Aranya KandaSarga 1435 Verses

Sarga 14

जटायुस्संवादः — Encounter with Jaṭāyu and the Genealogy of Beings (Aranyakanda 14)

अरण्यकाण्ड

While proceeding toward Pañcavaṭī, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa encounter a formidable vulture perched on a banyan tree and initially suspect a rākṣasa. The bird speaks gently, identifies himself as Daśaratha’s friend, and is honored by Rāma, who requests his name and lineage. Jaṭāyu responds with a cosmological-genealogical discourse: he enumerates early Prajāpatis, then Dakṣa’s famed sixty daughters, and the eight wives of Kaśyapa (Aditi, Diti, Danu, Kālīkā, Tāmra, Krodhavaśā, Anala, Manu). The narration maps progeny lines—devas from Aditi (the thirty-three), daityas from Diti, specific beings from Danu and Kālīkā, and extensive avian and animal lineages from Tāmra and Krodhavaśā, including hawks, vultures, swans, and chakravākas; it further covers Surabhi’s descendants (cows and horses), Surasā and Kadrū’s serpent lines, and Vinatā’s sons (Garuḍa and Aruṇa). Jaṭāyu finally identifies himself as Aruṇa’s son and Sampāti’s younger brother, offering protective service: he will guard Sītā when the brothers are away in this dangerous forest. Rāma joyfully embraces and reveres him, then entrusts Sītā to Jaṭāyu’s protection and proceeds with Lakṣmaṇa to Pañcavaṭī, framing the alliance as a strategic and ethical safeguard amid rākṣasa-threatened wilderness.

Shlokas

Verse 3.14.1

अथ पञ्चवटीं गच्छन्नन्तरा रघुनन्दनः।आससाद महाकायं गृध्रं भीमपराक्रमम्।।3.14.1।।

Then, while proceeding toward Pañcavaṭī, Rāma—the delight of the Raghu line—met on the way a vulture of massive body and terrifying prowess.

Verse 3.14.2

तं दृष्ट्वा तौ महाभागौ वटस्थं रामलक्ष्मणौ।मेनाते राक्षसं पक्षिं ब्रुवाणौ को भवानिति।।3.14.2।।

Śyenī gave birth to radiant hawks and vultures; and Dhṛtarāṣṭrī, of every kind, bore swans and sweet-voiced kalahaṃsas.

Verse 3.14.3

स तौ मधुरया वाचा सौम्यया प्रीणयन्निव।उवाच वत्स मां विद्धि वयस्यं पितुरात्मनः।।3.14.3।।

He, as though delighting them, spoke to the two in a sweet and gentle voice: “Dear child, know me as a friend of your father.”

Verse 3.14.4

स तं पितृसखं बुद्ध्वा पूजयामास राघवः।स तस्य कुलमव्यग्रमथ पप्रच्छ नाम च।।3.14.4।।

Hearing Rāma’s words, spoken for the good of all beings, the bird began to tell him of the origin of creatures and, in particular, of his own lineage and identity.

Verse 3.14.5

रामस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा सर्वभूतसमुद्भवम्।आचचक्षे द्विजस्तस्मै कुलमात्मानमेव च।।3.14.5।।

“O mighty-armed Rāghava, listen from the beginning as I recount to you all those ancient Prajāpatis who came to be.”

Verse 3.14.6

पूर्वकाले महाबाहो ये प्रजापतयोऽभवन्।तान्मे निगदतस्सर्वानादितश्शृणु राघव।।3.14.6।।

“O Rāghava, among them Kardama was the first; after him came Vikrīta; then Śeṣa and Saṃśraya, and the valiant Bahuputra; then Sthāṇu, Marīci, Atri, and the mighty Kratu; Pulastya, Aṅgiras, Pracetas, and likewise Pulaha; then Dakṣa, Vivasvān, and Ariṣṭanemi; and last among them was the greatly radiant Kāśyapa.”

Verse 3.14.7

कर्दमः प्रथमस्तेषां विक्रीतस्तदनन्तरः।शेषश्च संश्रयश्चैव बहुपुत्रश्च वीर्यवान्।।3.14.7।।स्थाणुर्मरीचिरत्रिश्च क्रतुश्चैव महाबलः।पुलस्त्यश्चाङ्गिराश्चैव प्रचेताः पूलहस्तथा।।3.14.8।।दक्षो विवस्वानपरोऽरिष्टनेमिश्च राघव।काश्यपश्च महातेजास्तेषामासीच्च पश्चिमः।।3.14.9।।

There, entrusting Sītā of Mithilā to that exceedingly strong bird (Jatāyu), Rāma—accompanied by Lakṣmaṇa—went to Pañcavaṭī, intent on consuming his foes like a forest-fire that burns moths.

Verse 3.14.8

Then, reaching Pañcavaṭī teeming with many kinds of fierce beasts, Rāma spoke to his brother Saumitri (Lakṣmaṇa), who shone with blazing energy.

Verse 3.14.9

“This region is level and beautiful, encircled by flowering trees. Here, O gentle one, you should build the hermitage properly.”

Verse 3.14.10

प्रजापतेस्तु दक्षस्य बभूवुरिति विश्रुतम्।षष्टिर्दुहितरो राम यशस्विन्यो महायशः।।3.14.10।।

O greatly renowned Rāma, it is widely known that Prajāpati Dakṣa had sixty illustrious daughters.

Verse 3.14.11

काश्यपः प्रतिजग्राह तासामष्टौ सुमध्यमाः।अदितिं च दितिं चैव दनुमप्यथ कालिकाम्।।3.14.11।।ताम्रां क्रोधवशां चैव मनुं चाप्यनलामपि।

Of those daughters, Kāśyapa took eight slender-waisted wives: Aditi and Diti; Danu; and also Kālikā—along with Tāmra, Krodhavaśā, Manu, and Anala as well.

Verse 3.14.12

तास्तु कन्यास्ततः प्रीतः काश्यपः पुनरब्रवीत्।।3.14.12।।पुत्रां स्स्रैलोक्यभर्तृ़न्वै जनयिष्यथ मत्समान्।

Then Kāśyapa, pleased, spoke again to those maidens: “You shall bear sons equal to me—sons fit to rule the three worlds.”

Verse 3.14.13

अदितिस्तन्मना राम दितिश्च मनुजर्षभ।।3.14.13।।कालिका च महाबाहो शेषास्त्वमनसोऽभवन्।

O Rāma, bull among men, mighty-armed: Aditi, Diti, and Kālikā took his words to heart; the others, however, were not intent upon it.

Verse 3.14.14

अदित्यां जज्ञिरे देवात्रयस्त्रिंशदरिंदम।।3.14.14।।आदित्या वसवो रुद्रा ह्यश्विनौ च परन्तप।

O subduer of enemies, scorcher of foes: from Aditi were born the thirty-three gods—twelve Ādityas, eight Vasus, eleven Rudras, and the two Aśvins.

Verse 3.14.15

दितिस्त्वजनयत्पुत्रान् दैत्यांस्तात यशस्विनः।।3.14.15।।तेषामियं वसुमती पुराऽसीत्सवनार्णवा।

But Diti, dear one, bore illustrious sons known as the Daityas; and in ancient times this earth—together with its forests and seas—belonged to them.

Verse 3.14.16

दनुस्त्वजनयत्पुत्रमश्वग्रीवमरिन्दम।।3.14.16।।नरकं कालकंचैव कालिकापि व्यजायत।

O subduer of enemies: Danu bore a son, Aśvagrīva (Hayagrīva); and Kālikā too gave birth to Naraka and also Kālaka.

Verse 3.14.17

क्रौञ्चीं भासीं तथा श्येनीं धृतराष्ट्रीं तथा शुकीम्।।3.14.17।।ताम्रापि सुषुवे कन्याः पञ्चैता लोकविश्रुताः।

Seeing that bird perched on a banyan tree, the noble Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa mistook him for a rākṣasa and questioned him: “Who are you?”

Verse 3.14.18

उलूकाञ्जनयत्क्रौञ्ची भासी भासान्व्यजायत।।3.14.18।।श्येनी श्येनांश्च गृध्रांश्च व्यजायत सुतेजसः।धृतराष्ट्रीतु हंसांश्च कलहंसांश्च सर्वशः।।3.14.19।।

Tāmra, too, gave birth to five daughters—Krauñcī, Bhāsī, Śyenī, Dhṛtarāṣṭrī, and Śukī—maidens renowned in the world.

Verse 3.14.19

Krauñcī bore owls, and Bhāsī gave birth to the bhāsa-birds.

Verse 3.14.20

चक्रवाकांश्च भद्रं ते विजज्ञे सापि भामिनी।शुकी नतां विजज्ञे तु नताया विनता सुता।।3.14.20।।

She (Dhṛtarāṣṭrī), O Rāma—may good be yours—also brought forth cakravāka-birds. Śukī bore Natā; and from Natā was born Vinatā, her daughter.

Verse 3.14.21

दश क्रोधवशा राम विजज्ञे ह्यात्मसम्भवाः।मृगीं च मृगमन्दां च हरीं भद्रमदामपि।।3.14.21।।मातङ्गीमपि शार्दूलीं श्वेतां च सुरभिं तथा।सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्नां सुरसां कद्रुकामपि।।3.14.22।।

O Rāma, Krodhavaśā bore ten daughters from her own body—Mṛgī, Mṛgamandā, Harī, and also Bhadrāmadā among them.

Verse 3.14.22

Also were born Mātaṅgī, Śārdūlī, Śvetā, and Surabhī; likewise Surasā—endowed with every auspicious mark—and also Kadrukā.

Verse 3.14.23

अपत्यं तु मृगास्सर्वे मृग्या नरवरोत्तम।ऋक्षाश्च मृगमन्दायास्सृमराश्चमरा स्तथा।।3.14.23।।

O best of men, from Mṛgī came all kinds of wild animals; and from Mṛgamandā were born bears, sṛmara-deer, and also camara-deer.

Verse 3.14.24

हर्याश्च हरयोऽपत्यं वानराश्च तरस्स्विनः।ततस्त्विरावतीं नाम जज्ञे भद्रमदा सुताम्।।3.14.24।।

From Harī were born lions and swift-moving vānaras; then Bhadrāmadā gave birth to a daughter named Irāvatī.

Verse 3.14.25

तस्यास्त्वैरावतः पुत्रो लोकनाथो महागजः।मातङ्ग्या स्त्वथ मातङ्गा अपत्यं मनुजर्षभ।।3.14.25।।

From her (Irāvatī) was born Airāvata, the mighty elephant who became lord among creatures; and from Mātaṅgī, O bull among men, were born the elephants as her offspring.

Verse 3.14.26

गोलाङ्गूलांश्च शार्दूली व्याघ्रांश्चाजनयत्सुतान्।दिशागजांश्च काकुत्स्थ श्वेताप्यजनयत्सुतान्।।3.14.26।।

Śārdūlī gave birth to sons—tigers and the playful, round-bodied vānaras called Golāṅgūla; and Śvetā too, O Kakutstha, brought forth the elephants of the quarters, guardians of the eight directions.

Verse 3.14.27

ततो दुहितरौ राम सुरभिर्द्वेव्यजायत।रोहिणीं नाम भद्रं ते गन्धर्वीं च यशस्स्विनीम्।।3.14.27।।

Then, O Rāma, the divine Surabhi gave birth to two daughters—Rohiṇī by name, and the renowned Gandharvī. Blessings upon you.

Verse 3.14.28

रोहिण्यजनयद् गावो गन्धर्वी वाजिनः सुतान्। सुरसाऽजनयन्नागान्राम कद्रूस्तु पन्नगान्।।3.14.28।।

Rohiṇī brought forth cows; Gandharvī bore horses as her offspring. Surasā, O Rāma, produced the nāgas, while Kadrū brought forth the other serpents.

Verse 3.14.29

मनुर्मनुष्यान् जनयद्राम पुत्रान् यशस्विनः।ब्राह्मणान् क्षत्रियान् वैश्यान् शूद्रांश्च मनुजर्षभ।।3.14.29।।

Manu, O Rāma—bull among men—brought forth illustrious human offspring: brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras.

Verse 3.14.30

सर्वान् पुण्यफलान्वृक्षाननलापि व्यजायत।विनता च शुकीपौत्री कद्रूश्च सुरसास्वसा।।3.14.30।।

Anālā too brought forth trees of every kind bearing sacred fruits. And Vinatā was the granddaughter of Śukī; Kadrū and Surasā were her sisters.

Verse 3.14.31

कद्रूर्नागं सहस्रास्यं विजज्ञे धरणीधरम्।द्वौ पुत्रौ विनतायास्तु गरुडोऽरुण एव च।।3.14.31।।

Kadrū brought forth the thousand-hooded nāga, the earth-bearer; and Vinatā had two sons—Garuḍa and Aruṇa.

Verse 3.14.32

तस्माज्जातोऽहमरुणात्सम्पातिस्तु ममाग्रजः।जटायुरिति मां विद्धि श्येनीपुत्रमरिन्दम।।3.14.32।।

From that Aruṇa I was born; Sampāti is my elder brother. Know me as Jaṭāyu, the son of Śyenī—O subduer of enemies.

Verse 3.14.33

सोऽहं वाससहायस्ते भविष्यामि यदीच्छसि।इदं दुर्गं हि कान्तारं मृगराक्षस सेवितम्।।3.14.33।।सीतां च तात रक्षिष्ये त्वयि याते सलक्ष्मणे।

If you wish, I shall be your helper in guarding your dwelling. For this wilderness is perilous, frequented by beasts and rākṣasas. And, dear one, when you go away with Lakṣmaṇa, I will protect Sītā.

Verse 3.14.34

जटायुषं तं प्रतिपूज्य राघवो मुदा परिष्वज्य च सन्नतोऽभवत्।पितुर्हि शुश्राव सखित्वमात्मवान् जटायुषा सङ्कथितं पुनः पुनः।।3.14.34।।

Rāghava honored Jaṭāyu in return; and, joyful, he embraced him and bowed with reverence. Self-possessed, he heard again and again from Jaṭāyu the account of his friendship with Rāma’s father.

Verse 3.14.35

स तत्र सीतां परिदाय मैथिलीं सहैव तेनातिबलेन पक्षिणा।जगाम तां पञ्चवटीं सलक्ष्मणो रिपून्दिधक्षञ्छलभानि वानलः।।3.14.35।।

Recognizing him as a friend of his father, Rāma honored him; then, with a calm and composed mind, he asked the bird about his lineage and also his name.