By only protecting his subjects the king acquires a fourth part of merit that his subjects acquire by study, by gift, by pouring libations, and by adoring the gods. The king acquires a fourth part of also the sin that his subjects commit on account, any distress in the kingdom arising from the king's neglect in satisfying the duty of protection.
यदधीते यद् ददाति यज्जुहोति यदर्चति। राजा चतुर्थभाक् तस्य प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन्॥ यद् राष्ट्रेऽकुशलं किञ्चिद् राज्ञोऽरक्षयतः प्रजाः। चतुर्थं तस्य पापस्य राजा भारत विन्दति॥