unite together and act with injustice, the king is then said to bring about a state of unmixed evil upon his kingdom.  When the officers of the king extort wealth, by unjust means or acting from lust or avarice, from persons piteously soliciting mercy, a great destruction then is sure to overtake the king.  A mighty tree, first starting into life, grows into large proportions.  Numerous creatures then come and seek its shelter.  When, however, it is cut down or consumed in a conflagration, those that, had recourse to it for shelter all become homeless.[272] When the residents of a kingdom perform acts of righteousness and all religious rites, and applaud the good qualities of the king, the latter reaps an accession of affluence.  When, on the other hand, the residents, moved by ignorance, abandon righteousness and act unrighteously, the king becomes overtaken by misery.  When sinful men whose acts are known are allowed to move among the righteous (without being punished for their misdeeds), Kali then overtakes the rulers of those realms.[273] When the king causes chastisement to overtake all wicked people, his kingdom thrives in prosperity.  The kingdom of that king certainly thrives who pays proper honours to his ministers and employs them in measures of policy and in battles.  Such a ruler enjoys the wide earth for ever.  That king who duly honours all good acts and good speeches succeeds in earning great merit.  The enjoyment of good things after sharing them with others, paying proper honours to the ministers, and subjugation or persons intoxicated with strength, are said to constitute the great duty of a king.  Protecting all men by words, body, and deeds, and never forgiving his son himself (if he has offended), constitute the great duty of the king.  The maintenance of those that are weak by sharing with them the things he has, and thereby increasing their strength constitute the duty of the king.  Protection of the kingdom, extermination of robbers, and conquering in battle, constitute the duty of the king.  Never to forgive a person however dear, if he has committed an offence by act or word, constitutes the duty of the king.  Protecting those that solicit shelter, as he would protect his own children, and never depriving one of the honours to which he is entitled constitute the duty of the king.[274] Adoring the deities, with a devoted heart, in sacrifices completed by presents, and subduing lust and envy, constitute the duty of the king.  Wiping the tears of the distressed, the helpless, and the old, and inspiring them with joy, constitute the duty of the king.  Aggrandising friends, weakening foes, and honouring the good, constitute the duty of the king.  Cheerfully observing the obligations of truth, always making gifts of land, entertaining guests, and supporting dependents, constitute the duty of the king.  That king who favours those that deserve favours and chastises those that deserve chastisement earns great merit both here and hereafter.