and all arts and sciences, the aristocracy rescue the ignorant masses from every kind of distress and danger.  Wrath (on the of part the king), rupture,[330] terror, chastisement, persecution, oppression, and executions, O chief of the Bharatas, speedily cause the aristocracy to fall away from the king and side with the king’s enemies.  They, therefore, that are the leaders of the aristocracy should be honoured by the king.  The affairs of the kingdom, O king, depend to a great extent upon them.  Consultations should be held with only those that are the leaders of the aristocracy, and secret agents should be placed, O crusher of foes, with them only.  The king should not, O Bharata, consult with every member of the aristocracy.  The king, acting in concert with the leaders, should do what is for the good of the whole order.  When, however, the aristocracy becomes separated and disunited and destitute of leaders, other courses of action should be followed.  If the members of the aristocracy quarrel with one another and act, each according to his own resources, without combination, their prosperity dwindles away and diverse kinds of evil occur.  Those amongst them that are possessed of learning and wisdom should tread down a dispute as soon as it happens.  Indeed, if the seniors of a race look on with indifference, quarrels break out amongst the members.  Such quarrels bring about the destruction of a race and produce disunion among the (entire order of the) nobles.  Protect thyself, O king, from all fears that arise from within.  Fears, however, that arise from outside are of little consequence.  The first kind of fear, O king, may cut thy roots in a single day.  Persons that are equal to one another in family and blood, influenced by wrath or folly or covetousness arising from their very natures, cease to speak with one another.  This is an indication of defeat.  It is not by courage, nor by intelligence, nor by beauty, nor by wealth, that enemies succeed in destroying the aristocracy.  It is only by disunion and gifts that it can be reduced to subjugation.  For this reason, combination has been said to be the great refuge of the aristocracy.’"[331]

SECTION CVIII

“Yudhishthira said, ’The path of duty is long.  It has also, O Bharata, many branches.  What, however, according to thee, are those duties that most deserve to be practised?  What acts, according to thee, are the most important among all duties, by the practice of which I may earn the highest merit both here and hereafter?’

“Bhishma said, ’The worship of mother, father, and preceptor is most important according to me.  The man who attends to that duty here, succeeds in acquiring great fame and many regions of felicity.  Worshipped with respect by thee, whatever they will command thee, be it consistent with righteousness or in consistent with it, should be done unhesitatingly, O Yudhishthira!  One should never do what they