Shloka 38
राम राम महाबाहो भवान् पापमकारषीत् । अवधीन्नरदेवं यत्सर्वदेवमयं वृथा ॥ ३८ ॥
rāma rāma mahābāho bhavān pāpam akāraṣīt avadhīn naradevaṁ yat sarva-devamayaṁ vṛthā
O Rāma of mighty arms, you have committed sin without need, for you have slain the king, revered as the embodiment of all the demigods.
FAQs
This verse teaches that a righteous king represents the functions of the devas in society—protection, order, justice, and welfare—so harming him without dharmic cause is treated as a grave offense.
Because the killing is described as vṛthā—done without proper cause—making it pāpa (sinful). Even powerful acts must be governed by dharma, not anger or impulse.
It cautions against unjustified harm and teaches respect for rightful authority and social responsibility—act with discernment, not rage, and avoid “necessary” violence that is actually needless.