Four roles of a King

Dasharata: How can a king be a servant, trader, master or a seer?

Vashista: A king is a servant who makes other kings. The King is a trader when he uses rules to get all the things he desires. The King is a master when he forces his thoughts on those around him. A king is a seer when he understands the thought behind the rules, appreciates the many reasons why a rule is followed while another rule is not. For a king whose mind is one with Brahman, the rules are merely functional - they are never right or wrong; like all actions, they have consequences. For him, rules are not a tool of power to dominate and control. For him, rules are instruments to enable even the weakest of the society to have those hoarded by the strongest.