Shloka 3.68.17
जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः — Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites
ब्रूहि ब्रूहीति रामस्य ब्रुवाणस्य कृताञ्जलेः।।।।त्वक्त्वा शरीरं गृध्रस्य जग्मुः प्राणा विहायसम्।
brūhi brūhīti rāmasya bruvāṇasya kṛtāñjaleḥ |
tvaktvā śarīraṃ gṛdhrasya jagmuḥ prāṇā vihāyasam ||
While Rama, with folded hands, kept pleading "Speak, speak," the life-breaths left the vulture's body and ascended to the sky.
As Rama was saying to the vulture with folded palms 'Tell me, tell me'( about Ravana) the life breath of the vulture soared into the sky leaving the body.
Reverence for those who uphold dharma: Rāma’s folded hands show humility and gratitude toward a protector who sacrificed himself for righteousness.
Rāma urgently asks for details, but Jatāyu dies; the narrator marks the departure of life-breath.
Rāma’s compassion and respect for the virtuous, regardless of species or status.