Shloka 3.67.10

जटायुवृत्तान्तः — Jatāyu’s Testimony and Rāma’s Grief

Devanagari script

तं दृष्ट्वा गिरिशृङ्गाभं रामो लक्ष्मणमब्रवीत्।।।।अनेन सीता वैदेही भक्षिता नात्र संशयः।

Transliteration

taṃ dṛṣṭvā giriśṛṅgābhaṃ rāmo lakṣmaṇam abravīt | anena sītā vaidehī bhakṣitā nātra saṃśayaḥ ||

Translation

Seeing him, huge like a mountain peak, Rāma said to Lakṣmaṇa: “By this one Vaidehī Sītā has been devoured—of that there is no doubt.”

Context

On seeing Jatayu looking like the peak of a mountain, Rama said to Lakshmana, There is no doubt that this bird has devoured Vaidehi.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Sītā
• Vaidehī
• Jatāyu (implied by context: the vulture-like bird)

FAQs

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

Dharma warns against hasty conclusions: intense grief can distort perception, so truth (satya) should be verified before blame and violence.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa encounter the grievously wounded Jatāyu; mistaking appearances, Rāma initially suspects the bird has harmed Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indirectly, the verse foregrounds the need for विवेक (discernment); it shows how even the righteous can momentarily falter under sorrow.