Shloka 3.67.7
जटायुवृत्तान्तः — Jatāyu’s Testimony and Rāma’s Grief
तानि युक्तो मया सार्धं त्वमन्वेषितुमर्हसि।त्वद्विधा बुद्धिसम्पन्ना महात्मानो नरर्षभ।।।।आपत्सु न प्रकम्पन्ते वायुवेगैरिवाचलाः।
tataḥ parvata-kūṭābhaṁ mahābhāgaṁ dvijottamam | dadarśa patitaṁ bhūmau kṣatajārdraṁ jaṭāyuṣam ||
Then he saw Jaṭāyu—the noble bird, illustrious and great—lying fallen on the ground, wet with blood, like a mountain peak brought down.
Accompanied by me you should search for her in those spots. Great people endowed with wisdom do not destabilise in difficulties just as mountains are not shaken by the speed of the wind.
Recognition of sacrifice for righteousness: Jaṭāyu’s condition signals a dharmic struggle undertaken to protect Sītā.
During the search, Rāma comes upon Jaṭāyu grievously wounded after battling Rāvaṇa.
Vīrya and tyāga (valor and self-sacrifice) embodied by Jaṭāyu, whose wounds testify to his protective duty.