ese, 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.'"

SECTION CL

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