by employing force on the
king, cannot keep his place long and incurs also the risk of death. None
should, for the purpose of self-interest, open communications with the
king's enemies.[8] Nor should one distinguish himself above the king in
matters requiring ability and talents. He that is always cheerful and
strong, brave and truthful and mild, and of subdued senses, and who
followeth his master like his shadow, is alone worthy to dwell in a
royal household. He that on being entrusted with a work, cometh forward,
saying,--_I will do this_--is alone worthy of living in a royal
household. He that on being entrusted with a task, either within the
king's dominion or out of it, never feareth to undertake it, is alone
fit to reside in a royal household. He that living away from his home,
doth no remember his dear ones, and who undergoeth (present) misery in
expectation of (future) happiness, is alone worthy of dwelling in a
royal household. One should not dress like the king, nor should one
indulge in laughter in the king's presence nor should one disclose royal
secrets. By acting thus one may win royal favour. Commissioned to a
task, one should not touch bribes for by such appropriation one becometh
liable to fetters or death. The robes, ornaments, cars, and other things
which the king may be pleased to bestow should always be used, for by
this, one winneth the royal favour. Ye children, controlling your minds,
do ye spend this year, ye sons of Pandu, behaving in this way. Regaining
your own kingdom, ye may live as ye please.'

[6] Some of the Bengal text and _Sarvatramaya_ for
_Sarvamantramaya_. The former is evidently incorrect.

[7] This is a very difficult _sloka_. Nilakantha adopts the
reading _Sanjayet_. The Bengal editions read _Sanjapet_. If the
latter be the correct reading, the meaning then would be,--'Let
none talk about what transpires in the presence of the king. For
those even that are poor, regard it as a grave fault.' The sense
evidently is that the occurrences in respect of a king which one
witnesses should not be divulged. Even they that are powerless
regard such divulgence of what occurs in respect of them as an
insult to them, and, therefore, inexcusable.

[8] The Bengal editions read _Rajna_ in the instrumental case.
Following a manuscript text of a Pandit of my acquaintance I
read _Rajnas_ in the genitive.

"Yudhishthira said, 'We have been