Shloka 34
वाली–रामसंवादः
Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma
आर्येण मम मान्धात्रा व्यसनं घोरमीप्सितम्।श्रमणेन कृते पापे यथा पापं कृतं त्वया।।
āryeṇa mama māndhātrā vyasanaṃ ghoram īpsitam | śramaṇena kṛte pāpe yathā pāpaṃ kṛtaṃ tvayā ||
আমার আর্য বংশে রাজা মান্ধাতা একবার, এক শ্রামণ পাপ করলে, তার জন্য ভয়ংকর দণ্ড নির্ধারণ করেছিলেন—যেমন পাপ তুমি করেছ।
'In the past a similar sin was perpetrated by Sramana, a revered soul (mendicant) and Mandhata, a noble king of my race inflicted terrible punishment on him.
FAQs
Dharma is supported by precedent (itihāsa): even respected persons, when they transgress, are subject to rightful punishment.
Rama cites an illustrative historical example to show that punishment for wrongdoing has long-standing sanction.
Impartial justice—status does not exempt one from dharma’s consequences.