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314
Adipurana
Therefore, the eternal Dharma should be protected with all efforts. For, when protected, it protects the movable and immovable. ||198||
Similarly, this Dharma, whose soul is stable, has the right to be free from punishment. For, the person who is established in Dharma is the master in administering punishment to others. ||199||
Therefore, the righteous king, contemplating the teachings of Yama, as shown by the Dharma-seers, punishes the wicked. ||200||
Just as the wealth of gods and gurus is to be avoided by those who seek their own good, so also the wealth of a Brahmin is to be avoided. Therefore, a Brahmin is not worthy of punishment. ||201||
By this reasoning, he, who is self-controlled, establishes himself in the position of being free from punishment, by imputing to himself an abundance of qualities in the presence of those who administer punishment. ||202||
For, in the absence of this right, he will be punished like others. And then, having become destitute, he will not be happy in this world or the next. ||203||
His right to be honored is his inherent worthiness of honor. For, he who is superior in qualities is worthy of being honored, worshipped, and revered by the best. ||204||
In the absence of this right to be honored, he will not be honored by the wise. And then, due to the lack of position, honor, and other benefits, he will fall from his position. ||205||
Therefore, let the Brahmins impute to themselves these qualities (qualities of being worthy of honor) with great effort. And let the kings strive to acquire knowledge, character, and other virtues. ||206||
This is the quality called "Praja-sambandhanta" (quality of relationship with other communities), which prevents him from falling from his high position, even when he has relationships with other communities. ||207||
Just as gold mixed with iron loses its luster, so also his own excellence of qualities does not diminish due to his relationship with others. ||208||