When the time comes for the consecration of a śūdra minister, he is anointed with water drawn from an earthen pitcher. After this initial rite, the foremost among the Bahvṛca priests is called upon to perform the king’s own consecration. The priest, skilled in the sacred rituals, uses honey as an offering, while the Chāndoga priest brings water sanctified with kuśa grass. The prescribed vessel is filled and presented, as the ritual demands. Before proceeding, the fire-protection rite is performed for all participants, ensuring their safety and sanctity. The mantras traditionally recited at a king’s consecration are then pronounced with clear intent. The anointing itself is performed with a golden vessel, crafted with a hundred holes, through which the sacred waters flow. As the priest pours, he recites the mantras ‘yā oṣadhīḥ’, ‘oṣadhībhyaḥ’, and ‘rathetyukta’, while fragrant substances are mingled with the waters, enhancing the auspiciousness of the occasion. Flowers and flowering plants are offered, and seeds are presented as one would to a Brāhmaṇa, symbolizing fertility and prosperity. Jewels, hope, silver, and water drawn from sacred grasses are offered to the gods. The king is touched with the Yajurveda and the Atharvaveda, invoking the blessings of the sacred texts, and again with fragrant substances. His head and neck are adorned with yellow pigment, and he is sprinkled with water gathered from all the holy fords. As the rites continue, the air fills with the sound of singing, musical instruments, and other harmonious music. Attendants wave fly-whisks and fans, and a pot filled with all manner of medicinal herbs is carried before the king, signifying health and protection. The priest, seated upon a bed covered with tiger skin, offers the king a mixture of honey and other auspicious substances. Then, with great care, he ties the royal turban upon the king’s head. The crown is secured with five or six folds, and the king enters the assembly, accompanied by those bearing the fixed emblems and others, some carrying the skin of a bull or a vṛṣadaṃśa. The king’s seat is covered with the skin of an island animal, a lion, or a tiger, denoting royal authority and strength. The usher presents the ministers, counselors, and other officials to the king, who honors the priests with gifts of cows, goats, houses, and other treasures for a year. The twice-born are worshipped with further excellent gifts of land and food. Having completed these honors, the king circumambulates the sacred fire, bows respectfully to his teacher, and, as tradition dictates, touches a bull and a cow with a calf. He offers worship to the reciter of mantras, then mounts a horse and an elephant in turn, honoring those who serve him. Accompanied by his army, the king proceeds along the royal road, circumambulating it as a sign of his sovereignty. Thus anointed and surrounded by his ministers, the best of kings is prepared to conquer his enemies. He appoints a commander—whether Brāhmaṇa or Kṣatriya—who is of good family, learned in political science, and skilled in policy. The messenger he chooses is pleasant-spoken, reliable, and strong, always carrying betel, never a woman, and devoted to enduring hardship. The minister for treaties and war is adept in the six policies of statecraft. The sword-bearer is a protector, the charioteer skilled in the ways of the army, and the superintendent of the kitchen is wise and efficient. Members of the assembly are learned in law, the scribe is skilled in letters, and those who summon others do so at the proper time. The doorkeepers are trustworthy, and the keeper of jewels and wealth is both skillful and beneficial. The king employs a physician learned in Ayurveda, a superintendent for elephants who is skilled with them, and likewise for horses and forts. The chief architect is expert in building, and the weapons master is both skilled in battle and loyal to the king. The superintendent of the inner apartments is elderly, while women serving within are at least fifty years old; men may serve in all duties up to the age of seventy. One who remains awake is stationed in the armory, and each person’s conduct is observed so that their duties may be properly assigned. The king discerns which tasks are best, middling, or least, and appoints men to superior, inferior, and intermediate duties accordingly. Loyal allies are welcomed, and tasks are matched to a person’s righteousness, bravery, skill, or purity. Among women, eunuchs are appointed to certain duties; those who are harsh are given cruel tasks. Wherever a man is known for his purity, he is assigned tasks fitting his nature. In matters of righteousness, wealth, and desire, the lowest are given the lowest tasks, and the king tests all with stratagems to ensure proper placement. With justice, the king and his ministers appoint those who dwell in forests and handle elephants, employing diligent overseers to track their movements. Each person is assigned to the task he does best, and hereditary servants are employed in all duties. The king is ever watchful, placing trust carefully. He recognizes the wicked, keeps their conduct under control, and does not trust them. Those from other lands are honored only after being investigated by spies, for enemies may come in many forms—fire, poison, serpents, or swords. The king recognizes unfaithful and bad servants, always employing spies as his eyes. Among the people, those who act improperly or are unknown, merchants skilled in counsel, and physicians practicing for a year are all observed. Ascetics who discern strength and weakness are noted, but the king does not trust any one person completely, instead trusting those who speak openly and wisely. He discerns the attachments and aversions of servants, the virtues and faults of the people, and places each accordingly, doing what inspires affection and abandoning what causes aversion. By winning the people’s affection, he secures prosperity through their delight. A good servant, in turn, carries out the king’s command with the devotion of a disciple, always respecting his lord. He does not disregard the king’s word, but speaks what is agreeable and pleasing. If something unpleasant but beneficial must be said, he does so in private. He takes nothing from the king’s wealth unless ordered, nor does he neglect the king’s honor. A proper servant never acts in a way unbefitting the king, nor uses vulgar speech or gestures. The superintendent of the inner apartments, especially, avoids associating with those who are hostile, thus maintaining the dignity and security of the royal household.