Vaishampayana said: - -
2. “You have spoken to us about the greatness of the Brahmanas, we now desire to hear about the greatness of the royal order the Kshatriyas.” To them replied the great Rishi Markandeya, “Hear now of the greatness of the royal order.” A king of the Kuru dynasty named Suhotra went on a visit to the great Rishis and as he was returning he saw king Shivi, the son of Ushinara. As they met, they each saluted the other as best fitted to his age. Considering each equal to the other, they did not allow way to each other. At this time Narada came. (He said) why are, you standing here thus blocking each others way?
3. They said to Narada, “O exalted one, you should not speak thus. The sages of old have said that way should be given to one who is superior or abler. We that stand blocking each other’s way are equal to each other in every respect. If properly judged, there is no superiority or inferiority between us.” Having been thus addressed, Narada recited the following slokas.
4. O descendant of Kuru, he who is cruel behaves cruelly towards even those who are humble and he who is humble behaves humbly and honestly towards even those are wicked. He who is honest behaves honestly towards even those who are dishonest, why then should not he behave honestly with one who is honest.
5. He who is honest considers the service that is done to him, as if it were one hundred times greater than it (really) is. This is the custom among the celestials. The ruler of earth, the son of Ushinara, certainly possesses greater goodness than you.
6. One should conquer the mean by charity, the untruthful by truth, the wicked by forgiveness and the dishonest by honesty.
7. Both of you are generous-minded. Let one of you stand aside (giving the way slokas.” Having said this, Narada became silent. Having heard this, the descendant of Kuru, (king Suhotra), walking round Shivi and praising his many good deeds, gave him the way and went away.
8. It is thus that Narada has described the greatness of the royal order.
Thus ends the one hundred and ninety-fourth chapter, the history of Shibi, in the Markandeya Samashya of the Vana Parva.