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 ||
നീ ശൂരനാണെങ്കിൽ യുദ്ധം ചെയ്തു കാണിക്ക; ഹേ രാവണ, ഒരു നിമിഷം നില്ക്ക. വധിക്കപ്പെട്ട് നീ ഭൂമിയിൽ കിടക്കും, മുമ്പേ ഖരൻ കിടന്നതുപോലെ.
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.