This is the foremost of all acts laid down for the king. Indeed, the king should always keep his eyes fixed on this. He should protect and cherish these, even as he protects his own self or his own children.
एतत् कृत्यतमं राज्ञो नित्यमेवोपलक्षयेत्। यथाऽऽत्मानं यथा पुत्रांस्तथैतान् प्रतिपालयेत्॥