( Sambhava Parva continued. )
Vaisampayana continued, "Hearing that the heroic sons of Pandu endued with excess of energy had become so mighty, king Dhrita-rashtra became very miserable with anxiety. Then summoning unto his side Kanika—that foremost of ministers—well-versed in the science of politics and expert in counsels, the king snid, 'O best of Brahmanas, the Pandavas are daily over-shadowing the earth. I am exceedingly jealous of them. Should I have peace or war with them? O Kanika, advise me truly, for I shall do as thou biddest!'"
Vaisampayana continued, "That best of Brahmanas, thus addressed by the king, freely answered him in these pointed words well-agreeing with the import of political science.
'Listen to me, O sinless king, as I answer thee! And, O best of Kuru kings, it behoveth thee not to be angry with me after hearing all I say. Kings should ever be ready with uplifted maces (to strike when necessary), and they should ever extend their prowess. Carefully avoiding all flaws themselves, they should ceaselessly watch for the flaws of their foes and take advantage of them. If the king is always ready to strike, everybody feareth him. Therefore should the king ever have recourse to chastisement in all he doeth. He should so conduct himself that his foe may not detect any flaw in him. But by means of the weakness he detecteth in his foe he should pursue him (to destruction). He should always conceal, like the tortoise hiding its body, his means and ends, and he should always conceal his own weaknesses from the sight of others. And having begun a particular act, he should ever accomplish it completely. Behold, a thorn, if not extracted wholly, produceth a festering sore! The slaughter of a foe who doeth thee evil is always praiseworthy. If the foe be one of great prowess, one should always watch for the hour his disaster and then slay him without any scruples. If he should happen to be a great warrior, his hour of disaster also should be watched and he should then be induced to fly. O, father, an enemy
