Shloka 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 |
हे पौलस्त्यनन्दन! शास्त्रों में कोई नियम स्पष्ट न भी हो, तो भी शिष्ट जन राजा के आचरण को देखकर और उसी के प्रकाश में विचार करके धर्म, अर्थ और काम का निर्णय करते हैं।
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.
FAQs
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.