Shloka 4.18.42
वाली–रामसंवादः (Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma)
दुर्लभस्य च धर्मस्य जीवितस्य शुभस्य च।।राजानो वानरश्रेष्ठ प्रदातारो न संशयः।
durlabhasya ca dharmasya jīvitasya śubhasya ca | rājāno vānaraśreṣṭha pradātāro na saṃśayaḥ ||
O best of monkeys, kings are indeed the givers of what is hard to obtain—dharma, life, and auspicious well-being; of this there is no doubt.
'O best of monkeys! kings are donors of dharma, life and auspiciousness to people which is difficult to acquire. There is no doubt about it.
Rajadharma: the king’s role is to uphold order so that people can access dharma, safety of life, and prosperity—goods that are otherwise difficult to secure.
Rāma frames royal authority as protective and dharma-conferring, preparing the ground for why a king-like agent may punish or restrain.
The ideal of the king as guardian and benefactor—authority exercised for public dharma and welfare.