Bhishma said It is said that the preservation and advancement of the kingdom depends upon the king. The preservation and advancement of the kings depends upon the king's priest.

That kingdom truly enjoys felicity where the invisible fears of the subjects, are removed by the Brahmana and all visible ones are suppressed by the king with the strength of his arin.

Regarding it is cited the old discourse between king Muchukunda and Vaishravana.

King Muchukunda, having conquered the entire Earth, went to the lord of Alaka for testing his strength.

King Vaishravana created a large army of Rakshasas. These grinded the army led by Muchukunda.

Witnessing the destruction of his army, king Muchukunda, O chastiser of foes, began to remonstrate with his own feared priest Vasishtha.

Thereupon that foremost of righteous persons, viz, Vasishtha, practised very austere penances, and, causing those Rakshasas to be killed, ascertained the true course which Muchukunda was following.

When king Vaishravana's troops were being killed, he showed himself Muchukunda and said these words. to

The Lord of Death said Many kings of yore, more powerful than you, aided by their priests, had never approached me thus.

All of them were clever in weapons and all of them were powerful. Knowing me as the giver of happiness and misery, they approached me for offering adorations.

In truth, if you have might of arms you should display it. Why do you act so proudly helped by Brahmana power.

Enraged at these words, Muchukunda, shorn of pride and fear, said to the Lord of Death these words pregnant with reason and justice.

The Self-create Brahman created the Brahmana and the Kshatriya. They have a common origin. If they apply their energies separately, they would never be able to keep up the world.

The power of penances and Mantras was given to the Brahmanas; the strength of arms and of weapons was conferred upon Kshatriyas.

Helped by both kinds of strength, kings should protect their subjects. I am acting in that way. Why do you, O lord of Alaka, remonstrate with me then?

Thus accosted, Vaishravana said to Muchukunda and his priest,-I never, without being ordered (by the Self-born) confr sovereignty upon any one. Nor do I ever, without his behest, snatch it away from any one. Know this, O king.

Do you rule then the boundless Earth.—Thus addressed, king Muchukunda replied, saying.-

I do not, O king, desire to enjoy sovereignty given by you as a gift. I desire to enjoy sovereignty secured by the power of my own arms.

Bhishma said At these words of Muchukunda, Vaishravana, seeing the king undaunted in the observance of Kshatriya duties, was stricken with surprise.

King Muchukunda, devoted to Kshatriya duties, continued to rule the entire Earth acquired by the power of his own arms.

That virtuous king, who governs his kingdom, aided by and revering the Brahmana, succeeds in subjugating the whole Earth and acquiring great fame.

The Brahmana should daily perform his religious rites and the Kshatriya should always be ready with weapons. They both are the rightful owners of everything in the world.'