Shloka 4.18.29
वाली–रामसंवादः (Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma)
सर्वथा धर्म इत्येव द्रष्टव्यस्तव निग्रहः।।वयस्यस्योपकर्तव्यं धर्ममेवानुपश्यतः।
sarvathā dharma ity eva draṣṭavyas tava nigrahaḥ | vayasyasyopakartavyaṃ dharmam evānupaśyataḥ ||
In every way, your restraint and your punishment should be regarded as dharma itself. For one who keeps dharma in view, even helping a friend must be done in accordance with dharma.
'Punishment given to you should be viewed as a right course of action in all respects. This is the duty of a trustworthy friend who follows dharma.
Even friendship must operate under dharma: true help is not indulgence of wrongdoing, but action aligned with righteousness and moral order.
Rama reframes his intervention for Sugriva not as partiality, but as dharmic assistance that necessarily includes restraining Vali’s adharma.
Dharmic loyalty: supporting a friend while remaining governed by ethical law.