Shloka 4.18.11

वाली–रामसंवादः (Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma)

Devanagari script

ते वयं धर्मविभ्रष्टं स्वधर्मे परमे स्थिताः।भरताज्ञां पुरस्कृत्य निगृह्णीमो यथाविधि।।

Transliteration

te vayaṃ dharmavibhraṣṭaṃ svadharme parame sthitāḥ | bharatājñāṃ puraskṛtya nigṛhṇīmo yathāvidhi ||

Translation

We, firmly established in our highest duty, placing Bharata’s command foremost, duly restrain and punish the one who has strayed from dharma.

Context

'By the command of Bharata ,all of us are devoted to our duty of upholding dharma and virtue and duly punish those who deviate from the path of dharma.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Bharata
• dharma
• ājñā (command)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes enforcement: those committed to svadharma must restrain adharma according to due procedure (yathāvidhi), under legitimate authority (Bharata’s command).

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues his justification, presenting himself and his side as agents of lawful restraint against dharma-violators.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commitment to duty and lawful governance—acting not from personal impulse but under a recognized moral-political mandate.