Shloka 4.18.32
वाली–रामसंवादः (Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma)
राजभिर्धृतदण्डास्तु कृत्वा पापानि मानवाः।निर्मलास्स्वर्गमायान्ति सन्तस्सुकृतिनो यथा।।
rājabhir dhṛtadaṇḍās tu kṛtvā pāpāni mānavāḥ | nirmalās svargam āyānti santaḥ sukṛtino yathā ||
When human beings commit sins and are duly punished by kings, they become cleansed and reach heaven—like the virtuous who have performed good deeds.
'Men who have perpetrated sins should be subjected to punishment by kings so that they become stainless and attain heaven like pious men who have performed good deeds.
Punishment (daṇḍa) is portrayed as a dharmic instrument: it purifies wrongdoing and restores moral order, benefiting even the offender.
Rama continues his argument that a ruler’s corrective force is legitimate and spiritually meaningful, countering Vali’s complaint about being slain.
Rajadharma—responsible governance that upholds truth and order through measured punishment.