The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa | Page 7

religion of the Brahmanas consisteth in the knowledge of the soul and
the hue of that order alone is universally the same. The celebration of
sacrifices, and study and bestowal of gifts are well-known to be the
three duties common (to all these orders). Officiating at sacrifices,
teaching and the acceptance of gifts are the duties of a Brahmana. To
rule (the subjects) is the duty of the Kshatriya; and to tend (cattle), that
of the Vaisya, while to serve the twice-born orders is said to be the duty
of the Sudra. The Sudras cannot beg alms, or perform homas, or

observe vows; and they must dwell in the habitation of their masters.
Thy vocation, O son of Kunti, is that of the Kshatriya, which is to
protect (the subjects). Do thou carry out thy own duties, in an humble
spirit, restraining thy senses. That king alone can govern, who taketh
counsel of experienced men, and is helped by honest, intelligent and
learned ministers; but a king who is addicted to vices, meeteth with
defeat. Then only is the order of the world secured, when the king duly
punisheth and conferreth favours. Therefore, it is necessary to ascertain
through spies the nature of the hostile country, its fortified places and
the allied force of the enemy and their prosperity and decay and the
way in which they retain the adhesion of the powers they have drawn to
their side. Spies are among the important auxiliaries of the king; and
tact, diplomacy, prowess, chastisement, favour and cleverness lead to
success. And success is to be attained through these, either in
separation, or combined--namely, conciliation, gift, sowing dissensions,
chastisement, and sight. And, O chief of the Bharatas, polity hath for its
root diplomacy; and diplomacy also is the main qualification of spies.
And polity, if well judged conferreth success. Therefore, in matters of
polity the counsels of Brahmanas should be resorted to. And in secret
affairs, these should not be consulted,--namely, a woman, a sot, a boy,
a covetous person, a mean-minded individual, and he that betrayeth
signs of insanity. Wise men only should be consulted, and affairs are to
be despatched through officers that are able. And polity must be
executed through persons that are friendly; but dunces should in all
affairs be excluded. In matters religious, pious men; and in matters of
gain, wise men; and in guarding families, eunuchs; and in all crooked
affairs, crooked men, must be employed. And the propriety or
impropriety of the resolution of the enemy, as also their strength or
weakness, must be ascertained through one's own as well as hostile
spies. Favour should be shown to honest persons that have prudently
sought protection; but lawless and disobedient individuals should be
punished. And when the king justly punisheth and showeth favour, the
dignity of the law is well maintained, O son of Pritha, thus have I
expounded, unto thee the hard duties of kings difficult to comprehend.
Do thou with equanimity observe these as prescribed for thy order. The
Brahmanas attain heaven through merit, mortification of the senses,
and sacrifice. The Vaisyas attain excellent state through gifts,

hospitality, and religious acts. The Kshatriyas attain the celestial
regions by protecting and chastising the subjects, uninfluenced by lust,
malice, avarice and anger. If kings justly punish (their subjects), they
go to the place whither repair meritorious persons.'"
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Vaisampayana said, "Then contracting that huge body of his, which he
had assumed at will, the monkey with his arms again embraced
Bhimasena. And O Bharata, on Bhima being embraced by his brother,
his fatigue went off, and all (the powers of body) as also his strength
were restored. And having gained great accession of strength, he
thought that there was none equal to him in physical power. And with
tears in his eyes, the monkey from affection again addressed Bhima in
choked utterance, saying, 'O hero, repair to thy own abode. May I be
incidentally remembered by thee in thy talk! O best of Kurus, do not
tell any one that I abide here. O thou of great strength, the most
excellent of the wives of the gods and Gandharvas resort to this place,
and the time of their arrival is nigh. My eyes have been blessed (by
seeing thee). And, O Bhima, having felt a human being by coming in
contact with thee, I have been put in mind of that son of Raghu, who
was Vishnu himself under the name of Rama, and who delighted the
heart of the world; and who was as the sun in regard to the lotus face of
Sita, and also to that darkness--Ravana. Therefore, O heroic son of
Kunti, let not thy meeting with me be fruitless. Do thou with fraternal
feeling ask of me a boon, O Bharata. If