Shloka 4.18.38
वाली–रामसंवादः (Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma)
न मे तत्र मनस्तापो न मन्युर्हरिपुङ्गव।वागुराभिश्च पाशैश्च कूटैश्च विविधैर्नराः।।प्रतिच्छन्नाश्च दृश्याश्च गृह्णन्ति सुबहून्मृगान्।
na me tatra manastāpo na manyur haripuṅgava | vāgurābhiś ca pāśaiś ca kūṭaiś ca vividhair narāḥ || praticchannāś ca dṛśyāś ca gṛhṇanti subahūn mṛgān |
In this matter I feel neither anguish nor remorse, O foremost of monkeys. People catch many beasts—by nets, by nooses, and by various stratagems—whether concealed or openly visible.
'O best of monkeys! I have no mental agony nor do I regret in this case. Hidden fromview or out in the open, people catch animals by means of snares or ropes or through other tricks.
Rama argues from accepted social practice: taking animals by strategy—hidden or open—is not inherently blameworthy, and thus his method is defensible within prevailing norms.
Rama introduces a pragmatic analogy from hunting to justify striking Vali from concealment.
Composure and conviction—Rama claims absence of regret because he believes his act aligns with dharma and customary rule.