With gentle earnestness and deep concern, a wise counselor approached Bharata, the noble prince, and began to question him about the state of his kingdom and his conduct as a ruler. “Tell me, are your principal warriors—those valiant men proven in danger and skilled in the art of battle—strong and steadfast? Have you honored and respected them as they deserve, recognizing their loyalty and courage? “Do you provide your troops with food and wages at the proper time, without delay? For it is well known that if there is any postponement in these matters, the soldiers become angry and their discipline falters, which is a great misfortune for any ruler. “Are the sons of noble families, especially the chief among them, devoted to you, O Bharata? Are they ready to lay down their lives for your cause, with unwavering commitment? Have you appointed as your messenger a learned, intelligent, and eloquent man from the countryside, one who is skilled in speech and follows your instructions faithfully? “Do you keep yourself informed about the eighteen critical positions—ten on your own side and five on the enemy’s—using three spies for each, who remain unknown to one another? Do you always avoid those who are ill-disposed toward you and keep your distance from those who have turned against you, never underestimating even the weak, O destroyer of foes? “My son, do you refrain from associating with materialistic Brahmins, those who, though thinking themselves wise, are skilled only in trivial matters? When the great scriptures of dharma are available, these childish men, having acquired a little logic, speak uselessly, imagining themselves learned. “O father, does the city once inhabited by our heroic ancestors—named Truth, with its strong gates and crowds of elephants, horses, and chariots—still flourish? Is it always filled with Brahmins, Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, all devoted to their duties, self-controlled, enthusiastic, and surrounded by noble people in their thousands? “Is the city, adorned with mansions of many shapes and crowded with skilled physicians, Ayodhya, prosperous and joyful, well protected under your care? Is it graced with hundreds of buildings, densely populated, and beautified by temples, rest houses, and ponds? Does it shine with cheerful men and women, radiant with gatherings and festivals, its borders well cultivated, abundant in cattle, and free from violence? “Is the city delightful, free from irreligious people and wild beasts, untouched by fear, and adorned with mines? Is the region, protected by my ancestors and devoid of wicked people, prosperous, with its inhabitants living happily, O Raghava? “Are all those dear to you, who live by farming and cattle-rearing, well cared for? Indeed, the happiness of the world depends on agriculture. Have you ensured their protection and welfare, never neglecting them? For it is the king’s duty to safeguard all residents of the realm through righteousness. “Do you comfort the women of your household and ensure their safety? Do you place your trust in them, and do you refrain from speaking of their secrets? Is the elephant forest well guarded, and do you have plenty of cows? Are you satisfied with the horses and elephants in the royal stables? “Do you regularly appear before the people, adorned and noble, rising early each morning and showing yourself on the great highway, O prince? Are all the tasks of your officials performed openly and without suspicion, or do they remain unfinished, with only partial explanations given? “Are all your fortresses well supplied with wealth, grain, weapons, water, machines, and craftsmen skilled in archery? Is your income abundant and your expenditure modest, O Raghava? Does your treasury never find its way to unworthy recipients? Do you direct your spending towards the gods, ancestors, Brahmins who visit, warriors, and friends? “Is the noble person, pure in heart, never accused of theft, nor condemned by scholars without inquiry, nor punished out of greed, remaining innocent? When a thief is apprehended and questioned at the proper time, and evidence is found, do you refrain from releasing him out of greed for wealth, O bull among men? “O Raghava, in times of adversity or prosperity, do your well-learned ministers, impartial in judgment, look after your interests? Remember, the tears shed by those falsely accused destroy the sons and cattle of those who punish them out of a desire for favor. “Do you support the aged, the young, and the foremost physicians through gifts, thoughtful consideration, and kind words—by all three means? Do you show respect to teachers, elders, ascetics, deities, guests, all sacred shrines, the accomplished, and the Brahmanas? “By means of wealth, do you support righteousness, and by righteousness, do you preserve wealth? Do you avoid harming either, or both, out of desire for pleasure or greed? O best among the victorious, do you, knowing the right time, serve all—wealth, righteousness, and pleasure—by dividing your attention according to what is appropriate at each moment? “Do the Brahmanas, skilled in the meaning of all the scriptures, wish you well, O greatly wise one, together with the citizens and country people? Do you avoid atheism, falsehood, anger, carelessness, procrastination, disregard for the wise, laziness, and fickleness of mind? “Do you avoid considering important matters alone, consulting only those ignorant of adversity, failing to act on decisions, and not protecting your counsel? Do you avoid the fourteen royal faults, such as neglecting auspicious acts and failing to rise to occasions? “O Raghava, do you truly understand the ten, five, four, seven, eight, and three groups, as well as the three branches of knowledge? Having mastered your senses, do you know the sixfold policy, the divine and human factors, the twenty types of duties, and the circle of subjects? “And finally, O greatly wise one, do you properly approve of military expeditions, punishment, the two kinds of birth, alliances, and hostilities? In all these matters, may you act with wisdom and righteousness, ever upholding the honor of your house and the happiness of your people.