Shloka 4.16.33

वालिवधः — The Slaying of Vali

Devanagari script

ततो धनुषि सन्धाय शरमाशीविषोपमम्।पुरयामास तच्चापं कालचक्रमिवान्तकः4.16.33।।

Transliteration

na ca kāryo viṣādas te rāghavaṃ prati matkṛte |

dharmajñaś ca kṛtajñaś ca kathaṃ pāpaṃ kariṣyati || 4.16.5 ||

Translation

“Do not grieve on my account with regard to Rāghava. How could he—one who knows dharma and is grateful—commit a sinful act?”

Context

Rama then fixed an arrow which resembled a venomous snake, on to his bow looking like the very death-wheel of Yama and stretched it fully.

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Vāli

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as moral reliability: one who knows righteousness and repays obligations (kṛtajña) will not deliberately commit sin.

What is the narrative situation?

As the conflict reaches its crisis, Vāli addresses a listener’s worry about Rāma’s conduct, asserting confidence in Rāma’s dharmic nature.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s virtues of dharma-jñatā (moral discernment) and kṛtajñatā (gratitude/remembering duty) are highlighted.