Shloka 4

जटायुरुपदेशः — Jatāyu Confronts Rāvaṇa

Ethical Admonition and Challenge

Devanagari script

राजा सर्वस्य लोकस्य महेन्द्रवरुणोपमः।लोकानां च हिते युक्तो रामो दशरथात्मजः।।।।

Transliteration

rājā sarvasya lokasya mahendravaruṇopamaḥ |

lokānāṃ ca hite yukto rāmo daśarathātmajaḥ ||

Translation

罗摩——陀沙罗陀之子——为一切世界之王，堪比因陀罗与伐楼那，恒常致力于众生之福祉。

Word by Word

• राजा: king
• राजा: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• सर्वस्य: of all
• सर्वस्य: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga/Napumsaka, Ṣaṣṭhī (6th/षष्ठी), Ekavacana; qualifies lokasya

• लोकस्य: of the world
• लोकस्य: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Ekavacana

• महेन्द्रवरुणोपमः: like Mahendra and Varuṇa
• महेन्द्रवरुणोपमः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: mahendra-varuṇa-upama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: महेन्द्रवरुणयोः उपमः (सदृशः); Pumliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• लोकानाम्: of people/worlds
• लोकानाम्: Sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahuvacana

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: ca (अव्यय)
• Form: Samuccaya-nipāta, conjunction

• हिते: in/for welfare
• हिते: Prayojana/Adhikaraṇa (प्रयोजन/अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: hita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napumsaka, Saptamī, Ekavacana; 'in welfare/for the good' (locative of purpose)

• युक्तः: engaged
• युक्तः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: √yuj (धातु) + kta (क्त)
• Form: Kta-participle; Pumliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; 'engaged/intent'

• रामः: Rāma
• रामः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pumliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

• दशरथात्मजः: son of Daśaratha
• दशरथात्मजः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: daśaratha-ātmaja (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa: दशरथस्य आत्मजः; Pumliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana

Context

Clad in bark garments, Rama, who has often slain demons in the past will soon kill you in war.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Indra (Mahendra)
• Varuṇa
• Rāvaṇa

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Rajadharma is defined as rule for universal welfare—true kingship is measured by protection and benefit of the world, not mere dominion.

What is the narrative situation?

Jatāyu warns Rāvaṇa by invoking Rāma’s stature and righteous kingship, establishing why abducting Sītā is a grave violation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Benevolent leadership: Rāma is characterized by commitment to the common good.