O gracious goddess, who ever resides upon the sacred chest of Lord Vishnu, do not forsake sons, friends, cattle, or ornaments—for your presence is the wellspring of all prosperity. When you, O pure and radiant one, withdraw your grace from a person, that individual is at once abandoned by virtue, truth, purity, and all noble qualities. Yet, when your compassionate glance falls upon anyone—even if they lack merit—immediately they are blessed with good conduct, family prosperity, and all noble virtues. Such a person, favored by your sight, becomes praiseworthy, virtuous, fortunate, noble, wise, heroic, and valiant. But when you, the sustainer of the world and beloved of Vishnu, turn away from someone, all virtues swiftly depart from them. Even the tongue of Brahmā cannot fully describe your boundless qualities. Therefore, O lotus-eyed goddess, be ever gracious and never abandon us. Thus praised, Śrī, the goddess of fortune, granted Indra his desired boon—assuring him the stability of his kingdom, victory in battle, and all that he wished for. Therefore, it is said that one should recite or listen to this hymn to Śrī, for it bestows both worldly enjoyment and ultimate liberation upon those who do so. Then Agni spoke, saying, “Now I shall declare the wise policy spoken by Puṣkara, and also the counsel that Rāma imparted to Lakṣmaṇa for victory—teachings that increase righteousness and well-being. Listen attentively.” Rāma instructed: “A king should acquire wealth by just means, increase it, protect it, and bestow it upon the worthy—these are the four essential duties of a ruler. Discipline is the root of good governance, and discipline arises from certainty in the scriptures. True discipline is mastery over the senses; thus equipped, one should rule the earth. Nobility of birth, purity, friendship, generosity, truthfulness, gratitude, family, character, and self-restraint—these virtues are the sources of prosperity. In the tangled forest of sense-objects, the mind runs wild and destructive; with the goad of knowledge, one must bring the elephant of the senses under control. Desire, anger, greed, delight, pride, and arrogance—these six should be abandoned. The king who gives them up finds true happiness. With discipline, a king should reflect upon inquiry, the three Vedas, commerce, and the science of governance, using the knowledge and practices of each. Inquiry leads to understanding meaning; righteousness and unrighteousness are found in the Vedas; gain and loss are in commerce; right and wrong policy are in the science of governance. Nonviolence, gentle speech, truthfulness, purity, compassion, and forgiveness—these are duties common to both householders and renunciants. The ruler should care for his people, establish proper conduct, speak kindly, show compassion, give gifts, and protect the oppressed. Such conduct is the vow of the virtuous, bringing benefit to the good; for those afflicted by sorrow or disease, it is their support. What wise king would act unrighteously for the sake of his own body? Seeking his own happiness, he should never oppress the unfortunate. If the unfortunate are oppressed, their anger turns upon the king, just as reverence is offered to the worthy among one’s own people. Therefore, one should act with even greater virtue toward the wicked, with auspicious intent, and always show kindness to the good—even to those who are hostile. Those who speak kindly are like gods; those who speak harshly are like beasts. One whose mind is pure and faithful should always worship the deities. Honor the deities, teachers, and friends as oneself; approach the teacher with reverence and sincerity. Show kindness to servants for their good deeds, treat friends with affection, and relatives with respect. Toward women and servants, display love and generosity; toward others, courtesy. Do not criticize others’ actions, and always uphold your own duty. Be compassionate to the unfortunate, speak sweetly to all, and remain steadfastly loyal to a friend, even at the cost of your own life. When a guest arrives, welcome them, give gifts as you are able, and be patient. Do not boast in your own prosperity nor envy the success of another. Even without direct opposition, use wise speech, observe silence when appropriate, maintain unity with relatives, and show cleverness among your own people. Rāma further explained: “The master, the minister, the territory, the fortress, the treasury, the army, and the friend—these seven, supporting one another, are called the limbs of a kingdom. Among these, the territory is the best and should always be maintained with proper resources. Family, character, age, strength, generosity, and prompt action are vital. Truthfulness, reliability, service to elders, gratitude, possession of divine fortune, intelligence, and freedom from inferior associates are also essential. Foresight, enthusiasm, purity, and the ability to recognize important matters are required. Humility, righteousness, and the qualities of a virtuous king—renowned lineage, gentleness, the ability to unite people, and purity—are to be cherished. A king seeking his own welfare should appoint attendants who are eloquent, bold, mindful, unarrogant, strong, and self-controlled. A leader must be skilled in punishment, accomplished in arts and acquisitions, able to withstand hostile attacks, and capable of countering all wickedness. He should observe the conduct of others, understand the principles of alliance and conflict, be expert in secret counsel, and recognize the distinctions of place and time. He must be a proper collector of wealth, a wise distributor, and free from anger, greed, fear, betrayal, deceit, and fickleness. He should not harm others, nor be empty, envious, jealous, false, or transgressive. He must be endowed with the counsel of elders, capable, and pleasant in appearance. Firm in attachment to virtues and possessing self-acquired qualities, he should be gentle, pure, courageous, learned, and affectionate. Such is the wise counsel passed down, a treasury of guidance for those who would rule with righteousness, compassion, and wisdom, under the gracious glance of the goddess Śrī.