Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 28
दूत-नीति, शुक-प्रसङ्गः
Envoy-Ethics and the Episode of Śuka
अवधीर्यजरावृद्दंगृध्रराजंजटायुषम् ।किंनुतेरामसान्निध्येसकाशेलक्ष्मणस्यवा ।।।।हृतासीताविशालाक्षीयांत्वंगृह्यनबुध्यसे ।
avadhīrya jarā-vṛddhaṃ gṛdhra-rājaṃ jaṭāyuṣam |
kiṃ nu te rāma-sānnidhye sakāśe lakṣmaṇasya vā ||
hṛtā sītā viśālākṣī yāṃ tvaṃ gṛhya na budhyase ||
Despreciando al anciano rey de los buitres, Jaṭāyu, arrebataste a Sītā, la de grandes ojos; y aun así no comprendes: ¿por qué osaste tomarla cuando Rāma estaba cerca, o incluso en presencia de Lakṣmaṇa?
"When the aged and old vulture Jatayu restrained you, why did you disregard and seize broad-eyed Sita? Why did you not take her away in the presence of Rama or even Lakshmana?"
FAQs
Violating another’s spouse through force is a central adharma; it triggers rightful resistance and unavoidable consequence.
Rāvaṇa is reminded of the abduction of Sītā and his contempt for Jaṭāyu’s protection, highlighting the reckless nature of his crime.
Protective courage (as in Jaṭāyu’s stand) and the inviolability of marital and personal dignity upheld by dharma.