Shloka 4.18.23
वाली–रामसंवादः (Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma)
भरतस्तु महीपालो वयं त्वादेशवर्तिनः।।त्वं तु धर्मादतिक्रान्तः कथं शक्यं उपेक्षितुम्।
bharatas tu mahīpālo vayaṃ tv ādeśavartinaḥ | tvaṃ tu dharmād atikrāntaḥ kathaṃ śakyaṃ upekṣitum ||
Bharata is the king, and we act in obedience to his command. But you have overstepped dharma—how could that be ignored?
'Bharata is a king and we follow his command. How can you, who have strayed from dharma, go unpunished?
Dharma includes accountability under legitimate royal authority; transgression cannot be excused simply because the offender is powerful.
Rama frames his action as consistent with the broader political order under Bharata’s kingship, rebutting the idea that Vali’s wrongdoing should be overlooked.
Rama’s fidelity to lawful order and duty (obedience to rightful authority aligned with dharma).