Shloka 30
वालिवधः — Vālī’s Fall and Dharma-Accusation
Kiṣkindhā Sarga 17
भूमिर्हिरण्यं रूप्यं च विग्रहे कारणानि च।अत्र कस्ते वने लोभो मदीयेषु फलेषु वा।।
bhūmir hiraṇyaṃ rūpyaṃ ca vigrahe kāraṇāni ca | atra kas te vane lobho madīyeṣu phaleṣu vā || 4.17.30 ||
Đất đai, vàng và bạc—ấy là những duyên cớ thường gây tranh chấp. Nhưng nơi rừng sâu này, ngươi còn tham gì nữa—tham của cải của ta, hay tham những trái quả này?
'Submissiveness and modesty are the attributes of good rulers and should not be mixed up with benevolence and self-restraint. Kings ought not to act (as they like) impulsively.
FAQs
Right intention: violence requires a legitimate cause; greed or trivial gain cannot justify killing.
Vāli questions Rāma’s motive, noting that typical royal motives (territory, wealth) do not apply in a forest setting.
Discerning justice: a ruler must act from lawful duty, not from appetite or baseless hostility.