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242. Subjects are guided by the king: if he is

virtuous, then his subjects are virtuous; if he is wicked,

then his subjects are wicked; if he is mediocre, then

his subjects are mediocre; as the king, so his subjects.
 

 
243. The king is responsible for the harm befalling

his subjects and the purohita for the harm befalling the
king.
 

king.
 
INTRODUCTION
 

 
244. Where the king is like a lion; where the king's

ministers are like tigers; where the king's officials are

like vultures; the king's subjects are ruined.
 

 
VI. VARIA
 

 
245. The king is the ornament of the earth.
 

 
246. Even though a child, the king should not be

despised, as if he were a mere mortal; for he is a great

divinity in human form.
 

 
247-8. Kings desire their kingdoms for one reason

only: that their commands are never frustrated.
 

 
249. Authority is the only aim of the king.
 

 
250. The king should not be a descendant of a

low family.
 

 
251-2. The king looks at the world through the

eyes of niti; he sees the world through the eyes of his spies.

253. The king's luck is not limitless: God has not

imparted everything to one person.
 

 
254. God can make a beggar out of a king and a
king out of a beggar.
 

king out of a beggar.
 
255-6. The king is never to be disturbed (while

sleeping); the treasurer and the door-keeper should

ever be vigilant.