Shloka 4.17.49
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation (Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17)
मामेव यदि पूर्वं त्वमेतदर्थमचोदयः4.17.48।।मैथिलीमहमेकाह्ना तव चानीतवान्भवेत्।सुग्रीवप्रियकामेन यदहं निहतस्त्वया।कण्ठे बद्ध्वा प्रदद्यां ते निहतं रावणं रणे4.17.49।।
nyastāṃ sāgaratoye vā pātāle vāpi maithilīm | ānayeyaṃ tavādeśāc chvetām aśvatarīm iva ||
Even if Maithilī were concealed in the waters of the ocean or even in the underworld, I could bring her back at your command—just as Śvetā was brought back for Aśvatarī.
'Had you sought my help earlier(before you met Sugriva), I would have restored Sita to you within a single day. I have been killed by you to oblige Sugriva. I would have handed over Ravana by the neck after killing him in the battle.
The verse implicitly contrasts capability with rightful action: having power to help does not automatically justify how one chooses to act; dharma evaluates both intent and method.
Vāli continues claiming he could have retrieved Sītā from any hidden place, reinforcing his argument that Rāma had alternative, less contested options.
Extraordinary prowess and confidence in undertaking rescue—even from cosmic or inaccessible realms (ocean/underworld).