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.
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