Shloka 4.18.44

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

Devanagari script

त्वं तु धर्ममविज्ञाय केवलं रोषमास्थितः।।प्रदूषयसि मां धर्मे पितृपैतामहे स्थितम्।

Transliteration

tvaṃ tu dharmam avijñāya kevalaṃ roṣam āsthitaḥ | pradūṣayasi māṃ dharme pitṛpaitāmahe sthitam ||

Translation

But you, not understanding dharma and taking refuge only in anger, seek to defame me—one who stands established in the dharma handed down by fathers and forefathers.

Context

'Seized with improper anger, you are reproaching one who is devoted to dharma, without knowing that I follow the code of conduct that has been passed on by my fathers and forefathers.'

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Vālī
• dharma
• pitṛ-paitāmaha (ancestral tradition)

FAQs

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

Anger distorts moral judgment; dharma should be assessed through knowledge and tradition (ācāra), not through reactive outrage.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma directly attributes Vālī’s accusations to ignorance of dharma and to uncontrolled rage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Steadfastness in inherited righteous conduct (pitṛ-paitāmaha-dharma) and self-restraint in moral reasoning.