The king, preparing for his royal duties, sits upon a seat covered with the skin of a noble animal—perhaps from an island, a lion, or a tiger. The usher, attentive and respectful, presents before him the ministers, counselors, and other esteemed members of the court. The priests are honored with generous gifts: cows, goats, houses, and more, their service recognized for an entire year. The twice-born are worshipped with excellent offerings of land and food, ensuring their blessings upon the realm. With reverence, the king circumambulates the sacred fire, bows to his teacher, and then, standing behind, touches a bull and a cow with a calf, honoring the one who recites the mantras. He mounts a horse and an elephant, paying homage to them, and, with his army, proceeds to circumambulate along the royal road, marking the auspicious beginning of his reign. Puṣkara speaks: Thus anointed, surrounded by his ministers, the best of kings is ready to conquer his enemies. He appoints a commander, who may be either a Brāhmaṇa or a Kṣatriya, but must hail from a good family and be learned in political science. The usher is skilled in policy, and the messenger is pleasant-spoken, strong, and reliable. The messenger carries betel, is not a woman, and is devoted, enduring hardship with resolve. The minister for treaties and war is versed in the six policies, and the sword-bearer is a protector. The charioteer is skilled in managing the army, while the superintendent of the kitchen is wise and adept in overseeing the grand kitchen. Assembly members are learned in law, and the scribe is skilled in letters. Those who know the proper time for summons are beneficial, and the doorkeepers are trustworthy. The man at the inner gate is skilled in jewels and wealth, and a physician learned in Ayurveda tends to health. The superintendent of elephants is skilled in their care, tireless, and adept at riding. Likewise, the superintendent of horses is skilled, and the superintendent of forts is wise and beneficial. The chief architect is skilled in building, machines, hand-to-hand combat, and both unarmed and armed fighting. The weapons master is an expert in battle and serves the king well. The superintendent of the inner apartments is elderly, and women serving there should be fifty years of age; men up to seventy years may perform all duties. One who remains awake is stationed in the armory, and, understanding their conduct, the king assigns duties accordingly. He discerns the best, the worst, and the middling tasks, appointing men to superior, inferior, and intermediate roles. With a desire to conquer the earth, he brings in loyal allies, assigning righteous duties to the righteous, tasks of battle to the brave, matters of wealth to the skilled, and all such responsibilities to the pure. Among women, eunuchs are appointed; harsh individuals are given cruel tasks. Wherever a man’s purity is known to the king, he is assigned accordingly. In matters of righteousness, wealth, and desire, the lowest are assigned to the lowest tasks, and the king acts appropriately, testing them with stratagems. With his ministers, he appoints those who dwell in forests and elephants, employing diligent overseers to track their movements. Each person is assigned to the task in which he is skilled, and hereditary servants are employed in all duties. Whether wicked or not, the king takes refuge in them carefully. Recognizing the wicked, he does not trust them but keeps their conduct under control. Those from other lands are honored only after being investigated by spies, for enemies, fire, poison, serpents, and swords are each dangerous. Unfaithful and bad servants are recognized in the same way, and the king always employs spies as his eyes. Among the people, those who act improperly or are unknown to each other, merchants skilled in counsel, and physicians practicing for a year, as well as those who appear as ascetics and discern strength and weakness, are all considered. The king does not trust one person alone, but trusts one who speaks much. He discerns the attachments and aversions of servants, the virtues and faults of people, knowing both the good and the bad for their proper placement. Actions that inspire affection are performed, and those that cause aversion are abandoned. By winning the people's affection, the king attains prosperity through their delight. Puṣkara continues: A servant should carry out the king’s command as a disciple does, with respect for the lord, never disregarding his word, and speaking what is agreeable and pleasing. What is unpleasant but beneficial should be spoken to the king in private. If not ordered, the servant should not take the king’s wealth nor neglect his honor. He should not act in ways unbefitting the king, nor use vulgar speech or gestures. The superintendent of the inner apartments should not associate with those who are hostile. A servant should not associate closely, must keep the king’s secrets, and display skill to distinguish himself before the king. Whatever secret the king has revealed should not be disclosed to the world. When ordered about something else, he should ask, “What shall I do?” He should not enter a door unbidden nor go to places unfit for the king’s sight. Deceit, greed, slander, atheism, and baseness must be avoided. Frivolity is always to be abandoned by those who serve the king; instead, they should unite themselves with learning, knowledge, and skill. Respect is always shown to the king’s beloved ministers, as if they were one’s own sons. Full trust should not be placed in the king’s counselors, but actions should please the king’s mind. The disaffected are abandoned, and livelihood is sought from those favored by the king. Without being asked, one should not speak, but may act as needed in emergencies. When the king is pleased, words are gathered, and in secret, suspicion is avoided. When the king inquires about his welfare and offers him a seat, the servant is emboldened by the king’s words and rejoices even in unpleasant matters. He accepts even a small gift and remembers it in later conversations. Such is the conduct of one favored by the king, and service to others should be avoided. Thus, the king and his servants, each fulfilling their duties with wisdom, skill, and devotion, uphold the harmony and prosperity of the kingdom, guided by reverence, discernment, and affection.