An Index to the Names in the Mahabharata, with Short Explanations and a Concordance to the Bombay and Calcutta Editions and P. C. Roy's Translation c5.s1.469.1

c5.s1.469.1

[Āpaddharmaparvan] ("the section relating to the duties in cases of need," the 89th of the minor parvans of Mhbhr.; cf. Āpaddharma). § 642: Yudhishṭhira enquired of Bhīshma what should be done by a weak and timid king, as also by one that is in great distress. Bhīshma's answer recommending peace and even the surrender of territory. The king should never surrender his person as long as he can avoid doing so. If the invading enemy be righteous, the assailed king should make peace; if otherwise, the assailed should fight bravely and fall (XII, 131). How a brahman should subsist in times of calamity. Bhīshma began his exposition of the moral standard of unlucky times; in times of calamity the king may take from the wicked and give it to the good; at such times censurable acts do not become censurable; the king should never oppress brahmans, even at such times. Slander should be avoided. The tests of righteousness; difficulty in finding the course of duty. "Some regard ancient usage as the highest test of righteousness; they that are in favour of the conduct of Caṅkha towards Likhita do not hold this opinion" (XII, 132). How a king should fill his treasury. The king should establish laws which he should never transgress (XII, 133). The two duties of a kshatriya are the acquisition of religious merit and of wealth.