Shloka 4.18.28

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

Devanagari script

तदेभिः कारणैस्सर्वैर्महद्भिर्धर्मसंहितैः।।शासनं तप यद्युक्तं तद्भवाननुमन्यताम्।

Transliteration

tad ebhiḥ kāraṇaiḥ sarvair mahadbhiḥ dharmasaṃhitaiḥ | śāsanaṃ tava yad yuktaṃ tad bhavān anumanyatām ||

Translation

Therefore, for all these weighty reasons consistent with dharma, the punishment that has befallen you is proper; you should accept it.

Context

'Knowing all these reasons(many violations of dharma), it is proper for you as a king to approve of the punishment accorded to you in consonance with dharma.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Vali
• dharma

FAQs

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

Dharma-based judgment should be acknowledged even by the offender; ethical reasoning aims not only to punish but to restore moral clarity and acceptance of justice.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama concludes a chain of arguments and asks Vali to recognize the punishment as justified by dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reasoned righteousness: Rama emphasizes principled justification rather than mere force.