Aitareyabrahmana 8.26

8.26

This too has been stated by the ṛṣi:
‘That king indeed overcomes all hostile peoples with vigour, with virility.’
Hostile peoples are rivals, haters, enemies;
those indeed he overcomes with vigour, with virility.
‘Who maintains Bṛhaspati well-maintained.’
Bṛhaspati indeed is the domestic priest of the gods;
after him follow the other domestic priests of human kings.
When he says: ‘Who maintains Bṛhaspati well-maintained,’
he means just this: ‘Who maintains the domestic priest well-maintained.’
‘[Who] honours and praises him as having the first portion.’
This means he shows him respect.
‘He indeed dwells well-provided in his own dwelling.’
His own dwelling is his home; thus he dwells well-provided in his own home.
‘For him the sacrificial food swells at all times.’
Sacrificial food is nourishment; thus nourishment, full of sap, is constantly his.
‘To him the subjects bow down of their own accord.’
The subjects are the realms;
the realms indeed submit to him of their own accord.
‘The king before whom the brahman walks.’
This refers indeed to the domestic priest.
‘Unopposed, he conquers riches.’
Riches are realms; unopposed, he conquers them.
‘Belonging to hostile peoples, as well as those belonging to his own people.’
Hostile peoples are rivals, haters, enemies;
these he conquers unopposed.
When he says: ‘Who makes wide room for [one] seeking room,’
he means just this: ‘Who makes things better for [one] who would be better off.’
‘The king [who acts thus] for the brahman, him the gods protect.’
This speaks indeed of the domestic priest.