Spies, Fortresses and the Seven Things a King Must Guard

Verse 1 (12.68.1)

पार्थिवेन विशेषेण किं कार्यमवशिष्यते । कथं रक्ष्यो जनपदः कथं वध्याश्च शत्रवः ॥

pārthivena viśeṣeṇa kiṃ kāryamavaśiṣyate | kathaṃ rakṣyo janapadaḥ kathaṃ vadhyāśca śatravaḥ

What duty still remains for a king in particular? How is the country to be protected, and how are enemies to be put down?

Verse 2 (12.68.2)

कथं चारान्प्रयुञ्जीत वर्णान्विश्वासयेत्कथम् । कथं भृत्यान्कथं दारान्कथं पुत्रांश्च भारत ॥

kathaṃ cārānprayuñjīta varṇānviśvāsayetkatham | kathaṃ bhṛtyānkathaṃ dārānkathaṃ putrāṃśca bhārata

How should he employ spies? How should he win the trust of the orders of society? How should he deal with his servants, his wives and his sons, O Bharata?

Verse 3 (12.68.3)

राजवृत्तं महाराज शृणुष्वावहितोऽखिलम् । यत्कार्यं पार्थिवेनादौ पार्थिवप्रकृतेन वा ॥

rājavṛttaṃ mahārāja śṛṇuṣvāvahito'khilam | yatkāryaṃ pārthivenādau pārthivaprakṛtena vā

Listen attentively, great king, to the whole conduct of kings: what a king must do first, or one who stands in a king's place.

Verse 4 (12.68.4)

आत्मा जेयः सदा राज्ञा ततो जेयाश्च शत्रवः । अजितात्मा नरपतिर्विजयेत कथं रिपून् ॥

ātmā jeyaḥ sadā rājñā tato jeyāśca śatravaḥ | ajitātmā narapatirvijayeta kathaṃ ripūn

A king must always first conquer himself, and only then conquer his enemies. How could a ruler who has not conquered himself defeat his foes?

Verse 5 (12.68.5)

एतावानात्मविजयः पञ्चवर्गविनिग्रहः । जितेन्द्रियो नरपतिर्बाधितुं शक्नुयाद्रिपुन् ॥

etāvānātmavijayaḥ pañcavargavinigrahaḥ | jitendriyo narapatirbādhituṃ śaknuyādripun

Self-conquest is just this: the restraint of the group of five. A king who has mastered his senses is able to overcome his enemies.

Verse 6 (12.68.6)

न्यसेत गुल्मान्दुर्गेषु सन्धौ च कुरुनन्दन । नगरोपवने चैव पुरोद्याने तथैव च ॥

nyaseta gulmāndurgeṣu sandhau ca kurunandana | nagaropavane caiva purodyāne tathaiva ca

He should post guards in the fortresses and on the frontier, O joy of the Kurus, in the groves near the city, and likewise in the city's gardens.

Verse 7 (12.68.7)

संस्थानेषु च सर्वेषु पुटेषु नगरस्य च । मध्ये च नरशार्दूल तथा राजनिवेशने ॥

saṃsthāneṣu ca sarveṣu puṭeṣu nagarasya ca | madhye ca naraśārdūla tathā rājaniveśane

He should post them in all the stations, in the quarters of the city and in its midst, O tiger among men, and in the king's residence.

Verse 8 (12.68.8)

प्रणिधींश्च ततः कुर्याज्जडान्धबधिराकृतीन् । पुंसः परीक्षितान्प्राज्ञान्क्षुत्पिपासाश्रमक्षमान् ॥

praṇidhīṃśca tataḥ kuryājjaḍāndhabadhirākṛtīn | puṃsaḥ parīkṣitānprājñānkṣutpipāsāśramakṣamān

Then he should appoint as secret agents men who have been tested and are shrewd and able to bear hunger, thirst and fatigue, and who look dull-witted, blind or deaf.

Note on the text: Corrected प्रणिर्धीश्च → प्रणिधींश्च (misprint in Wikisource: a stray र् and the final anusvāra lost; the word is praṇidhīn, CE praṇidhīṃś).

Verse 9 (12.68.9)

अमात्येषु च सर्वेषु मित्रेषु त्रिविधेषु च । पुत्रेषु च महाराज प्रणिदध्यात्समाहितः ॥

amātyeṣu ca sarveṣu mitreṣu trividheṣu ca | putreṣu ca mahārāja praṇidadhyātsamāhitaḥ

Attentive, great king, he should place agents among all his ministers, among his friends of the three kinds, and among his sons.

Verse 10 (12.68.10)

पुरे जनपदे चैव तथा सामन्तराजसु । यथा न विद्युरन्योन्यं प्रणिधेयास्तथा हि ते ॥

pure janapade caiva tathā sāmantarājasu | yathā na vidyuranyonyaṃ praṇidheyāstathā hi te

In the city, in the countryside and among the neighbouring kings, the agents must be placed in such a way that they do not know one another.

Verse 11 (12.68.11)

चारांश्च विद्यात्प्रहितान्परेण भरतर्षभ । आपणेषु विहारेषु समवायेषु वीथिषु ॥

cārāṃśca vidyātprahitānpareṇa bharatarṣabha | āpaṇeṣu vihāreṣu samavāyeṣu vīthiṣu

And he should discover the spies sent by the enemy, O best of the Bharatas: in the markets, in places of amusement, in gatherings, in the streets,

Verse 12 (12.68.12)

आरामेषु तथोद्याने पण्डितानां समागमे । वेशेषु चत्वरे चैव सभास्वावसथेषु च ॥

ārāmeṣu tathodyāne paṇḍitānāṃ samāgame | veśeṣu catvare caiva sabhāsvāvasatheṣu ca

in pleasure-groves and gardens, at assemblies of the learned, in the quarters of courtesans, at crossroads, in halls and in lodging-houses.

Verse 13 (12.68.13)

एवं विहन्याच्चारेण परचारं विचक्षणः । चारे च विहते सर्वं हतं भवति भारत ॥

evaṃ vihanyāccāreṇa paracāraṃ vicakṣaṇaḥ | cāre ca vihate sarvaṃ hataṃ bhavati bhārata

In this way the wise king should defeat the enemy's spying with his own spying; for when a side's spy-network is destroyed, O Bharata, everything of that side is destroyed.

Verse 14 (12.68.14)

यदा तु हीनं नृपतिर्विद्यादात्मानमात्मना । अमात्यैः सह संमन्त्र्य कुर्यात्सन्धिं बलीयसा ॥

yadā tu hīnaṃ nṛpatirvidyādātmānamātmanā | amātyaiḥ saha saṃmantrya kuryātsandhiṃ balīyasā

When a king judges for himself that he is the weaker, he should take counsel with his ministers and make peace with the stronger.

Verse 15 (12.68.15)

विद्वांसः क्षत्रिया वैश्या ब्राह्मणाश्च बहुश्रुताः । दण्डनीतौ तु निष्पन्ना मन्त्रिणः पृथिवीपते ॥

vidvāṃsaḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyā brāhmaṇāśca bahuśrutāḥ | daṇḍanītau tu niṣpannā mantriṇaḥ pṛthivīpate

Learned Kshatriyas and Vaishyas, and well-versed Brahmins, O lord of the earth, who are accomplished in the science of governance, are fit to be ministers.

Note on the text: Removed the stray opening backtick Wikisource prints before line 1. Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star passage 12.69.14d*0158_01-02, printed in the apparatus after 12.69.14 (hence the ce_ref of that verse).

Verse 16 (12.68.16)

प्रष्टव्यो ब्राह्मणः पूर्वं नीतिशास्त्रस्य तत्ववित् । पश्चात्पृच्छेत भूपालः क्षत्रियं नीतिकोविदम् । वैश्यशूद्रौ तथा भूयः शास्त्रज्ञौ हितकारिणौ ॥

praṣṭavyo brāhmaṇaḥ pūrvaṃ nītiśāstrasya tatvavit | paścātpṛccheta bhūpālaḥ kṣatriyaṃ nītikovidam | vaiśyaśūdrau tathā bhūyaḥ śāstrajñau hitakāriṇau

First the king should consult a Brahmin who knows the truth of the science of policy; afterwards he should consult a Kshatriya skilled in policy; and then a Vaishya and a Shudra, learned in the treatises and acting for his good.

Note on the text: Removed the stray daṇḍas and the closing quote mark Wikisource prints after line 3 (the quotation that opened in the previous verse ends here). Three-line verse, as on the page (labelled 68-16a/b/c). Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-3 are the CE star passage 12.69.14d*0158_03-05 (Wikisource नीतिशास्त्रस्य तत्ववित् against CE nītiśāstrārthatattvavit, a variant, kept).

Verse 17 (12.68.17)

अज्ञायमाने हीनत्वे सन्धिं कुर्यात्परेण वै । लिप्सुर्वा कंचिदेवार्थं त्वरमाणो विचक्षणः ॥

ajñāyamāne hīnatve sandhiṃ kuryātpareṇa vai | lipsurvā kaṃcidevārthaṃ tvaramāṇo vicakṣaṇaḥ

While his weakness is not yet known, the wise king should make peace with the enemy; or, wishing to gain some particular object, he should act in haste.

Verse 18 (12.68.18)

गुणवन्तो महोत्साहा धर्मज्ञाः साधवश्च ये । सन्दधीत नृपस्तैश्च राष्ट्रं धर्मेण पालयन् ॥

guṇavanto mahotsāhā dharmajñāḥ sādhavaśca ye | sandadhīta nṛpastaiśca rāṣṭraṃ dharmeṇa pālayan

He should make alliance with those who are virtuous, full of energy, knowers of dharma and good, ruling the kingdom by dharma.

Verse 19 (12.68.19)

उच्छिद्यमानमात्मानं ज्ञात्वा राजा महामतिः । पूर्वापकारिणो हन्याल्लोकद्विष्टांश्च सर्वशः ॥

ucchidyamānamātmānaṃ jñātvā rājā mahāmatiḥ | pūrvāpakāriṇo hanyāllokadviṣṭāṃśca sarvaśaḥ

When the wise king knows that he himself is being uprooted, he should slay those who wronged him before and all whom the people hate.

Verse 20 (12.68.20)

यो नोपकर्तुं शक्नोति नापकर्तुं महीपतिः । न शक्यरूपश्चोद्धर्तुमुपेक्ष्यस्तादृशो भवेत् ॥

yo nopakartuṃ śaknoti nāpakartuṃ mahīpatiḥ | na śakyarūpaścoddhartumupekṣyastādṛśo bhavet

A king who can neither benefit nor harm, and who cannot easily be uprooted, should be disregarded.

Verse 21 (12.68.21)

यात्रां यायादविज्ञातमनाक्रन्दमनन्तरम् । व्यासक्तं च प्रमत्तं च दुर्बलं च विचक्षणः ॥

yātrāṃ yāyādavijñātamanākrandamanantaram | vyāsaktaṃ ca pramattaṃ ca durbalaṃ ca vicakṣaṇaḥ

The wise king should march unnoticed against one who has no one to call for help, who has no kinsmen near him, who is occupied elsewhere, heedless, or weak.

Verse 22 (12.68.22)

यात्रामाज्ञापयेद्वीरः कल्यः पुष्टबलः सुखी । पूर्वं कृत्वा विधानं च यात्रायां नगरे तथा ॥

yātrāmājñāpayedvīraḥ kalyaḥ puṣṭabalaḥ sukhī | pūrvaṃ kṛtvā vidhānaṃ ca yātrāyāṃ nagare tathā

A heroic king who is healthy, strong in his forces and at ease should order the march, after first making his arrangements both for the expedition and for the city.

Verse 23 (12.68.23)

न च वश्यो भवेदस्य नृपो यश्चातिवीर्यवान् । हीनश्च बलवीर्याभ्यां कर्षयंस्तत्परो वसेत् ॥

na ca vaśyo bhavedasya nṛpo yaścātivīryavān | hīnaśca balavīryābhyāṃ karṣayaṃstatparo vaset

A king who does not come under his sway, though very powerful, or who is lacking in strength and valour, he should keep himself bent on wearing down.

Note on the text: Corrected पश्यो → वश्यो (misprint in Wikisource: प for व; 'not subject to him', CE vaśyo). Wikisource's यश्चातिवीर्यवान् and तत्परो वसेत् are variants of CE yady api vīryavān and taṃ parāvaset, kept.

Verse 24 (12.68.24)

राष्ट्रं च पीडयेत्तस्य शस्त्राग्निविषमूर्च्छनैः । अमात्यवल्लभानां च विवादांस्तस्य कारयेत् ॥

rāṣṭraṃ ca pīḍayettasya śastrāgniviṣamūrcchanaiḥ | amātyavallabhānāṃ ca vivādāṃstasya kārayet

He should afflict that king's realm with weapons, fire, poison and stupefying drugs, and stir up quarrels between his ministers and his favourites.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Lines 1-2 are CE 12.69.22a and 22c (the CE's three-line verse 22, whose third line, 22e, opens the next verse).

Verse 25 (12.68.25)

वर्जनीयं सदा युद्धं राज्यकामेन धीमता । उपायैस्त्रिभिरादानमर्थस्याह बृहस्पतिः ॥

varjanīyaṃ sadā yuddhaṃ rājyakāmena dhīmatā | upāyaistribhirādānamarthasyāha bṛhaspatiḥ

A wise man who desires a kingdom should always avoid war. Brihaspati has said that gain is to be won by three means.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Line 1 is CE 12.69.22e (the third line of CE verse 22); line 2 is CE 12.69.23a.

Verse 26 (12.68.26)

सान्त्वेन तु प्रदानेन भेदेन च नराधिप । यमर्थं शक्नुयात्प्राप्तुं तेन तुष्येत पण्डितः ॥

sāntvena tu pradānena bhedena ca narādhipa | yamarthaṃ śaknuyātprāptuṃ tena tuṣyeta paṇḍitaḥ

By conciliation, by gifts and by sowing division, O lord of men: whatever aim he can secure by these, with that the wise man should be content.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Lines 1-2 are CE 12.69.23c and 23e (CE sāntvenānupradānena bhedena ca narādhipa / yam arthaṃ śaknuyāt prāptuṃ tena tuṣyed dhi paṇḍitaḥ); Wikisource सान्त्वेन तु प्रदानेन and तुष्येत पण्डितः are variants, kept.

Verse 27 (12.68.27)

आददीत बलिं चापि प्रजाभ्यः कुरुनन्दन । षड्भागममितप्रज्ञस्तासामेवाभिगुप्तये ॥

ādadīta baliṃ cāpi prajābhyaḥ kurunandana | ṣaḍbhāgamamitaprajñastāsāmevābhiguptaye

A king of boundless wisdom may also take a tax of a sixth part from his subjects, O joy of the Kurus, for their own protection.

Note on the text: Corrected षङ्भागममितप्रज्ञः → षड्भागममितप्रज्ञः (misprint in Wikisource: ङ् for ड्; CE ṣaḍbhāgam amitaprajñaḥ).

Verse 28 (12.68.28)

दशाधर्मगतेभ्यो यद्वसु बह्वल्पमेव वा । तन्नाददीत सहसा पौराणां रक्षणाय वै ॥

daśādharmagatebhyo yadvasu bahvalpameva vā | tannādadīta sahasā paurāṇāṃ rakṣaṇāya vai

Whatever wealth, great or small, belongs to those who have fallen into the ten classes of disability, he should not seize on a sudden impulse, for the protection of the townsfolk.

Note on the text: Wikisource दशाधर्मगतेभ्यो against CE daśadharmagatebhyo (the page's footnote gives दशधर्मगतेभ्य as another reading); kept as printed.

Verse 29 (12.68.29)

यथा पुत्रास्तथा पौरा द्रष्टव्यास्ते न संशयः । भक्तिश्चैषु न कर्तव्या व्यवहारप्रदर्शने ॥

yathā putrāstathā paurā draṣṭavyāste na saṃśayaḥ | bhaktiścaiṣu na kartavyā vyavahārapradarśane

You must regard the townsfolk as your sons, without doubt; but no partiality is to be shown to any of them when a case is brought before him.

Verse 30 (12.68.30)

श्रोतुं चैव न्यसेद्राजा प्राज्ञान्सर्वार्थदर्शिनः । व्यवहारेषु सततं तत्र राज्यं प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥

śrotuṃ caiva nyasedrājā prājñānsarvārthadarśinaḥ | vyavahāreṣu satataṃ tatra rājyaṃ pratiṣṭhitam

The king should appoint wise men who see into every matter to hear cases; on lawsuits the kingdom stands established.

Note on the text: Real variant: Wikisource श्रोतुं चैव न्यसेद्राजा प्राज्ञान्सर्वार्थदर्शिनः and राज्यं प्रतिष्ठितम् (the page's footnote cites सूतं च विन्यसेद्राजा प्राज्ञं सर्वार्थदर्शिनम् as another reading) against CE sutaṃ ca sthāpayed rājā prājñaṃ sarvārthadarśinam / … rājyaṃ vyavasthitam. Kept as printed.

Verse 31 (12.68.31)

आकरे लवणे शुल्के तरे नागबले तथा । न्यसेदमात्यान्नृपतिः स्वाप्तान्वा पुरुषान्हितान् ॥

ākare lavaṇe śulke tare nāgabale tathā | nyasedamātyānnṛpatiḥ svāptānvā puruṣānhitān

At the mines, the salt-works, the customs-posts, the ferries and the elephant-forces the king should appoint ministers, or trustworthy and well-wishing men.

Verse 32 (12.68.32)

सम्यग्दण्डधरो नित्यं राजा धर्ममवाप्नुयात् । नृपस्य सततं दण्डः सम्यग्धर्मः प्रशस्यते ॥

samyagdaṇḍadharo nityaṃ rājā dharmamavāpnuyāt | nṛpasya satataṃ daṇḍaḥ samyagdharmaḥ praśasyate

A king who always wields the rod rightly attains dharma. For a king, punishment rightly applied is always praised as dharma.

Verse 33 (12.68.33)

वेदवेदाङ्गवित्प्राज्ञः सुतपस्वी नृपो भवेत् । दानशीलश्च सततं यज्ञशीलश्च भारत ॥

vedavedāṅgavitprājñaḥ sutapasvī nṛpo bhavet | dānaśīlaśca satataṃ yajñaśīlaśca bhārata

A king should know the Vedas and their limbs, be wise and greatly austere, and always be given to charity and to sacrifice, O Bharata.

Verse 34 (12.68.34)

एते गुणाः समस्ताः स्युर्नृपस्य सततं स्थिराः । व्यवहारस्य लोपेन कुतः स्वर्गः कुतो यशः ॥

ete guṇāḥ samastāḥ syurnṛpasya satataṃ sthirāḥ | vyavahārasya lopena kutaḥ svargaḥ kuto yaśaḥ

A king may have all these good qualities, firm and unfailing; but if the administration of justice lapses, where is heaven for him, where is fame?

Note on the text: Real variant: Wikisource व्यवहारस्य लोपेन against CE kriyālope tu nṛpateḥ; kept as printed.

Verse 35 (12.68.35)

यदा तु पीडितो राजा भवेद्राज्ञा बलीयसा । तदाभिसंश्रयेद्दुर्गं बुद्धिमान्पृथिवीपतिः ॥

yadā tu pīḍito rājā bhavedrājñā balīyasā | tadābhisaṃśrayeddurgaṃ buddhimānpṛthivīpatiḥ

When a king is hard pressed by a stronger king, the wise ruler should take refuge in a fortress.

Note on the text: Removed the opening square bracket Wikisource prints before line 2. Line 1 is CE 12.69.32a; line 2 is the CE star passage 12.69.32b*0160_01 (tadābhisaṃśrayed durgaṃ buddhimān pṛthivīpatiḥ).

Verse 36 (12.68.36)

विधावाक्रम्य मित्राणि विधानमुपकल्पयेत् । सामभेदान्विरोधार्थं विधानमुपकल्पयेत् ॥

vidhāvākramya mitrāṇi vidhānamupakalpayet | sāmabhedānvirodhārthaṃ vidhānamupakalpayet

Having approached his friends in due form, he should make his arrangements; and he should make arrangements to oppose the enemy by conciliation and by division.

Note on the text: Removed the closing square bracket and the doubled daṇḍa Wikisource prints after line 2. Not matched by the alignment: line 1 विधावाक्रम्य … is a variant of CE 12.69.32c (tridhā tv ākrandya mitrāṇi vidhānam upakalpayet); line 2 is the CE star line 12.69.32d*0162_01 (sāmabhedān virodhārthaṃ vidhānam upakalpayet).

Verse 37 (12.68.37)

त्रिधा तु कृत्वा मित्राणि विधानमुपकल्पयेत् । घोषान्न्यसेत मार्गेषु ग्रामानुत्थापयेदपि । प्रवेशयेच्च तान्सर्वाञ्शाखानगरकेष्वपि ॥

tridhā tu kṛtvā mitrāṇi vidhānamupakalpayet | ghoṣānnyaseta mārgeṣu grāmānutthāpayedapi | praveśayecca tānsarvāñśākhānagarakeṣvapi

Having arranged his friends in three groups, he should make his arrangements. He should post the herdsmen's settlements along the roads and have the villages moved, and bring all of them into the outlying towns.

Note on the text: Removed the stray backtick and quote mark Wikisource prints around line 1 and the stray daṇḍa after it. Not matched by the alignment: line 1 (त्रिधा तु कृत्वा …) is a further variant of CE 12.69.32c (tridhā tv ākrandya …); lines 2-3 are CE 12.69.33a and 33c.

Verse 38 (12.68.38)

ये गुप्ताश्चैव दुर्गाश्च देशास्तेषु प्रवेशयेत् । धनिनो बलमुख्यांश्च सान्त्वयित्वा पुनः पुनः ॥

ye guptāścaiva durgāśca deśāsteṣu praveśayet | dhanino balamukhyāṃśca sāntvayitvā punaḥ punaḥ

He should lodge them in the regions that are secret and hard of access, while he reassures the wealthy and the chiefs of the army again and again.

Verse 39 (12.68.39)

सस्याभिहारं कुर्वीत स्वयमेव नराधिपः । असंभवे प्रवेशस्य दाहयेदग्निना भृशम् ॥

sasyābhihāraṃ kurvīta svayameva narādhipaḥ | asaṃbhave praveśasya dāhayedagninā bhṛśam

The king should himself carry off the standing crops; and if he cannot bring them in, he should burn them thoroughly with fire.

Verse 40 (12.68.40)

क्षेत्रस्थेषु च सस्येषु शत्रोरुपजपेन्नरान् । विनाशयेद्वा तत्सर्वं बलेनाथ स्वकेन वै ॥

kṣetrastheṣu ca sasyeṣu śatrorupajapennarān | vināśayedvā tatsarvaṃ balenātha svakena vai

While the crops stand in the fields he should work upon the enemy's men, or else destroy it all with his own force.

Verse 41 (12.68.41)

नदीमार्गेषु च तथा संक्रमानवसादयेत् । जलं विस्रावयेत्सर्वमविस्राव्यं च दूषयेत् ॥

nadīmārgeṣu ca tathā saṃkramānavasādayet | jalaṃ visrāvayetsarvamavisrāvyaṃ ca dūṣayet

Likewise on the river routes he should break down the crossings; he should drain off all the water that can be drained, and foul what cannot be drained.

Verse 42 (12.68.42)

तदात्वेनायतीभिश्च निवसेद्भूम्यनन्तरम् । प्रतिघातं परस्याजौ युद्धकालेऽप्युपस्थिते ॥

tadātvenāyatībhiśca nivasedbhūmyanantaram | pratighātaṃ parasyājau yuddhakāle'pyupasthite

For the present and for the times to come he should take up his position in the neighbouring land, as a check upon the enemy in battle, even when the hour of war has arrived.

Verse 43 (12.68.43)

दुर्गाणां चाभितो राजा मूलच्छेदं प्रकारयेत् । सर्वेषां क्षुद्रवृक्षाणां चैत्यवृक्षान्विवर्जयेत् ॥

durgāṇāṃ cābhito rājā mūlacchedaṃ prakārayet | sarveṣāṃ kṣudravṛkṣāṇāṃ caityavṛkṣānvivarjayet

Around the fortresses the king should have all the small trees cut down at the root, but he should spare the sacred caitya trees.

Verse 44 (12.68.44)

प्रवृद्धानां च वृक्षाणां शाखां प्रच्छेदयेत्तथा । चैत्यानां सर्वथा त्याज्यमपि पत्रस्य पातनम् ॥

pravṛddhānāṃ ca vṛkṣāṇāṃ śākhāṃ pracchedayettathā | caityānāṃ sarvathā tyājyamapi patrasya pātanam

He should also have the branches of the full-grown trees lopped off; but of the sacred trees he must avoid in every way even the dropping of a leaf.

Verse 45 (12.68.45)

देवानामाश्रयाश्चैत्या यक्षराक्षसभोगिनाम् । पिशाचपन्नगानां च गन्धर्वाप्सरसामपि । रौद्राणां चैव भूतानां तस्मात्तान्परिवर्जयेत् ॥

devānāmāśrayāścaityā yakṣarākṣasabhoginām | piśācapannagānāṃ ca gandharvāpsarasāmapi | raudrāṇāṃ caiva bhūtānāṃ tasmāttānparivarjayet

Sacred trees are the dwelling-places of gods, of yakshas, rakshasas and serpents, of pishachas and nagas, of gandharvas and apsarases, and of terrible spirits; therefore he should avoid them.

Note on the text: Removed the stray opening backtick Wikisource prints before line 1. Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-3 are the CE star passage 12.69.40d*0163_01-03 (Wikisource देवानाम् against CE daivānām, a variant, kept).

Verse 46 (12.68.46)

श्रूयते हि निकुम्भेन सौदासस्य बलं हतम् । महेश्वरगणेशेन वाराणस्यां नराधिप ॥

śrūyate hi nikumbhena saudāsasya balaṃ hatam | maheśvaragaṇeśena vārāṇasyāṃ narādhipa

For it is heard that Nikumbha, a lord of Maheshvara's attendants, destroyed the army of Saudasa at Varanasi, O lord of men.

Note on the text: Removed the stray daṇḍa and the closing quote mark Wikisource prints after the verse (the quotation opened in the previous verse). Not in the critical edition's constituted text: the CE star passage 12.69.40d*0163_04-05.

Verse 47 (12.68.47)

प्रगण्डीः कारयेत्सम्यगाकाशजननीस्तदा । आपूरयेच्च परिखां स्थाणुनक्रझषाकुलाम् ॥

pragaṇḍīḥ kārayetsamyagākāśajananīstadā | āpūrayecca parikhāṃ sthāṇunakrajhaṣākulām

He should have the parapet platforms and the loopholes properly built, and fill the moat, crowded with stakes, crocodiles and fish.

Verse 48 (12.68.48)

सङ्कटद्वारकाणि स्युरुच्छ्वासार्थं पुरस्य च । तेषां च द्वारवद्गुप्तिः कार्या सर्वात्मना भवेत् ॥

saṅkaṭadvārakāṇi syurucchvāsārthaṃ purasya ca | teṣāṃ ca dvāravadguptiḥ kāryā sarvātmanā bhavet

There should be narrow side-gates so that the city can breathe, and these must be guarded with every effort, just like the main gates.

Verse 49 (12.68.49)

द्वारेषु च गुरूण्येव यन्त्राणि स्थापयेत्सदा । आरोपयेच्छतघ्नीश्च स्वाधीनानि च कारयेत् ॥

dvāreṣu ca gurūṇyeva yantrāṇi sthāpayetsadā | āropayecchataghnīśca svādhīnāni ca kārayet

At the gates he should always set up heavy engines, mount the shataghnis on the walls, and keep them under his own control.

Note on the text: Corrected आरापयेच्छतघ्नीश्च → आरोपयेच्छतघ्नीश्च (misprint in Wikisource: आरापयेत् is not a form in use; the verb is ā-ropayet, 'he should mount', CE āropayec chataghnīś).

Verse 50 (12.68.50)

काष्ठानि चाभिहार्याणि तथा कूपांश्च खानयेत् । संशोधयेत्तथा कूपान्कृतान्पूर्वं पयोर्थिभिः ॥

kāṣṭhāni cābhihāryāṇi tathā kūpāṃśca khānayet | saṃśodhayettathā kūpānkṛtānpūrvaṃ payorthibhiḥ

He should store firewood and have wells dug, and he should clean the wells that were dug earlier by those who needed water.

Note on the text: Corrected कृतान्पूर्वपयोर्थिभिः → कृतान्पूर्वं पयोर्थिभिः (misprint in Wikisource: the anusvāra of पूर्वम् is lost and the words are run together; CE kṛtān pūrvaṃ payorthibhiḥ).

Verse 51 (12.68.51)

तृणच्छन्नानि वेश्मानि पङ्केनाथ प्रलेपयेत् । निर्हरेच्च तृणं मासि चैत्रे वह्निभयात्पुरा ॥

tṛṇacchannāni veśmāni paṅkenātha pralepayet | nirharecca tṛṇaṃ māsi caitre vahnibhayātpurā

He should have grass-thatched houses plastered with mud, and in the month of Chaitra he should have the thatch removed beforehand, for fear of fire.

Verse 52 (12.68.52)

नक्तमेव च भक्तानि पाचयेत नराधिपः । न दिवा ज्वालयेदग्निं वर्जयित्वाऽऽग्निहोत्रिकम् ॥

naktameva ca bhaktāni pācayeta narādhipaḥ | na divā jvālayedagniṃ varjayitvā''gnihotrikam

The king should have meals cooked only at night, and no fire should be kindled by day, except the fire of the agnihotra.

Verse 53 (12.68.53)

यथासंभवशैलानि चैष्टकानि च कारयेत् । मृण्मयानि च कुर्वीत ज्ञात्वा देशं बलाबलम् ॥

yathāsaṃbhavaśailāni caiṣṭakāni ca kārayet | mṛṇmayāni ca kurvīta jñātvā deśaṃ balābalam

As far as possible he should have things made of stone and of brick, and also of clay, judging the place and the strengths and weaknesses involved.

Note on the text: Removed the stray opening backtick and the stray daṇḍas and quote mark Wikisource prints around the verse. Not in the critical edition's constituted text: the CE star passage 12.69.46d*0164_01-02 (Wikisource ज्ञात्वा देशं against CE jñātvā deśe, a variant, kept).

Verse 54 (12.68.54)

कर्मारारिष्टशालासु ज्वलेदग्निः सुरक्षितः । गृहाणि च प्रवेश्यान्तर्विधेयः स्याद्धुताशनः ॥

karmārāriṣṭaśālāsu jvaledagniḥ surakṣitaḥ | gṛhāṇi ca praveśyāntarvidheyaḥ syāddhutāśanaḥ

Fire should burn only in the smithies and in the lying-in rooms, well guarded; and within houses the fire must be kept under control.

Verse 55 (12.68.55)

महादण्डश्च तस्य स्याद्यस्याग्निर्वै दिवा भवेत् । प्रघोषयेदथैवं च रक्षणार्थं पुरस्य च ॥

mahādaṇḍaśca tasya syādyasyāgnirvai divā bhavet | praghoṣayedathaivaṃ ca rakṣaṇārthaṃ purasya ca

Whoever has a fire burning by day should receive the heaviest punishment; this should be proclaimed aloud for the protection of the city.

Verse 56 (12.68.56)

भिक्षुकांश्चाक्रिकांश्चैव क्लीबोन्मत्तान्कुशीलवान् । बाह्यान्कुर्यान्नरश्रेष्ठ दोषाय स्युर्हि ते शठाः ॥

bhikṣukāṃścākrikāṃścaiva klībonmattānkuśīlavān | bāhyānkuryānnaraśreṣṭha doṣāya syurhi te śaṭhāḥ

Beggars, cart-drivers, eunuchs, madmen and strolling players he should keep outside the city, O best of men; for these rogues can bring harm.

Verse 57 (12.68.57)

चत्वरेष्वथ तीर्थेषु सभास्वावसथेषु च । यथार्थवर्णं प्रणिधिं कुर्यात्सर्वत्र पार्थिवः ॥

catvareṣvatha tīrtheṣu sabhāsvāvasatheṣu ca | yathārthavarṇaṃ praṇidhiṃ kuryātsarvatra pārthivaḥ

At crossroads, at holy bathing-places, in assembly halls and lodging-houses, the king should everywhere post agents of suitable appearance and class.

Verse 58 (12.68.58)

विशालान्राजमार्गांश्च कारयेत नराधिपः । प्रपाश्च विपणीश्चैव यथोद्देशं समादिशेत् ॥

viśālānrājamārgāṃśca kārayeta narādhipaḥ | prapāśca vipaṇīścaiva yathoddeśaṃ samādiśet

The king should have broad royal roads made, and should order the water-sheds and shops to be placed each in its proper place.

Verse 59 (12.68.59)

भाण्डागारायुधागारान्धान्यागारांश्च सर्वशः । अश्वागारान्गजागारान्बलाधिकरणानि च ॥

bhāṇḍāgārāyudhāgārāndhānyāgārāṃśca sarvaśaḥ | aśvāgārāngajāgārānbalādhikaraṇāni ca

Everywhere there should be storehouses, armouries and granaries, stables for horses, stalls for elephants, and offices for the army.

Verse 60 (12.68.60)

परिखाश्चैव कौरव्य प्रतोलीसङ्कटानि च । न जातु कश्चित्पश्येत गुह्यमेतद्युधिष्ठिर ॥

parikhāścaiva kauravya pratolīsaṅkaṭāni ca | na jātu kaścitpaśyeta guhyametadyudhiṣṭhira

The moats, O Kaurava, the gateways and the narrow passages: let no one ever see these; this is a secret, Yudhishthira.

Verse 61 (12.68.61)

अर्थसंनिचयं कुर्याद्राजा परबलार्दितः । तैलं मधु घृतं सस्यमौषधानि च सर्वशः ॥

arthasaṃnicayaṃ kuryādrājā parabalārditaḥ | tailaṃ madhu ghṛtaṃ sasyamauṣadhāni ca sarvaśaḥ

A king harassed by an enemy's forces should lay in stores: oil, honey, ghee, grain and medicines of every kind.

Verse 62 (12.68.62)

अङ्गारकुशमुञ्जानां पलाशशरवर्णिनाम् । यवसेन्धनदिग्धानां कारयेत च संचयान् ॥

aṅgārakuśamuñjānāṃ palāśaśaravarṇinām | yavasendhanadigdhānāṃ kārayeta ca saṃcayān

He should have stockpiles made of charcoal, kusha and munja grass, palasha wood and reeds for writing, fodder, firewood, and poisoned arrows.

Verse 63 (12.68.63)

आयुधानां च सर्वेषां शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासचर्मणाम् । संचयानेवमादीनां कारयेत नराधिपः ॥

āyudhānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ śaktyṛṣṭiprāsacarmaṇām | saṃcayānevamādīnāṃ kārayeta narādhipaḥ

The king should likewise have stockpiled all kinds of weapons: spears, swords, lances, shields and the like.

Verse 64 (12.68.64)

औषधानि च सर्वाणि मूलानि च फलानि च । चतुर्विधांश्च वैद्यान्वै संगृह्णीयाद्विशेषतः ॥

auṣadhāni ca sarvāṇi mūlāni ca phalāni ca | caturvidhāṃśca vaidyānvai saṃgṛhṇīyādviśeṣataḥ

All medicines, roots and fruits, and especially physicians of the four kinds, he should gather together.

Note on the text: Corrected विशेषठः → विशेषतः (misprint in Wikisource: ठ for त; CE viśeṣataḥ).

Verse 65 (12.68.65)

नटांश्च नर्तकांश्चैव मल्लान्मायाविनस्तथा । शोभयेयुः पुरवरं मोदयेयुश्च सर्वशः ॥

naṭāṃśca nartakāṃścaiva mallānmāyāvinastathā | śobhayeyuḥ puravaraṃ modayeyuśca sarvaśaḥ

Actors and dancers, wrestlers and conjurers: they should adorn the splendid city and delight the people everywhere.

Verse 66 (12.68.66)

यतः शङ्का भवेच्चापि भृत्यतोऽथापि मन्त्रितः । पौरेभ्यो नृपतेर्वापि स्वाधीनान्कारयेत तान् ॥

yataḥ śaṅkā bhaveccāpi bhṛtyato'thāpi mantritaḥ | paurebhyo nṛpatervāpi svādhīnānkārayeta tān

Wherever there is cause for suspicion, from a servant, from a counsellor, from the townsfolk or even from a king, he should bring those persons under his own control.

Verse 67 (12.68.67)

कृते कर्माणि राजा तान्पूजयेद्धनसंचयैः । माननेन यथार्हेण सान्त्वेन विविधेन च ॥

kṛte karmāṇi rājā tānpūjayeddhanasaṃcayaiḥ | mānanena yathārheṇa sāntvena vividhena ca

When they have done their work, the king should honour them with gifts of wealth, with fitting marks of respect and with varied kind words.

Verse 68 (12.68.68)

निर्वेदयित्वा तु परं हत्वा वा कुरुनन्दन । गतानृण्यो भवेद्राजा यथा शास्त्रे निदर्शितम् ॥

nirvedayitvā tu paraṃ hatvā vā kurunandana | gatānṛṇyo bhavedrājā yathā śāstre nidarśitam

Having made the enemy yield, or having slain him, O joy of the Kurus, the king is freed from his debt, as the scripture shows.

Verse 69 (12.68.69)

राज्ञा सप्तैव रक्ष्याणि तानि चैव निबोध मे । आत्माऽमात्याश्च कोशाश्च दण्डो मित्राणि चैव हि ॥

rājñā saptaiva rakṣyāṇi tāni caiva nibodha me | ātmā'mātyāśca kośāśca daṇḍo mitrāṇi caiva hi

A king must guard seven things; hear them from me: himself, his ministers, his treasuries, his army, his friends,

Verse 70 (12.68.70)

तथा जनपदाश्चैव पुरं च कुरुनन्दन । एतत्सप्तात्मकं राज्यं परिपाल्यं प्रयत्नतः ॥

tathā janapadāścaiva puraṃ ca kurunandana | etatsaptātmakaṃ rājyaṃ paripālyaṃ prayatnataḥ

and likewise the countryside and the capital, O joy of the Kurus. A kingdom consists of these seven, and it must be guarded with effort.

Verse 71 (12.68.71)

षाङ्गुण्यं च त्रिवर्गं च त्रिवर्गपरमं तथा । यो वेत्ति पुरुषव्याघ्र स भुङ्क्ते पृथिवीमिमाम् ॥

ṣāṅguṇyaṃ ca trivargaṃ ca trivargaparamaṃ tathā | yo vetti puruṣavyāghra sa bhuṅkte pṛthivīmimām

He who knows the sixfold policy, the triad, and what is supreme beyond the triad, O tiger among men, enjoys this whole earth.

Verse 72 (12.68.72)

षाङ्गुण्यमिति यत्प्रोक्तं तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर । सन्धायासनमित्येव यात्रासन्धानमेव च ॥

ṣāṅguṇyamiti yatproktaṃ tannibodha yudhiṣṭhira | sandhāyāsanamityeva yātrāsandhānameva ca

Hear, Yudhishthira, what is called the sixfold policy: staying put after making peace, and making peace and then marching;

Verse 73 (12.68.73)

विगृह्यासनमित्येव यात्रां संपरिगृह्य च । द्वैधीभावस्तथाऽन्येषां संश्रयोऽथ परस्य च ॥

vigṛhyāsanamityeva yātrāṃ saṃparigṛhya ca | dvaidhībhāvastathā'nyeṣāṃ saṃśrayo'tha parasya ca

staying put after making war, and marching after taking up arms; a double policy towards others; and taking refuge with another.

Verse 74 (12.68.74)

त्रिवर्गश्चापि यः प्रोक्तस्तमिहैकमनाः शृणु । क्षयः स्थानं च वृद्धिश्च त्रिवर्गः परमस्तथा ॥

trivargaścāpi yaḥ proktastamihaikamanāḥ śṛṇu | kṣayaḥ sthānaṃ ca vṛddhiśca trivargaḥ paramastathā

Listen now with a single mind to the triad that was mentioned: decline, stability and growth; and likewise the supreme triad.

Verse 75 (12.68.75)

धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च त्रिवर्गो वै सनातनः । मन्त्रश्चैव प्रभावश्च उत्साहश्चैव तान्त्रिकः । शक्तित्रयं समाख्यातं त्रिवर्गस्य च तत्परम् ॥

dharmaścārthaśca kāmaśca trivargo vai sanātanaḥ | mantraścaiva prabhāvaśca utsāhaścaiva tāntrikaḥ | śaktitrayaṃ samākhyātaṃ trivargasya ca tatparam

Dharma, artha and kama are the eternal triad. Counsel, majesty and energy, the powers of governance, are declared to be a triad of powers; and beyond the triad is what is supreme.

Note on the text: Removed the stray opening backtick Wikisource prints before line 1. Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-3 are the CE star passage 12.69.67d*0166_01-03, printed in the apparatus after 12.69.67.

Verse 76 (12.68.76)

कार्यं च कारणं चैव कर्ता च परिकीर्तितः । एतत्परतरं विद्यान्त्रिवर्गादपि भारत । सर्वेषां च क्षये राजन्यस्त्रिवर्गः सनातनः ॥

kāryaṃ ca kāraṇaṃ caiva kartā ca parikīrtitaḥ | etatparataraṃ vidyāntrivargādapi bhārata | sarveṣāṃ ca kṣaye rājanyastrivargaḥ sanātanaḥ

The act, the cause and the doer are proclaimed. Know this to be higher even than the triad, O Bharata; it is the triad that remains eternal when all else decays, O king.

Note on the text: Corrected सर्वेपां → सर्वेषां (misprint in Wikisource: प for ष; CE sarveṣāṃ). Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-3 are the CE star passage 12.69.67d*0166_04-06.

Verse 77 (12.68.77)

सत्वं रजस्तमश्चैव त्रिवर्गकरणं स्मृतम् । तेनात्यन्तविमुक्तश्च मुक्तः पुरुष उच्यते ॥

satvaṃ rajastamaścaiva trivargakaraṇaṃ smṛtam | tenātyantavimuktaśca muktaḥ puruṣa ucyate

Sattva, rajas and tamas are remembered as the instrument of the triad. One who is wholly freed from it is called a liberated man.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star passage 12.69.67d*0166_07-08 (Wikisource त्रिवर्गकरणं against CE trivargaḥ kāraṇam, a variant, kept).

Verse 78 (12.68.78)

कार्यस्य सर्वथा नाशो मोक्ष इत्यभिधीयते । तेन मोक्षपरश्चैव देवदेवः पितामहः । तुष्ट्यर्थस्य त्रिवर्गस्य रक्षामाह पितामहः ॥

kāryasya sarvathā nāśo mokṣa ityabhidhīyate | tena mokṣaparaścaiva devadevaḥ pitāmahaḥ | tuṣṭyarthasya trivargasya rakṣāmāha pitāmahaḥ

The complete destruction of the effect is called liberation. Therefore the Grandsire, God of gods, is intent on liberation, yet the Grandsire has spoken of the protection of the triad for the sake of contentment.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-3 are the CE star passage 12.69.67d*0166_09-11 (Wikisource रक्षामाह पितामहः against CE rakṣām āha narādhipa, a variant, kept). The page labels the third line 12-69-78c, a typing slip for 12-68-78c.

Verse 79 (12.68.79)

जगतो लौकिकी यात्रा यत्र नित्यं प्रतिष्ठिता । धर्मोऽर्थश्चैव कामश्च सेवितव्याः स्वकालतः ॥

jagato laukikī yātrā yatra nityaṃ pratiṣṭhitā | dharmo'rthaścaiva kāmaśca sevitavyāḥ svakālataḥ

It is the triad on which the worldly course of the world is ever founded. Dharma, artha and kama are to be pursued, each in its proper season.

Note on the text: Removed the stray closing quote mark and daṇḍa Wikisource prints after line 1. Not in the critical edition's constituted text: line 1 is the CE star line 12.69.67d*0166_12; line 2 is CE 12.69.68a (dharmaś cārthaś ca kāmaś ca sevitavyo 'tha kālataḥ), which the alignment left unmatched.

Verse 80 (12.68.80)

सेवा धर्मस्य कर्तव्या सततं भूरिवत्सरैः । पुरुषैर्नरशार्दूल तन्मूलाः सर्वथा क्रियाः ॥

sevā dharmasya kartavyā satataṃ bhūrivatsaraiḥ | puruṣairnaraśārdūla tanmūlāḥ sarvathā kriyāḥ

Men, O tiger among men, should serve dharma constantly through the many years of their lives; all actions have it as their root.

Note on the text: Removed the stray opening backtick and the stray daṇḍas and quote mark Wikisource prints around the verse. Not in the critical edition's constituted text: the CE star passage 12.69.68b*0167_01-02 (Wikisource भूरिवत्सरैः against CE bhūtitatparaiḥ, a variant, kept).

Verse 81 (12.68.81)

धर्मेण च महीपालश्चिरं रक्षति मेदिनीम् । यः कश्चिद्धार्मिको राजा स विपन्नोऽपि भूपतिः । अर्थकामविहीनोऽपि चिरं पालयते महीम् ॥

dharmeṇa ca mahīpālaściraṃ rakṣati medinīm | yaḥ kaściddhārmiko rājā sa vipanno'pi bhūpatiḥ | arthakāmavihīno'pi ciraṃ pālayate mahīm

By dharma a king protects the earth for a long time. Any righteous king, even when fallen on misfortune and bereft of wealth and pleasure, rules the earth for long.

Note on the text: Removed the stray backtick and the stray daṇḍas and quote mark Wikisource prints around lines 2-3. Three-line verse, as on the page (labelled 68-81a/b/c): line 1 is CE 12.69.68c, which the alignment left unmatched; lines 2-3 are the CE star passage 12.69.68d*0168_01-02, not in the constituted text.

Verse 82 (12.68.82)

अस्मिन्नर्थे हि द्वौ श्लोकौ गीतावङ्गिरसा स्वयम् । यादवीपुत्र भद्रं ते श्रोतुमर्हसि तावपि ॥

asminnarthe hi dvau ślokau gītāvaṅgirasā svayam | yādavīputra bhadraṃ te śrotumarhasi tāvapi

On this matter two verses were sung by Angiras himself. O son of the Yadava princess, good fortune to you; you should hear them too.

Verse 83 (12.68.83)

कृत्वा कार्याणि धर्मेण सम्यक्संपाल्य मेदिनीम् । पालयित्वा तथा पौरान्परत्र सुखमेधते ॥

kṛtvā kāryāṇi dharmeṇa samyaksaṃpālya medinīm | pālayitvā tathā paurānparatra sukhamedhate

Having done his duties according to dharma, rightly governed the earth and protected the townsfolk, he prospers in happiness in the world beyond.

Verse 84 (12.68.84)

किं तस्य तपसा राज्ञः किंच तस्याध्वरैः कृतैः । सुपालिताः प्रजा यस्य सर्वधर्मकृदेव सः ॥

kiṃ tasya tapasā rājñaḥ kiṃca tasyādhvaraiḥ kṛtaiḥ | supālitāḥ prajā yasya sarvadharmakṛdeva saḥ

What need has that king of austerity, or of sacrifices performed? He whose subjects are well protected is himself the doer of all dharma.

Note on the text: Real variant: Wikisource सुपालिताः प्रजा यस्य सर्वधर्मकृदेव सः and कृतैः against CE apālitāḥ prajā yasya sarvā dharmavinākṛtāḥ and api. Kept as printed.

Verse 85 (12.68.85)

श्लोकाश्चोशनसा गीतास्तान्निबोध युधिष्ठिर । दण्डनीतेश्च यन्मूलं त्रिवर्गस्य च भूपते ॥

ślokāścośanasā gītāstānnibodha yudhiṣṭhira | daṇḍanīteśca yanmūlaṃ trivargasya ca bhūpate

Verses were also sung by Ushanas; learn them, Yudhishthira, about what is the root of the science of punishment and of the triad, O king.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star passage 12.69.71d*0169_01-02, printed in the apparatus after 12.69.71 (the passage runs through *0169_17, i.e. verses 85-92 here).

Verse 86 (12.68.86)

भार्गवाङ्गिरसं कर्म षोडशाङ्गं च यद्बलम् । विषं माया च दैवं च पौरुषं चात्मसिद्धये ॥

bhārgavāṅgirasaṃ karma ṣoḍaśāṅgaṃ ca yadbalam | viṣaṃ māyā ca daivaṃ ca pauruṣaṃ cātmasiddhaye

The work of Bhargava and Angiras, the force of sixteen limbs, poison, illusion, fate and human effort: these are for the accomplishment of one's ends.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star passage 12.69.71d*0169_03-04 (Wikisource विषं माया च and चात्मसिद्धये against CE viṣaṃ māyāś ca and cārthasiddhaye, variants, kept).

Verse 87 (12.68.87)

प्रागुदक्प्रवणं दुर्गं समासाद्य महीपतिः । त्रिवर्गत्रयसंपूर्णमुपादाय तमुद्वहेत् ॥

prāgudakpravaṇaṃ durgaṃ samāsādya mahīpatiḥ | trivargatrayasaṃpūrṇamupādāya tamudvahet

A king who has gained a fortress that slopes to the north-east, and has taken up what is complete in the three triads, should bear that burden.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star passage 12.69.71d*0169_05-06.

Verse 88 (12.68.88)

षट्पञ्च च विनिर्जित्य दश चाष्टौ च भूपतिः । त्रिवर्गैर्दशभिर्युक्तः सुरैरपि न जीर्यते ॥

ṣaṭpañca ca vinirjitya daśa cāṣṭau ca bhūpatiḥ | trivargairdaśabhiryuktaḥ surairapi na jīryate

A king who has conquered the six and the five, the ten and the eight, and is endowed with ten triads, is not worn down even by the gods.

Note on the text: Removed a stray zero-width non-joiner inside षट्पञ्च (Wikisource typesetting). Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star passage 12.69.71d*0169_07-08.

Verse 89 (12.68.89)

न बुद्धिं परिगृह्णीत स्त्रीणां मूर्खजनस्य च । दैवोपहतबुद्धीनां ये च वेदैर्विवर्जिताः । न तेषां शृणुयाद्राजा बुद्धिस्तेषां पराङ्मुखी ॥

na buddhiṃ parigṛhṇīta strīṇāṃ mūrkhajanasya ca | daivopahatabuddhīnāṃ ye ca vedairvivarjitāḥ | na teṣāṃ śṛṇuyādrājā buddhisteṣāṃ parāṅmukhī

He should not accept the counsel of women, of fools, of those whose minds fate has struck down, or of those who are cut off from the Vedas. The king should not listen to them, for their understanding is turned away from the truth.

Note on the text: Corrected पराङ्भुखी → पराङ्मुखी (misprint in Wikisource: भ for म; CE parāṅmukhī). Three-line verse, as on the page (labelled 68-89a/b/c). Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-3 are the CE star passage 12.69.71d*0169_09-11.

Verse 90 (12.68.90)

स्त्रीप्रधानानि राज्यानि विद्वद्भिर्वर्जितानि च । मूर्खामात्याग्नितप्तानि शुष्यन्ते जलबिन्दुवत् ॥

strīpradhānāni rājyāni vidvadbhirvarjitāni ca | mūrkhāmātyāgnitaptāni śuṣyante jalabinduvat

Kingdoms ruled chiefly by women, kingdoms bereft of the learned, and kingdoms scorched by the fire of foolish ministers dry up like drops of water.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star passage 12.69.71d*0169_12-13.

Verse 91 (12.68.91)

विद्वांसः प्रथिता ये च ये चाप्ताः सर्वकर्मसु । युद्धेषु दृष्टकर्माणस्तेषां च शृणुयान्नृपः ॥

vidvāṃsaḥ prathitā ye ca ye cāptāḥ sarvakarmasu | yuddheṣu dṛṣṭakarmāṇasteṣāṃ ca śṛṇuyānnṛpaḥ

The king should listen to those who are learned and renowned, who are trusted in all undertakings, and whose deeds in battle have been seen.

Note on the text: Corrected बुद्धेषु दृष्टकर्माणि तेषां → युद्धेषु दृष्टकर्माणस्तेषां (misprint in Wikisource: ब for य, and the plural ending lost, so that the phrase does not agree with ये … विद्वांसः; CE yuddheṣu dṛṣṭakarmāṇas teṣāṃ). Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star passage 12.69.71d*0169_14-15.

Verse 92 (12.68.92)

दैवं पुरुषकारं च त्रिवर्गं च समाश्रितः । दैवतानि च विप्रांश्च प्रणम्य विजयी भवेत् ॥

daivaṃ puruṣakāraṃ ca trivargaṃ ca samāśritaḥ | daivatāni ca viprāṃśca praṇamya vijayī bhavet

Relying on fate, on human effort and on the triad, and having bowed to the gods and the brahmins, he will be victorious.

Note on the text: Removed the stray daṇḍas and the closing quote mark Wikisource prints after the verse. Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star passage 12.69.71d*0169_16-17 (the last lines of the star passage).