Shloka 50

वाली–रामसंवादः

Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma

Devanagari script

मामप्यगतधर्माणं व्यतिक्रान्तपुरस्कृतम्।धर्मसंहितया वाचा धर्मज्ञ परिपालय।।

Transliteration

mām apy agata-dharmāṇaṃ vyatikrānta-puraskṛtam | dharma-saṃhitayā vācā dharmajña paripālaya ||

Translation

Auch mich — der ich nicht im Dharma wandelte und seine Grenzen überschritt — beschütze du, o Kenner des Dharma, mit Worten, die der Rechtschaffenheit entsprechen.

Word by Word

• mām: me
• mām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun; Accusative (द्वितीया/2), Singular

• api: also, even
• api: Emphasis
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात)

• agata-dharmāṇam: one who has not followed dharma
• agata-dharmāṇam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-gata (अ+gam, कृदन्त) + dharma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying mām; sense: 'one who has not attained/followed dharma'

• vyatikrānta-puraskṛtam: one who has transgressed (proper conduct)
• vyatikrānta-puraskṛtam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण) of Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vyati+krānta (कृदन्त) + puraskṛta (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Masculine, Accusative, Singular; qualifying mām; 'having transgressed proper bounds/precedence'

• dharma-saṃhitayā: with righteous/ dharma-conforming
• dharma-saṃhitayā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + saṃhita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa compound; Feminine, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular; agreeing with vācā

• vācā: by speech/words
• vācā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vāc (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental (तृतीया/3), Singular

• dharmajña: O knower of dharma
• dharmajña: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dharma (प्रातिपदिक) + jña (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa 'knower of dharma'; Masculine, Vocative, Singular

• paripālaya: protect, take care of
• paripālaya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pari+pāl (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ (लोट्) imperative, Parasmaipada, 2nd person, Singular

Context

'O knower of dharma, I did not follow dharma in the past. I have trangressed the bounds of dharma. Say, you have pardoned me, protect me in a righteous manner.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• dharma

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse highlights accountability and mercy together: even a transgressor may seek protection through dharmic speech and righteous handling by one who knows dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

As Vali nears death, he admits wrongdoing and appeals to Rama—recognized as dharmajña—to respond righteously and protect him through just, compassionate words.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s dharma-knowledge expressed as balanced judgment—firm in principle yet humane in response.