In the wise teachings of the Agni Purāṇa, it is said that one must learn to discern nobility and baseness directly, and everywhere, infer the hidden qualities and actions of people and things from the results they produce. A land is praised when it is fertile and virtuous, rich in minerals, beneficial for cows, abundant in water, and inhabited by virtuous people. Such a land, delightful and strong with elephants, possessing ample water, roads, and boats, and not belonging to others, is deemed fit for great prosperity. A truly praiseworthy region is one where laborers, artisans, and merchants abound; where enterprise flourishes, the strength of agriculture is great, and where people show affection for one another, enmity toward foes, endurance of hardships, and enjoy abundance. A country filled with people from various lands, righteous and rich in cattle, strong and led by a ruler who is neither ignorant nor addicted to vice, is celebrated. To establish a city, one should choose a site with broad boundaries, protected by great moats, high ramparts, and gates, and situated near mountains, rivers, and forests. The fortress should be well-provisioned with water, grain, and wealth, 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 wealth that is desired, inherited from ancestors or acquired righteously, able to endure expenditure, and should grow through righteousness and other virtues. Those who serve should be obedient to their ancestors, united, paid their wages, renowned for valor, born of good lineage, skilled, and accompanied by auspicious omens. They should be well-armed, skilled in many kinds of warfare, surrounded by diverse warriors, and honored with horses and elephants. Having endured hardships in travel and battle, warriors should be punished justly and impartially when necessary. A true friend should be sought from a good family, rich in knowledge of yoga, strong in spirit, supportive, kind in speech, 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 such friendship arise three kinds of fruits—righteousness, desire, and wealth—expressed as the natural bond, the firm bond, and that which comes 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 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, and should not engage in disputes or arguments with his superior. Nor should he 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. The king, for his part, is to be a sustainer of all beings, like a raincloud, collecting wealth through proper channels for the sake of accomplishment. He should appoint diligent overseers for all tasks: agriculture, trade routes, fortresses, bridges, and the binding of elephants. Mines, taxes, and the settlement of deserted lands must also be managed. A virtuous king upholds these eightfold duties. Subjects face five sources of fear: thieves in disguise, robbers, townspeople, those favored by the king, and the king’s own greed. The king should collect taxes from these at the proper time and protect his own body, his inner circle, and his kingdom from external threats. He should punish those who deserve punishment and protect himself from poison, never placing blind trust in women, sons, or enemies. Rama, reflecting on these matters, said: “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 with the wise, not the ignorant, for those who attempt the impossible cannot expect results without effort. Through counsel, one gains knowledge of the unknown, certainty about the known, resolves doubts in conflicting matters, and understands 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 accomplishment. Yet hidden faults such as pride, negligence, desire, and talking in sleep destroy counsel, as do women intent on pleasure. A messenger must be bold, possess a good memory, be eloquent, skilled in weapons and scriptures, and not neglectful of duties. Messengers are of three kinds, according to their capacity and whether they lack any aspect. One should not enter an enemy’s city without reconnaissance or approach an informer; the proper time should be observed for the task, and departure made only with permission. The messenger should ascertain the enemy’s weaknesses, treasury, allies, and forces, and discern attachment and aversion by observing the eyes, body, and gestures. He should compose four kinds of reports regarding both sides and dwell with trustworthy ascetics who display appropriate signs. A spy may be overt or covert; the covert spy is of two types, and can be a merchant, farmer, laborer, ascetic, beggar, or others. He should approach an enemy afflicted by misfortune, when the efforts of messengers have failed; having observed natural calamity, he should act accordingly. That which brings destruction is called misfortune: fire, water, disease, famine, and plague. Thus, five kinds of calamities are recognized—divine and human. Divine calamity is pacified through human effort and appeasement. Thus, the wise are guided in the discernment of lands, the gathering of friends, the management of servants and kingdoms, and the prudent use of counsel and messengers, all for the prosperity and protection of the realm.