238 - The ethics narrated by Rama

Agni said:

1.    I have narrated the ethics told by Pushkara. Listen. Ishall now narrate the ethics narrated by Ráma to Laksmaņa for victory and that would increase piety etc.

Rāma said:

2. Wealthshould be acquired by rightful means. Itshould be developed and guarded. Itshould be given to a deserving person. These are the four obligatory acts of a king. 

3. Humility is the cause of statesmanship. Humility is the resultant of determination from scriptures as well as the control of senses. The kingshould guard the earth endowed with these. 

4-5. Scriptures, knowledge, fortitude, dexterity, proficiency, reticence, energy, eloquence, generosity, endurance at the time of distress, greatness, purity, amity, renunciation, truthfulness gratitude, good family, good conduct, self-control are the qualities for gaining fortun2. 

6. 'The elephant (in the form) of senses running uncontrolled in the forest of diverse pleasuresshould be controlled with the goad of knowledge. 

7. A kingshould give up the aggregate of six things, namely, lust, anger, greed, delight, pride and arrogance. The king who rejects these would be happy. 

8. A king being endowed with modestyshould contemplate on metaphysics, the three Vedas, emissary and polity with those well-versed in these and those practising them. 

9. The knowledge about true nature of things is got through metaphysics. Virtue and vice rest on the three Vedas. Material prosperity and misfortune depend on emissary and justice and injustice on polity. 

10. Abstaining from killing or causing injury to beings, courteous language, truthfulness, purity, kindness, and forbearance are the general virtues of the religious students. 

11-13. Oneshouldshow compassion to all beings and practisc codes of conduct. Courteous words, compassion, charity and protection of one that has sought refuge are the acts of good people agreeable to pious men. Which king would do impious acts for the sake of the body that is encompassed by misery and disease and that is liable to get destroyed today or tomorrow? Oneshould notoppress the poor people desiring his own happiness. 

14-15. A poor man being oppressed kills the king by means of his anger. A king desiring his own goodshould conduct with more humility than thatshown to a respectful kinsman with folded palms. Oneshould always speak only in a pleasing manner to friends and foes. 

16. Those who speak pleasingly are gods and those who speak harsh are animals. Oneshould always worship gods with cleanliness and get purified with piety. 

17-18. The preceptors (should be respected) as gods and friends as one's own selves. The preceptor (should be pleased) by bowing down. The favourable pious men (should be pleased) by doing true gestures and services. The gods (should be pleased) by good deeds. A friendshould be attracted by courteousness and kinsmen byshowing respect. 

19-22. The wife and servants (should be pleased respectively) by (showing) affection and (making) gifts. The rest of the people (should be won) by (showing) compassion. Not reviling the acts of others, maintaining to do one's duties, kindness towards the poor, sweet words towards all, helping a true friend even by (sacrificing one's) life, receiving warmly the person that has come to the house, making a gift (according) to one's ability, forbearance, absence of pride in prosperity, not jealous at other's prosperity, not speaking words hurting (the feelings of) others, practising the vow of silence, maintaining the bondage with kinsmen, keeping even attitude towards one's own men and taking actions conducive to welfare are the acts of greatmen.