Shloka 4.18.21

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

Devanagari script

न हि धर्मविरुद्धस्य लोकवृत्तादपेयुषः।दण्डादन्यत्र पश्यामि निग्रहं हरियूथप।

Transliteration

na hi dharmaviruddhasya lokavṛttādapeyuṣaḥ | daṇḍād anyatra paśyāmi nigrahaṃ hariyūthapa ||

Translation

O lord of the monkey-troops, for one who acts against dharma and deviates from the world’s accepted code of conduct, I see no restraint other than punishment.

Context

'O lord of monkeys! I do not see any other way of controlling a person excepting punishing the one who has acted against dharma and swerved from the accepted code of conduct.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Vali
• hariyūthapa (monkey troop-leader epithet)

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld through social and royal restraint: when someone violates dharma and accepted conduct, lawful punishment (daṇḍa) becomes the recognized means of correction.

What is the narrative situation?

After Vali challenges Rama’s act of shooting him, Rama answers by grounding his action in principles of dharma and the necessity of punishment for transgression.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s commitment to rajadharma: impartial enforcement of moral and social order through appropriate punishment.