Shloka 4.17.37
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation (Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17)
अधार्यं चर्म मे सद्भी रोमाण्यस्थि च वर्जितम्।अभक्ष्याणि च मांसानि त्वद्विधैर्धर्मचारिभिः।।
adhāryaṃ carma me sadbhi romāṇy asthi ca varjitam | abhakṣyāṇi ca māṃsāni tvadvidhair dharmacāribhiḥ ||
My hide is not to be worn by the virtuous; my hair and even my bones are forbidden for use. My flesh too is not fit to be eaten by righteous men such as you.
'My skin is not fit to be worn by the virtuous, my hair and bones are also prohibited from any use. My flesh is also not at all fit to be eaten by righteous people like you;
Dharma is tied to regulated conduct: even where killing animals might be allowed in some contexts, the use/consumption must follow prescribed norms; Vāli argues his killing yields no dharmic purpose.
Vāli claims that as a ‘pañcanakha’ creature his body is not meant for righteous use (wearing/eating), so Rāma’s killing cannot be justified as lawful hunting.
Adherence to rule-bound righteousness—acting with knowledge of what is permitted (vihita) and forbidden (niṣiddha).