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 |
ஓ பௌலஸ்த்யநந்தனா! சாஸ்திரங்களில் விதி தெளிவாக இல்லாவிட்டாலும், சிஷ்டர்கள் அரசனின் நடத்தையை அளவுகோலாகக் கொண்டு அதனாலேயே தர்மம், அர்த்தம், காமம் என்ன என்பதைத் தீர்மானிக்கிறார்கள்.
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.