SECTION XXIV

Vaisampayana said, “Once more the great sage Krishna-Dwaipayana said these words unto Ajatasatru, the son of Kunti:  ’Let these great car-warriors of abundant energy of mind, O monarch, let these brothers of thine, O Yudhishthira, the chief of the Bharatas, obtain those wishes of theirs that they cherished while dwelling in the woods.  Rule thou the earth, O son of Pritha, like (another) Yayati, the son of Nahusha.  Before now misery was yours while ye dwelt in the woods in the observance of ascetic penances.  That misery is ended, O tiger among men!  Enjoy happiness, therefore, for some time.  Having O Bharata, earned and enjoyed religious merit and wealth and pleasure for some time with thy brothers, thou mayst then, O king, retire into the woods.  Be freed first, O Bharata, from the debt thou owest to persons that may beg of thee, to the Pitris, and to the gods.  Thou mayst then, O son of Kunti, practise all the other modes of life (that come afterwards).  Do thou, O son of Kuru’s race, perform the sacrifices of Sarvamedha and Aswamedha.  Thou shalt then attain, O monarch, to the highest end hereafter.  Installing thy brothers also in great sacrifices with plentiful presents (to the Brahmanas), thou shalt, O son of Pandu, acquire great fame.  There is a saying, O tiger among men and best of the Kurus!  Listen to it, for by acting according to it, O king, thou shalt not swerve from virtue.  Those men only, O Yudhishthira, whose practices resemble those of robbers, cause a king by their counsels to take to a career of war and victory.[70] That king who, guided by considerations of place and time and moved by an understanding dependent on the scriptures, pardons even a number of robbers, incurs no sin.  That king who, realising his tribute of a sixth, doth not protect his kingdom, taketh a fourth part of the sins of his kingdom.[71] Listen also to that by which a king may not swerve from virtue.  By transgressing the scriptures (one incurs sill), while by obeying them one may live fearlessly.  That king who, guided by an understanding based upon the scriptures and disregarding lust and wrath, behaves impartially, like a father, towards all his subjects, never incurs sin.  O thou of great splendour, if a king, afflicted by destiny, fails to accomplish an act which he should, such failure would not be called a trespass.  By force and policy should the king put down his foes.  He must not suffer sin to be perpetrated in his kingdom but should cause virtue to be practised.  Brave men, those that are respectable in their practices, they that are virtuous in their acts, they that are possessed of learning, O Yudhishthira, Brahmanas conversant with Vedic texts and rites, and men of wealth, should especially be protected.  In determining suits and accomplishing religious acts, they that are possessed of great learning should alone be employed.  A prudent king will never repose his confidence upon