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396
LAWS OF MANU.
IX, 300.
300. (Though he be) ever so much tired (by repeated failures), let him begin his operations again and again; for fortune greatly favours the man who (strenuously) exerts himself in his undertakings.
301. The various ways in which a king behaves (resemble) the Krita, Tretâ, Dvâpara, and Kali ages; hence the king is identified with the ages (of the world).
302. Sleeping he represents the Kali (or iron age), waking the Dvâpara (or brazen) age, ready to act the Tretâ (or silver age), but moving (actively) the Krita (or golden) age.
303. Let the king emulate the energetic action of Indra, of the Sun, of the Wind, of Yama, of Varuna, of the Moon, of the Fire, and of the Earth.
304. As Indra sends copious rain during the four months of the rainy season, even so let the king, taking upon himself the office of Indra, shower benefits on his kingdom.
305. As the Sun during eight months (imperceptibly) draws up the water with his rays, even so let him gradually draw his taxes from his kingdom; for that is the office in which he resembles the Sun.
306. As the Wind moves (everywhere), entering (in the shape of the vital air) all created beings, even so let him penetrate (everywhere) through his
and his enemy's party' (Nâr.), or those affecting both his own and the enemy's parties' (Kull.). Nand. reads the second line as follows, gurulâghavato gñâtvâ tatah karma samâkaret.
302. This verse closely agrees with the fourth exhortation, addressed by Indra to Rohita, Aitareya-brâhmana VII, 15.
305. Instead of nityam, 'gradually, Nand. reads samyak, 'duly:'
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