“Vaisampayana continued,—­After the Rishi had finished, Yudhishthira asked,—­“How, O Rishi, do the Vedas, wealth, wife, and knowledge of the Sastras bear fruit?”

“The Rishi answered,—­“The Vedas are said to bear fruit when he that hath studied them performeth the Agnihotra and other sacrifices.  Wealth is said to bear fruit when he that hath it enjoyeth it himself and giveth it away in charity.  A wife is said to bear fruit when she is useful and when she beareth children.  Knowledge of the Sastras is said to bear fruit when it resulteth in humility and good behaviour.”

“Vaisampayana continued,—­The great ascetic Narada, having answered Yudhishthira thus, again asked that just ruler,-"Do the officers of thy government, O king, that are paid from the taxes levied on the community, take only their just dues from the merchants that come to thy territories from distant lands impelled by the desire of gain?  Are the merchants, O king, treated with consideration in thy capital and kingdom, capable of bringing their goods thither without being deceived by the false pretexts of (both the buyers and the officers of government)?

Listenest thou always, O monarch, to the words, fraught with instructions in religion and wealth, of old men acquainted with economic doctrines?  Are gifts of honey and clarified butter made to the Brahmanas intended for the increase of agricultural produce, of kine, of fruits and flowers, and for the sake of virtue?  Givest thou always, O king, regularly unto all the artisans and artists employed by thee the materials of their works and their wages for periods not more than four months?  Examinest thou the works executed by those that are employed by thee, and applaudest thou them before good men, and rewardest thou them, having shewn them proper respect?  O bull of the Bharata race, followest thou the aphorisms (of the sage) in respect of every concern particularly those relating to elephants, horses, and cars?  O bull of the Bharata race, are the aphorisms relating to the science of arms, as also those that relate to the practice of engines in warfare—­so useful to towns and fortified places, studied in thy court?  O sinless one, art thou acquainted with all mysterious incantations, and with the secrets of poisons destructive of all foes?  Protectest thou thy kingdom from the fear of fire, of snakes and other animals destructive of life, of disease, and Rakshasas?  As acquainted thou art with every duty, cherishest thou like a father, the blind, the dumb, the lame, the deformed, the friendless, and ascetics that have no homes.  Hast thou banished these six evils, O monarch, viz., sleep, idleness, fear, anger, weakness of mind, and procrastination?’