that upholds righteousness when it is trespassed against, does
not, by that act, become a sinner, for the wrath of the assailant
justifies the wrath of the chastiser. Subject to these restrictions, O
tiger among kings, the Brahmanas should be protected. If they become
offenders, they should then be exiled beyond thy dominions. Even when
deserving of punishment, thou shouldst, O kings, show them compassion. If
a Brahmana becomes guilty of Brahmanicide, or of violating the bed of his
preceptor or other revered senior, or of causing miscarriage, or of
treason against the king, his punishment should be banishment from thy
dominions. No corporal chastisement is laid down for them. Those persons
that show respect towards the Brahmanas should be favoured by thee (with
offices in the state). There is no treasure more valuable to kings than
that which consists in the selection and assemblage of servants. Among
the six kinds of citadels indicated in the scriptures, indeed among every
kind of citadel, that which consists of (the ready service and the love
of the) subjects is the most impregnable. Therefore, the king who is
possessed of wisdom should always show compassion towards the four orders
of his subjects. The king who is of righteous soul and truthful speech
succeeds in gratifying his subjects. Thou must not, however, O son always
behave with forgiveness towards everybody, for the king that is mild is
regarded as the worst of his kind like an elephant that is reft of
fierceness. In the scriptures composed by Vrihaspati, a Sloka was in days
of old applicable to the present matter. Hear it, O king as I recite it.
'If the king happens to be always forgiving, the lowest of persons
prevails over him, even as the driver who sits on the head of the
elephant he guides.' The king, therefore, should not always be mild. Nor
should he always be fierce. He should be like the vernal Sun, neither
cold nor so hot as to produce perspiration. By the direct evidence of the
senses, by conjecture, by comparisons, and by the canons of the
scriptures. O monarch, the king should study friends and foes. O thou of
great liberality, thou shouldst avoid all those evil practices that are
called Vyasanas. It is not necessary that thou shouldst never indulge in
them. What, however, is needed is that thou shouldst not be attached to
them. He that is attached to those practices is prevailed over by
everyone. The king who cherishes no love for his people insp