Shloka 3.50.13

जटायुरुपदेशः — Jatāyu Confronts Rāvaṇa (Ethical Admonition and Challenge)

Devanagari script

यदि शूर्पणखाहेतोर्जनस्थानगतः खरः।।।।अतिवृत्तो हतः पूर्वं रामेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा।अत्र ब्रूहि यथातत्त्वं को रामस्य व्यतिक्रमः।।।।यस्य त्वं लोकनाथस्य भार्यां हृत्वा गमिष्यसि।

Transliteration

tataḥ parvatakūṭābhas tīkṣṇatuṇḍaḥ khagottamaḥ | vanaspatigataḥ śrīmān vyājahāra śubhāṃ giram ||

Translation

Then the glorious Jatāyu—best among birds, sharp-beaked, and mountain-peak-like in appearance—spoke auspicious words from the top of a tree.

Context

On account of Surpanakha, Khara trespassed into Janasthana and got killed by Rama, without much effort. Tell me truly, what transgression (of dharma) did he commit for which you are stealing away the wife of Rama who is the lord of this world?.

Characters & Entities

• Jatāyu
• tree (vanaspati)

FAQs

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

Dharma begins with timely, auspicious counsel: a righteous elder intervenes through speech before force, attempting to prevent adharma at its outset.

What is the narrative situation?

Jatāyu, seeing the unfolding threat to Sītā, positions himself on a tree and begins to address the abductor.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral vigilance and responsibility—Jatāyu’s readiness to speak up against wrongdoing.