हितोपदेश - विग्रह - चारः

भवेत्स्व परराष्ट्राणां कार्यकार्यविलोकने |
चारचक्षुर्महीभर्तुर्यस्य नास्त्यांध एव सः ||

- हितोपदेश, विग्रह

"What is going on?" and "What must go on?" in his country and in his neighbouring country are the questions that a king must know. To do this he must have a good network of spies.

- Hitopadesha, Vigraha

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - राजवल्लभः

प्रोक्तः प्रत्युत्तरं नाह विरुद्धं प्रभुणा च यः |
न समीपे हसत्युच्चैः स भवेद्राजवल्लभः ||

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

He will be liked by a king who will neither speak against him nor laugh loudly in his presence. [But that is not good always to be liked by such a king.]

- Panchatantra, Mitrabhedha

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - राजधर्म

पुत्रा इव पितुर्गेहे विषये यस्य मानवाः |
निर्भया विचरिष्यन्ति स राजा रजसत्तमः ||

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

He is a good king in whose kingdom the subjects are as free to roam about (physically and intellectually) as a son in his father's home.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

मनुस्मृति – राजधर्म

पिताचार्यः सुहृन्माता भार्या पुत्रः पुरोहितः |
नादण्ड्यो नाम राज्ञोऽस्ति यः स्वधर्मे न तिष्ठति ||

- मनुस्मृति

A king should stand by his principles and must not let go the guilty even if they are - his own father, his teacher, his well-wisher, his mother, his wife, his son or his spiritual guide

- Manusmriti

सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार - राज दुर्गुणाः

पानं स्त्री मृगया द्यूतं अर्थदूषणमेव च |
वाग्दण्डयोश्च पारुष्यं व्यसनानि महीभुजाम् ||

- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार

These are the bad habits that should not be found in a king - alcoholism, promiscuous, interest in hunting, gambling, wasting money, harsh words and rough demeanor

- Subhashitaratnabhandagara

महाभारत - उद्योग - निरर्थक

प्रसादो निष्फलो यस्य क्रोधश्चापि निरर्थकः |
न तं भर्तारमिच्छन्ति षण्डं पतिमिव स्त्रियः ||

- महाभारत, उद्योग

A person is to be considered useless if his being pleased does not help you, or his wrath is not potent enough. He is as useless as an impotent husband for a wife. No will want to serve such a master

- Mahabharatha, Udyoga

कामन्दकीय - दंडाभाव

परस्परामिषतया जगतो भिन्नवर्त्मनः |
दंडाभावे परिध्वंसी मात्स्यो न्यायः प्रवर्तते ||

- कामन्दकीय

In the absence of punishment people who hate each other (think differently) will destroy each other. When such a social order exists (like in fish - big fish eat small fish) then the weak will suffer.

- Kamandakiya

मनुस्मृति – राजधर्म

परमं यत्नमातिष्ठेत् स्तेनानां निग्रहे नृपः |
स्तेनानां निग्रहादस्य यशो राष्ट्रं च वर्धते ||

- मनुस्मृति

It is one of the foremost duties of a king to nab thieves and keep them behind bars. Doing so will spread good word about him and the state. It will also increase the wealth of the state.

- Manusmriti

महाभारत - उद्योग - सज्जन सङ्ग

प्रज्ञावृद्धं धर्मवृद्धं स्वबंधुं
    विद्यावृद्धं वयसा चापि वृद्धं |
कार्याकार्ये पूजयित्वा प्रसाद्य
    यः संपृच्छेन्न स मुह्येत् कदाचित् ||

- महाभारत, उद्योग

There are five kinds of people who one must listen to and respect - knowledgeable people, pious people, close friends, well educated people and the elderly. Such a person will never tread along wrong path due to ignorance.

- Mahabharatha, Udyoga

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - नृपं सर्वार्थसाधकम्

पर्जन्यमिव भूतानि महाद्रुममिवांडजाः |
नराः समुपजीवन्ति नृपं सर्वार्थसाधकम् ||

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

Just like animals depend on the rain, the birds depend on the tree - ordinary subjects depend on the king for achieving anything.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

सुभाषितसुधानिधि - रिपुः

नोपेक्षितव्यो विद्वद्भिः शत्रुरल्पोऽप्यवज्ञया |
वह्निरल्पोऽपि संवृद्धः कुरुते भस्मसाद्वनम् ||

- सुभाषितसुधानिधि

A wise man must not ignore his enemies even if they are weak and small. Even if the spark is too small, it can grow into a raging fire and burn down a forest.

- Subhashitasudhanidhi

रामायण - बाल - राजधर्म

नृशंसमनृशंसं वा प्रजारक्षणकारणात् |
पातकं वा सदोषं वा कर्तव्यं रक्षता सता ||

- रामायण, बाल

A king has to do his duty of protecting his subjects at any cost. He must not be bothered if his actions are cruel (towards enemies) or not, whether the action is a sin or not.

- Ramayana, Bala

महाभारत - उद्योग - अन्योन्यता

निर्वनो वध्यते व्याघ्रो निर्व्याघ्रो छिद्यते वनम् |
तस्माद्व्याघ्रो वनं रक्षेत् वनं व्याघ्रं च पालयेत् ||

- महाभारत, उद्योग

Without the forest, the tiger can not survive. Without the tiger in the forest, the forest will get destroyed (by the people). Hence the tiger must protect the forest and forest must protect the tiger (and other animals)

- Mahabharatha, Udyoga

रामायण - अयोध्या - राजदोषान्

नास्तिक्यमनृतं क्रोधं प्रमादं दीर्घसूत्रताम् |
    अदर्शनं ज्ञानवतामालस्यं पञ्चवृत्तिताम् ||
एकचिंतनमर्थानामनर्थज्ञैश्च मंत्रणम् |
    निश्चितानामनारंभं मंत्रस्यापरिरक्षणम् ||
मंगलस्याप्रयोगं च प्रत्युत्थानं च सर्वतः |
    कच्चित्त्वं वर्जयस्येतान् राजदोषांचतुर्दश ||

- रामायण - अयोध्या

The following are the fourteen sins that a king must stay clear of - disbelief (atheism), dishonesty, anger, lack of patience (or logical thinking), procastination, not consulting the wise men, laziness, giving in to sensory pleasures.

taking decisions without consulting others, consulting people without experience, not starting the projects that are agreed upon, not keeping state secrets.

Not undertaking any auspicious work, attacking all enemies at the same time.

- Ramyana, Ayodhya

रामायण - अयोध्या - अराजके

नाराजके जनपदे स्वकं भवति कस्यचित् |
मत्स्या इव नरा नित्यं भक्षयन्ति परस्परम् ||

- रामायण - अयोध्या

In the absence of the king, there is no body to settle the ownership of property (of the people). Everyday, people will eat(cheat) other people like the fish do.

- Ramyana, Ayodhya

रामायण - अयोध्या - अराजके

नाराजके जनपदे योगक्षेमः प्रवर्तते |
न चाप्यराजके सेना शत्रून् विषहते युधि ||

- रामायण - अयोध्या

When there is no king the welfare of the subjects is totally neglected. Without the chief, the army can not defend the country against the enemies.

- Ramayana, Ayodhya

रामायण - अयोध्या - अराजके

नाराजके जनपदे बीजमुष्टिः प्रकीर्यते |
नाराजके पितुः पुत्रो भार्या वा वर्तते वशे ||

- रामायण, अयोध्या

When there is no king to monitor, the peasants will not sow seeds. Anarchy will lead to lawlessness. Children will not listen to their parents. Men will not be able to control their wives.

- Ramyana, Ayodhya

रामायण - अरण्य - राज्याद् च्युतः

नानुतिष्ठति कार्याणि भयेषु च बिभेति च |
क्षिप्तं राज्याच्च्युतो दीनस्तृणैस्तुल्यो भवेदिह ||

- रामायण, अरण्य

If a king does not undertake necessary project at the right time (when subjects need it the most) and does not fear from all the troubles facing him - he will soon lose his kingdom and respect. He will be as insignificant as a blade of grass.

- Ramayana, Aranya

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - नीच राज

नराधिपा नीचजनानुवर्तिनो
    बुधोपदिष्टेन पथा न यान्ति ये |
विशन्त्यतो दुर्गममार्गनिर्गमं
    समस्तसंभाधमनर्थपंजरम् ||

- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

If the king does not follow the path shown by wise noble men and follows the rogues then he will be walking on a road to a cage from where you can not return.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda

रामायण - अरण्य - दक्षराज

नयनाभ्यां प्रसुप्तोऽपि जागर्ति नयचक्षुषा |
व्यक्तक्रोधप्रसादश्च स राजा पूज्यते जनैः ||

- रामायण, अरण्य

Even if the king has his eyes shut he must have his eyes of wisdom (logic, politics) open. Using that eye he must make his anger or pleasure decisively known to his subjects. People will always like such Kings.

- Ramayana, Aranya

पञ्चतंत्र - लब्धप्रणाश - भेद

न यत्र शक्यते कर्तुं साम दानमथापि वा |
भेदस्तत्र प्रयोक्तव्यो यतः स वशकारकः ||

- पञ्चतंत्र, लब्धप्रणाश

When the enemy can not be placated then we must exercise compromise (concede some ground). If that is not possible, then one must try to explain situation using a contrast - good v/s bad. This contrast is the only way he can be brought under control

- Panchatantra, Labdapranaasha

मनुस्मृति - दक्षराजः

न मित्रकारणाद्राजा विपुलाद्वा धनागमात् |
समुत्सृजेत्साहसिकान् सर्वभूतभयावहान् ||

- मनुस्मृति

A king must always punish people who cause fear in other people using their friends (influence), lot of money, ill gotten wealth.

- Manu Smriti

पञ्चतंत्र - मित्रभेद - विद्वेषः

न चन्द्रेण न औषध्या न सूर्येण न वह्निना |
साम्नैव विलयं याति विद्वेष्रभवं तमः ||

-पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद

The darkness caused by hatred can not be overcome by moon (moonlight), nor by the sun, also not by any fire. It can only be dealt with by pacifying patiently.

- Panchatantra, Mitrabhedha

अत्रिसंहिता - दक्षराजः

दुष्टस्य दण्डः सुजनस्य पूजा
    न्यायेन कोशस्य च संप्रवृद्धिः |
अपक्षपातोऽर्थिषु राष्ट्ररक्षा
    पञ्चैव यज्ञाः कथिता नृपाणाम् ||

- अत्रिसंहिता

The following are the five pious duties of a king - punish the guilty, honor the rich, collect tax and enhance wealth without troubling the subjects, be impartial while giving judgment, defense of the state.

- Atrisamhita

रामायण - अरण्य - दुष्ट राज

तीक्ष्णमल्पदातारः प्रमत्तं गर्वतं शठम् |
व्यसने सर्वभूतानि नाभिधावन्ति पार्थिवम् ||

- रामायण, अरण्य

If a king is harsh, miserly, eccentric, pompous, deceiving then none of his subjects will come to help him if he is in trouble.

- Ramayana, Aranya

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलुकीय - शत्रु

जातमात्रं न यः शत्रुं व्याधिं च प्रशमं नयेत् |
अतिपुष्टांगयुक्तोऽपि स पश्चात्तेन हन्यते ||

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलुकीय

Be it a disease or an enemy - it must be put out when it first notices. If it is not done, even if you have the strongest body (and a strong army) you will be killed by the enemy (or disease)

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

यशस्तिलक - धूर्त मंत्रि

चारो यस्य विचारश्च राज्ञो नास्तीक्षणद्वयम् |
तस्यांधदुग्धवद्राज्यं मंत्रिमार्जालगोचरम् ||

- यशस्तिलक

A king who does not have an elaborate spy network and a sane logical mind (for analysis) will lose his kingdom to the minister. This is the same fate that happens to milk kept in front of a blind man. The cat will silently drink it all.

- Yashastilaka

पञ्चतंत्र - काकोलुकीय - नृपः

गुणेषु रागो व्यसनेष्वनादरो
    रतिः सुभृत्येषु च यस्य भूपतेः |
चिरं स भुंक्ते चलचामरांशुकां
    सितातपत्राभरणां नृपश्रियम् ||

- पञ्चतंत्र, काकोलुकीय

A king who respects good qualities in people, who stays away from addictions, who appreciates a good servant will for ever enjoy the luxuries of royalty - the constant movement of the fans (with peacock feathers blowing cool air), the ornaments, the roayal umbrella and so on.

- Panchatantra, Kakolukiya

महाभारत - दूतः

कुलीनः शीलसंपन्नो वाग्मी दक्षः प्रियंवदः |
यथोक्तवादी स्मृतिमान् दूतः स्यात्सप्तभिर्गुणैः ||

- महाभारत

A messenger (mediator) needs to have the following seven qualities - be born in a virtuous family (and thus have like qualities), have righteous character, be a good orator, efficient, soft spoken, straight forward, have good memory. All these were found only in Krishna and hence was sent in to mediate between the Pandavas and the Kauravas.

- Mahabharatha

मनुस्मृति - प्रजा

क्षन्तव्यं प्रभुणा नित्यं कार्यिणां नृणाम् |
बालवृद्धातुराणां च कुर्वता हितमात्मनः ||

- मनुस्मृति

When a subject objects to a kings decision, the king must be inclined to forgive him. The cause of the objection would be despair that things are not going all to well. One must always endure criticism from children, seniors and sick people. Only good shall come out of it.

- Manu Smriti

रामायणमंजरी - अरण्य - चराः

कवीनां प्रतिभा चक्षुः शास्त्रं चक्षुर्विपश्चिताम् |
ज्ञानं चक्षुर्महर्षीणां चराश्चक्षुर्महीक्षिताम् ||

- रामायणमंजरी, अरण्य

For poets - their talent is their eyes. Scriptures are the eyes of a wise man. Knowledge (about the universe) is the eye of a sage. A king has his spies as his eyes.

- Ramayanamanjari, Aranya