Kautilya's Arthashastra 5.6.2

5.6.2

prāg eva maraṇābādhabhayād rājñaḥ priyahitopagraheṇa māsadvimāsāntaraṃ darśanaṃ sthāpayed "deśapīḍāpaham amitrāpaham āyuṣyaṃ putrīyaṃ vā karma rājā sādhayati" ity apadeśena //

THE minister shall thus avert the calamities in which the king is involved; long before the apprehended death of the king, he shall, in concert with his friends and followers allow visitors to the king once in a month or two (and avoid their visits on other occasions) under the plea that the king is engaged in performing such rites as are calculated to avert national calamities, or are destructive of enemies, or capable of prolonging life or of procuring a son.