राज्ञश्च प्रकृतीनां च कल्पयेदन्तरा स्थितः ॥ कZ_०४.१०.१८च्द् ॥
rājñaśca prakṛtīnāṃ ca kalpayedantarā sthitaḥ
Dengan berdiri di antara (kedua-dua pihak), dia hendaklah melaras (hukuman) dengan mengambil kira kedua-dua pihak: raja dan rakyat (unsur-unsur negara).
Penal power must be exercised as an equilibrating institution—protecting sovereignty without alienating the populace—so punishment supports compliance and legitimacy rather than fear alone.