BHARATA ARRIVES

The springs of charity will dry up. Festivals and services will cease to be performed in temples. There will be no expounding of Shaastras or epics, nor any listeners. People will no more sleep with doors open. Culture will decline and soon disappear. Penances, vows, enjoyments, learning-all depend on the king's Protection. The beauty of women will vanish. The sense of security will be lost. Men will eat one another up as, fish do. Cruelty and misery will grow apace and lay waste; he land. For good to prosper and evil to be restrained, a king is essential."

Thus Vaalmeeki describes at length the dangers of anarchy through the mouths of leaders in that assembly.

"It looks as if a great darkness has enveloped the land," they said. "Dharma is in danger. Let us forthwith secure a king."

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