Shloka 22
जटायुरुपदेशः — Jatāyu Confronts Rāvaṇa
Ethical Admonition and Challenge
युद्ध्यस्व यदि शूरोऽसि मुहूर्तं तिष्ठ रावण।।।।शयिष्यसे हतो भूमौ यथापूर्वं खरस्तथा।
yuddhyasva yadi śūro 'si muhūrtaṃ tiṣṭha rāvaṇa |
śayiṣyase hato bhūmau yathāpūrvaṃ kharas tathā ||
यदि तू सचमुच शूरवीर है तो युद्ध कर; हे रावण, क्षणभर ठहर। मारा जाकर तू धरती पर वैसे ही पड़ेगा, जैसे पहले खर पड़ा था।
I should do this important work of those great souls, Rama and Dasaratha, even if it claims my life.
FAQs
Wrongdoing must be confronted, and a so-called hero is tested by facing righteous resistance rather than preying on the vulnerable.
As Rāvaṇa carries off Sītā, Jatāyu challenges him to a direct fight and foretells his fall, recalling Khara’s earlier defeat.
Valor in defense of dharma: Jatāyu chooses combat to protect Sītā and uphold moral order.