating both what is pleasant and unpleasant equally.
Those who are from good families, of noble nature and region, who know dharma, speak gently, are in their middle age, are faultless, devoted to the welfare of others, and have self-control.
The king should appoint as protectors of dharma and artha in all affairs those who are not greedy, well-trained, self-controlled, and firmly established in dharma.
By this very method, one who is engaged should carry out the arrival and departure of duties, remaining content and aided by spies.
He, whose anger and joy are unfailing, who himself examines his actions, for whom the treasury is self-conviction—the earth itself is Vasundhara (the bestower of wealth) for him.
He whose favor is manifest and whose restraint is proper, who protects himself and his kingdom, he is the king who knows the duties of kings.
One should always observe the kingdom with the thoroughness of the sun rising with its rays; one should discern both spies and non-spies with intelligence, and not become agitated.
The king should accept what comes at the proper time, not out of greed for wealth, and should make it known. Every day, the wise ruler should draw resources from the earth as a wise man milks a cow.
Just as a bee collects honey from flowers in sequence, so should a king accumulate wealth methodically.
Whatever remains protected is beneficial for dharma and kāma; the king, who is learned in śāstra and self-controlled, should accumulate and distribute (wealth or resources).
Do not despise small wealth, nor underestimate enemies. Using intelligence, discern yourself, and never trust the unintelligent.
Steadfastness, dexterity, self-control, superior intelligence, patience, valor, the right place and time, and vigilance—these eight are the causes for the increase of wealth, whether it is small or great.
Even a small fire grows when fed with ghee; a single seed can yield thousands. Observing that both decline and growth can be immense, the wise should never look down upon what is small.
Whether a child, not a child, an old man, or an enemy—whoever it is, should always destroy a negligent man. In time, another will uproot him; the one who knows the right time is the best among kings.
One should take away the enemy's fame, obstruct his righteousness, and destroy his enduring strength for the sake of wealth. Whether the enemy is a hater, weak or strong, therefore, a self-controlled person should never insult the enemy.
Destruction of the enemy, accumulation and protection, and both wealth and desire together with righteousness—therefore, a wise person should make other arrangements; thus, a king should rely on an intelligent advisor.
An illuminated intellect destroys even the powerful; strength, when protected by intellect, increases. An enemy, though growing, is brought low by intellect; whatever action is performed after due deliberation is praiseworthy.
The wise man, though desiring all desires, with little strength and an inferior body, just as he seeks his own self with means, indeed fills the vessel of excellence with abundance.
Therefore, a king, when seized by others, should secure the sources of wealth from all directions. Even if oppressed for a long time, his pride should be as forceful as a lightning strike.
Whether it is knowledge, austerity, or abundant wealth, all of these are attainable through effort. Brahman dwells in embodied beings; therefore, one should recognize effort as supreme.
Where the intelligent and high-minded reside, where Indra, Viṣṇu, and Sarasvatī are present, and where beings always dwell—therefore, the wise should not despise the body.
One should always overcome greed by generosity; a greedy person is never satisfied with the wealth of others. All are greedy in the enjoyment of the fruits of action; one who lacks wealth abandons both righteousness and desire.
Everyone greedy desires the wealth, food, sons, wives, and prosperity of others. All faults arise in the greedy; therefore, the king should not accept greedy people.
In the presence of a noble person, even the lowest should be encouraged; but the wise should destroy all the undertakings of enemies and all calamities.
O Pāṇḍava, a counselor who is well-known among the righteous, secretive, trustworthy, of noble lineage, and sufficient for the administration of the kingdom is suitable.
Understand, with intellect, the kingly duties established by rule, which are stated here in summary. The king who, having followed these, performs them, is truly capable of protecting the earth.
Happiness arising from injustice or disorder, achieved by force, appears in many forms. O king, such happiness has no lasting progress, nor does true happiness for the kingdom arise from it.
One who is self-possessed, having recognized those distinguished by wealth, intellect, character, virtues, and valor in battle, and having discerned the virtuous here, soon destroys his enemies by aiming at the good.
One should consider various means and methods of action, but should not direct the mind towards improper means. A person who is always fault-finding does not attain distinguished prosperity, abundant fame, or wealth.
When affection arises or withdraws, one should discern among friends and withdraw from both. That friend who indeed bears a heavy burden should be called truly affectionate by the wise.
Apply your mind to the royal duties I have spoken to you, especially in the protection of people. By doing so, you will happily obtain the fruit of merit, for the entire world is indeed founded upon the highest dharma.
