Shloka 3.67.15
जटायुवृत्तान्तः — Jatāyu’s Testimony and Rāma’s Grief
यामोषधिमिवायुष्मन्नन्वेषसि महावने।सा देवी मम च प्राणा रावणेनोभयं हृतम्।।।।
yām oṣadhim ivāyuṣmann anveṣasi mahāvane | sā devī mama ca prāṇā rāvaṇenobhayaṃ hṛtam ||
“O long‑lived one, she whom you seek in this great forest as one seeks a healing herb—she, that noble lady, and my very life as well: both have been taken away by Rāvaṇa.”
O Long-lived one ! she who you are searching in the forest like herbal medicine has been carried away by Ravana along with my life.
Speaking satya as a witness is dharma: Jatāyu, even while dying, prioritizes truthful disclosure to aid righteous action.
Jatāyu identifies Rāvaṇa as the abductor and tells Rāma that Sītā has been carried away, while Jatāyu’s own life is ebbing.
Jatāyu’s self-sacrifice and integrity—he fought for Sītā and now offers truthful guidance at the cost of his life.