The wise ministers and seasoned physicians, skilled in their arts through long years of service, are able to discern subtle counsel through expressions and gestures as much as through spoken words. It is through the support and guidance of such learned advisors that a king attains prosperity, for they uphold his rule and ensure his success. Once he has established sound counsel, the king should then devote himself to physical exercise and the practice of handling vehicles and weapons, preparing himself for all the duties of kingship. At dawn, after bathing, the king should witness the worship of Viṣṇu, ensure that the sacred fire is properly offered, and see that the brāhmaṇas are honored as tradition dictates. In the evening, having inspected the treatises of statecraft, reviewed his warriors, armory, and treasury, and after performing the evening rites, the king should reflect quietly upon his responsibilities. For his own safety, the king must be vigilant: by sending out spies and ensuring his food is tasted, he should remain within the protected inner quarters. Surrounded by music, song, and trusted attendants, the king should always move with caution and dignity. At this point, Puṣkara spoke, saying, “I shall now explain the proper procedure for a military expedition, to be undertaken after seven days.” On the first day, the king should worship Hari, Śambhu, and Vināyaka with sweets and other offerings. On the second day, he must honor the guardians of the directions and then rest. Before lying down to sleep, or while seated upon his bed, the king should worship the gods and remember Manu, reciting, “Salutations to Śambhu, the three-eyed one, to Rudra, and to the bestower of boons. Salutations to Vāmana, to the misshapen one, to the lord of dreams; O blessed one, god of gods, bearer of the trident, rider of the bull.” He should pray, “O eternal one, reveal to me in my sleep what is favorable or unfavorable, and what is distant while awake.” This mantra should be recited by the priest on his behalf. On the third day, the king should offer sacrifice to the guardians of the directions and to the Rudras, lords of the quarters. On the fourth day, he should worship the planets, and on the fifth, the twin Aśvins. He should honor the deities along his path, and offer oblations to the gods dwelling in the heavens, the midspace, and on earth. At night, he should worship the hosts of spirits, Vāsudeva, and other deities, as well as Bhadrākālī and Śrī, praying to all the gods for protection and blessing. Among those to be worshipped are Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Nārāyaṇa, the lotus-born Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Nṛsiṃha, and Varāha; as well as Sūrya, Soma, Kuja, Candra, Jīva, Śukra, and Śanaiścara; Rāhu, Ketu, Gaṇapati, Senānī, Caṇḍikā, Umā, Lakṣmī, Sarasvatī, Durgā, and the hosts led by Brahmāṇī. The Rudras, Indra and others, Agni, the Nāgas, Tārkṣya, and all the gods who dwell in heaven, midspace, and earth are also to be invoked, that they may grant victory. The king should pray, “May you crush my enemies in battle, having accepted my offerings. I, with my sons, mother, and servants, take refuge in you, O gods. Having returned, I shall offer a tribute greater than before.” On the sixth day, a victory bath is to be performed, as in a royal anointing ceremony. On the seventh day, the day of departure, the king should worship Trivikrama. With the mantras prescribed for nīrājana, he should consecrate his weapons and vehicles, and recite auspicious and victory chants: “May those gods who dwell in heaven, the atmosphere, and the earth grant you long life; may you attain divine success, and may this divine journey be yours.” Having heard the priest’s blessing, “May all the deities protect,” the king should take up his bow and arrows, reciting the mantra, “O bow of the serpent.” As he sets out, he should recite “nadviṇṇor,” and place his right foot at the threshold, facing east and the other directions in order, making sure to step in all thirty-two directions. The king should mount his elephant, then his chariot, horse, and other draught animals in sequence. Once mounted, he should proceed with music and auspicious sounds, never looking back. After traveling a krośa’s distance, he should halt to worship the deities and honor the Brahmins. Thereafter, he may proceed to foreign lands, always ensuring the protection of his own army. The worship of the gods should not be neglected at any time. The king should treat the people of the foreign lands with respect, never insulting them. Upon his victorious return to his own city, he should worship the gods and distribute gifts in gratitude. On the second day, when battle is imminent, the king should bathe the elephant, horse, and other animals, and worship the god Narasiṃha. At night, he should honor the royal insignia—such as the umbrella and weapons—and their attendants. In the morning, he should again worship Narasiṃha and all vehicles and instruments of war, without exception. The priest should oversee the offerings; after making the fire offering, he should honor the Brahmins. Then, taking up his bow and arrows, the king should mount his elephant or other vehicle and proceed. In a place hidden from the enemy, the king should arrange his formation. He should engage the gathered troops with a few, and expand the many as needed. The needle-point formation is recommended for both small and large groups, and other battle arrays are described as taking the forms of vital limbs and objects. These formations include Garuḍa, Makara, Chakra, Śyena, the half-moon, the thunderbolt, and the cart formation. There are also the circle, the all-auspicious, and the needle formation. The arrangement of the army within these formations is fivefold: two wings, two sub-wings, and a central fifth division, and the army may be divided into one or two main groups. For protection, three divisions should be established. The king himself must never arrange the battle formations, for if the root is cut, destruction follows. Therefore, the king should not fight personally, but remain behind his army at a distance of a krośa. When the main force of the warriors is broken, the defeat of the army is certain. The king should not arrange his warriors too densely nor too sparsely, so that their weapons do not clash with one another. Thus, with wisdom, devotion, and proper counsel, the king conducts himself and his army, ever guided by the blessings of the gods and the traditions of righteousness.