Shloka 4.18.64

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

Devanagari script

तद्भवान्दण्डसंयोगादस्माद्विगतकल्मषः।गतस्स्वां प्रकृतिं धर्म्यं धर्मदृष्टेन वर्त्मना।।

Transliteration

tad bhavān daṇḍasaṃyogād asmād vigatakalmaṣaḥ |

gatas svāṃ prakṛtiṃ dharmyāṃ dharmadṛṣṭena vartmanā ||

Translation

Therefore, by undergoing this punishment, you are freed from defilement; by a path seen as righteous, you have returned to your own rightful nature.

Context

'You have been purged of your sin through punishment from the point of view of righteousness. You have regained your spiritual nature on the path of dharma.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Vāli

FAQs

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

Dharma is portrayed as restorative: just punishment is not only retributive but also purificatory, removing moral taint and reorienting a person toward rightful being.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma reframes Vāli’s impending death as a dharmic consequence that cleanses wrongdoing and leads to a righteous state.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral clarity and compassion—Rāma offers a meaning-centered, spiritually consoling interpretation of justice.