How should he behave towards his ministers, courtiers, the state and household officers, his emissaries, his subjects, those of doubtful allegiance and his open enemies? With whom should he make alliance; with whom enter into war; what sort of fortress he should build; how forest and mountain tribes should be brought down to subjection; how internal disturbances should be removed: all this and all other things you have read, do thou relate to me: I wish to hear thy mind".

In plain words: Hiranyakashipu, the demon king, tests his son Prahlada on how to rule. He asks how a king should treat ministers, spies, subjects and enemies, when to make peace or war, how to build forts and how to stop rebellions.