The rights and functions of the king were of the highest and most extensive nature: he was the acknowledged lord of the soil; he alone taxed the people, and determined the services they were to perform; all offices of government were at his disposal, and all honours, as well as power, emanated from him, and were enjoyed only during his pleasure.

Notwithstanding this away, he was not perfectly absolute and without check. On ascending the throne, he had to consider himself under certain restrictions: he was expected to follow the example of good princes; observe the customs of the country, and attend to the written rules handed down for the direction of kings. Of these rules the following are the principles: they are translated from the Pali, in which they are expressed in verse.

Sattara sangraha wastoo

1. Be willingly charitable to the deserving
2. Be mild of speech
3. Let your conduct and actions be such as conduce to the good of your people.
4. Let the love of your people equal the love of yourself.

Sattara agati

1. Favour no one to the injury of another.
2. Injure no one to benefit another.
3. Let not fear prevent your doin justice
4. Avoid doin evil through ignorance, or the want of correct information.

Dasa raja Dhamma

1. Be munifiecnt
2. Strictly follow the rules of the Buddha.
3. Remunerate the deserving
4. Let your conduct be upright.
5. Let your conduct be mild.
6. Be patient
7. Be without malice
8. Inflict not torture.
9. Be merciful
10. Attend to good counsel.

Should a king act directly contrary to these rules, contrary to the example of good princes, and in opposition to the customs of the country, he would be reckoned a tyrant and the people would consider themselves justified in opposing him, and in rising in mass and dethroning him; nor are there wanting instances, in extreme cases of oppression, of their acting on this principle, and successfully redressing their wrongs.