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[Full title: Royal routine (2) King鈥檚 consultations with ministers]

Stability of empire, continuity of fame etc. Being surrounded by four or eight ministers the king ofCupies his seat in a manner reminding Indra's assembly wherein he is surrounded by the maruts. The main points of consultations are stated to be based on exploring and devising means to help preserve the continuity of the welfare of the state and to maintain the untarnished and uninterrupted (anapayinI) fame, emanating from an ideal administration. What precisely could be the royal duties in this regard ? When faced by such questions, the ministers politely advise the king and such advice, according to our author, constitutes the essence of polity (nava tattva) which, if found favourable, may be adhered to by the king (76.3-10). Universal acclaim : In order to achieve universal acclaim, a king should necessarily be gentle and illustrious (dhirodatta), merciful on others, full of powers, virility (saurya) and truthful. It is essential that he rests all the burden of his state on his tutelary deity (devatanyasta bhara).

446 While protecting the wretched, he is generous and humble. He is knower of the science of polity and a versatile artist in making use of the four-fold means of royal strategy. He always adopts a valourous posture while dealing with his enemies. Samrajya-lakshmi-pithika argues that a king should not hesitate to be liberal in distributing his hard earned wealth to purchase the 'garland of fame' and subjugate the goddess of victory (JavasrI) (11-14). Some other ministerial counsels are concerned with the problems and situations a king happens to come across in course of his day-to-day life. These, though are abstruse in their nature, are described in such a characteristic and simple manner, often couched in familiar similies and metaphors that they become explicitly comprehensible, beyond any shade of doubt. Other important Counsels : The first of such is the wealth placed with some others. The author says that a thing, kept with others, is prone to be slipped out of hand at the time when it is most required, like the young-birds of the Cuckoo, reared up by the Crow, who fly away when they become capable but are needed most. A king may be mighty, but he is required to preserve his glory and power more than spending it,

447 otherwise, he may not be able to destroy his enemies like the setting sun who, with his fadding light is no darkness. It is the more capable of destroying darkness. responsibility of a king to attend to diverse duties at the same time like a goldsmith, who brings together separate pieces of gold and makes an ornament out of those. Thus, simulataneously when he has to attend a big and a small work, he should act according to the maxim of the 'neddle and the cauldron' (Suci-katahanvaya) (do the small thing first and take up the big work later) (15-21). In critical situations when he stands to suffer both ways, by attacking the enemy or by being attacked, he should brood over the maxim of the 'Plantain-leaf and the thorn' (kadal Ipatrakantakanvaya) and act in such a way that the loss is completely avoided. We think, this maxim needs little elaboration. A planta in-leaf 19 whether it falls upon a thorn or the thorn falls on the leaf in both cases, it is the leaf which stands to suffer. Thus brooding over, the king should devise some means to 19. yadatmapatena ripau ripupatena catmani / bhaved ubhayatha hanissvasyaiva nrpatestada // (76.22)

448 take away the thorn from the leaf so that the leaf is 20 any way protected. Thus avoiding all possible loss and damage to himself the king is urged to act in a fullproof manner (21-23). Restraint in Royal Assembly : His behaviour in the Royal Assembly, in various occasions also is expected to be commendable. He should try to control the out-burst of fleeting emotions when tainted by love or hatred. Whether he is a minister or he himself, when found guilty of commission and omission, should be subject to equal treatment. He should bear a hand or soft posture as demanded by the situation and keep himself abreast of the happenings through the spies who are considered to be eyes of a king (Caravilokana) (24-25). In peaceful times, he should protect his kingdom, in war himself, but never should he neglect an enemy (both in peace and war). A secret counsel (mantra) is considered impregnable even to gods so long it is 21 21. See SD, Chapter IV, p.326 where such a dilemma is projected. Cf. Kiratarjuniyam, 1.4.

449 kept between two it is considered still secure, when known to four people but it stands transgressed, the moment it is known to the sixth man (26-27). Ideal master and his servants : And lastly, the author winds up this topic with a familiar note on the relationship between an ideal master and a faithful servant. He says that sweet-tongued ministers are not difficult to get but those who initially tender unpleasant, but potentially good counsel, and the master, who can patiently take it on, both are really rare (28-31). 22

22. Cf. Bharavi's famous lines : "Sa kimsakha sadhu na sasti yo'dhipam / hitanna vah samsrnute sa kimprabhuh // sadanukulesu hi kurvate ratin / Arpesvamatyesu ca sarvasampadah (kirata 1.5).