Shloka 3.67.20
जटायुवृत्तान्तः — Jatāyu’s Testimony and Rāma’s Grief
अयं तु सारथिस्तस्य मत्पक्षनिहतो युधि।परिश्रान्तस्य मे पक्षौ छित्त्वा खड्गेन रावणः।।3.67.19।।सीतामादाय वैदेहीमुत्पपात विहायसम्।रक्षसा निहतं पूर्वं न मां हन्तुं त्वमर्हसि।।3.67.20।।
sītām ādāya vaidehīm utpapāta vihāyasam |
rakṣasā nihataṃ pūrvaṃ na māṃ hantuṃ tvam arhasi ||
Taking Sītā, the princess of Videha, he leapt up into the sky. Do not kill me—you need not—for I have already been struck down before by that rākṣasa.
He is Ravana's charioteer slain by my wings in the battle. As I was exhausted in the encounter Ravana clipped my wings, took Sita, and flew into the sky. You need not kill me. I am already slain by the demon.
Dharma includes truthful witness and compassion: Jatāyu, though dying, prioritizes reporting the truth and preventing needless violence against himself.
Jatāyu identifies that Rāvaṇa carried Sītā away through the sky and urges Rāma not to kill him, since he is already fatally wounded.
Jatāyu’s satya (truthfulness) and clarity of purpose—helping Rāma with reliable information even at the end of life.