Shloka 4.18.63

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

Devanagari script

दण्ड्ये यः पातयेद्दण्डं दण्ड्यो यश्चापि दण्ड्यते।कार्यकारणसिद्धार्था वुभौ तौ नावसीदतः।।

Transliteration

daṇḍye yaḥ pātayed daṇḍaṃ daṇḍyo yaś cāpi daṇḍyate |

kāryakāraṇasiddhārthā vubhau tau nāvasīdataḥ ||

Translation

He who inflicts punishment upon one who deserves punishment, and he who is punished as one deserving punishment—both stand within a proven order of cause and effect; therefore, neither should sink into despondency.

Context

'The sinner and the punisher, whoever gives punishment and whoever receives it, are both regulated by the law of cause and effect. So do not despair.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Vāli

FAQs

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

Punishment is framed as dharmically structured, not arbitrary: both the agent of justice and the recipient are situated within a moral-causal order, discouraging despair and vindictiveness.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues his instruction to Vāli, explaining the logic of punishment and why Vāli should not collapse into hopelessness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Equanimity in justice—accepting lawful consequences without hatred or self-pity.