You should, O king, protect your subjects always according to the dictates of virtue. The strong rod of punishment which the kings bear has been said to be the embodiment of his virtue or merit.
धर्मेणापि सदा राजन् प्रजा रक्षितुमर्हसि। यस्तस्य विपुलो दण्डः सम्यग्धर्मः स कीर्त्यते॥