Shloka 4.17.27

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

Devanagari script

राम राजकुले जातो धर्मवानिति विश्रुतः।।।।अभव्यो भव्यरूपेण किमर्थं परिधावसि।

Transliteration

kaḥ kṣatriyakule jātaḥ śrutavān naṣṭasaṃśayaḥ | dharmaliṅga-praticchannaḥ krūraṃ karma samācaret || 4.17.26 ||

Translation

Who, born in a kṣatriya line, learned in sacred teaching and free from doubt, would commit a cruel deed while hiding behind the outward marks of dharma?

Context

'You are born in a royal family. You are well-known. You are proficient in dharma. Yet you are unworthy of your race and robe.

Characters & Entities

• Vāli
• Rāma
• kṣatriya (warrior class)
• śruti (sacred learning)

FAQs

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

Integrity: dharma is not a costume; cruelty cannot be justified by merely appearing righteous.

What is the narrative situation?

Vāli accuses Rāma of acting contrary to kṣatriya standards while still bearing the outward authority of a righteous prince.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Consistency between learning/status and action—true righteousness must match behavior.