Final answer:
Maya rulers established political legitimacy by aligning themselves with specific gods or deities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Maya rulers used the metaphysical beliefs of their society to establish political legitimacy by aligning themselves with specific gods or deities. They believed in a single godlike force called K'in, which was associated with the sun's energy. The king was seen as a conduit for this divine force, and their ability to predict natural events and control time legitimized their rule.