Shloka 20
जटायुरुपदेशः — Jatāyu Confronts Rāvaṇa
Ethical Admonition and Challenge
वृद्धोऽहं त्वं युवा धन्वी सशरः कवची रथी।।।।तथाप्यादाय वैदेहीं कुशली न गमिष्यसि।
vṛddho 'haṃ tvaṃ yuvā dhanvī saśaraḥ kavacī rathī | tathāpy ādāya vaidehīṃ kuśalī na gamiṣyasi ||
Je suis vieux ; toi, tu es jeune, archer avec tes flèches, cuirassé et monté sur ton char. Pourtant, en enlevant Vaidehī, tu ne t’en iras pas sain et sauf.
Glorious Jatayu, the best among the birds, looked like the peak of a mountain.His beak was sharp. His words were auspious. He spoke from the top of the tree:
FAQs
Dharma demands intervention even against stronger force: age or disadvantage does not excuse silence when injustice is occurring.
Jatāyu declares his resolve to prevent the abduction, despite Rāvaṇa’s superior youth and weaponry.
Vīrya (valor) in service of righteousness.