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VII, 185.
THE KING
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180. Let him arrange everything in such a manner that no ally, no neutral or foe may injure him; that is the sum of political wisdom.
181. But if the king undertakes an expedition against a hostile kingdom, then let him gradually advance, in the following manner, against his foe's capital.
182. Let the king undertake his march in the fine month Mârgasirsha, or towards the months of Phâlguna and Kaitra, according to the condition of his) army.
183. Even at other times, when he has a certain prospect of victory, or when a disaster has befallen his foe, he may advance to attack him.
184. But having duly arranged (all affairs) in his original (kingdom) and what relates to the expedition, having secured a basis (for his operations) and having duly dispatched his spies ;
185. Having cleared the three kinds of roads, and (having made his sixfold army (efficient), let him leisurely proceed in the manner prescribed for warfare against the enemy's capital.
182. Vi. III, 40; Yâgñ. I, 347. 'Fine,' i.e. when fodder and grain are abundant and the roads dry' (Gov., Kull., Râgh.). Mârgasirsha, i. e. November-December; Phâlguna, i. e. FebruaryMarch; Kaitra, i.e. March-April.
184. Having secured a basis (for his operations),' i. e. 'having won over the servants of his foe who may be at enmity with their master' (Medh., Gov., Kull., Râgh.), or having established a camp in the country which he intends to attack' (Nar.).
185. 'The three kinds of roads,' i. e. 'through the open country, through marshy ground or such as is cut by watercourses, and through forests' (gångalândpåfavika), (Medh., Gov., Kull., Râgh., Nand.). Nar. gives the same explanation, but adds that the proper interpretation is through villages, forests, and hills. The sixfold army,' i. e. consisting of elephants, horses, chariots, infantry, the
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