Agnipurana 220.24

He should perform acts that produce affection and avoid deceitful acts that cause disaffection. / Endowed with the fortune of his people's affection, a king becomes truly a king by pleasing his people.

Thus in the great Purāṇa of Agni, the two hundred and twentieth chapter, named "The Acquisition of Allies."

Now, the two hundred and twenty-first chapter.

Puṣkara said:

A servant should obey the king's command like a disciple [serving] a master of true fortune.

He should not disregard the king's speech; he should speak pleasantly and agreeably.

When [the king] is in private, that which is disagreeable but beneficial should be spoken.

When appointed, he should not steal wealth, nor should he disregard [the king's] honor.

And he should not imitate the king's dress, speech, or conduct.

An officer who frequents the inner apartments, with enemies and rejected persons,

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a servant should not associate; and he should keep the king's secret.

Displaying some skill, he should distinguish the king.

What secret is disclosed by the king, he should not reveal to the world.

Or, when another is being commanded, he should say: 'What may I do?'

And he should wear the clothing, jewel, and ornament given by the king.

Without being instructed, he should not enter at the door, nor look at the king in an unsuitable place.

Yawning, spitting, coughing, anger, reclining on a couch,

frowning, breaking wind, and belching—he should avoid these in his presence.

In proclaiming his own virtues, he should skillfully employ others instead.

Deceit, fickleness, slander, atheism, meanness,

and restlessness must always be avoided by one who depends on the king.

Endowing himself through his own effort with learning, sciences, and crafts,

one who enhances prosperity should then serve the king for the sake of prosperity.

His sons, favorites, and ministers should always be greeted with respect.

He should not place trust in the counsellors; he should act pleasingly to the king's heart.

He should abandon one who is disaffected; from one who is favorably disposed, one who knows kings should seek his livelihood.

And when not asked, he should not speak to him; yet he may do so in times of danger.

He is pleased, he accepts words, and he does not suspect [one] in secret;

[Notes]

1. "One should not wear what is given by the king" according to manuscript kha.

2. "nānirdiṣṭe" according to manuscripts kha, ga, gha, and ña.

3. "vivarjayet" according to manuscripts ga, gha, ja, and ṭa.

4. "niyojayet" according to manuscripts ga, gha, and ña.

5. "bhūtivardhanīm" according to manuscripts ga and ṭa. / [Page 305]

he inquires after health and the like, and he offers a seat;

he is delighted by hearing stories of him, and even disagreeable things cause joy;

he accepts even a small [gift] that is given, and remembers him even in other conversations—

such service should be rendered to one who is favorably disposed; he should avoid serving another.

Thus, in the Great Purāṇa of Agni, the two hundred and twentieth chapter, entitled “The Conduct of a Dependent [of a King]”.

Now, the two hundred and twenty-first chapter:

The Excellence of Fortresses.

Puṣkara said:

I shall declare the assets of a fortress: the king should reside in a fortified region,

predominantly populated by Vaiśyas and Śūdras, inaccessible to adversaries,

having a few Brahmins, and many laborers.

A territory not dependent on rain, possessing well-distributed water, is praised,

unharassed by enemies, endowed with flowers, fruits, and grain,

impenetrable to hostile armies, free from beasts of prey and thieves.

Having constructed one of the six [types of] fortresses there, the strong [king] should reside [there]:

a desert fortress, an earthen fortress, and likewise a human fortress,

a forest fortress, a water fortress, and a mountain fortress, O descendant of Bhṛgu.

Best of all is the mountain fortress, impregnable and capable of defeating others.

[Notes]

1. "puṣpaphaladhānyadhanānvitaḥ" according to manuscripts ga, gha, ña, and ṭa. / [Page 306]

There [should be] a city with markets and the like, sanctuaries of deities, and so forth;

provided with machines and weapons, and endowed with water, it is an excellent fortress.

I shall declare the protection of the king: the ruler must be protected from poison and other [harms].

The śirīṣa with its five parts, ground in urine, destroys poison.

Śatāvarī, chinnaruhā, and taṇḍulīyaka are poison-destroying,

as well as koṣātakī, kalhārī, brāhmī, citrapaṭolikā,

maṇḍūkaparṇī, vārāhī, and dhātryānandaka.

unmādinī, somarājī, antidote [herbs], and gemstones.

Living in a fortress endowed with the characteristics of proper site architecture, he should sacrifice to the gods.

And he should protect the subjects, conquer the wicked, and cause gifts to be distributed.

By stealing the property of the gods and the like, one would dwell in hell for a kalpa.

A king devoted to the worship of the gods should build temples.

Temples must be protected, and deities must be installed.

A wooden [shrine] yields more merit than an earthen one; one made of bricks yields more than a wooden one;

a stone [shrine] yields more merit than a brick one; and one made of gold and gems yields more than a stone one.

Even while playing, one who builds a house for the gods obtains worldly enjoyment and liberation;

likewise one who paints pictures and provides shows such as songs and instrumental music.

Bathing the deity with oil, clarified butter, honey, milk, and other liquids, one goes to heaven.

The king should worship and protect Brahmins; he should not confiscate a Brahmin's property.

By taking [even] a single piece of gold, a single cow, or a single finger's breadth of land,

one enters hell until the universal dissolution.

One should not hate [a Brahmin] of wicked conduct, even if he is immersed in all sins.

Nowhere is there any sin heavier than killing a Brahmin.

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They can make a non-god into a god, and make a god into a non-god;

for Brahmins are illustrious; he must always bow down to them.

A weeping Brahmin woman destroys family, kingdom, and subjects.

And a righteous king should protect virtuous women.

A woman should be cheerful, exclusively skilled in household duties,

with well-maintained utensils, and not liberal in spending.

She should always attend upon that husband to whom her father gives her.

When her husband has died, a woman who remains in celibacy goes to heaven.

She should have no desire for another's house, nor should she be quarrelsome.

A woman whose husband is away on a journey should likewise abandon adornment;

she should remain devoted to the worship of the gods, delighting in her husband's welfare,

and she should wear a small ornament for the sake of auspiciousness.

A woman who enters the fire with her husband also attains heaven.

Worship of Śrī should be performed, as well as sweeping the house and other tasks.

On the twelfth lunar day in the month of Kārttika, [she should worship] Viṣṇu and give a cow with its calf.

A husband is protected by the Sāvitrī [mantra] and by the votive observance of truthful conduct.

Having worshipped the Sun on the seventh lunar day in the bright fortnight of Mārgaśīrṣa,

a woman in this world obtains sons; here there is no doubt. //26//

Thus in the great Purāṇa of Agni, the two hundred and twenty-first chapter, entitled 'Duties of the King'.

[note]

1. 'tānna hiṃsyādyadaiva tu' in manuscript ja.

2. 'satyavān suvratena ca' in manuscripts gha and ña.
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Now the two hundred and twenty-second chapter:

Duties of the King.