'And therefore I press this upon your mind.
35. 'Never delight in injuring Righteousness for the sake of life[115]. The sin you would incur would be great and unquestionable, the advantage trifling and doubtful.
'Moreover, you should consider also this.
36. 'The virtuous do not like for themselves a pleasure, procured at the expense of others, whom they have distressed by bringing them into disrepute and the like. For this reason, standing on the ground of Righteousness, I shall bear the charge of my private interests alone without causing pain to others.'
Abhipâraga replied: 'But how could there be any room for injustice here, after all, either on my side, if moved by attachment I should take care of the interest of my master, or on the side of Your Majesty receiving her as a present from my hand? All Sibis, townsmen and landsmen, would ask: what is the injustice of this deed? Therefore, be pleased to take her, Your Majesty.'
The king replied: 'Verily, you have the intense desire of assisting me. But reflect well upon this: Which of us knows the Law best, the whole of the Sibis, you, or I?'
Then Abhipâraga hastily answered:
37. 'Owing to your assiduous and respectful watching of the wise, and your great regard for sacred lore, and the sagacity of your mind, Your Majesty ranks with Brihaspati as the most competent judge in all matters taught in the sciences concerning the Triad of objects (trivarga).'
The king said: 'This being so, you ought not to mislead me in this matter. Why do I say so?
38. 'The evil and the good of the people depend on the behaviour of their rulers. For this reason, and taking into account the attachment of my subjects, I shall continue to love the Path of the Pious above all, in conformity with my reputation.