Shloka 3.68.11
जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः — Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites
उपरुध्यन्ति मे प्राणा दृष्टिर्भ्रमति राघव।पश्यामि वृक्षान्सौवर्णानुशीरकृतमूर्धजान्।।।।
uparudhyanti me prāṇā dṛṣṭir bhramati rāghava |
paśyāmi vṛkṣān sauvarṇān uśīra-kṛta-mūrdhajān ||
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.
O scion of the Raghu race, I am gasping for breath. My eyes are reeling. I see root hair growing on the tops of golden trees.
Steadfastness in duty at life’s end: even as life-breath and senses fail, the righteous strive to complete their responsibility—here, informing Rāma truthfully.
Jatāyu, dying from wounds, describes his failing breath and disoriented vision while continuing to speak to Rāma.
Perseverance and devotion to dharma—Jatāyu remains focused on aiding the just cause despite physical collapse.