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Bhagawan Mahavir]
[351
for the age, condition and fault of the man, who
wanted to encroach upon his luxuries.
The word 'King' means one who shines with respect to his thoughts, words, deeds and body; therefore, a king should never be proud of his position. He should be just and honest; he should try his best to keep the sanctity of the Law; he should even sacrifice his own life in order to maintain Law and order in his kingdom. He should have faith in Religion; he should not disregard public opinion; he should do his duty; and he should never take shelter under injustice and irreligious feelings. His duty is to do his kingly duties and he should act according to the dictates of duty. A king is also thought to be the guardian of the law of nature. He should, therefore, try to introduce means of peace, common brother-hood, power and protection, in his kingdom. He should never allow the causes of Asatavedaniya Karman to take root. People call him king because they think him to be fit for his positions. It is his duty, therefore, to protect his subjects and to enrich their moral life. The rulers should remember that since the system of punishment has been introduced in this world, rules and laws as well as offences and offenders have multiplied and are being multiplied day by day. To inflict inhuman punishment for a fault is to incite the offenders to commit more faults and to up-root morality and other good virtues from his heart. Hence, it is the duty of every administrator to make such laws only that treat a man as a man.' He should not misuse those laws, otherwise immorality and sin would grow more and more as he would try to uproot them.
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From the present instance it is clear that to oppress
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