Shloka 4.17.45
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation (Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17)
उदासीनेषु योऽस्मासु विक्रमऽस्ते प्रकाशितः।अपकारिषु ते राजन्नहि पश्यामि विक्रमम्।।
udāsīneṣu yo 'smāsu vikramas te prakāśitaḥ | apakāriṣu te rājann ahi paśyāmi vikramam ||
O king, the valor you displayed against us—who were not your enemies—I do see. But against those who truly wrong you, I do not see such valor.
'O king! you have exhibited your valour against one who has done you no harm. Why have you not shown such valour on those who have offended you?
Power should be directed toward restraining actual wrongdoing; misdirected force against the non-hostile is framed as unjust and adharmic.
Vāli argues that Rāma’s intervention targeted someone who had not personally harmed him, questioning the justice of the act.
Justice (nyāya): courage must be coupled with right targeting—protecting the innocent and punishing genuine offenders.