Hear from me, O Yudhishthira, with concentrated
attention, the whole range of kingly duties described with accurate
details, and other duties that you mayst desire to know. In the first
place, O foremost one of Kuru's race, the king should, from desire of
pleasing (his subjects), wait with humility upon the gods and the
Brahmanas, always bearing himself agreeably to the ordinance. By
worshipping the deities and the Brahmanas, O perpetuator of Kuru's race,
the king pays off his debt to duty and morality, and receives the respect
of his subjects. O son, thou shouldst always exert with promptitude, O
Yudhishthira, for without promptitude of exertion mere destiny never
accomplishes the objects cherished by kings. These two, viz., exertion
and destiny, are equal (in their operation). Of them, I regard exertion
to be superior, for destiny is ascertained from the results of what is
begun with exertion. Do not indulge in grief if what is commenced ends
disastrously, for thou shouldst then exert thyself in the same 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.
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