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The Fifty-First Chapter
**Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, is attained by those whose intellect is in accordance with the teachings of Sumatinatha.** May Sumatinatha, whose words are accepted by the virtuous, bestow upon us good intellect. ||1||
In the Akhanda Dhataki Khanda island, east of Mount Meru, in the Videha region, on the northern bank of the Sita river, lies the excellent country of Pushkalavati. ||2||
In its city of Pundarikini, there reigned a king named Ratishena. He was endowed with royal wealth and enjoyed his kingdom, acquired through the merit of past deeds, in accordance with righteous principles. His kingdom was free from enemies, devoid of anger, and constantly growing. ||3-4||
The royal wisdom of King Ratishena was unique and not found in other kings. He never employed the fourth branch of knowledge, Danda (punishment), which includes Anvikshiki (philosophy), Trayi (Vedas), and Varta (politics), because his subjects never strayed into the path of punishment, such as capital punishment. ||5||
The mental satisfaction derived from the objects of the senses is called Kama (desire). King Ratishena had no lack of Kama, as he possessed all the desired objects. ||6||
He accumulated wealth through the four means of acquisition, protection, increase, and expenditure, and considered Dharma (righteousness) as the supreme deity, according to the scriptures. He did not consider Kama as easily attainable as wealth and righteousness, meaning he prioritized the pursuit of wealth and righteousness over Kama. ||7||
Thus, King Ratishena, who ruled the earth playfully and fostered the growth of Dharma, Artha (wealth), and Kama, the three goals of life, in harmony with each other, one day had the following thoughts. ||8||
He pondered: "What brings about the welfare of a living being in this world? How can this being, dwelling in the cycle of births and deaths, escape the clutches of evil births and evil deaths and attain happiness? Happiness cannot be derived from Artha and Kama, as they only lead to the growth of the world. As for Dharma, it cannot bring happiness if it is tainted with the possibility of sin." ||9-10||