Shloka 4.18.3
वाली–रामसंवादः (Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma)
तं निष्प्रभमिवादित्यं मुक्ततोयमिवाम्बुदम्।उक्तवाक्यं हरिश्रेष्ठमुपशान्तमिवानलम्4.18.2।।धर्मार्थगुणसम्पन्नं हरीश्वरमनुत्तमम्।अधिक्षिप्तस्तदा रामः पश्चाद्वालिनमब्रवीत्4.18.3।।
taṃ niṣprabham ivādityaṃ muktatoyam ivāmbudam | uktavākyaṃ hariśreṣṭham upaśāntam ivānalam (4.18.2) || dharmārthaguṇasampannaṃ harīśvaram anuttamam | adhikṣiptas tadā rāmaḥ paścād vālinam abravīt (4.18.3) ||
Vali—the best of monkeys, the peerless lord of the vānaras, endowed with the virtues of dharma and artha—fell silent after speaking, like the sun dimmed of splendor, like a cloud drained of rain, like a fire that has died down. Then Rama, having been reproached, spoke in reply to Vali.
To righteous Vali,the best of the monkeys, the lord of the monkeys, who looked like the Sun shorn of his brilliance or a raindrained cloud or a fire that had been extinguished. Rama, under the scanner, said in reply:
The verse frames a dharma-debate: Vali has reproached Rama, and Rama’s forthcoming reply will be a reasoned defense grounded in dharma and rightful conduct.
After Vali’s speech ends and he appears drained and subdued, the narration transitions to Rama’s response.
Composure under accusation: Rama answers after being criticized, suggesting controlled, principled speech rather than impulsive reaction.