Shloka 3.68.19

जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः — Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites

Devanagari script

तं गृध्रं प्रेक्ष्य ताम्राक्षं गतासुमचलोपमम्।।।।रामस्सुबहुभिर्दुःखैर्दीनस्सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्।

Transliteration

taṃ gṛdhraṃ prekṣya tāmrākṣaṃ gatāsum acalopamam |

rāmaḥ subahubhir duḥkhair dīnaḥ saumitrim abravīt ||

Translation

Seeing that vulture—his eyes reddened, his life departed, lying like a mountain—Rāma, overwhelmed by many sorrows, spoke in dejection to Saumitrī (Lakṣmaṇa).

Context

Stricken with deep grief, his eyes red (with tears) Rama saw the vulture looking like a mountain. Seeing him dead, he said to Lakshmana:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa (Saumitrī)
• Jatāyu

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Compassion and honoring the righteous: grief here is not mere attachment, but moral recognition of a protector’s sacrifice—an ethical response to virtue.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma sees Jatāyu dead, is struck by compounded sorrow, and turns to speak with Lakṣmaṇa.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s empathy and gratitude—he is deeply moved by the death of one who acted for dharma.