12120002a tad eva vistareNoktamM pUrvair dRSTaM satAmM matam that were observed and laid down in days of old by persons of ancient times conversant with kingly duties. Thou hast, indeed, spoken in detail of those duties as approved by the wise.
12120002c praNayaM rAjadharmANAmM prabrUhi bharatarSabha Do thou, however, O bull of bharata's race, speak of them in such a way that one may succeed in retaining them in memory.' 1
12120003 bhISma uvAca 'bhISma said,
12120003a rakSaNaM sarvabhUtAnAm iti kSatre paramM matam 'The protection of all creatures is regarded as the highest duty of the kSatriya.
12120003c tad yathA rakSaNaGM kuryAt tathA zRNu mahIpate Listen now to me, O king, as to how the duty of protection is to be exercised.
12120004c tathA bahuvidhaM rAjA rUpaGM kurvIta dharmavit A king conversant with his duties should assume many forms even as the peacock puts forth plumes of diverse hues.
12120005a taikSNyaJM jihmatvam AdAntyaM satyam Arjavam eva ca Keenness, crookedness, truth, and sincerity, are the qualities that should be present in him.
12120005c madhyasthasH sattvam AtiSThaMs tathA vai sukham Rcchati With thorough impartiality, he should practise the qualities of goodness if he is to earn felicity.
12120006a yasminn arthe hitaM yat syAt tad varNaM rUpam Avizet He must assume that particular hue or form which is beneficial in view of the particular object which he seeks to accomplish.
12120006c bahurUpasya rAjJo hi sUkSmo 'py artho na sIdati A king who can assume diverse forms succeeds in accomplishing even the most subtle objects.
12120007c zlakSNAkSaratanuzH zrImAn bhavec chAstravizAradaH Dumb like the peacock in autumn, he should conceal his counsel. He should speak little, and the little he speaks should be sweet. He should be of good features and well versed in the scriptures.
