आपद्धर्मानुशासन पर्व — शत्रुहरूबाट आक्रान्त हुँदा राजाले कस्तो आचरण गर्ने; कोसँग युद्ध गर्ने

Yudhishthira said You have, O foremost of Bharata's race, said that, that intelligence which provides for the future, as well as that which can meet present difficulties, is always superior, while idleness brings about destruction.

I wish, O grandfather, to hear of that superior intelligence by which king, conversant with the scriptures and well-versed in virtue and profit, may not be stupefied even when surrounded by many enemies. I ask you this, O Kuru chief! You should describe it to a me.

I wish to hear everything in connection with the duties of king when he is attacked by many foes, as has been laid down in the scriptures.

When a king meets with distress, a large number of enemies, provoked by his past deeds, rise against him and try to defeat him.

How can king, weak and alone, hold his own, when attacked on all sides by many powerful kings joined in a body?

How does a king at such times make friends and enemies? How should he, O foremost of Bharata's race, treat at such a time, both his friends and enemies?

When those, who are friends really become his enemies, what should the king then do if he is to secure happiness?

With whom should he make war and with whom should he make peace? Even if he be strong, how should he act by his foes?

O scorcher of foes, this I consider to be the most momentous of all questions regarding the satisfaction of royal duties. There are few men, who wish to listen to the answer of this question, and none answer it except Shantanu's truthful son Bhishma, who has ail his senses under control. O you, who are highly blessed, think on it and describe it to me. to

'O Yudhishthira, this question certainly becomes you. Its answer yields great happiness. Listen to me, O son, as I describe to you, O Bharata, all the duties which are not generaliy known, but which should be practised in times of distress.

An enemy becomes a friend, and a friend also becomes an enemy. Through combination of circumstances, human actions become uncertain.

Regarding what should be done and what should not, it is necessary that in view of the requirements of time and place, one should either trust one's enemies or make war.

Trying his very best, one should make friends with intelligent and wise men who desire his welfare. one should make peace with even his enemy, when, O Bharata his life cannot be saved by any other means.

That foolish wight, who never makes peace with enemies, cannot acquire any profit or any of those fruits for which others try.

He, again, who makes peace with enemies and falls out with even friends after carefully considering all circumstances, acquires great fruits.

Regarding it is cited the old story of the conversation between a cat and mouse at the foot of a banian tree.

Bhishma said There was a huge banian tree in the midst of a vast forest. Covered with many sorts of creepers, and various sorts of birds used to live on it.

It had a large trunk from which numerous branches spread on all sides. Delightful to look at, its shade was very refreshing. It stood in the midst of the forest, and various animals lived on it.

A highly wise mouse, named Palita, lived at the foot of that tree, having made a hole there with a hundred outlets.

On the branches of the tree there lived happily a cat, by name Lomasha, daily devouring large number of birds.

Sometime after, a Chandala came to that forest and built a hut for himself. Every evening after sunset he spread his traps.

Spreading his nets made a leathern strings, he returned to his hut, and, passing the night happily in sleep, returned thert at the dawn of day.

Various sorts of animals fell into his traps nightly. And it so took place that one day the cat in a moment of carelessness was caught in the trap.

O you of great wisdom, when his enemy the cat, who is always an enemy of the mice, was thus caught in the trap, the mouse Palita came out of his hole and began to move about fearlessly.

While confidently passing through the forest in search of food, the mouse after a little while saw the meat.

Getting upon the trap, the little animal began to eat the flesh. Laughing in his mind, he even got upon his enemy caught in the net.

Busy with eating the flesh, did not see his own danger, and as he suddenly cast his eyes, he saw there a dreadful enemy of his.

It was a restless mongoose of coppery eyes, of the name of Harita. Living in holes underneath, its body resembled the flower of a reed.

Tempted to come there by the scent of the mouse, the animal came quickly for devouring his pray. He stood on his haunches, with head raised up and licking the corners of his mouth with his tongue. The mouse saw at the same time another enemy living in the holes of trees, then sitting on the branch of the banian. It was night-ranging owl, by name Chandraka having sharp beaks. Being seen both by the mongoose and the owl, the mouse, in great fear, began to think thus.

In such a great danger, when death itself is staring me in the face, when fear prevails on every side, how should one act who seeks his own well being?

Beset with danger, and seeing fear on all sides, the mouse, stricken with fear for his safety, made a high resolution.

Preventing numberless dangers by hundreds of means, one should always save his life. Danger, now, besets me on every side.

If I were to descend from this trap on the ground, without sufficient precautions, the mongoose will surely catch and devour me. If I remain on this trap, the owl will surely catch me. If, again, the cat can free himself for the net, he, also, is certain to devour me.

It is not proper, therefore, that a person intelligent like myself should lose his wits. I shall, therefore, try me best to save my life, by having recourse to proper means and intelligence.

An intelligent and wise person and conversant with the science of policy never sinks, however great and terrible may be the danger which threatens him.

At present, however, I do not see any other refuge than this cat. He is an enemy. But he is in difficulty. The service that I can do him is verygreat.

Three enemies are trying to devour me, and how should I now act for saving my life? I should now seek refuge with one of those enemies, viz., the cat.

Following policy, let me advice the cat for his behoof, so that I may, with my intelligence, escape from all three.

The cat is my great enemy, but the danger into which he has fallen is very great. Let me see if I can make this foolish creature understand his own interests. Having fallen into such difficulty he may make peace with me.

A person, when attacked by a stronger one, should make peace with even an enemy. People conversant with policy say that such should be the conduct of one, who being beset with danger seeks to save his life.

It is better to have a learned person for an enemy than a fool for a friend. As for myself, my life now depends entirely on the hands of my enemy the cat.

I shall now speak to the cat about his own liberation. Perhaps, now it would not be wrong to consider the cat an intelligent and learned enemy. Thus did that mouse, surrounded by foes, think.

Having thought thus, the mouse, well-read in the science of Profit and well-acquainted with times when war should be declared and peace made, gently spoke to the cat, saying,

I speak to you as a friend. O cat! Are you alive? I wish you to live! I seek the good of us both.

O amiable one, you have no cause for fear. You will live in happiness! I shall save you, If, indeed, you do not kill me.

There is a very good means I see by which you may obtain escape and I may acquire great benefit.

By thinking I have found out this expedient for your sake and for my sake, for it will do us both good.

There are the mongoose and the owl, both waiting with evil desire. O cat, so long as they do not attack me, my life is safe.

There that wretched owl with restless looks and dreadful cries is seeing me from the branch of that tree! I am stricken with great fear.

Good men become friends by walking together only seven steps. Highly wise as you are, you are my friend. I shall treat you as a friend. You need have no fear now.

Without my help, O cat, you will not be able to tear the net. I, however, shall cut the net for serving you, if you do not kill me.

You have lived on this tree and I have lived at its foot. Both of us have lived here for many long years, All this is known to you.

The wise never laud him whom nobody trusts, nor him who never trusts another. Both of them are unhappy.

Therefore, let our love for each other increase, and let us be united. The wise never speak highly of the attempt of doing an act when its opportunity is gone.

Know this to be the proper time for such a compact between us. I wish that you should live, and you also wish that I should live.

A men crosses a deep and large river by a piece of wood. It is seen there that the man takes the piece of wood to the other side, and the piece of wood also takes the man to the other side.

Like this, our agreement will lead to our happiness. I will save you, also, and you also will save me.

Having said so, which was beneficial to both of them, highly reasonable and acceptable, the mouse Palita waited for an answer.

Hearing these well-selected, reasonable and good words of the mouse, the mouse's enemy, endued with judgement and forethought, the cat said these words in reply.

Reflecting upon his own condition, the highly intelligent and eloquent cat praised the words of the speaker and honoured him by gentle words.

Quietly looking at the mouse, the cat, called Lomasha, having sharp foreteeth and having eyes that resemble the stones called lapis lazuli answered as followsनन्दामि सौम्य भद्रं ते यो मां जीवितुमिच्छसि।

I am pleased with you, O amiable one! Blessed be you who wish me to live! Do that, without hesitation, which you think would do us good.

I am surely in great distress. You are, if possible, in greater distress still! Let there be an agreement made between us forthwith.

I will do that which is opportune and necessary for the success of our business, O powerful one! If you save me, your service will not go for nothing.

I leave myself in your hands I am devoted to you. I shall attend and serve you like a disciple. I seek refuge with you and shall always obey you.

Thus accosted, the mouse Palita, speaking again to the cat, who was entirely under his control, said these highly significant and wise words-

You have spoken most magnanimously. It could be expected from one like you. Hear I shall describe the expedient I have thought of for benefiting both of us.

I will crouch myself beneath your body. I am in great fear of the mongoose. Do you save me. Kill me not. I am capable to save you.

O friend, this owl is also wishing for my life, so you may protect me. I shall cut the strings at that it is true.

Hearing the words of the mouse at that proper time, knowing very useful Lomasha praised him looking with a smile.

Having praised Palita, the cat which was friendly disposed, thought for a moment, and gladly said without losing any time,-

Come quickly to me. Blessed be you, who are, indeed, a friend dear to me as life.o you of great wisdom, through your grace I have almost regained my life.

Whatever I can do, tell me and I shall do it for your. Let there be peace between us, O friend.

Freed from this danger, I shall with all iny friends and relatives, do what is agreeable and good to you.

O amiable one, freed from this danger, I shall surely try to please you, and adore and honour you on every occasion in return for your good offices.

By returning even sufficient services a man cannot equal the person who did him good in the first instance. The former does them for the sake of services rendered. The latter, however, acted without any such motive.

Bhishma said Having thus made the cat understand his own interests, the mouse truthfully crouched beneath his enemy's body.

Learned, and thus assured by the cat, the mouse confidently laid himself thus under the breast of the cat as if it were the lap of his father or of his mother.

Seeing him thus enclosed within the body of the cat, the mongoose and the owl both gave up hopes of catching their prey.

Marking that close intimacy between the mouse and the cat, both Harita and Chandraka became stricken with fear and wonder.

Both of them were endued with strength and intelligence. Clever in catching their prey, though near, the mongoose and the owl could not make the mouse and the cat break that agreement.

Indeed, seeing the cat and the mouse make that agreement for fulfilling their mutual object, the mongoose and the owl both left that spot and repaired to their respective quarters.

Thereafter, the mouse Palita, who knew well the requirements of time and place, began, as he lay under the body of the cat, to cut the strings of the noose slowly, waiting for the proper time to finish his work.

Pained by the strings that fettered him, the cat became impatient upon seeing the mouse slowly cutting away the noose.

Seeing the mouse so slow in the work, the cat wishing to hurry it on, said-How is it, O amiable one, that you do not proceed quickly with your work? Do you disregard me now, having accomplished your own work? O slayer of foes, cut off these strings quickly! The hunter will soon come hereइत्युक्तस्त्वरता तेन मतिमान् पलितोऽब्रवीत्।

Thus addressed by the impatient cat, the intelligent mouse said these beneficial words to the cat who did not seem to possess much wisdom-

Wait silently, O amiable one! Quickness is not necessary. Remove all your fears. We know the requirements of time. We are not wasting time.

When a work is begun at an improper time, it never becomes profitable when finished. That act, however, which is undertaken at the proper time, yields rich fruits.

If you are freed at an improper time, I shall have to fear you. Therefore, do you wait for the proper moment. Do not be impatient, О friend.

When I shall see the hunter come here armed with weapons, I shall cut the strings at that very moment of fear to both of us.

Freed then, you will get upon the tree and not think of anything else except the safety of your own life.

And when you, O Lomasha, will fly away in fear, I shall enter my hole and you will ascend the tree.

Thus addressed by the mouse with these beneficial words, the intelligent and eloquent cat, impatient of saving his life, addressed the mouse in the following words.

Indeed, the cat, who had quickly and properly carried his own part of the agreement, addressing the mouse who was not quick enough in fulfilling his part, said,-

I saved you from a great danger with considerable promptness. Alas, honest persons never thus do the business of their friends. Filled with joy while doing it, they do it otherwise.

You should do quickly what is for my wellbeing. O you of great wisdom, do you try a little so that good may be done to both of us.

If, however, remembering our former hostility you are only allowing the time to slip away, know, O wicked creature, that the consequence of this your act will surely lessen your own life.

If I have ever, before this, unknowingly done you any wrong, you should not bear it in mind. I beg your pardon. Be pleased with me.

After the cat had said these words, the intelligent and wise mouse, well-read in the

I have, O cat, heard what you have said to further your own object. Listen, however, to me as I tell you what is proper for my own objects.

That friendship which is beset with fear and which cannot be maintained without fear, should be preserved with great caution like the hand (of the snake-charmer) from the snake's fangs!

The person that does not protect himself after having made an agreement with a stronger individual, sees that is yields instead of good.

Nobody is nobody's friend; nobody is nobody's enemy; persons becomes friends or enemies only from motives of interest.

Interest brings interest even as tame elephants catch wild elephants. Again, when a work is done, the doer is hardly thought of. Therefore, all works should be so done that something may remain undone.

When I shall liberate you, you will, from fear of the hunter, fly away for your life without ever thinking of catching me. See, all the strings of this net have been cut by me. Only one remains to be cut. I will cut that also soon. Be comforted, O Lomasha.

While the mouse and the cat were thus conversing, both in serious danger, the night gradually passed away. A great fear, however, possessed the heart of the cat.

When the dawn set in, the Chandala, whose name was Parigha, came there. His appearance was terrible. His hair was black and tawny. His hips were huge and his look was very fierce. Of a large mouth extending from ear to ear, and highly filthy, his ears were very long. man Armed with weapons and accompanied by a pack of dogs, the grim-visaged man came there.

Seeing that who resembled a messenger of Yama, the cat was stricken with fear. Filled with fear, he addressed Palita, saying,-What will you do now?

The two were afraid seeing dreadful Chandala, mongoose and owl came in to hopeless. Indeed they were very strong and intelligent but could not over-press on strength less but with good conduct cat and mouse. Therefore, they both owl and mangoose left for their own place.

The mouse very quickly cut the remaining string which held fast that cat. Freed from the noose, the cat run quickly and got upon the banian. Palita also, freed from that perilous position and from the presence of a terrible enemy quickly fled and entered his hole. Lomasha meanwhile had got upon the high tree.

Seeing everything, the hunter took up his net. His hopes defeated, he also quickly left that place.

Indeed, O foremost of Bharata's race, the Chandala returned to his house freed from that great danger, and having regained his precious life, the cat from the branches of that tree addressed the mouse Palita then living with in the hole, and said,-Without having talked to me, you have suddenly run away. I hope you do not suspect me of any evil motive. I am certainly grateful and you have done me a great service.

Having created confidence in me and having given me my life, why do you not come to me at a time when friends should enjoy the sweets of friendship?

Having made friends, he who forgets them afterwards, is a wicked person and never gets friends at times of danger and necessity.

I have been, O friend, respected and served by you to the best of your power. You should now enjoy the company of my poor self who has become your friend.

Like disciples adoring their preceptor, all the friends I have, all my relatives and kinsmen, will respect and adore you.

I myself too shall adore you with all your friends and kinsmen. What grateful person is there who will not adore the giver of his life.

Be you the master of both my body and home! Be you the disposer of all my wealth and properties.

Be you my respected adviser and do you govern me like a father! I swear by my life that you need not fear us.

In intelligence you are like Ushanas himself. By the power of your understanding you have conquered us. Clever in policy, you have given us our life.

Accosted thus with sweet words by the cat, the mouse, who knew all which produces the highest good, replied in these sweet words that were beneficial to himself.

I have heard, O Lomasha, all that you have, said. Listen now as I say what I think.

Friends should be well tried. Enemies also should be well studied. In this world, a task like this is considered by even the learned as a difficult one requiring sharp intelligence.

Friends appear like enemies, and enemies appear like friends. When agreements of friendship are made, it is difficult for the parties to know whether they are really actuated by lust and anger.

There is no such thing as a friend. It is circumstances which make friends and enemies.

He, who considers his own interests safe as long as another lives, and thinks himself in danger when the latter dies takes him as his friend so long as those interests of his are not clashed against.

There is no condition that passes for ever by the name either of friendship or enemies. Both friends and enemies arise from considerations of interest and gain.

Friendship becomes enmity in the course of time. An enemy also becomes a friend. Selfinterest is very powerful.

He, who blindly places confidence in friends and always treats enemies mistrustfully without paying any heed to considerations of policy, finds his life unsafe. He, who, neglecting all considerations of policy, seeks either friends or foes, is regarded as a person whose understanding has been unhinged.

One should not trust a person undeserving of truth, nor should one trust too much a person worthy of trust. The anger from blind confidence is such that it cuts the very roots.

The father, the mother, the son, the maternal uncle, the sister's son, and other relatives and kinsmen, are all moved by interest and profit.

Father and mother may be seen to discard the dear son if he is addicted to irregular practices. People take care of their own selves. See the efficacy of self-interest.

O highly wise one, his escape is very difficult, who, immediately after he is freed from danger, seeks the means of his enemy's happiness.

You have come down from the top of the tree to this very spot. You could not, from foolishness know that a net had been spread here.

A person, who has no sense, cannot protect his own self. How can be protect others? Such a person, forsooth, ruins all his acts.

You speak sweetly that I am very dear to you. Hear me, however, O friends, the reasons which I have on my side.

One becomes dear from a sufficient cause. One becomes an enemy from sufficient cause. The entire world of creatures is actuated by the desire of gain. One never becomes dear to another without cause.

The friendship between two uterine brothers, the love between husband and wife, rests upon interest. I do not know any kind of love amongst persons that does not depend upon some motive of self-interest. It is sometimes seen that uterine brothers or husband and wife having quarrelled are united again from a natural affection. But such a thing is not to be seen in persons who are not connected with one another.

One becomes dear for his liberality. Another becomes dear for his sweet words. A third becomes so for his religious acts. Generally, a person becomes dear for the purpose he serves.

The love between us originated from an adequate cause, That cause no longer exists. On the other hand, from sufficient reasons that friendship between us has terminated,

What is that reason, I ask, for which I have become so dear to you, besides your desire for eating me up? You should know that I am not forgetful of this.

Time spoils reasons. You seek your own interests. Otherwise men, again, understand their own interests. The world is guided by the example of the wise. You should not thus speak to a person who is learned and capable of understanding his own interests.

You are powerful. The reason which you show for your love for me now is ill-timed. Moved, however, by my own interests, I am always very strong about peace and war that are themselves very unstable. The circumstances under which peace is to be made or war declared change as speedily as the clouds change their form. This very day you were my enemy. This every day again, you becaiae my friend. This very day you have again become my enemy. Mark the considerations that move living creatures!

There was friendship between us as long as there was necessity for the same. That reason, the outcome of time, is gone. Without it, that friendship also has passed away.

You are by nature my enemy. From circumsiances you became my friend. That state of things has gone away. The old but natural state of enmity has returned.

I am well-read in the dictates of policy; tell me, why shall I enter to-day, for your sake, the net that is spread for me?

Through your power I was freed from a great danger. Through my power you have। been freed from a similar danger. Each of us has served the other. There is no need for us for becoming friends again.

O amiable one, your object has been accomplished. The object I had, has also been accomplished. You do not require me except to make me your food.

I am your food. You are the eater. I am weak. You are strong. There cannot be any friendship between us when we are so unevenly placed.

I understand your wisdom. Having been released from the net, you speak highly of me so that you may easily make food to me.

You were entangled in the net for the sake of food. You have been freed from it. You feel now the pangs of hunger. Following wisdom of the scriptures, you try to eat me up to-day.

I know that you are hungry. I know that this is the time of you taking food. You are seeking your prey, and you have your eyes on me.

You have sons and wives, You still try to make friends hip srith me and wish to treat me with affection anu do me vices. O friend, I carnot accept this proposal.

Seeing me with you, why will not your dear wife and your loving children cheerfully eat me up?

I shall not, therefore, make friendship with you. There is no reason any longer for such a union. If, indeed, you do not forget my good offices, think of what will be good for me and be comfortable.

What sane man will place himself under the power of an enemy who is not well-known for virtue, who is hungry, and who is in search of a prey?

If you think that I have done you a service, do me a friend's work when I may happen to move trustfully or carelessly. Even that will be gratitude in you.

Be happy then, I will presently leave you. I am afraid even to see you from a distance. I shall not mix with you, give up your attempts, OLomasha!

To live near a powerful and strong person is never praiseworthy. Even if the estimated danger no longer exists, I should always fear one more powerful than myself.

If you do not seek your own interests, tell me then what is there that I can do for you. I shall certainly give you everything save my life.

For protecting one's own self one should abandon his very children, kingdom, jewels, and wealth. One should sacrifice one's all for protecting one's own self.

If a person lives he can recover all the wealth that he may have to give to enemies for protecting his life.

It is not desirable to abandon life like one's riches. Indeed, one's own self should always be protected by, as I have already said, even removing his wives and wealth.

Persons who care to protect their own selves and who do all their works after a proper consideration, never suffer from dangers as the consequence of their acts.

The weak always regard the powerful as their enemies. Their understanding, based firmly on the truths of the scriptures, is never unhinged.

Thus rebuked by the mouse palita the cat, hushing with shame, said to the mouse.

Lomasha said Truly I swear by you that I conside it highly censurable to injure a friend. I know your wisdom. I know also that you are devoted to my self-being.

Guided by the science of profit, you have said that there is sufficient cause for a breach between you and me. You should not, however, O good friend, take me for what I am not!

I consider you a great friend for your having saved my life. I am, again, familiar with duties. I always appreciate other people's merits. I am very grateful for services received.

I am devoted to the service of friends. I am, again, especially devoted to you. For these reasons, O good friend, you should reunite yourself with me.

If I am ordered by you, I can, with all my kinsmen and relatives, sacrifice my very life. The learned and wise see sufficient reasons for reposing their confidence in persons of such mental disposition as ourselves. O you who are a master of the truths of morality, you should not suspect me.

Thus addressed by the cat, the mouse, thinking a while, said these weighty words to the former.

You are highly good. I have heard all that you have said and am glad to hear you. For all that, however, I cannot trust you. It is impossible for you, by such eulogiums or by present of great wealth, to induce me to unite with you again.

I tell you, O friend, that the wise never place themselves, without sufficient reason, under the power of an enemy. Regarding this, two stories have been recited by Sage Usanasa. Listen carefully.

Having made an agreement with a stronger one, when both are threatened by enemies, a weak person should act carefully after considerations of policy. Having gained his object, the weaker of the two parties should not again trust the stronger.

One should never trust a person unworthy of trust. Nor should one blindly trust a person deserving of trust. One should always try to secure other's confidence. One should not, however, himself trust his foes.

For these reasons one should, under every circumstances, protect his own self. One's possessions, children and everything else are so long valuable as he is alive.

In short, the highest truth of all works on policy is Mistrust. Therefore, mistrust of all persons yields the greatest good.

However weak people may be, if they mistrust their enemies, the latter, even if strong, never succeed in reigning supreme over them.

O cat, one like myself should always guard his life from persons like you. Do you also

While the mous, thus spoke, the cat frightened at the mention of the hunter, hastily left the branch of the tree, ran away with great speed.

Having thus shown his power of understanding, the mouse Palita also, who was conve. sant with the trists of scripture and endued with wisdom, entered another hole.

Bhishma continued Thus did the wise mouse Palita, though weak, and alone, succeed in baffling many powerful enemies.

An intelligent and learned man should make peace with a powerful enemy. The mouse and the cat escaped by their reliance upon each other's services.

I have thus pointed out to you fully the course of Kshatriya duties. Listen now to me in brief.

When two persons who were once enemy 1.1ake peace with each other, it is certain that each of them has it in his heart to control the other.

In such a case the wise man succeeds by the power of his understanding in controlling the other. He, on the other hand, who has no। wisd m suffers himself, for his carelessness, to be defeated by the wise.

It is necessary, therefore, that in fear one should appear to be fearless, and, while really mistrusting others, one should seem to be truthful. One, who acts with such carefulness nev r loses his steps, or, even losing it, is never ruined.

When the opportunity presents its-self, one should make peace with an enemy; and when the time comes, one should make war with even a friend. Those, who are well read in peace and war, say that one should conduct hiinself thus, O king.

knowing this, O king, and remembering the truths of scripture, one should, ser:sibly and carefully, act like a person in fear before the cause of fear actually arrives.

One should before the cause of fear actually arrived, act like a person in fear, and make peace with enenies. Such fear and carefulness beget keenness of understanding.

If one acts like a man in fear before the cause of fear is so near, one is never filled with fear when that cause actually arrives. And from the fear of a person, who always acts with "carlessness, very great fear criginates.

Never cherish fear,-such an advice should never be given to any one. The person, who entertains fear from a consciousness of his weakness, always seuks the advice of wise and experienced men.

For these reasons, one should, when afraid, appear to be fearless and when mistrusting (others', should seem to be truthful. One should not, even iil serious acts, !reat others with falsehood.

Thus have recited to you, O Yudhishthira, the old story (of the mouse and the cat). Havii.g listened to it, do you: act properly in the midst of your friends and kinsmen.

Deriving a great lesson from that story, and learning the difference between friend and enemy and the proper time for war and peace, You will discover means of escape when beset with dangers.

Making peace, at a time of common danger, with a powerful enemy, you should act with proper consideration when uniting yourself with hin (when the common danger is gone). Indeed, having gained your objeci, you should not trust the enemies again.

This path of policy is quite of a piece with the three-fold objects of life, (viz., Virtue, Profit, and Pleasure) O king! Guided by this Shruti, do you acquire prosperity by once more protecting your subjects.

O son of Pandu, always try to associate with Brahmanas in all your acts! Brahmanas give great benefit both in this world and the next.

They are teachers of duty and morality. They are always grateful, O powerful one! If adored, they are sure to do you good. Therefore, o king, you should always adore them.

You will then, O king, duly acquire ki'igdom, great food, fame, achievements, and offspring in their proper order.

Always looking at this history of peace and war between the mouse and the cat, written in excellent words and capable of sharpening the intelleci, a king should always act in thie midst of his enemies,