Discipline, it is said, forms the very root of good governance, and this discipline springs from a firm certainty in the scriptures. True discipline is mastery over the senses; when a ruler possesses both discipline and scriptural wisdom, he is fit to govern the earth. Prosperity, too, finds its causes in noble birth, purity, sincere friendship, generosity, truthfulness, gratitude, strong family ties, good character, and self-restraint. Yet, the mind, like an elephant in the wild forest of sense-objects, tends to run amok and cause destruction. The wise must guide it with the goad of knowledge, bringing the senses under control. A king must renounce desire, anger, greed, excessive delight, pride, and arrogance—these six enemies. By abandoning them, he finds happiness. With discipline, he should reflect upon the three Vedas, the principles of commerce, and the science of governance, inquiring into each and applying their teachings. Through inquiry, one gains understanding of meaning; the three Vedas reveal righteousness and unrighteousness; commerce teaches about gain and loss; and the science of governance distinguishes right from wrong policy. For both householders and renunciants, the common duties are nonviolence, gentle speech, truthfulness, purity, compassion, and forgiveness. A king’s duty is to care for his people, uphold proper conduct, speak kindly, show compassion, give gifts, and protect the oppressed. Such conduct is the vow of the virtuous, a blessing to the good, and a support for those afflicted by sorrow or disease, whether now or in the future. What wise king would act unrighteously merely for his own sake? Seeking his own happiness, he must never oppress the unfortunate. For when the unfortunate are mistreated, their anger turns against the king, just as reverence is offered to the worthy among one’s own people. Therefore, one should act even more virtuously toward the wicked, always intending good; kindness should be shown not only to the good but also to the hostile. Those who speak kindly are like gods, while those who speak harshly are like beasts. One whose mind is pure and faithful should always worship the deities. Deities, teachers, and friends should be honored as oneself. A teacher must be approached with reverence and sincerity. Servants should be treated with kindness for their good deeds, friends with affection, and relatives with respect. Toward women and servants, one should show love and generosity; toward others, courtesy. One must not criticize the actions of others but always uphold one’s own duty. Compassion for the unfortunate, sweet speech to all, and unwavering loyalty to a friend—even at the cost of one’s own life—are virtues to be cherished. When a guest arrives, they should be welcomed with open arms, given gifts according to one’s means, and treated with patience. One should never be arrogant in prosperity nor envious of another’s success. Even without direct confrontation, one should skillfully employ speech, observe silence when appropriate, maintain unity with relatives, and display cleverness among one’s own people. Rama spoke of the seven limbs of a kingdom: the master, the minister, the territory, the fortress, the treasury, the army, and the friend. These elements support each other. Among them, the territory is foremost and must always be maintained with resources. Family, character, age, strength, generosity, and prompt action are essential qualities. Truthfulness, reliability, service to elders, gratitude, possession of divine fortune, intelligence, and freedom from unworthy associates are also vital. Foresight, enthusiasm, purity, and discernment of important matters further strengthen the realm. Humility, righteousness, and the virtues of a good king—renowned lineage, gentleness, the ability to unite people, and purity—are necessary for wise rule. A king seeking his own welfare should appoint attendants who are eloquent, bold, mindful, humble, strong, and self-controlled. The leader must be skilled in punishment, accomplished in the arts and acquisitions, resilient against hostile attacks, and able to counter wickedness. He should observe the conduct of others, understand alliance and conflict, be expert in secret counsel, and recognize the distinctions of place and time. A wise ruler is a proper collector of wealth, a discerning distributor, and free from anger, greed, fear, betrayal, deceit, and fickleness. He does not harm others, is free from emptiness, envy, jealousy, falsehood, and transgression, and is guided by the counsel of elders. He is capable, pleasant in appearance, firm in virtue, and possesses self-acquired qualities. He is gentle, pure, courageous, learned, and affectionate. Those who administer punishment are the king’s ministers; the people should be well-formed, endowed with family, character, and skill. They should be eloquent, bold, keen-sighted, enthusiastic, perceptive, free from stubbornness and fickleness, friendly, able to endure hardship, and pure. Truth, strength, firmness, patience, power, and health are their hallmarks, as are skill in the arts, wisdom, and concentration. A minister must be steadfast in devotion, never the instigator of enmity, and always mindful of his purpose. He should understand the minds of others and be certain in knowledge. The king should perform rites for appeasement and prosperity as prescribed in the Atharva Veda, together with wise and skilled ministers. He must examine the qualities of keen sight and skill, as well as discern family and status among his people. Skill in duties, knowledge, the capacity to retain, the three qualities of nature, boldness, and affection should all be considered. In conversation, eloquence, truthfulness, enthusiasm, influence, and endurance of hardship should be observed. Steadfastness, attachment, stability in adversity, devotion, friendship, and purity are known through conduct. Finally, from those who live together, one should discern strength, character, health, good conduct, absence of stubbornness, restraint, and lack of enmity. Thus, with such virtues and wisdom, a king ensures the prosperity and harmony of his realm.