Shloka 3.50.12

जटायुरुपदेशः — Jatāyu Confronts Rāvaṇa (Ethical Admonition and Challenge)

Devanagari script

विषये वा पुरे वा ते यदा रामो महाबलः।।।।नापराध्यति धर्मात्मा कथं तस्यापराध्यसि।

Transliteration

viṣaye vā pure vā te yadā rāmo mahābalaḥ || 3.50.12 ||

nāparādhyati dharmātmā kathaṃ tasyāparādhyasi |

Translation

When the mighty Rāma—righteous in spirit—has not wronged you, whether in your realm or in your city, how can you commit an offence against him?

Context

Powerful and righteous Rama has not offended you, your kingdom or your city. Why do you offend him?

Characters & Entities

• Jatāyu
• Rāvaṇa
• Rāma

FAQs

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

Dharma condemns unprovoked harm: hostility without offence is adharma, and attacking the innocent is morally illegitimate.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rāvaṇa abducts Sītā, Jatāyu challenges him by asserting Rāma’s blamelessness and exposing the injustice of Rāvaṇa’s aggression.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commitment to fairness and truth—Jatāyu defends Rāma’s integrity and confronts false grounds for violence.