r, protector,
fire, Vaisravana and Yama. The king by behaving with compassion towards
his people is called their father. The subject that behaves falsely
towards him takes birth in his next life as an animal or a bird. By doing
good to them and by cherishing the poor, the king becomes a mother unto
his people. By scorching the wicked he comes to be regarded as fire, and
by restraining the sinful he comes to be called Yama. By making gifts of
wealth unto those that are dear to him, the king comes to be regarded as
Kuvera, the grantor of wishes. By giving instruction in morality and
virtue, he becomes a preceptor, and by exercising the duty of protection
he becomes the protector. That king who delights the people of his cities
and provinces by means of his accomplishments, is never divested of his
kingdom in consequence of such observance of duty. That king who knows
how to honour his subjects never suffers misery either here or hereafter.
That king whose subjects are always filled with anxiety or overburdened
with taxes, and overwhelmed by evils of every kind, meets with defeat at
the hands of his enemies. That king, on the other hand, whose subjects
grow like a large lotus in a lake succeeds in obtaining every reward here
and at last meets with honour in heaven. Hostility with a person that is
powerful is, O king, never applauded. That king who has incurred the
hostility of one more powerful than himself, loses both kingdom and
happiness.'"

"'Bhishma continued, "The bird, having said these words, O monarch, unto
king Brahmadatta, took the king's leave and proceeded to the region she
chose. I have thus recited to thee, O foremost of kings, the discourse
between Brahmadatta and Pujani. What else dost thou wish to hear?"'"

SECTION CXL

"'Yudhishthira said, "When both righteousness and men, O Bharata, decay in
consequence of the gradual lapse of Yuga, and when the world becomes
afflicted by robbers, how, O Grandsire, should a king then behave?"[419]

"'Bhishma said, "I shall tell thee, O Bharata, the policy the king should
pursue at such distressful times. I shall tell thee how he should bear
himself at such a time, casting off compassion. In this connection is
cited the old story of the discourse between Bharadwaja and king
Satrunjaya. There was a king named Satrunjaya among the Sauviras. He was
a great car-warrior. Repairing to Bharadwaja, he asked the Rishi about
the truths of the science of Profit,--saying,--Ho