Kings should look after their subjects as if they were his own children. They should establish Dharma upon the Earth, within their own Kingdom and instil Sadachar (righteous conduct) according to Varnashram Dharma. They should guide those who are on the path of unrighteousness. Those Kings who do not act in such a way acquire sin. Bhagwat explains this, ‘Those Kings who do not maintain Dharma within his subjects and who receives tax from his subjects, receives the sins of his subjects. Such Kings degrade themselves and loose any righteous qualities that they may possess.’
Bhrighu explains the fruits of establishing Dharma, ‘Those Kings, whose subjects observe Dharma in accordance with Varna-Ashram, and as a result worship Yagnapurusha, are ever dear to God’. Yagnavalkya explains the fundamental qualities a King should have: ‘A King should be very eager, give benefits, keep an eye on the wealth, know what actions have been completed, serve the elderly, humble, pure and righteous, of a serious nature, of good ancestral background, speak the truth, pure and clean both internally and externally, does not spoil tasks undertaken, has a good memory, is not weak natured, does not speak harshly, adorns Dharma, is free from bad habits of intoxication, hunting etc., is deep thinking, fearless, understands the hidden meaning of things, overcomes his flaws, is versed in punishment and logic (Anvikshiki), knowledgeable in farming, business matters and keeping of animals and is also versed in the Vedas.’ One should refer to Mitakshara as well as Rajadharma taught by Bhishma in Mahabharat for further information about this.
Yogishwar says, ‘Kings should be forgiving toward Brahmins, affectionate towards his dear ones and raging towards his enemies. They should act as father to their subjects.’ In this way, serving and maintaining his subjects lawfully, a King receives the a sixth of the Punya (benediction) of his subjects.’ Service to his subjects in this way will derive the greatest of fruits (even greater than donations). It is written further, ‘It is a King’s duty to protect his subjects from the tyranny of thieves, sinners etc who may inflict misery upon them. Those Kings who do not protect his subjects in this way receive half of the sins of his subjects as that King is receiving tax from his subjects. Kings should gladly welcome saints and holy men and should exile thieves and sinners from his kingdom. They should welcome righteous Brahmins offering them Daan, praise them with respect and offer them a place to reside. Those who do not act in this way, inflicting misery and pain upon his subjects face destruction of wealth, family and self.’
Rajadharma says, ‘Kings who wisely serve and protect their subjects receive a quarter of the fruits of those subjects.’ Bhagwat Purana similarly explains, ‘A King’s salvation is simply through maintaining and protecting his subjects. By so doing, he receives a sixth of the Punya accrued by his subjects. Those kings who fail to serve and protect his subjects in this way and who continue to tax his subjects, loose all of their Punya to his subjects and become subject to the sins committed by his subjects. A King’s greatest duty is to free his subjects from suffering.’
Shatanand explains that a death sentence should always be given cautiously. Brahma in Mokshadharma says, ‘If a sinner who is suitable for death, begs for forgiveness and shelter saying - O King! I shall sin no more, then such a person should not be punished by death.’ The King should be forgiving and compassionate in this way. The death sentence should be given only after all attempts of reform (through harsh words, punishment etc.) have failed. For the establishment of Dharma, the death penalty is necessary in order to punish the wicked explains Shatanand. Nitishastra explains, ‘A King may even punish his brother, son, someone he worships, father-in-law or maternal uncle, should they fail to uphold Dharma.’ In some circumstances, punishment is forbidden: It is explained that Brahmins, Gods devotees, Sadhus, the penanceful and the learned should not be punished.
Yagnavalkya explains about war: ‘Those who surrender saying - “I am yours”, eunuchs, those without arrows (arms), those fighting with others, those who have retreated from the battle field and onlookers should not be harmed or killed.’ Similarly those without a horse or charioteer, with folded arms, with free hair, who is not a party to the battle, who is sat upon a tree, who is sat upon the ground, who is drinking water or eating, who is without an armour, one’s son, a spy, a cow, a Brahmin, a female elephant, a horse, a charioteer and the King should not be killed by a King.
To summarise, Mahabharat explains, ‘The vigour and discipline illuminating from a Dharmanishta King can prevent the furtherance of Kali.’ ‘A King is the cause of time.’ Thus a King affects how time progresses and the effects upon nature. Vrudha Charnakya explains, ‘If a King observes Dharma then his subjects will be Dharmic or disciplined; if the King is sinful then his subjects will also fall to sin; and if the King is proper in living then his subjects will also be proper. The subjects of a King will live and act according to the Kings actions.’