Canto 3 -
Araṇya-kāṇḍa
Chapter 50: Jaṭāyu Challenges Rāvaṇa
Text 3.50.8
अर्थं वा यदि वा कामं शिष्टाः शास्त्रेष्वनागतम्।
व्यवस्यन्ति न राजानो धर्मं पौलस्त्यनन्दन॥
arthaṁ vā yadi vā kāmaṁ śiṣṭāḥ śāstreṣv anāgatam
vyavasyanti na rājāno dharmaṁ paulastya-nandana
artham vā = artha; yadi vā = or; kāmam = kāma; śiṣṭāḥ = civilized; śāstreṣu anāgatam = against the instructions of Vedic scriptures; vyavasyanti na = do not desire; rājānaḥ = kings; dharmam = dharma; paulastya-nandana = O beloved descendant of Paulastya.
O beloved descendant of Paulastya, civilized kings do not desire dharma, artha or kāma against the instructions of Vedic scriptures.
“Civilized kings” refer to saintly kings.
Jaṭāyu implies that whatever might be the case with the people at large, it is inappropriate for Rāvaṇa, a king, [to desire dharma, artha or kāma against the instructions of Vedic scriptures].