Shloka 33
वाली–रामसंवादः
Rama’s Justification to Vali on Rājadharma
शासनाद्वाऽपिमोक्षाद्वा स्तेनः स्तेयाद्विमुच्यते।राजात्वशासन्पापस्य तदवाप्नोति किल्बिषम्4.18.33।।
śāsanād vā’pi mokṣād vā stenaḥ steyād vimucyate | rājā tv aśāsan pāpasya tad avāpnoti kilbiṣam ||
Baik melalui hukuman maupun melalui pembebasan (setelah proses yang semestinya), seorang pencuri terbebas dari dosa pencurian; tetapi raja yang tidak menghukum orang berdosa, menanggung sendiri noda kesalahan itu.
FAQs
A ruler has a moral duty to enforce justice; neglecting to punish wrongdoing transfers culpability to the king and corrupts governance.
Rama explains why punishment is not merely permitted but required for kingship, strengthening his defense against Vali’s accusation.
Accountability in leadership—upholding satya and social order by not tolerating adharma.