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NARADA.
31. There a king who acts justly must neglect error when it is brought forward, and seek truth alone, because prosperity depends on (the practice of) duty.
32. As seven flames rise from fire, even so will seven good things become manifest in a self-restrained king who passes just sentences at trials.
33. Religious merit, gain, fame, esteem among men, reverence on the part of his subjects, conquests, and an everlasting residence in paradise.
34. Therefore let a king, after having seated himself on the judgment seat, be equitable towards all beings, discarding selfish interests and acting the part of (Yama) Vaivasvata, (the judge of the dead).
* 35. Attending to (the dictates of) the law-book and adhering to the opinion of his chief judge, let him try causes in due order, adhibiting great care.
36. The connection (âgama) must be examined
31. 'Brought forward,' i.e. stated by the plaintiff. The king shall neglect it, i.e. not accept it as correct. A. Yagnavalkya II, 19.
32. The idea that fire is composed of seven rays or flames is derived, no doubt, from the seven rays of the sun-god Surya, who is represented down to the present day as riding in a chariot drawn by seven horses.
34. Discarding selfish motives,' i. e. free from love or wrath (sine ira et studio). The part of Yama,' the king of righteousness, i.e. the distribution of the rewards and punishments due to good and bad actions. A. Yagñavalkya II, 1; Vishnu III, 92, &c.
35. While consulting the law-book, he should take heed at the same time of whatever is brought forward by the assessors of the court conjointly with the chief judge. He should abide by the opinion delivered by the latter. He should try causes in due order, i.e. so that the four feet of a judicial proceeding follow one another in due succession. A. Manu VIII, 1, 8, 9; Yâgñavalkya II, 1, &c.
36. Agama, 'the connection,' i. e. the relation of the case in hand to the entire system of law; the title of law,' its appertaining to a subdivision of this or that title of law; its 'cure,' i. e. it must
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