Statecraft Taught to Satyavrata

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.7.11.1)

जनमेजय उवाच । वसिष्ठेन च शप्तोऽसौ त्रिशङ्कुर्नृपतेः सुतः । कथं शापाद्विनिर्मुक्तस्तन्मे ब्रूहि महामते

janamejaya uvāca vasiṣṭhena ca śapto'sau triśaṅkurnṛpateḥ sutaḥ kathaṁ śāpādvinirmuktastanme brūhi mahāmate

Janamejaya said: How was that Trishanku, the king's son, cursed by Vasishtha, released from the curse? Tell me this, O wise one.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.7.11.2)

व्यास उवाच । सत्यव्रतस्तथा शप्तः पिशाचत्वमवाप्तवान् । तस्मिन्नेवाश्रमे तस्थौ देवीभक्तिपरायणः

vyāsa uvāca satyavratastathā śaptaḥ piśācatvamavāptavān tasminnevāśrame tasthau devībhaktiparāyaṇaḥ

Vyasa said: Satyavrata, thus cursed, had obtained the state of a fiend; he remained in that very hermitage, wholly devoted to the Devi.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.7.11.3)

कदाचिन्नृपतिस्तत्र जप्त्वा मन्त्रं नवाक्षरम् । होमार्थं ब्राह्मणान्गत्वा प्रणम्योवाच भक्तितः

kadācinnṛpatistatra japtvā mantraṁ navākṣaram homārthaṁ brāhmaṇāngatvā praṇamyovāca bhaktitaḥ

Once, that king, having recited the nine-syllabled mantra there, went to the Brahmins for the sake of a fire-offering, and, bowing, spoke to them with devotion:

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.7.11.4)

भूमिदेवाः शृणुध्वं वै वचनं प्रणतस्य मे । ऋत्विजो मम सर्वेऽत्र भवन्तः प्रभवन्तु ह

bhūmidevāḥ śṛṇudhvaṁ vai vacanaṁ praṇatasya me ṛtvijo mama sarve'tra bhavantaḥ prabhavantu ha

"O gods of the earth, hear the words of me, who bow before you; may all of you here be capable of serving as my officiating priests."

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.7.11.5)

जपस्य च दशांशेन होमः कार्यो विधानतः । भवद्भिः कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थं वेदविद्भिः कृपापरैः

japasya ca daśāṁśena homaḥ kāryo vidhānataḥ bhavadbhiḥ kāryasiddhyarthaṁ vedavidbhiḥ kṛpāparaiḥ

"A tenth part of the recitation should be offered as oblation, according to rule, by you, versed in the Vedas and full of compassion, for the accomplishment of this task."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.7.11.6)

सत्यव्रतोऽहं नृपतेः पुत्रो ब्रह्मविदांवराः । कार्यं मम विधातव्यं सर्वथा सुखहेतवे

satyavrato'haṁ nṛpateḥ putro brahmavidāṁvarāḥ kāryaṁ mama vidhātavyaṁ sarvathā sukhahetave

"I am Satyavrata, the king's son, O best of the knowers of Brahman; this task must be performed for me, entirely for the sake of my well-being."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.7.11.7)

तच्छ्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणास्तत्र तमूचुर्नृपतेः सुतम् । शप्तस्त्वं गुरुणा प्राप्तं पिशाचत्वं त्वयाधुना

tacchrutvā brāhmaṇāstatra tamūcurnṛpateḥ sutam śaptastvaṁ guruṇā prāptaṁ piśācatvaṁ tvayādhunā

Hearing this, the Brahmins there said to the king's son: "You have been cursed by your preceptor, and have now come to the condition of a fiend."

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.7.11.8)

न यागार्होऽसि तस्मात्त्वं वेदेष्वनधिकारतः । पिशाचत्वमनुप्राप्तं सर्वलोकेषु गर्हितम्

na yāgārho'si tasmāttvaṁ vedeṣvanadhikārataḥ piśācatvamanuprāptaṁ sarvalokeṣu garhitam

"Therefore you are not entitled to perform this sacrifice, being disqualified with respect to the Vedas; your condition as a fiend is censured in all the worlds."

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.7.11.9)

व्यास उवाच । तन्निशम्य वचस्तेषां राजा दुःखमवाप ह । धिग्जीवितमिदं मेऽद्य किं करोमि वने स्थितः

vyāsa uvāca tanniśamya vacasteṣāṁ rājā duḥkhamavāpa ha dhigjīvitamidaṁ me'dya kiṁ karomi vane sthitaḥ

Vyasa said: Hearing their words, the king fell into sorrow: "Shame on this life of mine today! What shall I do, dwelling here in the forest?"

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.7.11.10)

पित्रा चाहं परित्यक्तः शप्तश्च गुरुणा भृशम् । राज्याद्भ्रष्टः पिशाचत्वमनुप्राप्तः करोमि किम्

pitrā cāhaṁ parityaktaḥ śaptaśca guruṇā bhṛśam rājyādbhraṣṭaḥ piśācatvamanuprāptaḥ karomi kim

"Abandoned by my father, and severely cursed by my preceptor, fallen from my kingdom, and reduced to the condition of a fiend — what shall I do?"

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.7.11.11)

तदा पृथुतरां कृत्वा चितां काष्ठैर्नृपात्मजः । सस्मार चण्डिकां देवीं प्रवेशमनुचिन्तयन्

tadā pṛthutarāṁ kṛtvā citāṁ kāṣṭhairnṛpātmajaḥ sasmāra caṇḍikāṁ devīṁ praveśamanucintayan

Then, having built a great pyre of wood, the king's son called to mind the Devi Chandika, contemplating entering the fire.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.7.11.12)

स्मृता देवीं महामायां चितां प्रज्वलितां पुरः । कृत्वा स्नात्वा प्रवेशार्थं स्थितः प्राञ्जलिरग्रतः

smṛtā devīṁ mahāmāyāṁ citāṁ prajvalitāṁ puraḥ kṛtvā snātvā praveśārthaṁ sthitaḥ prāñjaliragrataḥ

Having called to mind the Devi Mahamaya, and having kindled the pyre before him and bathed, he stood with folded hands, ready to enter it.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.7.11.13)

ज्ञात्वा भगवती तं तु मर्तुकामं महीपतिम् । आजगाम तदाऽऽकाशं प्रत्यक्षं तस्य चाग्रतः

jñātvā bhagavatī taṁ tu martukāmaṁ mahīpatim ājagāma tadā''kāśaṁ pratyakṣaṁ tasya cāgrataḥ

Knowing that the king wished to die, the blessed Devi then appeared in the sky, directly before him.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.7.11.14)

दत्त्वाथ दर्शनं देवी तमुवाच नृपात्मजम् । सिंहारूढा महाराज मेघगम्भीरया गिरा

dattvātha darśanaṁ devī tamuvāca nṛpātmajam siṁhārūḍhā mahārāja meghagambhīrayā girā

Granting him this vision, the Devi, mounted upon her lion, O great king, spoke to that king's son in a voice deep as thunder.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.7.11.15)

देव्युवाच - किं ते व्यवसितं साधो हुताशे मा तनुं त्यज । स्थिरो भव महाभाग पिता ते जरसान्वितः

devyuvāca - kiṁ te vyavasitaṁ sādho hutāśe mā tanuṁ tyaja sthiro bhava mahābhāga pitā te jarasānvitaḥ

The Devi said: "What is this you have resolved, O good one? Do not cast your body into the fire; be steadfast, O greatly fortunate one — your father is now overcome by old age."

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.7.11.16)

राज्यं दत्त्वा वने तुभ्यं गन्तास्ति तपसे किल । विषादं त्यज हे वीर परश्वोऽहनि भूपते

rājyaṁ dattvā vane tubhyaṁ gantāsti tapase kila viṣādaṁ tyaja he vīra paraśvo'hani bhūpate

"Having given the kingdom to you, he shall indeed go to the forest for austerity. Cast aside your despair, O hero; the day after tomorrow, O king —"

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.7.11.17)

नेतुं त्वामागमिष्यन्ति सचिवाश्व पितुस्तव । मत्प्रसादात्पिता च त्वामभिषिच्य नृपासने

netuṁ tvāmāgamiṣyanti sacivāśva pitustava matprasādātpitā ca tvāmabhiṣicya nṛpāsane

"— your father's ministers will come to bring you back. By my grace, your father, having consecrated you upon the royal throne —"

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.7.11.18)

जित्वा कामं ब्रह्मलोकं गमिष्येत्येष निश्चयः । व्यास उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तं तदा देवी तत्रैवान्तरधीयत

jitvā kāmaṁ brahmalokaṁ gamiṣyetyeṣa niścayaḥ vyāsa uvāca ityuktvā taṁ tadā devī tatraivāntaradhīyata

"— having conquered desire, shall go to Brahmaloka — this is certain." Vyasa said: Having said this to him, the Devi then vanished right there.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.7.11.19)

राजपुत्रो विरमितो मरणात्पावकात्ततः । अयोध्यायां तदाऽऽगत्य नारदेन महात्मना

rājaputro viramito maraṇātpāvakāttataḥ ayodhyāyāṁ tadā''gatya nāradena mahātmanā

The king's son was thus dissuaded from death by fire; and then, that great soul Narada, having come to Ayodhya —

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.7.11.20)

वृत्तान्तः कथितः सर्वो राज्ञे सत्वरमादितः । श्रुत्वा राजाथ पुत्रस्य तं तथा मरणोद्यमम्

vṛttāntaḥ kathitaḥ sarvo rājñe satvaramāditaḥ śrutvā rājātha putrasya taṁ tathā maraṇodyamam

— related to the king the whole account promptly, from the beginning. Hearing thus of his son's attempt at death,

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.7.11.21)

खेदमाधाय मनसि शुशोच बहुधा नृपः । सचिवानाह धर्मात्मा पुत्रशोकपरिप्लुतः

khedamādhāya manasi śuśoca bahudhā nṛpaḥ sacivānāha dharmātmā putraśokapariplutaḥ

the king felt anguish in his mind and grieved in many ways; that righteous soul, overwhelmed with sorrow for his son, said to his ministers:

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.7.11.22)

ज्ञातं भवद्भिरत्युग्रं पुत्रस्य मम चेष्टितम् । त्यक्तो मया वने धीमान्पुत्रः सत्यव्रतो मम

jñātaṁ bhavadbhiratyugraṁ putrasya mama ceṣṭitam tyakto mayā vane dhīmānputraḥ satyavrato mama

"You have learned of the terrible plight my son has come to. My wise son Satyavrata was abandoned by me in the forest;"

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.7.11.23)

आज्ञयासौ गतः सद्यो राज्यार्हः परमार्थवित् । स्थितस्तत्रैव विज्ञाने धनहीनः क्षमान्वितः

ājñayāsau gataḥ sadyo rājyārhaḥ paramārthavit sthitastatraiva vijñāne dhanahīnaḥ kṣamānvitaḥ

"— at my command he went away at once, he who was worthy of the kingdom, a knower of highest truth; he remains there in that same wisdom, though bereft of wealth, yet full of forbearance."

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.7.11.24)

वसिष्ठेन तथा शप्तः पिशाचसदृशः कृतः । सोऽद्य दुःखेन सन्तप्तः प्रवेष्टुञ्च हुताशनम्

vasiṣṭhena tathā śaptaḥ piśācasadṛśaḥ kṛtaḥ so'dya duḥkhena santaptaḥ praveṣṭuñca hutāśanam

"He was also cursed by Vasishtha, made to resemble a fiend; and today, tormented by sorrow, he set about entering the fire —"

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.7.11.25)

उद्यतः श्रीमहादेव्या निषिद्धः संस्थितः पुनः । तस्माद् गच्छन्तु तं शीघ्रं ज्येष्ठपुत्रं महाबलम्

udyataḥ śrīmahādevyā niṣiddhaḥ saṁsthitaḥ punaḥ tasmād gacchantu taṁ śīghraṁ jyeṣṭhaputraṁ mahābalam

"— but, forbidden by the blessed Mahadevi, he remained alive once more. Therefore, go quickly to that mighty eldest son of mine —"

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.7.11.26)

आश्वास्य वचनैरत्र तरसैवानयन्त्विह । अभिषिच्य सुतं राज्ये औरसं पालनक्षमम्

āśvāsya vacanairatra tarasaivānayantviha abhiṣicya sutaṁ rājye aurasaṁ pālanakṣamam

"— comfort him with words, and bring him here at once. Having consecrated my own son, capable of ruling, upon the throne —"

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.7.11.27)

वनं यास्यामि शान्तोऽहं तपसे कृतनिश्चयः । इत्युक्त्वा मन्त्रिणः सर्वान्प्रेषयामास पार्थिवः

vanaṁ yāsyāmi śānto'haṁ tapase kṛtaniścayaḥ ityuktvā mantriṇaḥ sarvānpreṣayāmāsa pārthivaḥ

"— I, at peace, resolved upon austerity, shall go to the forest." Having said this, the king sent forth all his ministers,

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.7.11.28)

तस्यैवानयनार्थं हि प्रीतिप्रवणमानसः । ते गत्वा तं समाश्वास्य मन्त्रिणः पार्थिवात्मजम्

tasyaivānayanārthaṁ hi prītipravaṇamānasaḥ te gatvā taṁ samāśvāsya mantriṇaḥ pārthivātmajam

— their minds inclined with affection, for the very purpose of bringing him back. Those ministers, going there and comforting the king's son,

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.7.11.29)

अयोध्यायां महात्मानं मानपूर्वं समानयन् । दृष्ट्वा सत्यव्रतं राजा दुर्बलं मलिनाम्बरम्

ayodhyāyāṁ mahātmānaṁ mānapūrvaṁ samānayan dṛṣṭvā satyavrataṁ rājā durbalaṁ malināmbaram

— brought that great soul back to Ayodhya with due honor. Seeing Satyavrata, weakened and in soiled garments,

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.7.11.30)

जटाजूटधरं क्रूरं चिन्तातुरमचिन्तयत् । किं कृतं निष्ठुरं कर्म मया पुत्रो विवासितः

jaṭājūṭadharaṁ krūraṁ cintāturamacintayat kiṁ kṛtaṁ niṣṭhuraṁ karma mayā putro vivāsitaḥ

— his hair matted, fierce in appearance, and troubled with worry, the king thought: "What a cruel deed I have done, banishing my own son!"

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.7.11.31)

राज्यार्हश्चातिमेधावी जानता धर्मनिश्चयम् । इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा तमालिङ्य महीपतिः

rājyārhaścātimedhāvī jānatā dharmaniścayam iti sañcintya manasā tamāliṅya mahīpatiḥ

"— worthy of the kingdom, exceedingly wise, knowing the true determination of dharma." Thinking thus in his mind, that lord of the earth embraced him,

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.7.11.32)

आसने स्वसमीपशे समाश्वास्योपवेशयत् । उपविष्टं सुतं राजा प्रेमपूर्वमुवाच ह

āsane svasamīpaśe samāśvāsyopaveśayat upaviṣṭaṁ sutaṁ rājā premapūrvamuvāca ha

— comforted him, and seated him upon a seat near himself. To his son, thus seated, the king spoke with great love —

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.7.11.33)

प्रेमगद्गदया वाचा नीतिशास्त्रविशारदः । राजोवाच - पुत्र धर्मे मतिः कार्या माननीया मुखोद्भवाः

premagadgadayā vācā nītiśāstraviśāradaḥ rājovāca - putra dharme matiḥ kāryā mānanīyā mukhodbhavāḥ

— in a voice choked with affection, being himself skilled in the science of statecraft. The king said: "My son, your mind must ever be fixed on dharma; Brahmins, born from the mouth of Brahma, must be honored."

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.7.11.34)

न्यायागतं धनं ग्राह्यं रक्षणीयाः सदा प्रजाः । नासत्यं क्वापि वक्तव्यं नामार्गे गमनं क्वचित्

nyāyāgataṁ dhanaṁ grāhyaṁ rakṣaṇīyāḥ sadā prajāḥ nāsatyaṁ kvāpi vaktavyaṁ nāmārge gamanaṁ kvacit

"Only wealth rightfully obtained should be accepted; your subjects must always be protected. Never should falsehood be spoken, nor should you ever walk an improper path."

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.7.11.35)

शिष्टप्रोक्तं प्रकर्तव्यं पूजनीयास्तपस्विनः । हन्तव्या दस्यवः क्रूरा इन्द्रियाणां तथा जयः

śiṣṭaproktaṁ prakartavyaṁ pūjanīyāstapasvinaḥ hantavyā dasyavaḥ krūrā indriyāṇāṁ tathā jayaḥ

"What is enjoined by the learned must be done; ascetics must be honored; cruel robbers must be destroyed; and likewise, mastery over the senses must be won."

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.7.11.36)

कर्तव्यं कार्यसिद्ध्यर्थं राज्ञा पुत्र सदैव हि । मन्त्रस्तु सर्वथा गोप्यः कर्तव्यः सचिवैः सह

kartavyaṁ kāryasiddhyarthaṁ rājñā putra sadaiva hi mantrastu sarvathā gopyaḥ kartavyaḥ sacivaiḥ saha

"A king, my son, must always act for the accomplishment of proper aims; counsel must always be kept secret, and taken together with your ministers."

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.7.11.37)

नोपेक्ष्योऽल्पोऽपि कृतिना रिपुः सर्वात्मना सुत । न विश्वसेत्परासक्तं सचिवं च तथा नतम्

nopekṣyo'lpo'pi kṛtinā ripuḥ sarvātmanā suta na viśvasetparāsaktaṁ sacivaṁ ca tathā natam

"A prudent man must never disregard even a small enemy, my son, in any way; nor should he ever trust a minister who is attached to another side, or one who is excessively submissive."

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.7.11.38)

चाराः सर्वत्र योक्तव्याः शत्रुमित्रेषु सर्वथा । धर्मे मतिः सदा कार्या दानं दद्याच्च नित्यशः

cārāḥ sarvatra yoktavyāḥ śatrumitreṣu sarvathā dharme matiḥ sadā kāryā dānaṁ dadyācca nityaśaḥ

"Spies should be employed everywhere, among both enemies and friends alike; your mind should always be fixed on dharma, and gifts should always be given."

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.7.11.39)

शुष्कवादो न कर्तव्यो दुष्टसङ्गं च वर्जयेत् । यष्टव्या विविधा यज्ञाः पूजनीया महर्षयः

śuṣkavādo na kartavyo duṣṭasaṅgaṁ ca varjayet yaṣṭavyā vividhā yajñāḥ pūjanīyā maharṣayaḥ

"Empty argument should not be indulged in, and the company of the wicked should be avoided; various sacrifices should be performed, and the great sages should be honored."

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.7.11.40)

न विश्वसेत्स्त्रियं क्वापि स्त्रैणं द्यूतरतं नरम् । अत्यादरो न कर्तव्यो मृगयायां कदाचन

na viśvasetstriyaṁ kvāpi straiṇaṁ dyūtarataṁ naram atyādaro na kartavyo mṛgayāyāṁ kadācana

"Never trust a woman, nor a man ruled by women, nor one addicted to gambling; excessive fondness should never be shown for hunting."

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.7.11.41)

द्यूते मद्ये तथा गेये नूनं वारवधूषु च । स्वयं तद्विमुखो भूयात् प्रजास्तेभ्यश्च रक्षयेत्

dyūte madye tathā geye nūnaṁ vāravadhūṣu ca svayaṁ tadvimukho bhūyāt prajāstebhyaśca rakṣayet

"In gambling, in wine, likewise in music, and certainly with courtesans, one should personally remain averse, and should protect one's subjects from these very vices."

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.7.11.42)

ब्राह्मे मुहूर्ते कर्तव्यमुत्थानं सर्वथा सदा । स्नानादिकं सर्वविधिं विधाय विधिवद्यथा

brāhme muhūrte kartavyamutthānaṁ sarvathā sadā snānādikaṁ sarvavidhiṁ vidhāya vidhivadyathā

"Rising must always be done at the Brahma-muhurta, the pre-dawn hour, performing bathing and all such rites duly, in the proper manner —"

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.7.11.43)

पराशक्तेः परां पूजां भक्त्या कुर्यात्सुदीक्षितः । पुत्रैतज्जन्मसाफल्यं पराशक्तेः पदार्चनम्

parāśakteḥ parāṁ pūjāṁ bhaktyā kuryātsudīkṣitaḥ putraitajjanmasāphalyaṁ parāśakteḥ padārcanam

"— and, being duly initiated, one should perform the supreme worship of the Supreme Shakti with devotion. My son, the fruitfulness of this birth lies in the worship of the feet of the Supreme Shakti."

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.7.11.44)

सकृत्कृत्वा महापूजां दैवीपादजलं पिबन् । न जातु जननीगर्भे गच्छेदिति विनिश्चयः

sakṛtkṛtvā mahāpūjāṁ daivīpādajalaṁ piban na jātu jananīgarbhe gacchediti viniścayaḥ

"Having performed the great worship even once, and drinking the water that has touched the Devi's feet, one shall never again enter a mother's womb — this is certain."

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.7.11.45)

सर्वं दृश्यं महादेवी द्रष्टा साक्षी च सैव हि । इति तद्भावभरितस्तिष्ठेन्निर्भयचेतसा

sarvaṁ dṛśyaṁ mahādevī draṣṭā sākṣī ca saiva hi iti tadbhāvabharitastiṣṭhennirbhayacetasā

"All that is seen is the Mahadevi herself, and she alone is the seer and the witness; filled with this awareness, one should abide with a fearless mind."

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.7.11.46)

कृत्वा नित्यविधिं सम्यग्गन्तव्यं सदसि द्विजान् । समाहूय च प्रष्टव्यो धर्मशास्त्रविनिर्णयः

kṛtvā nityavidhiṁ samyaggantavyaṁ sadasi dvijān samāhūya ca praṣṭavyo dharmaśāstravinirṇayaḥ

"Having duly performed the daily rites, one should go to the assembly, and, calling the twice-born together, should have the determination of the law-books explained."

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.7.11.47)

सम्पूज्य ब्राह्मणान्पूज्यान्वेदवेदान्तपारगान् । गोभूहिरण्यादिकं च देयं पात्रेषु सर्वदा

sampūjya brāhmaṇānpūjyānvedavedāntapāragān gobhūhiraṇyādikaṁ ca deyaṁ pātreṣu sarvadā

"Honoring venerable Brahmins learned in the Vedas and Vedanta, cows, land, gold, and the like should always be given to worthy recipients."

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.7.11.48)

अविद्वान्ब्राह्मणः कोऽपि नैव पूज्यः कदाचन । आहारादधिकं नैव देयं मूर्खाय कर्हिचित्

avidvānbrāhmaṇaḥ ko'pi naiva pūjyaḥ kadācana āhārādadhikaṁ naiva deyaṁ mūrkhāya karhicit

"No unlearned Brahmin whatsoever is ever to be honored; nothing beyond mere sustenance should ever be given to a fool."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.7.11.49)

न वा लोभात्त्वया पुत्र कर्तव्यं धर्मलङ्घनम् । अतः परं न कर्तव्यं क्वचिद्विप्रावमाननम्

na vā lobhāttvayā putra kartavyaṁ dharmalaṅghanam ataḥ paraṁ na kartavyaṁ kvacidviprāvamānanam

"Nor should you, my son, ever transgress dharma out of greed; furthermore, no disrespect should ever be shown to a Brahmin."

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.7.11.50)

ब्राह्मणा भूमिदेवाश्च माननीयाः प्रयत्नतः । कारणं क्षत्रियाणां च द्विजा एव न संशयः

brāhmaṇā bhūmidevāśca mānanīyāḥ prayatnataḥ kāraṇaṁ kṣatriyāṇāṁ ca dvijā eva na saṁśayaḥ

"Brahmins, the gods of the earth, must be honored with diligent effort; they are indeed the very cause of the Kshatriyas, without doubt."

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.7.11.51)

अद्भ्योऽग्निर्ब्रह्मणः क्षत्रमश्मनो लोहमुत्थितम् । तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेजः स्वासु योनिषु शाम्यति

adbhyo'gnirbrahmaṇaḥ kṣatramaśmano lohamutthitam teṣāṁ sarvatragaṁ tejaḥ svāsu yoniṣu śāmyati

"As fire arises from water, as the Kshatriya class arose from the Brahmin, as iron arises from stone — the pervading splendor of these finds its rest again in its own source."

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.7.11.52)

तस्माद्राज्ञा विशेषेण माननीया मुखोद्भवाः । दानेन विनयेनैव सर्वथा भूतिमिच्छता

tasmādrājñā viśeṣeṇa mānanīyā mukhodbhavāḥ dānena vinayenaiva sarvathā bhūtimicchatā

"Therefore, by a king especially, those born from the mouth must be honored, through gifts and humility, by one who desires prosperity in every way."

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.7.11.53)

दण्डनीतिः सदा कार्या धर्मशास्त्रानुसारतः । कोशस्य सङ्ग्रहः कार्यो नूनं न्यायागतस्य ह

daṇḍanītiḥ sadā kāryā dharmaśāstrānusārataḥ kośasya saṅgrahaḥ kāryo nūnaṁ nyāyāgatasya ha

"The administration of justice must always be carried out in accordance with the law-books; and the treasury must be filled, indeed, only with what has been rightfully obtained."