Shloka 3.50.22
जटायुरुपदेशः — Jatāyu Confronts Rāvaṇa (Ethical Admonition and Challenge)
युद्ध्यस्व यदि शूरोऽसि मुहूर्तं तिष्ठ रावण।।।।शयिष्यसे हतो भूमौ यथापूर्वं खरस्तथा।
daśagrīva sthito dharme purāṇe satyasaṃśrayaḥ |
jaṭāyur nāma nāmnāhaṃ gṛdhrarājo mahābalaḥ ||
O Ten-necked one, I am Jatāyu by name—the mighty king of vultures—steadfast in the ancient dharma and grounded in truth.
O Ravana, if you are brave, fight with me. In a moment, you will be killed like Khara and lie down on the ground.
Dharma is presented as an ancient, enduring standard, and Satya (truth) as its foundation—Jatāyu frames his identity and authority through moral alignment rather than power alone.
As Rāvaṇa attempts to abduct Sītā, Jatāyu confronts him and formally declares who he is and what values he stands for.
Moral courage grounded in truth: Jatāyu asserts righteous standing before engaging an overwhelmingly stronger adversary.