According to Mahabharata, a State should be run according to the rules of Dharma, which implies principles of prabhava, dharana and ahimsa. the foremost duty of the State is to promote advancement and growth of all beings - to create an enabling environment so that the creative talent of its people may be unleashed. A key duty of the State is to give security to all beings and freedom from violence. Mahabharata recognizes that if uncontrolled, the strong will overwhelm the week - the big fish will swallow the small. The fear of punishment acts as the basis of social order. The weak, the poor and the helpless has to be given special protection. Mahabharata offers valuable lessons in international diplomacy as well as in management of public finance. Mahabharata is a document in real politic. Mahabharata elaborates the qualities needed in a ruler (king). A ruler who possesses noble qualities and self-discipline can only provide good governance. A ruler should punish and chastise people according to circumstances of each case. If a king is always forgiving, he will be considered weak, and people will not take him seriously. A ruler must govern impartially and punish a person transgressing law without discrimination, even if he is his own son. - Reproduced.