Shloka 51
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation
Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17
युक्तं यत्प्राप्नुयाद्राज्यं सुग्रीवस्स्वर्गते मयि।अयुक्तं यदधर्मेण त्वयाऽहं निहतो रणे।।
yuktaṃ yatprāpnuyādrājyaṃ sugrīvaḥ svargate mayi | ayuktaṃ yadadharmeṇa tvayā'haṃ nihato raṇe ||
Es ist recht, dass Sugrīva das Reich erlange, nachdem ich in den Himmel eingegangen bin. Doch es ist nicht recht, dass du mich im Kampf durch undharma, durch unrechte Mittel, erschlagen hast.
'Sugriva inheriting the kingdom after my departure to heaven is proper. But your killing me this way in the combat by unjustifiable means is not.
FAQs
The verse distinguishes rightful political succession (Sugrīva inheriting after Vālin’s death) from wrongful method (killing through adharma). Dharma concerns not only outcomes but also the means used.
Mortally wounded, Vālin speaks to Rāma, conceding that Sugrīva’s accession may be legitimate, while accusing Rāma’s manner of killing as unrighteous.
Moral discernment and insistence on righteous procedure—Vālin appeals to standards of fair conduct in war and governance.