oured. Those regions also are likened to the
navel of ambrosia. The meritorious person enjoys great felicity there.
Death, decrepitude, and sorrow, are not there. The region for the sinful
is hell. Darkness and ceaseless pain are there, and it is full of sorrow.
Sinking in infamy, the man of sinful deeds wrung with remorse there for
many years. In consequence of a disunion between Brahmanas and
Kshatriyas, unbearable griefs afflict the people. Knowing this, a king
should appoint a (Brahmana) priest possessed of experience and wide
knowledge. A king should first install the priest in his office, and then
cause his own coronation. This has been laid down in the ordinance. The
ordinances declare that the Brahmana is the foremost of all creatures.
Men acquainted with the Vedas say that the Brahmana was created first. In
consequence of the precedence of his birth, all things that are good in
this world are vested in him. The rightful owner of all the best things
that have flowed from the Creator, the Brahmana is also, for such
precedence, worthy of the respect and the worship of all creatures. A
king, however powerful, should, according to the dictates of the
scriptures, bestow upon the Brahmana whatever is best and distinguished
above others. The Brahmana contributes to the aggrandisement of the
Kshatriya, and the Kshatriya to the aggrandisement of the Brahmana.
Brahmanas should, therefore, be especially and always worshipped by
kings.'"'"

SECTION LXXIV

"'Bhishma said, "It is said that the preservation and growth of the
kingdom rest upon the king. The preservation and growth of the king rest
upon the king's priest. That kingdom enjoys true felicity where the
invisible fears of the subjects are dispelled by the Brahmana and all
visible fears are dispelled by the king with the might of his arms. In
this connection is cited the old narrative of the discourse between king
Muchukunda and Vaisravana. King Muchukunda, having subjugated the whole
earth, repaired to the lord of Alaka for testing his strength. King
Vaisravana created (by ascetic power) a large force of Rakshasas. These
ground the forces led by Muchukunda. Beholding the slaughter of his army,
king Muchukunda, O chastiser of foes, began to rebuke his own learned
priest (Vasishtha). Thereupon that foremost of righteous persons viz.,
Vasishtha, underwent very severe penances and, causing those Rakshasas to
be slain, ascertained the true course upon which Muchukund