राजधर्मानुशासन पर्व — राज्य के प्रधान धर्म

Yudhishthira said You have described what the duties are of the four modes of life and of the four orders. Tell me now, O grandfather, what are the principal duties of a kingdom.'

The (election and) coronation of a king is the first duty of kingdom. A kingdom in which anarchy reigns becomes weak and is soon attacked by robbers.

In kingdoms torn by anarchy, righteousness cannot live. The denizens devour one another. An anarchy is the worst of all conditions.

The Shrutis say that in crowning a king, it is Indra that is crowned in the person of the king. A person, who seeks his own prosperity, should adore the king as he should adore Indra himself.

No one should live in kingdoms torn by anarchy. Agni does not carry the libations that are poured upon him in kingdoms where anarchy reigns.

If a powerful king approaches kingdoms weakened by anarchy, with a view to annex them to his dominions, the people should go forward and receive the invader with honour. Such conduct would be quite of a piece with wise counsels. There is no evil greater than anarchy.

If the powerful invader be a little just, everything will be right. If however, he be exercised with may exterminate all.

That cow which cannot be easily milked suffer much pain. On the other hand, that cow which is easily milked, has not to suffer any pain whatever.

The wood that bends easily need not be heated. The tree that bends easily, is not required to suffer any torture. anger he

Guided by these examples, O hero, men should bend before those that are powerful. The man who bends his head to a powerful person really bends his head to Indra.

For these reasons, men, seeking prosperity, should (elect and) crown some person as their king. They who live in countries where anarchy reigns cannot enjoy there wealth and wives.

During times of anarchy, the sinful man enjoys by robbing the wealth of other people. When however, his ill acquired riches are taken away by others, he wishes for a king.

It is clear therefore, that in times of anarchy the very wicked even cannot be happy. The wealth of one is taken away by two. That of those two is taken away by many acting in concert.

He who is not a slave is made a slave. Women, again, are forcibly carried away. For these reasons the gods created kings for protecting the people.

If there were no king on Earth for holding the rod of punishment, the strong would then have oppressed the weak after the manner of fishes in the water.

We have heard that men, in days of yore, in consequence of anarchy, were ruined, devouring one another like stronger fishes devouring the weaker ones in the water. We have heard that a few amongst them then, assembling together, made certain agreements saying,-He who becomes harsh in speech, or violent in temper, he who seduces other people's wives or robs other's wealth should be renounced by us.

For inspiring confidence among all classes of the people, they made such an agreement and lived for some time.

Assembling after some time they proceeded in great miseries to the Grandfather, saying, Without a king, O divine lord, we are meeting with ruin. Appoint some one as our king.

All of us shall adore him and he shall protect us. Thus prayed for the Grandfather asked Manu. Manu, however, did not agree to the proposal.

Manu said 'I fear all sinful deeds. To govern a kingdom is highly difficult, especially among men who are always false and deceitful in their conduct.'

Bhishma said The denizens of the Earth then said to him.-Do not fear. The sins that men commit will affect those only that commit them. For the increase of your wealth, we will give you a fiftieth part of our animals and precious metals and a tenth part of our gain. When our maidens also will become desirous of marrying we shall, when the question of marriage comes up, give you the most beautiful ones among them.

Those amongst men who will become the foremost of all in the use of weapons and in riding animals, and other conveyances, shall go behind you like the deities behind Indra.

With your strength increased in this way, and becoming invincible and endued with great power, you will be our king and protect us happily like Kuvera protecting the Yakshas and the Rakshasas.

A fourth part of the merit which men will acquire under your protection will belong to you.

Strengthened by that merit so easily acquired by you do you protect us, o king, like Indra of a hundred sacrifices protecting the gods.

Like the Sun burning down everything with his rays, do you set out acquiring victories. Crush the pride of enemies and let righteousness always be victorious (in the world).

Thus addressed by those denizens of the Earth, Manu, endued with great energy, proceeded, accompanied by a large army-Born of a great family he seemed then to shine with power.

Seeing the power of Manu, like the gods seeing the might of Indra, the inhabitants of the Earth became stricken with fear and began to follow their respective duties. Manu then went round the world suppressing everywhere all acts of wickedness and compelling all men to follow their respective duties, like a cloud surcharged with rain.

'Thus, O Yudhishthira, men on Earth seeking prosperity should first elect and crown a king for the protection of all.

Like disciples bowing themselves down before their preceptors or the gods before Indra, all men should humble themselves before the king.

One who is respected by his own people becomes an object of esteem with his enemies also, while one who is disregarded by his own is set at naught by enemies.

If the king be disregarded by his enemies, all his subjects become unhappy. Therefore, umbrellas, vehicles, external ornaments, foods, drinks, palaces, seats, beds, and all utensils for use and show, should be dedicated to the king.

By such means, the king will better discharge his duties of protection and become irresistible. He should always smilingly be spoken to by others and he should speak to others sweetly.

Grateful, firmly devoted, and with subdued passions, he should give to others their due. Eyed by others, he should look at them mildly, sweetly, and beautifully.