जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः — Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites
अरण्यकाण्ड
Sarga 68 opens with Rāma seeing Jaṭāyu cast down on the earth by the fierce rākṣasa and addressing Lakṣmaṇa while assessing the bird’s failing breath and faint voice. Rāma urgently questions Jaṭāyu about Sītā’s abduction—Rāvaṇa’s motive, appearance, deeds, and dwelling—while Jaṭāyu, in a weakening voice, reports that Rāvaṇa seized Sītā through expansive māyā amid violent winds and carried her south, cutting Jaṭāyu’s wings when he resisted. As death approaches, Jaṭāyu’s perception reels, and he discloses a prognostic detail: the kidnapping occurred in the muhūrta called “Vinda,” whose effect is that the husband will regain lost wealth—an interpretive marker of eventual recovery that Rāvaṇa does not understand. Jaṭāyu further identifies Rāvaṇa genealogically (son of Viśravas, brother of Vaiśravaṇa/Kubera), then relinquishes life as Rāma pleads for more information. Overcome by grief, Rāma reflects on destiny’s inescapability and praises virtue found even among animals, declaring Jaṭāyu as worthy of honor like Daśaratha. Rāma orders firewood, performs cremation rites, offers meat-oblation, recites mantras as for a father, and both princes offer water-libations at the Godāvarī according to śāstric procedure. The sarga concludes with Jaṭāyu attaining an auspicious state through these rites, and Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa entering deeper into the forest with focused resolve to recover Sītā.
Verse 3.68.1
रामस्सम्प्रेक्ष्य तं गृध्रं भुवि रौद्रेण पातितम्।सौमित्रिं मित्रसम्पन्नमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।।।
Seeing that vulture lying on the ground, struck down by the fierce one, Rāma spoke these words to Saumitri, his loyal friend.
Verse 3.68.2
ममायं नूनमर्थेषु यतमानो विहङ्गमः।राक्षसेन हतस्संख्ये प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यति दुस्त्यजान्।।।।
Surely this bird, striving to accomplish my purpose, has been struck down in battle by a rākṣasa, and now will relinquish the life-breaths so hard to forsake.
Verse 3.68.3
अयमस्य शरीरेऽस्मिन्प्राणो लक्ष्मण विद्यते।तथा हि स्वरहीनोऽयं विक्लबस्समुदीक्ष्यते।।।।
Lakṣmaṇa, life still remains in his body; yet he appears weak and distressed—his voice has grown faint.
Verse 3.68.4
जटायो यदि शक्नोषि वाक्यं व्याहरितुं पुनः।सीतामाख्याहि भद्रं ते वधमाख्याहि चात्मनः।।।।
For what reason did Rāvaṇa abduct Sītā? What offense of mine did he perceive, that my beloved was carried off by Rāvaṇa?
Verse 3.68.5
किं निमित्तोऽहरत्सीतां रावणस्तस्य किं मया।अपराद्धं तु यं दृष्ट्वा रावणेन हृता प्रिया।।।।
O best of birds, how did her delightful, moon-like face appear at that moment? And what words did Sītā speak at the time?
Verse 3.68.6
कथं तच्चन्द्रसङ्काशं मुखमासीन्मनोहरम्।सीतया कानि चोक्तानि तस्मिन्काले द्विजोत्तम।।।।
Dear father, tell me as I ask: how great is that rākṣasa’s might, what is his form, what deeds does he pursue—and where is his dwelling?
Verse 3.68.7
कथं वीर्यः कथं रूपः किं कर्मा स च राक्षसः।क्व चास्य भवनं तात ब्रूहि मे परिपृच्छतः।।।।
Seeing Rāma wailing without pause, the sorrow-stricken Jaṭāyu looked up and, in a voice grown faint, spoke these words to him.
Verse 3.68.8
तमुद्वीक्ष्याथ दीनात्मा विलपन्तमनन्तरम्।वाचातिसन्नया रामं जटायुरिदमब्रवीत्।।।।
She was carried off through the sky by Rāvaṇa, lord of rākṣasas, who resorted to vast māyā—stirring up fierce winds and storm-darkness.
Verse 3.68.9
हृता सा राक्षसेन्द्रेण रावणेन विहायसा।मायामास्थाय विपुलां वातदुर्दिनसङ्कुलाम्।।।।
Having offered the udaka water-libation even for that noblest of birds, the two set their minds firm and intent; then, fixing their purpose on finding Sītā, they entered the forest—like Viṣṇu and Vāsava (Indra) among the lords of the devas.
Verse 3.68.10
परिश्रान्तस्य मे तात पक्षौ छित्वा स राक्षसः।सीतामादाय वैदेहीं प्रयातो दक्षिणां दिशम्।।।।
O child, when I was worn out, that rākṣasa cut off my wings and, taking Sītā of Videha, went away toward the southern quarter.
Verse 3.68.11
उपरुध्यन्ति मे प्राणा दृष्टिर्भ्रमति राघव।पश्यामि वृक्षान्सौवर्णानुशीरकृतमूर्धजान्।।।।
O Rāghava, my breaths are failing and my sight reels; I see golden trees, with uśīra-grass as though it were hair upon their crowns.
Verse 3.68.12
येन याति मुहूर्तेन सीतामादाय रावणः।विप्रणष्टं धनं क्षिप्रं तत्स्वामी प्रतिपद्यते।।।।विन्दो नाम मुहूर्तोऽयं स च काकुत्स्थ नाबुधत्।
The very muhūrta in which Rāvaṇa went off carrying Sītā is called ‘Vinda’; by its effect, the owner quickly recovers lost wealth—yet, O Kākuṭstha, he did not understand this.
Verse 3.68.13
त्वत्प्रियां जानकीं हृत्वा रावणो राक्षसेश्वरः।।।।झषवद्बडिशं गृह्य क्षिप्रमेव विनश्यति।
Having abducted your beloved Janaki, Ravana, the lord of Rakshasas, will perish swiftly, just like a fish that swallows a baited hook.
Verse 3.68.14
न च त्वया व्यथा कार्या जनकस्य सुतां प्रति।।।।वैदेह्या रंस्यसे क्षिप्रं हत्वा तं राक्षसं रणे।
You must not grieve for the daughter of Janaka; having slain that Rakshasa in battle, you will soon rejoice with Vaidehi.
Verse 3.68.15
असम्मूढस्य गृध्रस्य रामं प्रत्यनुभाषतः।।।।आस्यात्सुस्राव रुधिरं म्रियमाणस्य सामिषम्।
As the dying vulture, remaining clear-minded, spoke to Rama, blood mixed with flesh flowed from his mouth.
Verse 3.68.16
पुत्रो विश्रवसस्साक्षाद्भ्राता वैश्रवणस्य च।।।।इत्युक्त्वा दुर्लभान्प्राणान्मुमोच पतगेश्वरः।
Saying, "He is the direct son of Visravas and the brother of Vaisravana," the lord of birds released his precious life-breath.
Verse 3.68.17
ब्रूहि ब्रूहीति रामस्य ब्रुवाणस्य कृताञ्जलेः।।।।त्वक्त्वा शरीरं गृध्रस्य जग्मुः प्राणा विहायसम्।
While Rama, with folded hands, kept pleading "Speak, speak," the life-breaths left the vulture's body and ascended to the sky.
Verse 3.68.18
स निक्षिप्य शिरो भूमौ प्रसार्य चरणौ तदा।।।।विक्षिप्य च शरीरं स्वं पपात धरणीतले।
Then he cast his head upon the ground, stretched out his feet, and with his body splayed, fell upon the earth.
Verse 3.68.19
तं गृध्रं प्रेक्ष्य ताम्राक्षं गतासुमचलोपमम्।।।।रामस्सुबहुभिर्दुःखैर्दीनस्सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्।
Seeing that vulture—his eyes reddened, his life departed, lying like a mountain—Rāma, overwhelmed by many sorrows, spoke in dejection to Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa).
Verse 3.68.20
बहूनि रक्षसां वासे वर्षाणि वसता सुखम्।।।।अनेन दण्डकारण्ये विशीर्णमिह पक्षिणा।
Having lived happily for many years here in Daṇḍakāraṇya, the dwelling-place of rākṣasas, this bird has now met his end here (because of us).
Verse 3.68.21
अनेकवार्षिको यस्तु चिरकालसमुत्थितः।।।।सोऽयमद्य हतश्शेते कालो हि दुरतिक्रमः।
Though he was aged and had lived long, he lies here slain today—for time (fate) is indeed impossible to overstep.
Verse 3.68.22
पश्य लक्ष्मण गृध्रोऽयमुपकारी हतश्च मे।।।।सीतामभ्यवपन्नो वै रावणेन बलीयसा।
Behold, O Lakṣmaṇa—this vulture, my benefactor, has been slain by the mighty Rāvaṇa as he rushed to aid Sītā.
Verse 3.68.23
गृध्रराज्यं परित्यज्य पितृपैतामहं महत्।।।।मम हेतोरयं प्राणान्मुमोच पतगेश्वरः।
Forsaking his great ancestral sovereignty among the vultures, this lord of birds surrendered his very life for my sake.
Verse 3.68.24
सर्वत्र खलु दृश्यन्ते साधवो धर्मचारिणः।।।।शूराश्शरण्यास्सौमित्रे तिर्यग्योनिगतेष्वपि।
Truly, everywhere are found the good who walk in dharma—valiant protectors and a refuge, O Saumitri, even among those born as beasts and birds.
Verse 3.68.25
सीताहरणजं दुःखं न मे सौम्य तथाविधम्।।।।यथा विनाशे गृध्रस्य मत्कृते च परन्तप।
O gentle one—O scorcher of foes—the grief born of Sītā’s abduction does not pierce me as does this: the ruin of this vulture, and that too for my sake.
Verse 3.68.26
राजा दशरथश्श्रीमान्यथा मम महायशाः।।।।पूजनीयश्च मान्यश्च तथाऽयं पतगेश्वरः।
Just as the illustrious and prosperous King Daśaratha is, for me, worthy of reverence and honor, so too is this lord of birds.
Verse 3.68.27
सौमित्रे हर काष्ठानि निर्मथिष्यामि पावकम्।।।।गृध्रराजं दिधक्षामि मत्कृते निधनं गतम्।
O Saumitri, bring the firewood; I shall kindle the fire by rubbing, and I shall cremate the king of vultures who has gone to his death for my sake.
Verse 3.68.28
नाथं पतगलोकस्य चितामारोप्य राघव।।।।इमं धक्ष्यामि सौमित्रे हतं रौद्रेण रक्षसा।
O Rāghava—O Saumitri—I shall place this lord of the bird-world upon the funeral pyre and cremate him, for he has been slain by a fierce rākṣasa.
Verse 3.68.29
या गतिर्यज्ञशीलानामाहिताग्नेश्च या गतिः।।।।अपरावर्तिनां या च या च भूमिप्रदायिनाम्।मया त्वं समनुज्ञातो गच्छ लोकाननुत्तमान्।।।।गृध्रराज महासत्त्व संस्कृतश्च मया व्रज।
O king of vultures, mighty one—may you attain the blessed destiny of those devoted to sacrifice, who maintain the sacred fires, who never turn back from battle, and who give land in charity. With my permission, purified by these rites, go now to the unsurpassed worlds.
Verse 3.68.30
या गतिर्यज्ञशीलानामाहिताग्नेश्च या गतिः।।3.68.29।।अपरावर्तिनां या च या च भूमिप्रदायिनाम्।मया त्वं समनुज्ञातो गच्छ लोकाननुत्तमान्।।3.68.30।।गृध्रराज महासत्त्व संस्कृतश्च मया व्रज।
O king of vultures, mighty one—may you attain the blessed destiny of those devoted to sacrifice, who maintain the sacred fires, who never turn back from battle, and who give land in charity. With my permission, purified by these rites, go now to the unsurpassed worlds.
Verse 3.68.31
एवमुक्त्वा चितां दीप्तामारोप्य पतगेश्वरम्।।।।ददाह रामो धर्मात्मा स्वबन्धुमिव दुःखितः।
Having spoken thus, righteous Rāma placed the lord of birds upon the blazing pyre and cremated him, grieving as though for his own kinsman.
Verse 3.68.32
रामोऽथ सहसौमित्रिर्वनं गत्वा स वीर्यवान्।।।।स्थूलान्हत्वा महारोहीननुतस्तार तं द्विजम्।
Then mighty Rāma, with Saumitri, went into the forest; having slain large deer, he brought them and arranged them as an offering for that twice-born bird.
Verse 3.68.33
रोहिमांसानि चोत्कृत्य पेशीकृत्य महायशाः।।।।शकुनाय ददौ रामो रम्ये हरितशाद्वले।
The illustrious Rāma cut up the deer’s flesh, formed it into portions, and offered it to the bird on a lovely green grassy ground.
Verse 3.68.34
यत्तत्प्रेतस्य मर्त्यस्य कथयन्ति द्विजातयः।।।।तत्स्वर्गगमनं तस्य पित्र्यं रामो जजाप ह।
Whatever rites and mantras the twice-born prescribe for a departed mortal—those aiding passage to heaven—Rāma recited for him, as one would for one’s own father.
Verse 3.68.35
ततो गोदावरीं गत्वा नदीं नरवरात्मजौ।।।।उदकं चक्रतुस्तस्मै गृध्रराजाय तावुभौ।
Then the two princes went to the river Godāvarī and both offered water-libations to that king of vultures.
Verse 3.68.36
शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना जले गृध्राय राघवौ।।।।स्नात्वा तौ गृध्रराजाय उदकं चक्रतुस्तदा।
Thereafter the two Rāghavas bathed in the water and, following the procedure taught in the śāstras, offered water-libations to the king of vultures.
Verse 3.68.37
स गृध्रराजः कृतवान्यशस्करं सुदुष्करं कर्म रणे निपातितः।महर्षिकल्पेन च संस्कृतस्तदा जगाम पुण्यां गतिमात्मनश्शुभाम्।।।।
That king of vultures, fallen in battle after accomplishing a most difficult and glorious deed, was then sanctified according to the rites of the great seers; and he attained a holy and auspicious destiny for his self.
Verse 3.68.38
कृतोदकौ तावपि पक्षिसत्तमे स्थिरां च बुद्धिं प्रणिधाय जग्मतुः।प्रवेश्य सीताधिगमे ततो मनो वनं सुरेन्द्रविव विष्णुवासवौ।।।।
O Jatāyu, if you are still able to speak once more, tell me about Sītā—may you be blessed—and tell also how you yourself were struck down.