I speak of myself, O king!  I am thy friend.  I am known as the sage Kalakavrikshiya.  I always adhere to truth.  Thy sire regarded me lovingly as his friend.  When distress overtook this kingdom during the region of thy sire, O king, I performed many penances (for driving it off), abandoning every other business.  From my affection for thee I say this unto thee so that thou mayst not again commit the fault (of reposing confidence on undeserving persons).  Thou hast obtained a kingdom without trouble.  Reflect upon everything connected with its weal and woe.  Thou hast ministers in thy kingdom.  But why, O king, shouldst thou be guilty of heedlessness?’ After this, the king of Kosala took a minister from the Kshatriya order, and appointed that bull among Brahmanas (viz., the sage Kalakavrikshiya) as his Purohita.  After these changes had been effected, the king of Kosala subjugated the whole earth and acquired great fame.  The sage Kalakavrikshiya worshipped the gods in many grand sacrifices performed for the king.  Having listened to his beneficial counsels, the king of Kosala conquered the whole earth and conducted himself in every respect as the sage directed.’”

SECTION LXXXIII

“Yudhishthira said, ’What should be the characteristics, O grandsire, of the legislators, the ministers of war, the courtiers, the generalissimos, and the counsellors of a king!’

“Bhishma said, ’Such persons as are possessed of modesty, self-restraint, truth, sincerity, and courage to say what is proper, should be thy legislators.  They that are always by thy side, that are possessed of great courage, that are of the regenerate caste, possessed of great learning, well pleased with thee, and endued with perseverance in all acts, should, O son of Kunti, be desired by thee for becoming thy ministers of war at all seasons of distress, O Bharata!  One who is of high descent, who, treated with honour by thee, always exerts his powers to the utmost on thy behalf, and who will never abandon thee in weal or woe, illness or death, should be entertained by thee as a courtier.  They that are of high birth, that are born in thy kingdom, that have wisdom, beauty of form and features, great learning, and dignity of behaviour, and that are, besides, devoted to thee, should be employed as officers of thy army.  Persons of tow descent and covetous dispositions, who are cruet and shameless would court thee, O sire, as long as their hands would remain wet.[244] They that are of good birth and good behaviour, that can read all signs and gestures, that are destitute of cruelty, that know what the requirements are of place and time, that always seek the good of their master in all acts, should be appointed as ministers by the king in all his affairs.  They that have been won over with gifts of wealth, honours, regardful receptions, and means of procuring felicity, and who on that account may be regarded by thee as persons inclined to benefit thee in all