When he goes to war he must observe the rules of honorable warfare, must not use poisoned arrows, strike a fallen enemy, nor one who sues for life, nor one without arms, nor one who surrenders.

He is not to take too little revenue, and so "cut up his own root"; nor too much, and so "cut up the root of others"; he is to be severe when it is necessary, and mild when it is necessary.
The Eighth Book relates to civil and criminal law.

The Raja is to hold his court every day, assisted by his Brahmans, and decide causes concerning debts and loans, sales, wages, contracts, boundaries, slander, assaults, larceny, robbery, and other crimes.

The Raja, "understanding what is expedient or inexpedient, but considering only what is law or not law," should examine all disputes.

He must protect unprotected women, restore property to its rightful owner, not encourage litigation, and decide according to the rules of law.