Shloka 4.17.15
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation (Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17)
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।।
parāṅmukha-vadhaṁ kṛtvā ko ’tra prāptas tvayā guṇaḥ |
yad ahaṁ yuddha-saṁrabdhaḥ śareṇorasi tāḍitaḥ ||
“Having slain one who was turned away, what merit have you gained by it? For I, fully engaged in battle, was struck in the chest by your arrow.”
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?'
Vāli appeals to the dharma of fair combat: striking or killing an opponent who is not facing you (parāṅmukha) is portrayed as ethically blameworthy and not a source of true ‘guṇa’ (moral credit).
After being shot by Rāma during his duel with Sugrīva, the mortally wounded Vāli challenges Rāma’s action, questioning the righteousness of an unseen/indirect strike during combat.
Vāli emphasizes the warrior-code ideal of frontal, acknowledged engagement—courage and fairness in battle—as the proper standard for royal/heroic conduct.