Shloka 4.17.14

वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation (Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17)

Devanagari script

तं दृष्ट्वा राघवं वाली लक्ष्मणं च महाबलम्।अब्रवीत्प्रश्रितं वाक्यं परुषं धर्मसंहितम्4.17.13।।त्वं नराधिपतेः पुत्रः प्रथितः प्रियदर्शनःकुलीनस्सत्त्वसम्पन्न स्तेजस्वी चरितव्रतः।।4.17.14।।पराङ्मुखवधं कृत्वा कोऽत्र प्राप्तस्त्वया गुणः।यदहं युद्धसंरब्धश्शरेणोरसि ताडित:4.17.15।।

Transliteration

tvaṃ narādhipateḥ putraḥ prathitaḥ priyadarśanaḥ |

kulīnaḥ sattvasaṃpannaḥ tejasvī caritavrataḥ ||4.17.14||

Translation

You are the son of a king—renowned and fair to behold; noble-born, rich in virtue, radiant in power, and steadfast in righteous conduct.

Context

On seeing powerful Rama and Lakshmana approaching,Vali spoke with pride and rigteousness to Rama, 'You are a prince, born of a noble family, son of a renowned king. You are famous, brilliant, handsome and follower of good practices.Having hit me when I was engaged otherwise in an encounter what merit have you gained?'

Characters & Entities

• Vālī
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as a lived standard for rulers: noble birth and fame must be matched by consistent righteous conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

As part of his reproach, Vālī first establishes Rāma’s acknowledged virtues before questioning the righteousness of Rāma’s action.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s ideal qualities—integrity of vows (vrata), moral character (sattva), and royal dignity—are foregrounded as the benchmark of dharmic behavior.