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Yoga-Yatra Commentary 25

One who knows the meaning of words original: "shabdarthavit", is expert in logic original: "nyayapadah", is bold, skilled in the science of warfare, of noble birth, speaks with a gentle smile, speaks measured and varied words, and is endowed with divine grace—he is the abode of Fortune. (12)

If a King is of this kind, he is the beloved "abode" or auspicious place of Fortune Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity. What kind of king? One who is intelligent (wise), possessing the discernment of what is appropriate and inappropriate. One who is prudent, possessing a well-rounded intellect and strategic application. As stated by Kamandaka A famous ancient author on statecraft/Nitisara: "Through the study of the scriptures on governance, and through the restraint of the senses, one gains great insight; the qualities of the intellect are seen in the knowledge of reality."

He is undepressed in speech, meaning his words are full of dignity and pride, and he provides ready answers. He is forbearing, possessing a patient and tolerant nature. He is upright, endowed with honesty. He is righteous, possessing a virtuous character. He is not envious, meaning he does not disparage others. He is light-handed, meaning he imposes only small punishments. He is knower of the six-fold policy term: "shadgunyavit" — the six strategies of foreign policy: peace, war, marching, sitting, seeking refuge, and dual policy. He is powerful, possessing the three-fold power term: "shaktitraya" — the power of counsel, the power of majesty, and the power of energy. (5)

He is energetic, possessing a constant disposition toward effort. He is a knower of the enemy's weaknesses original: "pararandhravit". He is steadfast in learning, endowed with courage. He is constant, and in those matters, he is a knower of the three states; he knows the states of increase, decrease, and stability regarding wealth and other matters. By this method of growth, he knows through the third state. He is brave, a lover of battle. He is free from vices, not addicted to women or other such distractions. He remembers favors, meaning he contemplates the help previously given by friends and others for the purpose of returning the favor. He is a devotee of his chosen deity and a servant of the learned. (10)

He is one who acts after deliberation, meaning he performs actions only after careful examination. He is not a boaster, a speaker of truth. He is firm in his vows, meaning he completes whatever he has promised. He is a firm striker, meaning he strikes the enemy very firmly and uproots the enemy host entirely. He is self-controlled, having conquered the five senses of perception and the five senses of action. Likewise, he has conquered greed, anger, sleep, and laziness. He has conquered his surroundings original: "sthana-parigraha"; specifically, he is one who does not grieve without cause.

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Or, "conquering the surroundings" means he has mastered his retinue or family in the assembly. (11) He is generous, having a giving nature. He is humble, possessing policy and ethics. He is pleasant to look upon. He is one whose confusion has vanished, meaning his ignorance is entirely removed. He is duly appointed, endowed with royal dignity; that is, he is possessed of a specific and complete dignity.

He is a knower of the divisions of place and time. He knows which actions should or should not be performed in a specific region, such as the Middle Country Madhyadesha. He knows the divisions of time—in which season, month, or time of day (such as the forenoon) a deed should be done, and whether it is appropriate or inappropriate. Thus, he knows the divisions of place and time. He is one who personally supervises legal affairs; he observes the conduct of business and wealth. (12)

He is a knower of words and meanings, understanding the significance of the words he speaks. He is expert in logic. He is bold, able to speak appropriately in an assembly. He is skilled in the science of warfare, expert in the science of military formations vyuha. He is noble, born of a high family with excellent conduct. He speaks with a smile, meaning he speaks with a slight laugh while facing others. He is a speaker of measured and wonderful words, meaning he says much in few words. He who is endowed with divine grace is the "abode" or place of Royal Fortune. A king seeking victory term: "vijigishu" — a king desiring conquest should be endowed with these qualities. (13)

Now, the author explains how even a king with these qualities can lose his fame if he lacks certain discernment: Even if joined with all these virtues, a giver who is dull in the knowledge of the worthiness of recipients is like a father who gives away a daughter to an unworthy husband; he makes his fame vanish. (14) Even if he has all qualities, if he gives without knowing the recipient, he creates ill-repute. Specifically, one who is a "fool" regarding the specific knowledge of the worthiness of different recipients—his efforts become fruitless.