Among all the limbs of a kingdom, territory is considered foremost, for it forms the very foundation of sovereignty and must always be maintained with proper resources. When considering the pillars of a strong realm, one must look to the qualities of family, character, age, strength, generosity, and promptness in action. Truthfulness, reliability, service to elders, gratitude, possession of divine fortune, intelligence, and freedom from unworthy associates are virtues to be cherished. Foresight, enthusiasm, purity, and the ability to recognize what is truly important are essential. Humility and righteousness must be cultivated, along with the noble qualities of a virtuous king: a renowned lineage, gentleness, the ability to unite people, and purity of heart. A king who seeks his own welfare should appoint attendants who are eloquent, bold, mindful, free from arrogance, strong, and self-controlled. Such a leader should be skilled in the just administration of punishment, accomplished in the arts and acquisitions, able to withstand hostile attacks, and capable of countering all wickedness. He must observe the conduct of others, understand the principles of alliance and conflict, be expert in secret counsel, and know the distinctions of place and time. He should be a proper collector of wealth and a wise distributor, giving to the right recipients, and remain free from anger, greed, fear, betrayal, deceit, and fickleness. He must not harm others, nor harbor emptiness, envy, jealousy, falsehood, or transgression. Endowed with the counsel of elders, he should be capable and pleasant in appearance. His attachment to virtue should be firm, and his qualities self-acquired; he must be gentle, pure, courageous, learned, and affectionate. The ministers who administer punishment are the king’s hands, and the people themselves should be well-formed, endowed with family, character, and skill. These people should be eloquent, bold, keen-sighted, enthusiastic, perceptive, free from stubbornness and fickleness, friendly, able to endure hardship, and pure. They should possess truth, strength, firmness, patience, power, and health; be accomplished in the arts, skilled, wise, and able to concentrate. A minister must be steadfast in devotion, never the cause of enmity, mindful of the king’s purpose, understanding the minds of others, and certain in knowledge. He should perform rites for appeasement and prosperity as prescribed in the Atharva Veda, together with ministers who are wise and skilled in those disciplines. The king must examine the qualities of keen sight and skill, and discern family and position among his own people. He should look for skill in duties, knowledge, the ability to retain what is learned, the three qualities of nature, boldness, and affection. In conversation, he should discern eloquence, truthfulness, enthusiasm, influence, and endurance of hardship. He must observe steadfastness and attachment, as well as stability in adversity; devotion, friendship, and purity are revealed through conduct. From those who live together, the king should know their strength, character, health, good conduct, absence of stubbornness, restraint, and lack of enmity. Directly, one should discern both nobility and baseness; everywhere, hidden qualities and actions are to be inferred from their results. A land is praised that is fertile, virtuous, rich in minerals, beneficial to cows, abundant in water, and inhabited by virtuous people. A delightful land, strong with elephants, possessing water, roads, and boats, and not belonging to others, is fit for great prosperity. Where laborers, artisans, and merchants abound, where there is great enterprise and agricultural strength, where affection flourishes, where there is enmity toward foes, endurance of hardships, and abundance—such a land is to be cherished. A region filled with people from various lands, righteous, rich in cattle, and strong is praised, especially when led by one who is neither ignorant nor addicted to vice. A city should be established with broad boundaries, great moats, high ramparts and gates, and situated near mountains, rivers, and forests. A fortress must have water, grain, and wealth, be able to withstand the passage of time, and may be of six types: aquatic, mountainous, wooded, sandy, marshy, or forested. The treasury should be filled with desired wealth, inherited from ancestors and acquired righteously, able to endure expenditure, and grow through righteousness and other virtues. Those who serve must be obedient to their ancestors, united, paid proper wages, renowned for valor, born of good lineage, skilled, and accompanied by auspicious omens. They should be equipped with various weapons, skilled in many kinds of warfare, surrounded by diverse warriors, and honored with horses and elephants. Having endured hardships in travel and battle, their punishment is just when it is impartial. A friend should be chosen from a good family, rich in knowledge of yoga, strong in spirit, a great support, who speaks kindly, is patient, steadfast, and unwavering. Friendship is gathered in three ways: by approaching from afar, by speech that is clear and heartfelt, and by giving with respect. From friendship, three kinds of fruits arise—relating to righteousness, desire, and wealth; these bonds may be natural, firm, or come by lineage. One should know that a friend is of four kinds and protects from dangers; in a friend, virtues such as truthfulness and sharing in both happiness and sorrow are found. The conduct of dependents is also to be described: a servant should serve the king with skill, good character, firmness, patience, and endurance of hardship. Contentment, good conduct, and enthusiasm adorn a dependent; a servant should attend upon the king at the proper time, following the rules of policy. He should abandon going to others, cruelty, arrogance, and envy; he should not engage in disputes or arguments with his superior. He must not reveal the king's secrets, weaknesses, or counsel. He should seek his livelihood from a king who favors him and abandon one who is indifferent. Finally, the king should be a sustainer of all beings, like a raincloud, collecting wealth through proper channels for the sake of accomplishment and the welfare of his people.