When a woman’s husband passes away, if she remains steadfast in chastity and virtue, she attains heaven. It is taught that she should not seek joy in another’s household, nor become quarrelsome. For a woman whose husband is away, it is proper to avoid adornments, to devote herself to the worship of the deities, and to remain ever mindful of her husband’s wellbeing. Still, she should wear a simple ornament for the sake of auspiciousness. If a devoted wife enters the fire with her husband, she too attains heaven. To maintain the sanctity of the household, one should perform the worship of Shri and diligently clean the home. On the twelfth day of Kartika, it is meritorious to offer a cow and her calf to Vishnu. On the seventh day of the bright fortnight in Margashirsha, one should worship the Sun. Pushkara then explained the proper order for governing the land. The king should appoint a headman for each village, a chief over ten villages, another over a hundred villages, and a lord over the entire district. Each of these officials should enjoy and distribute wealth according to their deeds, and their conduct must be scrutinized accordingly. When faults arise within a village, it is the duty of the village head to resolve them. If he is unable, he must report the matter to the chief of ten villages, who should then act with appropriate means. The king, in turn, receives wealth and other dues from the district, ensuring its protection. Those who possess wealth find it easier to practice righteousness and fulfill their desires; without resources, action comes to a halt, just as rivers dry up in the heat of summer. There is little difference in the world between one who has fallen and one who is destitute; people do not accept from the fallen, nor can the poor give. If a king oppresses his realm, he is condemned to dwell long in hell. Of what use are sacrifices or austerities to one who does not protect his subjects? For the king who ensures their safety, heaven is as his own home; but for one who fails, his palace becomes like hell. The king partakes in a sixth share of both the good and evil deeds of his subjects. By protecting his people, the king attains righteousness; by failing in this duty, he incurs sin. Women of fortune, like courtesans, are subject to the king, his favorites, and thieves if not properly protected. If a twice-born finds a treasure, he should take it all, but distribute a fourth, an eighth, or a sixteenth part, according to caste, giving it righteously to a worthy recipient. If one speaks falsely about lost property, he is to be fined an eighth part of its value. Should the owner of lost property not be found, the king should keep it for three years. If claimed within that time, it must be returned; after three years, the king may keep it. The claimant must declare ownership with proper proof—form and count—before receiving it. Property belonging to minors and heirs should be protected by the king until they come of age. Likewise, the king must safeguard the property of devoted wives, widows, and those without protectors. If relatives seize such property while these women still live, the righteous king should punish them as thieves. Should thieves take property, the king must see it restored. Even the king may recover stolen goods from those responsible for their protection, and anyone who falsely claims stolen property should be expelled and punished. The king must not accept in his own house anything stolen by household thieves. From the goods of the realm, the king should take a twentieth part from a twice-born man. He should understand the share of tolls from foreign lands, balancing loss and expenditure, and set tolls so that merchants may profit. He may take a twentieth part of the profit, or more if there is a penalty, but from women and ascetics, he should not take any crossing toll. If something is lost due to the fault of servants at a crossing, the servants must make restitution. From grain in the husk, the king should take a sixth part, and from pulses, an eighth. For forest produce, he should take a share appropriate to place and time; from cattle and gold, a fifth or a sixth part. From perfumes, medicinal herbs, juices, all kinds of vessels, stone items, leaves, vegetables, grasses, bamboo, flutes, leather, wooden vessels, and honey, meat, and mustard, the king should take a sixth part. Even at the end of his life, the king should not tax Brahmins. If a learned Brahmin suffers hunger in the king’s domain, that kingdom will decline, beset by disease, famine, and calamity. Knowing this, the king must provide for the Brahmin’s livelihood, protecting him as a father protects his son. One who is protected by the king and practices righteousness daily brings increase to the king’s life, wealth, and kingdom. Artisans should perform their work for the king, one task each month. Pushkara continued: “Now I will explain the concerns of the inner palace and the duties that lead to the aims of life. Among these, mutual protection and service among women must be ensured by the king. Righteousness is the root, wealth the trunk, and great is the fruit of action; in this tree of the three aims, by protection, one gains a share of the fruit. “Women are subject to desire, O Rama; therefore, the collection of jewels is important. The king who wishes to enjoy his realm should serve women, but not excessively. A wicked woman acts wrongly—she does not welcome good counsel, joins with enemies, and bears pride with arrogance. When kissed, she wipes her face, disregards the food given to her, sleeps early and late, and wakes only afterward.” Thus, the duties of women, the responsibilities of the king, and the proper distribution of wealth and justice are set forth, guiding all toward righteousness, prosperity, and fulfillment.