Rajadharmanushasana Parva — The wealth of which the king is master

Yudhishthira said Of whose wealth, O foremost of Bharata's race, is the king considered to be the master? And what conduct also should the king follow? Describe to me this, O grandfather!

Bhishma said 'The Vedas declare that the king is the master of the wealth that belongs to all persons except Brahmanas, as also of those Brahmanas who do not follow their proper duties.

The king should not spare those Brahmanas who do not follow their duties. The righteous say that this is the ancient practice of kings.

That king, O monarch, in whose dominion a Brahmana becomes a thief, is considered to be the doer of that misdeed. The king is visited by sins on that account.

For such an offence, kings consider themselves to be worthy of reproach. All righteous kings, therefore, provide Brahmanas with the means of sustenance,

Regarding it is cited the old narrative of the speech made by the king of the Kaikeyas to a Rakshasa while the latter was about to abduct him away.

Of rigid vows and well-read in the Vedas, the king of the Kaikeyas, O monarch, while living in the forest, was by force seized on a certain occasion by a Rakshasa.

The king said, There is no thief in my kingdom, nor any wicked person nor any one who drinks alcohol. There is no one in my kingdomn who does not preserve his sacred fire or who does not celebrate sacrifices. How then have you been able to possess by heart?

There is not Brahmana in my territories who is not learned or who does not observe Vows or who has not drunk Soma. There is no one who does not preserve his sacred fire or who does not celebrate sacrifices. How then have you been able to possess my soul?

In my kingdom no sacrifice has been celebrated without completing it by Dakshina. No one in my kingdom studies the Vedas who does not observe vows. How then have you been able to possess my soul?

The Brahmanas in my kingdom teach, study, sacrifice, officiate at others' sacrifices, give, and receive presents. All of them perform those six acts.

The Brahmanas in my kingdom devotedly follow the duties of their order. Adored and provided for, they are mild, and truthful in speech. How then have you been to possess my soul?

The Kshatriyas in my kingdom devotedly follow the duties of their order. They never beg but give, and are conversant with truth and virtue. They never teach but study, and celebrate sacrifices but never officiate at the sacrifices of others. They protect the Brahmanas and never fly from battlefield. How then have you been able to possess my soul,?

The Vaishyas in my kingdom all follow the duties of their order. With simplicity and without deceit they gain their livelihood from agriculture, cattle-keeping, and trade. They are all careful, observant of religious rites and excellent vows, and truthful in speech.

They give to their guests what is their due, are self-controlled and pure, and devoted to their relatives and kinsmen. How then have you been to possess my heart?

The Shudras in my kingdom, always follow the duties of their order, humbly and duly serve and wait upon the other three orders without cherishing any inalice towards them. How then have you been able to possess my heart?

I support the helpless and the old, the weak, the ill, and helpless women by giving them all their necessaries. How then have you been able to possess my heart?

I have never done away with the special customs of families and of countries obtaining from days of yore. How then have you been able to possess my heart?

The ascetics in my kingdom are protected and adored. They are always honoured and fed with food. How then have you been able to posses my heart?

I never eat without feeding others from my food. I never know other people's wives. I never sport or recreate alone. How then have you been able to possess my heart?

No one in my kingdom save a Brahmacharin begs his food, and no one who lives a mendicant's life desires to be a Brahmacharin. No one but a Ritwij pours libations (of clarified butter) upon the sacrificial fire. How then have you been able to possess my soul?

I never disrespect the learned or the old or those who practise penances. When all people are asleep, I keep up (for watching and protecting). How then have you been able to possess my heart?

My priest is endued with the knowledge of self. He practises penances, and is a master of duties. Highly intelligent he has the fullest power over my kingdom.

By presents I desire to acquire knowledge, and by truth and the protection of Brahmanas. I wish to attain blissful regions of heaven. I always strive to serve my preceptors with my services. I do not fear the Rakshasas.

In my kingdom there are no widows, no wicked Brahmanas, no Brahmana who had not satisfied his duties, no deceitful person, no thief, no Brahmana who officiates in the sacrifices of those for whom he should never officiate, and no perpetrator of sinful deeds. I do not fear the Rakshasas.

There is no space in my body, of even two fingers breadth, which does not contain the mark of a weapon-wound. I always fight for the sake of fairness. How then have you been able to possess my heart?

The people of my kingdom always bless me so that I may always be able to protect kine and Brahmanas and celebrate sacrifices. How then have you been able to possess me?

Since you satisfy your duties under all circumstances, therefore, O king of the Kaikeyas, go back to your palace. Blessed be you, I leave you.

They, O king of the Kaikeyas, who protect kine and Brahmanas and all their subjects, have no fear of Rakshasas, what speak of sinful persons.

Those kings, who yield to Brahmanas and whose might depends upon that of the Brahmanas, and whose subjects are always hospitable, always succeed in gaining heaven.

Bhishma continued:-You should; therefore, protect the Brahmanas. Protected by you, they will protect you in return. Their blessings, O king, would, forsooth, come upon righteous kings.

For the sake of righteousness, those Brahmanas who do not follow the duties of their order should be chastised and separated from their betters.

A king, who behaves thus towards the people of his city and the provinces, enjoys prosperity here and lives in heaven with Indra.'