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The Thirty-Fourth Chapter
343. How should the subjects be protected? We shall explain this by taking the example of a cowherd. ||138||
Just as a cowherd protects his cows with great effort and without being lazy, so should a king protect his subjects with great effort. ||139||
For example, if a cow in his herd commits an offense, the cowherd does not punish her with severe punishment like cutting off her limbs, but controls her with appropriate punishment. Just as he protects his cows, so should a king protect his subjects. ||140-141||
It is certain that a king who gives severe punishment makes his subjects more anxious, and therefore the subjects abandon such a king, and the ministers and other nature-born people also become disgusted with such a king. ||142||
Just as a cowherd, by protecting the main herd of cattle in his herd, becomes prosperous, because by protecting the cows, this man can become the owner of vast wealth, so also a king, by protecting his main class, becomes prosperous in his own and other kingdoms. ||143-144||
A king who is strong by his own main strength conquers this earth, which extends to the ocean, without any effort. ||145||
If, by chance, a cow's leg is broken due to negligence, the cowherd binds it with bandages and other measures, keeps the cow tied up, gives her grass to eat, and tries to strengthen her leg. Similarly, he quickly takes action against other calamities that befall the animals. ||146-147||
Just as the cowherd makes an effort to protect his dependent cows, so should a king, in his army, provide a wounded warrior with the best medical care and wealth in the form of medicine, and thus protect him from calamity. ||148||
And when that warrior is well, the king should think about providing him with a good livelihood, because by doing so, the servants will always be happy. ||149||