In days of wise kings and righteous rule, the ministers who administered justice were chosen with great care. Such ministers, it was said, must be drawn from families of good standing, their character unblemished and their skills refined. They were to be eloquent in speech, bold in action, keen of vision, and ever enthusiastic. Their minds were to be perceptive, free from stubbornness and fickleness, friendly to all, able to endure hardship, and pure in their ways. Truthfulness, strength, firmness, patience, and health were their foundation. They were accomplished in the arts, wise in counsel, and blessed with unwavering concentration. Above all, a minister’s heart was to be steadfast in devotion, never sowing enmity, but always mindful of his purpose, understanding the minds of others, and certain in knowledge. To ensure the kingdom’s prosperity, the minister would perform rites for appeasement and well-being as taught in the Atharva Veda, accompanied by other wise and skilled ministers. He would carefully examine the qualities of keen sight and skill, discerning each person’s family and standing among the people. Skill in duty, depth of knowledge, the power to retain learning, the balance of the three qualities—sattva, rajas, and tamas—boldness, and affection were all weighed. In conversation, a minister would look for eloquence, truthfulness, enthusiasm, influence, and the ability to endure hardship. Steadfastness, attachment, and stability in adversity were to be discerned, as were devotion, friendship, and purity—revealed through one’s conduct. By observing those who lived together, one could know their strength, character, health, good conduct, restraint, and absence of enmity. Directly, one could perceive both nobility and baseness, but everywhere, the hidden qualities and actions of people were to be inferred from their results. The land itself was to be chosen with equal wisdom. Praised was the land that was fertile, virtuous, rich in minerals, beneficial to cows, abundant in water, and populated by virtuous people. A delightful land, strong with elephants, possessing water, roads, and boats, and not belonging to others, was fit for great prosperity. Where laborers, artisans, and merchants flourished, where enterprise and agricultural strength abounded, and where affection, enmity toward foes, endurance, and abundance were found—such a land was ideal. A region filled with people from many lands, righteous and strong, rich in cattle, was celebrated, especially when led by a ruler neither ignorant nor addicted to vice. The city was to be established with broad boundaries, protected by great moats, high ramparts, and sturdy gates, situated near mountains, rivers, and forests. The fortress was to have ample water, grain, and wealth, able to withstand the test of time, and could be of six types: aquatic, mountainous, wooded, sandy, marshy, or forested. The treasury, filled with wealth desired and inherited from ancestors, righteously acquired and able to endure expenditure, would grow through righteousness and virtue. The army, too, was to be composed of those obedient to their ancestors, united, paid their due, renowned for valor, of good lineage and skill, and accompanied by auspicious omens. Warriors were to be equipped with various weapons, skilled in many forms of warfare, surrounded by diverse fighters, and honored with horses and elephants. Having endured the hardships of travel and battle, the punishment of warriors was to be just and impartial. Friendship was also a pillar of the realm. A friend was to be made from a good family, rich in knowledge of yoga, strong in spirit, steadfast, patient, unwavering, and always supportive, with kindly speech. Friendship was gathered in three ways: by approaching from afar, by speech that was clear and heartfelt, and by giving with respect. From such friendship, three kinds of fruits arose: those relating to righteousness, desire, and wealth—these bonds could be natural, firm, or by lineage. A friend was of four kinds and protected from dangers; in a true friend, one found truthfulness and the sharing of both happiness and sorrow. Dependents and servants, too, had their conduct prescribed. A servant was to serve the king with skill, good character, firmness, patience, and endurance. Contentment, good conduct, and enthusiasm adorned a dependent. A servant was to attend to the king at the proper time, following the rules of policy, and avoid going to others, cruelty, arrogance, or envy. He was not to engage in disputes or arguments with his superior, nor reveal the king’s secrets or weaknesses. He should seek his livelihood from a king who favored him and abandon one who was indifferent. The king, for his part, was to be a sustainer of all beings, like a raincloud. He might collect wealth through proper means for the sake of accomplishment. He was to appoint diligent overseers for all tasks—agriculture, trade routes, fortresses, bridges, and the binding of elephants. He was to manage mines, collect taxes, and settle deserted lands, upholding these eightfold duties as a virtuous king. Yet, dangers lurked: thieves in disguise, robbers, townspeople, those favored by the king, and the king’s own greed—these were the five sources of fear for the subjects. The king was to collect taxes from these at the proper time, and protect his own body, his inner circle, and his kingdom from external threats. He was to punish those who deserved it and guard himself against poison, never placing his trust in women, sons, or enemies. Then Rama spoke, saying, “The power of counsel is praised when joined with strength and energy. Even Kavi, endowed with power and vigor, overcame the priest of the gods. Matters are deliberated here with those who are wise, not the ignorant; for those who undertake the impossible, how can there be results without effort? From counsel come knowledge of the unknown, certainty about the known, resolution of doubts in conflicting matters, and understanding of what remains. “Allies, means of accomplishment, division according to place and time, and remedies for adversity—these five are the elements of counsel. Clarity of mind, faith, skill in action, the effort of companions, and success in deeds are the marks of true accomplishment.” Thus, in the wise ordering of ministers, land, fortress, treasury, army, friendship, dependents, and the king’s own conduct, the kingdom flourished—guided by discernment, righteousness, and the power of wise counsel.