Shloka 3.68.2

जटायुनिर्वाणसंस्कारः — Jatayu’s Final Testimony and Funeral Rites

Devanagari script

ममायं नूनमर्थेषु यतमानो विहङ्गमः।राक्षसेन हतस्संख्ये प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यति दुस्त्यजान्।।।।

Transliteration

mamāyaṃ nūnam artheṣu yatamāno vihaṅgamaḥ |

rākṣasena hataḥ saṅkhye prāṇāṃs tyakṣyati dustyajān ||

Translation

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.

Context

Struck down by the demon in the combat on my account this bird is going to give up his life which is indeed difficult.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Jaṭāyu (implied as the bird)
• rākṣasa (demon)

FAQs

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

Recognition of selfless service: Rāma acknowledges that another being strove for his righteous cause and suffered for it, highlighting gratitude and respect for dharmic sacrifice.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma encounters the wounded/stricken bird (Jaṭāyu) after the abduction of Sītā and understands that it was injured by a rākṣasa in combat while trying to help.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Jaṭāyu’s courage and self-sacrifice in defense of righteousness, and Rāma’s gratitude in recognizing that sacrifice.