Vasishta’s reason for not punishing a king 1.54.10

A king should not be punished with the power of penance, tells Vasishta to Kamadhenu. This idea is repeated in Kishkindakanda also. It is said that the kings are the givers of dharma, which is hard to get and they are also virtuous. Therefore, one should not torment kings, should not shout at them or condemn them and not say what the kings do not like. They are gods in human form on this earth.