Hear now a noble teaching on the conduct of those who serve a king, and the wise governance of a realm. A servant, it is said, should not grow overly familiar with the king, but must always guard the king’s secrets faithfully. He should strive to display skill and distinguish himself in the king’s presence. Whatever confidential matters the king reveals must be kept hidden from the world; and when commanded about other affairs, the servant should humbly ask, “What shall I do?” He must never enter a doorway uninvited, nor approach any place unfit for the king’s eyes. Such a servant must shun deceit, greed, slander, irreligion, and baseness, for these are unworthy traits. Frivolity, too, must be cast aside by one who lives in royal service. Instead, he should unite himself with learning, knowledge, and skill. The king’s beloved ministers should be treated with the same respect and affection as one would show to one’s own sons. Yet, it is wise not to place full trust in the king’s counselors; rather, the servant should act in ways that please the king, avoid those who are disaffected, and seek his livelihood among those favored by the king. He should not speak unless asked, though in emergencies he may act as needed. When the king is pleased, the servant should be reserved in speech and not harbor suspicion in private. If the king inquires after his welfare and offers him a seat, the servant should take heart in the king’s words and find joy even in difficult matters. He should accept even small gifts with gratitude, remembering them in later conversation, for such is the conduct of one favored by the king. Above all, he should not serve others while in the king’s employ. Now, listen as Puṣkara describes the acquisition and nature of fortresses. A king should reside in a fortified region, one primarily inhabited by Vaiśyas and Śūdras, and not easily accessible to outsiders. The best region is one where a few Brāhmaṇas dwell, with many industrious workers of pure descent, devoted to service, and blessed with abundant water. Such a region should not be accessible to enemy armies, and should be free from wild beasts and thieves. Of the six types of fortresses—a fortress of bows, earth, men, trees, water, or mountains—a powerful king should select and inhabit one. Among these, O Bhārgava, the mountain fortress is supreme, for it is unassailable and can overcome others. The finest fortress is one containing a town, a bustling market, shrines, and other such places, equipped with machines and weapons, and well supplied with water. Within such a stronghold, the king must guard himself against poison, and for this there are fivefold antidotes: śirīṣa, mūtrapiṣṭa, and vipārddana, as well as śatāvarī, chinnaruhā, viṣaghnī, taṇḍulīyaka, koṣātakī, kalhārī, brāhmī, citrapaṭolikā, mandukaparni, varahi, dhatri, ananda, unmadini, somaraji, vishaghna, and ratna. Dwelling in a fortress marked by auspicious signs, the king should worship the gods, protect his people, subdue the wicked, and ensure that gifts are given. If one takes what belongs to the gods, one earns a place in hell. Thus, the king should build temples and be devoted to the worship of the deities. Temples must be protected, and images of the gods established—whether made of clay, wood, or brick, all are meritorious; but those fashioned from stone, gold, or gems are even more so. By building a temple for the gods, one attains both enjoyment and liberation. Arranging spectacles, music, and gifts, and bathing the deity with oil, ghee, honey, milk, and the like, leads to heaven. The king should honor and protect Brāhmaṇas, and never take food belonging to the twice-born. Whoever takes even a single piece of gold, a single cow, or a finger’s breadth of land belonging to a Brāhmaṇa, is consigned to hell until the world’s end. Even when faced with the wicked, one should not harbor hatred, no matter their sins. Nowhere is there a sin heavier than killing a Brāhmaṇa. Likewise, those who confuse the divine and the non-divine commit grave wrong. The tears of a grieving Brāhmaṇa woman can destroy a family, a kingdom, and its people. Therefore, a righteous king must protect virtuous women. A woman should be cheerful, skilled in household duties, with her implements well arranged and never wasteful. She should always serve the husband to whom her father has given her. If her husband dies, a woman who remains chaste attains heaven. She should not delight in another’s house, nor be quarrelsome. When her husband is away, she should avoid adornment, dedicating herself to worship and her husband’s welfare. Yet, for auspiciousness, she may wear some ornament. A woman who enters the fire with her husband also attains heaven. One should perform the worship of Shri, keep the household clean, and on the twelfth day of Kartika, give a cow with her calf to Vishnu. On the seventh day of the bright fortnight in Mārgaśīrṣa, one should worship the Sun. Puṣkara further instructs that the king should appoint a headman for each village, a chief over ten villages, another over a hundred, and a lord over the district. Their enjoyment and distribution of wealth should be according to their deeds, and their conduct must always be examined. When faults arise in the village, the village head should resolve them; if unable, he must report to the leader of ten households. That leader, hearing the matter, should act appropriately. The king receives wealth and dues from the district, ensuring its protection. It is through wealth that righteousness is obtained, and desires are fulfilled; but without resources, all action ceases, just as rivers dry up in the heat of summer. Thus is the wise governance of the realm, the conduct of servants, the protection of virtue, and the worship of the divine, all set forth for the welfare of king and kingdom alike.