Shloka 3.50.8
जटायुरुपदेशः — Jatāyu Confronts Rāvaṇa (Ethical Admonition and Challenge)
धर्ममर्थं वा कामं वा शिष्टाश्शास्त्रेष्वनागतम्।।।।व्यवस्यन्त्यनु राजानं धर्मं पौलस्त्यनन्दन।
dharmam arthaṁ vā kāmaṁ vā śiṣṭāḥ śāstreṣv anāgatam |
vyavasyanty anu rājānaṁ dharmaṁ paulastya-nandana |
O son of Paulastya, even when a rule is not explicitly found in the śāstras, the learned discern what is dharma, artha, and kāma by observing and judging in light of a king’s conduct, for royal behavior sets the public standard.
O son of Paulastya! learned men determine the path of dharma artha and kama, following a king's conduct even if they are not declared in sastras.
Rulers function as living standards: even beyond written injunctions, society infers and stabilizes dharma (and norms of artha and kāma) by the king’s example.
While opposing the abduction, Jatāyu reminds Rāvaṇa that a powerful ruler’s behavior shapes what people treat as legitimate—even when texts are silent.
Responsibility of leadership (rājadharma): the king’s self-discipline and moral clarity, because his conduct educates society.