Shloka 4.18.6
वाली–रामसंवादः (Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma)
इक्ष्वाकूणामियं भूमिस्सशैलवनकानना।मृगपक्षिमनुष्याणां निग्रहप्रग्रहावपि।।
ikṣvākūṇām iyaṃ bhūmis saśailavanakānanā |
mṛgapakṣimanuṣyāṇāṃ nigrahapragrahāv api ||
This earth—together with its mountains, groves, and forests—belongs to the kings of Ikṣvāku; and over beasts, birds, and humans alike, the authority to restrain and to bestow favor rests with them.
'This earth including mountains, groves and forests, animals, birds and humans belongs to the Ikshvaku kings.The right of purnishment and reward also vests with them.
Rājadharma: legitimate rule entails the duty and right to administer justice—both punishment (nigraha) and protection/reward (pragraha)—across all beings within the realm.
Rāma explains to the dying Vāli the basis of his action: as an Ikṣvāku prince, he claims royal jurisdiction to enforce dharma within the world under that sovereignty.
Commitment to public duty—Rāma frames his conduct as governance-oriented justice rather than personal enmity.