have surpassed the renown and abated the pride of the famous performer of a hundred sacrifices[1].
33. 'As a rule, O you wise ruler, the sacrifice of those who long for the attainment of some good, is a vile act, accompanied as it is by injury done to living beings. Your sacrifice, on the contrary, this monument of your glory, is in complete accordance with your lovely behaviour and your aversion to vices.
34. 'Oh! Happy are the subjects who have their protector in you! It is certain that no father could be a better guardian to his children.'
Another said:
35. 'If the wealthy practise charity, they are commonly impelled to do so by the hopes they put in the cultivation of that virtue; good conduct, too, may be accounted for by the wish to obtain high regard among men or the desire of reaching heaven after death. But such a practice of both, as is seen in your skill in securing the benefit of others, cannot be found but in those who are accomplished both in learning and in virtuous exertions.'
In such a way, then, those whose hearts are pure do not act up to the enticement of the wicked. Knowing this, pure-heartedness is to-be striven after.
[In the spiritual lessons for princes, also, this is to be said:
'Who to his subjects wishing good, himself exerts,
Thus brings about salvation, glory, happiness.
No other should be of a king the business.'
And it may be added as follows: '(The prince) who strives after material prosperity, ought to act in accordance with the precepts of religion, thinking a religious conduct of his subjects to be the source of prosperity.'
- ↑ Viz. Sakra, the Lord of the Devas. Here he is called satayagvan, which is well-nigh synonymous with his common epithet of satakratu.
