With Kūṭadanta 11.1-23

11.1

Evaṃ vutte, brāhmaṇa, purohito brāhmaṇo rājānaṃ mahāvijitaṃ etadavoca:

When he had spoken, the brahmin high priest said to him:

11.2

‘bhoto kho rañño janapado sakaṇṭako sauppīḷo, gāmaghātāpi dissanti, nigamaghātāpi dissanti, nagaraghātāpi dissanti, panthaduhanāpi dissanti.

‘Sir, the king’s realm is harried and oppressed. Raiding of villages, towns, and cities has been seen, and infesting of highways.

11.3

Bhavaṃ kho pana rājā evaṃ sakaṇṭake janapade sauppīḷe balimuddhareyya, akiccakārī assa tena bhavaṃ rājā.

But if the king were to extract more taxes while his realm is thus harried and oppressed, he would not be doing his duty.

11.4

Siyā kho pana bhoto rañño evamassa:

Now the king might think,

11.5

“ahametaṃ dassukhīlaṃ vadhena vā bandhena vā jāniyā vā garahāya vā pabbājanāya vā samūhanissāmī”ti, na kho panetassa dassukhīlassa evaṃ sammā samugghāto hoti.

“I’ll eradicate this plague of savages by execution or imprisonment or confiscation or condemnation or banishment!” But that’s not the right way to eradicate this plague of savages.

11.6

Ye te hatāvasesakā bhavissanti, te pacchā rañño janapadaṃ viheṭhessanti.

Those who remain after the killing will return to harass the king’s realm.

11.7

Api ca kho idaṃ saṃvidhānaṃ āgamma evametassa dassukhīlassa sammā samugghāto hoti.

Rather, here is a plan, relying on which the plague of savages will be properly uprooted.

11.8

Tena hi bhavaṃ rājā ye bhoto rañño janapade ussahanti kasigorakkhe, tesaṃ bhavaṃ rājā bījabhattaṃ anuppadetu.

So let the king provide seed and fodder for those in the realm who work in growing crops and raising cattle.

11.9

Ye bhoto rañño janapade ussahanti vāṇijjāya, tesaṃ bhavaṃ rājā pābhataṃ anuppadetu.

Let the king provide funding for those who work in trade.

11.10

Ye bhoto rañño janapade ussahanti rājaporise, tesaṃ bhavaṃ rājā bhattavetanaṃ pakappetu.

Let the king guarantee food and wages for those in government service.

11.11

Te ca manussā sakammapasutā rañño janapadaṃ na viheṭhessanti;

Then the people, occupied with their own work, will not harass the realm.

11.12

mahā ca rañño rāsiko bhavissati.

The king’s revenues will be great.

11.13

Khemaṭṭhitā janapadā akaṇṭakā anuppīḷā. Manussā mudā modamānā ure putte naccentā apārutagharā maññe viharissantī’ti.

When the country is secured as a sanctuary, free of being harried and oppressed, the happy people, with joy in their hearts, dancing with children at their breast, will dwell as if their houses were wide open.’

11.14

‘Evaṃ, bho’ti kho, brāhmaṇa, rājā mahāvijito purohitassa brāhmaṇassa paṭissutvā ye rañño janapade ussahiṃsu kasigorakkhe, tesaṃ rājā mahāvijito bījabhattaṃ anuppadāsi.

The king agreed with the high priest’s advice and followed his recommendation.

11.15

Ye ca rañño janapade ussahiṃsu vāṇijjāya, tesaṃ rājā mahāvijito pābhataṃ anuppadāsi.

11.16

Ye ca rañño janapade ussahiṃsu rājaporise, tesaṃ rājā mahāvijito bhattavetanaṃ pakappesi.

11.17

Te ca manussā sakammapasutā rañño janapadaṃ na viheṭhiṃsu, mahā ca rañño rāsiko ahosi.

11.18

Khemaṭṭhitā janapadā akaṇṭakā anuppīḷā manussā mudā modamānā ure putte naccentā apārutagharā maññe vihariṃsu.

11.19

Atha kho, brāhmaṇa, rājā mahāvijito purohitaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ āmantetvā etadavoca:

Then the king summoned the brahmin high priest and said to him:

11.20

‘samūhato kho me bhoto dassukhīlo, bhoto saṃvidhānaṃ āgamma mahā ca me rāsiko.

‘I have eradicated the plague of savages. And relying on your plan my revenue is now great.

11.21

Khemaṭṭhitā janapadā akaṇṭakā anuppīḷā manussā mudā modamānā ure putte naccentā apārutagharā maññe viharanti.

Since the country is secured as a sanctuary, free of being harried and oppressed, the happy people, with joy in their hearts, dancing with children at their breast, dwell as if their houses were wide open.

11.22

Icchāmahaṃ brāhmaṇa mahāyaññaṃ yajituṃ.

Brahmin, I wish to perform a great sacrifice.

11.23

Anusāsatu maṃ bhavaṃ yaṃ mama assa dīgharattaṃ hitāya sukhāyā’ti.

Please instruct me. It will be for my lasting welfare and happiness.’