The king that is righteous, O foremost one of Kuru's
race, should always behave in such a manner as to a\ old what is dear to
him, for the sake of doing that which would benefit his people. Thou
shouldst not ever, O son of Pandu, abandon fortitude. The king that is
possessed of fortitude and who is known to inflict chastisement on
wrong-doers, has no cause of fear. O foremost of speakers, thou shouldst
not indulge in jests with thy servants. O tiger among kings, listen to
the faults of such conduct. If the master mingles too freely with them,
dependents begin to disregard him. They forget their own position and
most truly transcend that of the master. Ordered to do a thing, they
hesitate, and divulge the master's secrets. They ask for things that
should not be asked for, and take the food that is intended for the
master. They go to the length of displaying their wrath and seek to
outshine the master. They even seek to predominate over the king, and
accepting bribes and practising deceit, obstruct the business of the
state. They cause the state to rot with abuses by falsifications and
forgeries. They make love with the female guards of the palace and dress
in the same style as their master. They become so shameless as to indulge
in eructations and the like, and expectorate in the very presence of
their master, O tiger among kings, and they do not fear to even speak of
him with levity before others. If the king becomes mild and disposed to
jest, his servants, disregarding him, ride on steeds and elephants and
cars as good as the king's.
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