वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation
Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17
त्वं नराधिपतेः पुत्रः प्रतीतः प्रियदर्शनः।लिङ्गमप्यस्ति ते राजनन्दृश्यते धर्मसंहितम्।।
tvaṃ narādhipateḥ putraḥ pratītaḥ priyadarśanaḥ | liṅgam apy asti te rājan dṛśyate dharmasaṃhitam || 4.17.25 ||
Ikaw ay anak ng isang hari, kilala at kaaya-ayang pagmasdan. Tunay nga, O prinsipe, nakikita sa iyo ang mga tanda ng isang taong nakahanay sa dharma.
'Who, born in a kshatriya family, versed in the Vedas and free from doubt will commit such a cruel act under the guise of righteousness?
Public role and moral expectation: a prince who bears the signs of dharma is expected to act consistently with that reputation.
Vāli contrasts Rāma’s royal, dharmic appearance and fame with the troubling act that has just occurred.
Royal decorum and moral credibility: dharma must be visible not only in status but in conduct.