thou at first gain the confidence of thy foes, and when thou has gained it thou shouldst then spring upon them like a wolf.  For it hath been said that in the acquisition of wealth even the garb of holiness might be employed as a hooked staff to bend down a branch in order to pluck the fruits that are ripe.  The method followed in the plucking of fruits should be the method in destroying foes, for thou shouldst proceed on the principle of selection.  Bear thy foe upon thy shoulders till the time cometh when thou canst throw him down, breaking him into pieces like an earthen pot thrown down with violence upon a stony surface.  The foe must never be let off even though he addresseth thee most piteously.  No pity shouldst thou show him but slay him at once.  By the arts of conciliation or the expenditure of money should the foe be slain.  By creating disunion amongst his allies, or by the employment of force, indeed by every means in thy power shouldst thou destroy thy foe.’

“Dhritarashtra said, ’Tell me truly how a foe can be destroyed by the arts of conciliation or the expenditure of money, or by producing disunion or by the employment of force.’

“Kanika replied, ’Listen, O monarch, to the history of a jackal dwelling in days of yore in the forest and fully acquainted with the science of politics.  There was a wise jackal, mindful of his own interests who lived in the company of four friends, viz., a tiger, a mouse, a wolf, and a mongoose.  One day they saw in the woods a strong deer, the leader of a herd, whom, however, they could not seize for his fleetness and strength.  They thereupon called a council for consultation.  The jackal opening the proceedings said, ’O tiger, thou hast made many an effort to seize this deer, but all in vain simply because this deer is young, fleet and very intelligent.  Let now the mouse go and eat into its feet when it lieth asleep.  And when this is done, let the tiger approach and seize it.  Then shall we all, with great pleasure feast on it.’  Hearing these words of the jackal, they all set to work very cautiously as he directed.  And the mouse ate into the feet of the deer and the tiger killed it as anticipated.  And beholding the body of the deer lying motionless on the ground, the jackal said unto his companions, ’Blessed be ye!  Go and perform your ablutions.  In the meantime I will look after the deer.’  Hearing what the jackal said, they all went into a stream.  And the jackal waited there, deeply meditating upon what he should do.  The tiger endued with great strength, returned first of all to the spot after having performed his ablutions.  And he saw the jackal there plunged in meditation.  The tiger said, ’Why art thou so sorrowful, O wise one!  Thou art the foremost of all intelligent beings.  Let us enjoy ourselves today by feasting on this carcass.’  The jackal said, ’Hear, O mighty-armed one, what the mouse hath said.  He hath even said, O, fie on the strength of the king of the beasts!