Shloka 4.18.16

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

Devanagari script

चपलश्चपलैस्सार्धं वानरैरकृतात्मभिः।जात्यन्ध इव जात्यन्धैर्मन्त्रयन् प्रेक्षसे नु किम्।।

Transliteration

capalaś capalaiḥ sārdhaṁ vānarair akṛtātmabhiḥ | jātyandha iva jātyandhair mantrayan prekṣase nu kim ||

Translation

Fickle yourself, and taking counsel with fickle, undisciplined monkeys, you are like one blind from birth led by others blind from birth—what understanding can you hope to gain?

Context

'You are fickle by nature. Your consultants are frivolous, petty-minded monkeys. It is like one born blind suppporting another blind by birth. What do you know (about dharma)?

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Vali
• Vanaras (monkeys)

FAQs

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

Right action depends on disciplined judgment and wise counsel; moral blindness is reinforced by surrounding oneself with similarly unprincipled advisors.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama rebukes Vali’s decision-making, implying that Vali’s ethical confusion is worsened by poor company and counsel.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Discernment in choosing advisers—an essential virtue of rāja-dharma.