Shloka 3.50.25

जटायुरुपदेशः — Jatāyu Confronts Rāvaṇa (Ethical Admonition and Challenge)

Devanagari script

न हि मे जीवमानस्य नयिष्यसि शुभामिमाम्।।।।सीतां कमलपत्राक्षीं रामस्य महिषीं प्रियाम्।

Transliteration

kathaṃ rājā sthito dharme paradārān parāmṛśet |

rakṣaṇīyā viśeṣeṇa rājadārā mahābala ||

Translation

How could a king established in dharma violate another man’s wife? A king’s consort, above all, must be guarded with special protection, O mighty one.

Context

I will not let you take away the auspicious, lotus-eyed Sita, the dear consort of Rama as long as I am alive.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa
• Sītā
• Rāma

FAQs

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

A ruler’s dharma includes restraint and protection: power must not become license to violate others, and royal women are to be safeguarded as part of public order.

What is the narrative situation?

Jatāyu rebukes Rāvaṇa’s act as a contradiction of kingship and righteousness, appealing to norms of rajadharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral reasoning and admonition: Jatāyu confronts wrongdoing with principled argument, not merely anger.