Yudhishthira said Describe to me, O grandfather, the conduct by which a king succeeds in advancing his subjects and earning regions of happiness in the other world.

Bhishma said "The king should be liberal and should celebrate sacrifices, O Bharata. He should observe vows and penances, and should be devoted to the duty of protecting his subjects.

Virtuously protecting all his subjects he should honour all pious persons by standing up when they come and by making presents to them.

If the king honours it, righteousness is honoured everywhere. Whatever acts and things a king likes they are liked by his subjects.

The king should always be like Death to his enemies with the rod of punishment uplifted in his hands, He should root out robbers in his kingdom and never pardon any one capriciously.

The king, O Bharata, acquires a fourth part of merit that his subjects acquire under his shelter.

By only protecting his subjects the king acquires a fourth part of merit that his subjects acquire by study, by gift, by pouring libations, and by adoring the gods. The king acquires a fourth part of also the sin that his subjects commit on account, any distress in the kingdom arising from the king's neglect in satisfying the duty of protection.

Some say that the king earns a half, and some say the full measure, of whatever sin is caused by his becoming cruel and a liar.

Listen now to the means by which the king may purge off such sins. If the king fails to restore to a subject the wealth that has been stolen away by thieves he should then make good the loss from his own treasury, or, in case of inability, with wealth taken from his dependants.

All the cases should protect the wealth of a Brahmana as well as his body and life. The person that offends against Brahmanas should be banished from the kingdom.

Everything is protected by protecting Brahmana's wealth. Through the favour of the Brahmanas, which may thus be secured, the king becomes crowned with success.

Men seek the shelter of a capable king like creatures seeking relief from the clouds or birds seeking refuge in a large tree.

A cruel and covetous king, always lustful and seeking the gratification of his desires can never protect his subject.'

Yudhishthira said I do not, for a moment, seek the happiness of sovereignty itself for its own sake. I desire it, however, for the sake of the merit one may gain from it. It seems to me that it has no merit.

There is no such necessity by which no merit can be acquired. I shall, therefore, retire. into the forest acquiring religious merit. Laying aside the rod of punishment and controlling my senses, I shall go to the forest which is sacred and seek to acquire the merit of righteousness by becoming an ascetic living upon fruits and roots."

Bhishma said 'I know, O Yudhishthira, what the nature of your heart is, and how inoffensive you are. You will not, however, by inoffensiveness alone, succeed in governing your kingdom.

Your heart is mild by nature, you are merciful, and highly righteous. You are without energy, are virtuous and full of compassion. People, however, do not respect you.

Follow the conduct of your father and grandfather. Kings should never follow the conduct which you seek to adopt.

Never be affected by anxiety, and never adopt such inoffensive conduct. By becoming so, you would not earn that merit of righteousness which arises from protecting subjects.

The conduct you wish to follow urged on by your intelligence and wisdom, is not quiet of a piece with those blessings which your father Pandu or your mother Kunti used to solicit for you.

Your father always prayed for your courage, might, and truth. Kunti always prayed for your high-mindedness and liberality.

The offerings with Svaha and Svadha in Shraddhas and sacrifices are always solicited from children by the Pitris and the deities.

Whether gifts, study, sacrifices and the protection of subjects, virtuous of sinful you are born to practise and perform them.

The fame of men never suffers, even it they fail in bearing the burden which is placed on them and to which they are wedded for life.

Even a horse, if properly trained, succeeds in carrying without dropping down a burden. One incurs no blame if only his acts and words be proper, for success depends upon them,

No person, be he a virtuous house-holder, or be he a king, or be he a Brahmacharin, has ever succeeded in conducting himself without failure.

It is better to do an act which is good and which carries but limited merit than to totally abstain from all acts, for perfect inaction is very culpable.

When a high-born and righteous person acquires profuse wealth the king then succeeds in obtaining prosperity in all his works.

A virtuous king, having obtained a kingdom, should try to subdue some by presents, some by force, and some by sweet words.

There is no one more virtuous than he, upon whom high-born and learned persons depend from fear of losing their means of sustenance and depending upon upon whom they live contentedly.

Yudhishthira said What acts, O sir, lead to heaven? What is the nature of the great happiness that is derived from them? What also is the high prosperity that may be obtained from them? Tell me all this, if you know.

Bhishma said That man, from whom a person assailed by fear obtains even a momentary relief, deserves heaven from amongst the best of us. What I tell you is very true.

Be you gladly the king of the Kurus, O foremost one of Kuru's race, acquire heaven, protect the good, and kill the wicked.

Let your friends, together with all honest man, derive their support from you, like all creatures from the god of the clouds and like birds from a large tree with sweet fruits.

Men seek refuge with that person who is dignified, courageous, capable of striking, merciful, has under control, is affectionate towards all, the impartial and just. senses