Sacred Concord

Mbh 13.30.2b

Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli

After that Divodasa, the son of Sudeva, became installed on the throne of Kasi as its ruler. Realising the prowess of those high-souled princes, viz., the sons of Vitahavya, king Divodasa, endued with great energy, rebuilt and fortified the city of Baranasi at the command of Indra. The territories of Divodasa were full of Brahmanas and Kshatriyas, and abounded with Vaisyas and Sudras. And they teemed with articles and provisions of every kind, and were adorned with shops and marts swelling with prosperity. Those territories, O best of kings, stretched northwards from the banks of Ganga to the southern banks of Gomati, and resembled a second Amravati (the city of Indra). The Haihayas once again, O Bharata, attacked that tiger among kings, as he ruled his kingdom. The mighty king Divodasa endued with great splendour, issuing out of his capital, gave them battle. The engagement between the two parties proved so fierce as to resemble the encounter in days of old between the deities and the Asuras. King Divodasa fought the enemy for a thousand days at the end of which, having lost a number of followers and animals, he became exceedingly distressed.[250] King Divodasa, O monarch, having lost his army and seeing his treasury exhausted, left his capital and fled away. Repairing to the delightful retreat of Bhardwaja endued with great wisdom the king, O chastiser of foes joining his hands in reverence, sought the Rishi's protection. Beholding King Divodasa before him, the eldest son of Vrihaspati, viz., Bharadwaja of excellent conduct, who was the monarch's priest, said unto him, 'What is the reason of thy coming here? Tell me everything, O king. I shall do that which is agreeable to thee, without any scruple.'
Mbh 13.30.2b · Mahabharata · ANUSASANA PARVA

Themes in this passage

LeadershipChildrenWarProtectionStrengthWealthWisdomWorship

Leadership in other traditions

The same theme, as Christianity, Taoism and Hellenism address it.

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Joshua 10:23 · Bible · Joshua
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Odyssey 14.18 · Odyssey · 14
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Iliad 2.22 · Iliad · 2

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