Text 20] Prahlada, the Saintly Son of Hiranyakasipu 243
presented; mdtr-mrstam—being bathed by his mother; alankrtam—
decorated with ornaments.
TRANSLATION

After some time, the teachers Sanda and Amarka thought that
Prahlada Maharaja was sufficiently educated in the diplomatic
affairs of pacifying public leaders, appeasing them by giving them
lucrative posts, dividing and ruling over them, and punishing
them in cases of disobedience. Then, one day, after Prahlada’s
mother had personally washed the boy and dressed him nicely with
sufficient ornaments, they presented him before his father.

PURPORT

It is essential for a student who is going to be a ruler or king to learn
the four diplomatic principles. There is always rivalry between a king
and his citizens. Therefore, when a citizen agitates the public against the
king, the duty of the king is to call him and try to pacify him with sweet
words, saying, “You are very important in the state. Why should you dis-
turb the public with some new cause for agitation?” If the citizen is not
pacified, the king should then offer him some lucrative post as a gover-
nor or minister—any post that draws a high salary—so that he may be
agreeable. If the enemy still goes on agitating the public, the king should
try to create dissension in the enemy’s camp, but if he still continues, the
king should employ argumentum ad baculum—severe punishment —by
putting him in jail or placing him before a firing squad. The teachers ap-
pointed by Hiranyakasipu taught Prahlada Maharaja how to be a
diplomat so that he could rule over the citizens very nicely.

TEXT 20
Gea: Aad TS AAA: |
afeasa Fat reat eran Frafry URI
padayoh patitam balarn
pratinandyasisadsurah
