Shloka 30
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation
Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17
भूमिर्हिरण्यं रूप्यं च विग्रहे कारणानि च।अत्र कस्ते वने लोभो मदीयेषु फलेषु वा।।
bhūmir hiraṇyaṃ rūpyaṃ ca vigrahe kāraṇāni ca | atra kas te vane lobho madīyeṣu phaleṣu vā || 4.17.30 ||
Land, Gold und Silber — das sind gewöhnliche Ursachen des Streits. Doch hier im Wald: welche Gier könntest du hegen — nach meinem Besitz oder nach diesen Früchten?
'Submissiveness and modesty are the attributes of good rulers and should not be mixed up with benevolence and self-restraint. Kings ought not to act (as they like) impulsively.
FAQs
Right intention: violence requires a legitimate cause; greed or trivial gain cannot justify killing.
Vāli questions Rāma’s motive, noting that typical royal motives (territory, wealth) do not apply in a forest setting.
Discerning justice: a ruler must act from lawful duty, not from appetite or baseless hostility.