Shloka 4.18.4

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

Devanagari script

धर्ममर्थं च कामं च समयं चापि लौकिकम्।अविज्ञाय कथं बाल्यान्मामिहाद्य विगर्हसे।।

Transliteration

dharmam arthaṃ ca kāmaṃ ca samayaṃ cāpi laukikam | avijñāya kathaṃ bālyān mām ihādya vigarhase ||

Translation

Without understanding dharma, artha, kāma, and even the ordinary conventions of the world, how can you—out of childish ignorance—reproach me here today?

Context

'Without correct knowledge of dharma, artha, kama and worldly ways, how do you reproach me bitterly now in total ignorance?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Vālī
• dharma
• artha
• kāma
• laukika-samaya (worldly convention)

FAQs

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

Ethical judgment requires knowledge of dharma and also of practical social norms; blame without understanding is portrayed as immature and unreliable.

What is the narrative situation?

After Vālī accuses Rāma of wrongdoing for shooting from concealment, Rāma begins a dharma-based rebuttal, challenging Vālī’s competence to judge.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s commitment to reasoned dharma-discourse—insisting that moral critique must be grounded in knowledge rather than anger.