in charity. A wife is said to bear fruit when she is useful and when she
beareth children. Knowledge of the Sastras is said to bear fruit when it
resulteth in humility and good behaviour.'"

Vaisampayana continued,--"The great ascetic Narada, having answered
Yudhishthira thus, again asked that just ruler,--'Do the officers of thy
government, O king, that are paid from the taxes levied on the community,
take only their just dues from the merchants that come to thy territories
from distant lands impelled by the desire of gain? Are the merchants, O
king, treated with consideration in thy capital and kingdom, capable of
bringing their goods thither without being deceived by the false pretexts
of (both the buyers and the officers of government)?

"'Listenest thou always, O monarch, to the words, fraught with instructions
in religion and wealth, of old men acquainted with economic doctrines? Are
gifts of honey and clarified butter made to the Brahmanas intended for the
increase of agricultural produce, of kine, of fruits and flowers, and for
the sake of virtue? Givest thou always, O king, regularly unto all the
artisans and artists employed by thee the materials of their works and
their wages for periods not more than four months? Examinest thou the
works executed by those that are employed by thee, and applaudest thou
them before good men, and rewardest thou them, having shewn them proper
respect? O bull of the Bharata race, followest thou the aphorisms (of the
sage) in respect of every concern particularly those relating to elephants,
horses, and cars? O bull of the Bharata race, are the aphorisms relating
to the science of arms, as also those that relate to the practice of
engines in warfare--so useful to towns and fortified places, studied in
thy court? O sinless one, art thou acquainted with all mysterious
incantations, and with the secrets of poisons destructive of all foes?
Protectest thou thy kingdom from the fear of fire, of snakes and other