Shloka 4.18.68

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

Devanagari script

शराभितप्तेन विचेतसा मयाप्रदूषितस्त्वं यदजानता प्रभो।इदं महेन्द्रोपम भीमविक्रमप्रसादितस्त्वं क्षम मे नरेश्वर।।

Transliteration

śarābhitaptena vicetasā mayā pradūṣitas tvaṃ yad ajānatā prabho | idaṃ mahendropama bhīmavikrama prasāditas tvaṃ kṣama me nareśvara ||

Translation

O Lord—like Mahendra (Indra), of dreadful valor, ruler among men—since I, in ignorance, spoke words that accused you, my mind clouded by the torment of your arrow, be gracious; forgive me.

Context

'Pray, O mighty prince, hero of immense valour, pardon me for the words of blame I unwittingly hurled at you. I said all that in excruciating pain caused by your mighty arrow and in confusion of what is right and what is wrong.'ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē kiṣkindhākāṇḍē aṣṭādaśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the eighteenth sarga of Kishkindakanda of the Holy Ramayana, the first epic, composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Vāli
• Rāma
• Mahendra (Indra)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes accountability in speech: when one wrongs another through blame or harsh words—especially under delusion—one should acknowledge fault and seek forgiveness.

What is the narrative situation?

Vāli, struck by Rāma’s arrow and nearing death, withdraws his earlier accusations and asks Rāma to pardon him for words spoken in pain and confusion.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vāli’s humility and repentance are emphasized, along with the expectation of royal magnanimity (prasāda/kṣamā) from Rāma.