Shloka 3.50.6

जटायुरुपदेशः — Jatāyu Confronts Rāvaṇa (Ethical Admonition and Challenge)

Devanagari script

कथं राजास्थितो धर्मे परदारान्परामृशेत्।रक्षणीया विशेषेण राजदारा महाबल।।।।

Transliteration

tiṣṭha tiṣṭha daśagrīva muhūrtaṃ paśya rāvaṇa |

yuddhātithyaṃ pradāsyāmi yathāprāṇaṃ niśācara |

vṛntād iva phalaṃ tvāṃ tu pātayeyam rathottamāt ||

Translation

Stay, stay, O ten-necked Rāvaṇa—look here for a moment! O night-roamer, as long as I have breath I will offer you the “hospitality” of battle, and I will hurl you down from your splendid chariot like a fruit falling from its stalk.

Context

How can a king who adheres to righteousness outrage another's wife ? O powerful one, a king's wife in particular should be protected.

Characters & Entities

• Rāvaṇa (Daśagrīva)
• Jatāyu
• Rāvaṇa’s chariot

FAQs

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

Dharma sometimes requires forceful resistance: Jatāyu frames battle itself as a righteous response to protect Sītā and to check adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Jatāyu directly challenges Rāvaṇa, declaring he will fight to the last breath and attempt to throw him from his chariot.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fearless resolve and protective valor—Jatāyu treats defense of righteousness as a sacred obligation.