knave, and his minister, a scoundrel. Yet the people are many; why is
not such misconduct resented?"

The Brahmans reply, "The manners of the people are equally depraved;
they are valiant in oppression, skilful in falsehood, and persevering
only in contempt for the pious."

Satyacharya asks, "How are the scribes?"

The Brahmans answer, "They collect the revenues by any expedient, and
vigilantly inflict penalties on the wise. The Brahmans are not allowed
to keep even the dust upon their bodies; the dust accumulated on their
feet is claimed by the Kayeths. What can we say of this reign? The dumb
alone can speak the truth, the deaf hear the law, the sons of the barren
are well-behaved, the blind behold the observance of the scriptures. Our
lands have been given to drunkards, and we are detained in prison for
what our ancestors expended."

Satyacharya observes, "I have heard enough. Better fortunes attend you."

The general Samara Jambuka, the jackal of war, boasts that he can cleave
a roll of butter with his falchion. He trembles from top to toe at the
approach of a mosquito.

The king orders vice to be proclaimed virtue by beat of drum. All the
Brahmans are perpetually banished.