act with
redoubled attention. This is the high duty of kings. There is nothing
which contributes so much to the success of kings as Truth. The king who
is devoted to Truth finds happiness both here and hereafter. As regards
Rishis also, O king, Truth is their great wealth. Similarly, as regards
kings, there is nothing that so much inspires confidence in them as
Truth. The king that is possessed of every accomplishment and good
behaviour, that is self-restrained, humble, and righteous, that has his
passions under control, that is of handsome features and not too
enquiring,[161] never loses prosperity. By administering justice, by
attending to these three, viz., concealment of his own weaknesses,
ascertainment of the weaknesses of foes, and keeping his own counsels, as
also by the observance of conduct that is straightforward, the king, O
delighter of the Kurus, obtains prosperity. If the king becomes mild,
everybody disregards him. On the other hand, if he becomes fierce, his
subjects then become troubled.

"'"Therefore, do thou observe both kinds of behaviour. O foremost of
liberal men, the Brahmanas should never be punished by thee, for the
Brahmana, O son of Pandu, is the foremost of beings on the Earth. The
high-souled Manu, O king of kings, that sung two Slokas, in respect of
thy duties, O thou of Kuru's race, thou shouldst always bear them in mind.
Fire hath sprung from water, the Kshatriya from the Brahmana, and iron from
stone. The three (viz., fire, Kshatriya and iron) can exert their force on
every other thing, but coming into contact with their respective
progenitors, their force becomes neutralised. When iron strikes stone, or
fire battles with water, or Kshatriya cherishes enmity towards Brahmana,
these three soon become weak. When this is so, O monarch, (you will see
that) the Brahmanas are worthy of worship. They that are foremost among the
Brahmanas are gods on earth. Duly worshipped, they uphold the Vedas and
the Sacrifices. But they, O tiger among kings, that desire to have such
honour however much they may be impediments to the three worlds, should
ever be repressed by the might of thy arms. The great Rishi Usanas, O
son, sang two Slokas in days of old. Listen to them, O king, with
concentrated attention. The righteous Kshatriya, mindful of his duties,
should chastise a Brahmana that may be a very master of the Vedas if he
rushes to battle with an uplifted weapon. The Kshatriya, conversant with
duties,